2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
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The engine suddenly seized up on me. Was told by my mechanic that that year and make once they get to a certain mileage gets premature engine failure. I looked it up and that year has a huge problem with this issue.
At 70,000 miles the Santa Fe was consuming oil at 1.5 quarts per 1000 miles. It is a 2.4 engine. The Hyundai dealership did an oil consumption test and verified the consumption. They want to do a combustion chamber cleaning and have me run it 1000 miles. The vehicle is unsafe because this defective engine could seize up at any time. I am trying to have Hyundai USA replace the engine asap. I have all my maintenance records and two warranties.
Subject: Urgent Safety & Warranty Concern – 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (TSB #21-01-002H) Dear Hyundai Customer Care and NHTSA, I am reporting a serious safety and warranty concern regarding my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (VIN: [XXX] , mileage:97,320). The vehicle is exhibiting excessive oil consumption after an initial Consumption test burning 3quarts of oil in 725 miles as well as causing damage to the intake manifold requiring it to be repaired and is consistent with the connecting rod bearing defect covered under Hyundai TSB #21-01-002H. This TSB extends engine coverage to 10 years/120,000 miles for precisely this issue. Despite this, my authorized dealer, Premier Hyundai of Moreno Valley has refused to take immediate corrective action and is requiring me to drive an additional 1,000 miles before performing the repair — a delay that increases the risk of catastrophic engine failure and endangers vehicle occupants and other motorists. Key points: This is a documented defect with a known history of sudden engine failure. TSB coverage and my warranty should apply immediately, without dangerous delay. The dealership’s requirement to continue driving the vehicle is unreasonable and unsafe. I am requesting: Immediate authorization for the engine diagnostic and replacement under TSB #21-01-002H. Confirmation from Hyundai that I am not required to continue operating a defective engine to “prove” the defect. NHTSA to log this complaint as part of the ongoing safety concerns regarding Hyundai Theta II engines. Please respond within 5 business days with next steps. I am prepared to provide full maintenance history, documentation, and dealership correspondence. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine failed and yes available for inspection. Car stalled and stuttered while driving. Problem was confirmed by an independent service center. Vehicle component has not been inspected yet. Check engine light came on two days ago
My wife and I bought a used 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, and the car has performed admirably over the last 4 to 5 years. Within the last month, the car started having stuttering issues and we took the car to our local shop, where we asked for a quick check and an oil change. The local shop reported that we had a Crank Shaft Advance error code, and that the car did not have much oil in it. We have not seen major oil loss between oil changes before, which concerned me. Once the car was full on oil the error codes cleared and the car worked well over the next few weeks. Oil levels seemed good during that time, but my wife took the car out to New York and back, then a trip into Boston (around 600 miles overall). On the way back from Boston, the engine stalled and would not start. We sent the car to be checked at a local Pep Boys, they performed a borescope and believed that the engine needed replacement. I contacted Autofair Hyundai and had the car towed there to service under Hyundai TSB 24-EM-007H. [XXX] >> The dealership mentioned that the diagnostics would cost ~200 dollars and detailed a number of error codes (low fuel flow, crankshaft advance, etc.). They then quoted a $8,000 to make the repairs and then they could check to see if the car met any warranty requirements. I opened a ticket with Hyundai and the ticket was closed. I believe this falls under Docket No. [XXX] and should be covered under Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin (23-EM-007H) [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My car had a thrown connecting rod-the problem described under TSB22-EM-006H-2 (TXXM/6G) which extends engine warranty to 150k miles/15 years for this exact issue my vin is listed my mileage is 113k and KSDS was completed (or I am exempt) please submit prior approval under the extended warranty for engine replacement. Hyundai is refusing to repair my car.
This modle has a serious oil consumption caused by a manufacturerer design issure with the engine. As time goes by the oil cosumption get wores potentially seizing the engine while driving. I have to constantly fill with oil. This is a major safety concern with many hyundai vehicles.
Excessive oil consumption from metal shaving left in engine during production. causes accelerated engine wear and failure. Rod bearing failure. piston ring failure, high chance of fire in engine compartment.
Excessive oil consumption leading to p420 codes every 2000 miles. vehicle is consuming a half a quart of oil every 100 miles. could cause engine to seize while driving.
Per our mechanic: Timing components blew a hole in the valve covers because they were so loose. It is burning massive amounts of oil. Could start with timing components and new valve covers, but it will most likely need a new engine because valve train damage is very likely.
