Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems, 2016–2027
1,777 of the 3,688 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Santa Fe 2016–2027 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2017 (892), 2018 (266), 2016 (200). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recall campaigns, 2 NHTSA investigations. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 3 | 6% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2025 | 44 | 19% | — | 6 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2024 | 21 | 11% | — | 4 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 in depth | 63 | 22% | — | 18 TSBs | the record → |
| 2022 in depth | 73 | 28% | — | 45 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2021 | 46 | 25% | — | 25 TSBs · 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2020 in depth | 85 | 40% | 73k | 34 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 84 | 37% | 40k | 84 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 266 | 62% | 74k | 79 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 892 | 68% | 72k | 81 TSBs · 1 recall · 2 investigations | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 200 | 66% | 89k | 67 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 6 · 2017: 37 · 2018: 25 · 2019: 56 · 2020: 34 · 2021: 81 · 2022: 219 · 2023: 394 · 2024: 341 · 2025: 311 · 2026: 273
Across the model years, half of the 394 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 16,000 and 100,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe sport. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated as soon as the vehicle was started. The contact called the national central regional manager for consumer affairs.
Excessive engine braking on downhill roll with cruise engaged, will downshift then downshift again. While reducing the speed the cruise will cause the transmission to up-shift still rolling down the same hill at this point the cruise realizes the speed increase and does a double downshift from where it was.
The contact’s daughter owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.
The car began shuttering while driving down a main street (45-50mph). When we pulled over we smelled gasoline and burning. The car was towed to Hyundai service department. The service department informed my the fuel injectors were leaking causing a fire.
The contact's mother owns a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the RPM’s decreased and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated there was a clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light illuminated.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V549000 HighAug 25, 2025 · 29 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power and engine damage, possibly resulting in an oil leak.
- 22V197000 HighMar 28, 2022 · 16 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment.
- 17V578000 HighSep 20, 2017 · 420 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The crankshaft assemblies may have been produced with surface irregularities in the crankshaft pin, causing engine bearing wear.
NHTSA investigations
- DP22003 Loss of Motive Poweropened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023
- 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 i…
- DP24001 3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)opened Feb 8, 2024 · closed May 16, 2024
- 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 kno…
3 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- May 21, 2026
- Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these vehicles may be releasing air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards.
- Apr 18, 2026
- Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.
- Feb 11, 2026
- Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair based on the results of the inspection. Utilize the flowcharts as a guide to ensure the proper procedure and repair is performed. The warranty coverage for engine repair or replac
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Hyundai Santa Fe
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Hyundai Santa Fe problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Hyundai Santa Fe years have the most engine complaints?
2017, 892; 2018, 266; 2016, 200. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2017 (68%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Hyundai Santa Fe?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V549000 (2026), 22V197000 (2022), 17V578000 (2017). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Hyundai Santa Fe?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 68,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 16,000 and 100,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.