2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 10 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Santa Fe Sport FWD, is EPA-rated at 24 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 1307 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Sport FWD | Gas | FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 21 | 27 | 24 | $2,600 |
| Santa Fe Sport FWD | Gas | FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,700 |
| Santa Fe Sport Ultimate FWD | Gas | FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,700 |
| Santa Fe Sport AWD | Gas | AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 19 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 |
| Santa Fe Sport AWD | Gas | AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,850 |
| Santa Fe FWD | Gas | FWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 18 | 25 | 21 | $2,950 |
| Santa Fe Sport Ultimate AWD | Gas | AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 19 | 24 | 21 | $2,950 |
| Santa Fe AWD | Gas | AWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,100 |
| Santa Fe Ultimate FWD | Gas | FWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 17 | 23 | 20 | $3,100 |
| Santa Fe Ultimate AWD | Gas | AWD | 3.3L 6-cyl | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,300 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 37243, 37217, 37218, 37219, 37244, 37228, 37220, 37230, 37229, 37231.
Factory warranty running out?
The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
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Recalls (7)
Source: NHTSA recall databaseEngine And Engine Cooling
168Latches/Locks/Linkages
163Seat Belts
165Tires
159Electrical System
153Seat Belts
141NHTSA defect investigations
Engine — 3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP) closed
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition on February 2, 2024, requesting a defect investigation into an alleged defect of the "engine" on the following vehicle model: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles equipped with the 3.3L V-Shaped GDI Lambda-II engines. The petition cites allegations of a loss of motive power, often resulting in an engine seizure. The stall is preceded by a knocking sound, decreased performance and no warning lights. An analysis of the subject vehicle population was undertaken using complaints submitted to ODI along with manufacturer data. It was determined that the frequency of events is low for the subject population, while those that specifically rep
Opened Feb 8, 2024 · closed May 16, 2024 · action DP24001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module — Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires open
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V
Opened Nov 17, 2023 · action AQ23002
Engine — Loss of Motive Power closed
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023 · action DP22003
Owner complaints
Source: NHTSA complaint database19 involved a crash · 30 a fire · 26 injuries · 0 deaths reported
Filed per year: 2016: 47 · 2017: 99 · 2018: 58 · 2019: 56 · 2020: 38 · 2021: 59 · 2022: 222 · 2023: 270 · 2024: 196 · 2025: 145 · 2026: 117
Most-cited components
What owners describe
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
Source: NHTSA NCAP| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 14% |
| SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 15% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.
Other Santa Fe model years
2027 Hyundai Santa Fe
0 recalls · 0 complaints
D2026 Hyundai Santa Fe
4 recalls · 46 complaints
F2025 Hyundai Santa Fe
5 recalls · 215 complaints
F2024 Hyundai Santa Fe
7 recalls · 176 complaints
C2023 Hyundai Santa Fe
2 recalls · 284 complaints
F2022 Hyundai Santa Fe
8 recalls · 262 complaints
F2021 Hyundai Santa Fe
8 recalls · 185 complaints
C2020 Hyundai Santa Fe
2 recalls · 207 complaints
D2019 Hyundai Santa Fe
3 recalls · 221 complaints
F2018 Hyundai Santa Fe
5 recalls · 427 complaints
D2016 Hyundai Santa Fe
3 recalls · 303 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.