My vehicle is a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD with a GDI Theta II 2.4L 4 cylinder engine. We purchased it in Feb. 2024 with 120,310 miles. Since then we have only put approximately 8,000 miles on it in 17 months. On Aug. 1st 2025 while driving up a hill out in the country the engine suddenly quit. Of course the steering and the brakes failed to operate. However I was able to coast to the next road and barely able to turn the wheel but made the corner and coasted to a stop. Without a nearby corner I would have been stuck on a state highway with many semi-trucks traveling on it. Could have been much more dangerous for my wife and I especially since we had to have the car put on a flatbed to be hauled home. The person who came to haul it checked the battery which was fine. You could hear the starter engage and try to turn the engine but it would not turn one bit. Once home we had a mechanic with many years experience have a look and listen to it. He could not get the engine to move even when trying to turn it by grabbing the engine belts and pullies. By all appearances the engine is seized. No warning lights were one and the oil was checked that very morning before leaving home. The vehicle was using about 1 qt of oil every 200 miles or so. Always used a high quality oil of proper weight/viscosity. Had no visible oil leaks on ground where it was parked every night. Hesitate to spend hauling fees to take it to the dealer 40 miles away if they are not going to do anything but offer to replace it for many thousands of dollars. For a couple living on social security this can absolutely turn things upside down as we only own one car (which we still owe on).
Motor replacement. I had taken my car several times into Hyundai for oil consumption issue. I replaced the recommended parts through Hyundai and ended up having to come right back after being stuck on the side of the interstate due to lack of compression two cylinder two I was told I needed to replace the motor. This has been a very expensive process and I haven’t had the car but 10 months.
engine oil excessive consumption. We bought (Sept 2024) this 2017 vehicle used at a Hyundia dealership, beautiful, loaded orange SUV, for my senior college student. We have to add quart after quart after quart of oil in-between oil changes. She hardly drives the car as she walks to class and works 1/2 mile from her Apt. We are scared for her to take even a 2hr road trip due to this issue. She is devasted and scared to drive it much and we are furious that we are stuck with this issue.
The engine is experiencing excessive oil consumption. A Hyundai dealership performed an oil consumption test 8 months ago and confirmed the vehicle is burning around 2 quarts of oil every 500 miles, which is far beyond normal operating limits. The engine is still installed in the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. This level of oil consumption puts the engine at high risk of failure while driving, which could result in a sudden loss of power, stalling, or even engine fire. The need to constantly monitor and refill oil creates an ongoing stressor and safety concern. There was no warning light or indicator before the oil levels dropped dangerously low. The Hyundai dealership that inspected the vehicle (Maguire Hyundai in Ithaca, NY) verified that the engine is burning oil at a rate consistent with known defects in Theta II engines, but stated the vehicle does not qualify for engine replacement under current recall or warranty guidelines because I am the second owner — despite the fact that I purchased it Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) through Hyundai in 2019 and I'm still under 100,000 miles.
Engine is consuming large amounts of oil in little mileage. Hyundai case reported but they will not assist. This has been affecting other 2017 Aanta Fe Sports reported on this website! These cars need to be included in oil consumption recalls from Hyundai.
Driving home from work loss engine power. Got it towed to my local shop and they informed me that my engine was seized.
The car has been experiencing significant problems with oil consumption. During a routine oil change on 2/27/25 I was told my oil was significantly low and I had it refilled. When I checked the following weekend [XXX] it was significantly low again after only 500 miles. I took it to Take 5 in Lebanon, Tennessee, weekly for 3-4 weeks, near where I was working at the time, who topped off the oil again with 2 to 5 quarts weekly. On April 14, 2025, I brought the car to Hallmark Hyundai. They started an oil consumption test and a 20-point check when the mileage was 69,752. After 500 miles was driven, the oil tank was almost empty. Another check revealed the oil was leaking in 4 different places, that they (Hallmark Hyundai) reportedly fixed, including the valve cover gasket. On [XXX] while driving back to New Jersey from Nashville, I checked the oil after roughly 1000 miles of driving since the repair, and the dip stick was dry. (The service light did not go on.) Upon returning to New Jersey approximately 5/13/25, I took the car to Circle Hyundai in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, was told the valve cover gasket was still leaking, and replaced it again; I was charged a second time for this service. At another 500 miles I checked the oil, and it was again very low. Miguel at Circle Hyundai told me I needed to wait 500 more miles or when the service light comes on; I informed him the service light had stopped working (this was first noticed in Tennessee). On 6/2/25 I emailed Miguel again at 539 more miles and the dip stick registered oil halfway below the low line again. I was instructed to drop the car off and they would submit the claim to Hyundai; Hyundai reportedly responded that they were no longer responsible for a repair because the warranty had run out and I wasn't the original owner. I was told to continue to drive until an engine malfunction for my extended warranty with Assurance to cover repairs; I am concerned about the safety of the engine seizing. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Engine failure with no prior warning, such as oil pressure gauge,oil indicator light, or check engine light. Vehicle was at dealership for maintenance and this happened as tech was test driving. Found all oil was lost with no indications of a leak.
We have continued to experience, over at least the past 6 months, and at least once a week and under all driving conditions, a stalling and unable-to-restart problem with this vehicle. Usually after waiting a short period of time it will restart, but in one case we had to have it towed to the dealer. The engine typically turns over just fine, so it's not a battery or starter issue. In a couple of instances it won't turn over. We've taken it to two different Hyundai dealerships and they haven't been able to diagnose the problem because they aren't able to replicate the problem when the vehicle is in their possession. The situation is becoming increasingly dangerous. The last time it stalled, my wife was in the middle of a very busy intersection. The problem doesn't produce any codes that the dealership can see; when it stalls and we attempt to restart, most of the dash lights that regularly come on when you start it are displayed. I am aware of a recall (uploaded PDF) for the make, model and year of my vehicle but apparently it only applies to certain VIN numbers. When I enter my VIN its shows no open recalls. However, the problem described in the recall is identical to the problem we are having.
Hyundai knows about the excessive oil consumption of these 2.0 Turbo GDI engines. My engine went out while driving my daughter down the road. Had to tow it to the dealer. Dealer is saying no compression on cylinder 3. Also a known issue. There was a massive lawsuit over engines already. Hyundai is no help. Excessive oil consumption has led to my engine going out. This needs to be investigated by safely board and Hyundai.
My 2017 Hyundai SanteFe (76,000 miles) stoped running late night, dark highway. Manged to pull off onto the shoulder. The engine wouldn't even turn over. After about a 2 hour wait I had the vehicle towed to my residence, eventually having it towed to the dealer from which it was purchased. After a few days the service advisor called to tell me that the entire engine needs to be replaced. That, he said, will take 3+ months because it's a manufacturer"s defect. I explained to him that I depend on my SUV for personal and professional reasons so I asked if a loaner car could be provided. The dealer, Heritage Hyundai of Towson, and Hyundai corporate (I called) both refused. Also: Aproximate Blue Book value is $15k. Hyundai's cost to replace the engine is $30k according to the service writer at Heritage.
Driving on main road , car came to complete stop while waiting on traffic light and vehicle loss power , and wouldn’t accelerate. No , dash lights nor sounds were on prior to it loosing power nor stalling .
I am reporting a sudden engine failure involving my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T. At just 68,000 miles, the vehicle experienced catastrophic loss of power due to zero compression in Cylinder 1. The vehicle is equipped with the Theta II turbocharged engine, which has been the subject of previous investigations and safety recalls due to premature failure risks, including stalling and fire hazards. This failure occurred on [XXX], while I was driving on the highway. There was no warning. It put all drivers near me at risk as I had no power, was traveling in the left lane and had to navigate through 3 lanes of traffic to reach the breakdown lane. I request that this case be investigated further as a potential safety risk and recurrence of known issues with this engine type. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Was driving down the freeway when the check engine light went on. I tried to pull over but car lost power and I heard a loud bang noise. Smoke came from the engine and the car stopped in the fast lane. Luckily i was not hit by any other cars. Once we got the car towed you can see a hole in the bottom of the engine. these 2017 hyunadi santa fe's have crankshaft failure, we even received a letter from Hyundai stating this.
In 2023 my vehicle’s engine seized without warning. I had brought it to the dealership in Jan 2023 to replace a recalled issue. After that my vehicle had started acting strange, prompting us to bring it in where they noticed it was extremely low on oil and “dirty” where it shouldnt be. They performed tests and required us to drive 1k miles to see how low the oil would be once brought back in, it did not make it back to the service department by the 1k miles as it completely failed beforehand with no warning light.
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The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe has 464 Engine complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.