VehicleVerdict

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport carries two red flags at once: 456 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 2.0× the Santa Fe Sport norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Santa Fe Sport years to avoid.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 46% of all reports (208 of 456), far ahead of brakes at 58. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

456

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

7

Crash-involved

12

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Santa Fe Sport years?

Santa Fe Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted456 complaints2013: 239 complaints2014: 216 complaints2015: 104 complaints2016: 84 complaints2017: 456 complaints2018: 406 complaints
Santa Fe Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Santa Fe Sport years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine20846%
Brakes5813%
Transmission399%
Other337%
Speed Control235%
Fuel System235%
Electrical System174%
Airbags92%
Steering92%
Body & Structure82%
Visibility & Wipers72%
Driver Assistance61%
Suspension51%
Seats41%
Seat Belts41%
Lighting10%
Tires & Wheels10%
Latches & Locks10%

Does the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V056000BrakesFebruary 3, 2022 · 357,348 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.

Consequence

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.

17V358000Latches & LocksJune 5, 2017 · 437,400 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.

Consequence

If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.

17V365000Seat BeltsJune 5, 2017 · 17,160 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolt for the driver's seat belt anchor might not have been sufficiently tightened during assembly.

Consequence

If the bolt was not sufficiently tightened, driver's seat belt may come unanchored in a collision, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will verify that the driver's seatbelt anchor is properly secured, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for the recall is 165.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

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-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The driver smelled smoke, pulled the vehicle over, and could not get out of the vehicle. While stuck in the vehicle, the vehicle caught fire and totally burned into the ground.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 23, 2022 · fire

“I WAS MAKING A LOOP AROUND UNDER THE FREEWAY. IT WASN'T RAINING AND THE ROAD WAS DRY. IT WAS DAYLIGHT AND I WAS NOT GOING FAST. AS I MADE THE TURN, THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL BOTH LOCKED UP. I COULDN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL OR BRAKE. I HIT THE MEDIAN AND NARROWLY MISSED HITTING A POLE. I DO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 16, 2019 · crash

“Oil pressure sensor failed allowing pressurized oil to leak both externally and also internally into the attached electrical harness. The oil that leaked into the harness traveled to the ECM. The repair shop personnel stated that the failure is not covered by the 10 yr 100,000 mile power train…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 3, 2023

“THIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FIRE WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE POSSIBLY INVOLVING THE TAIL LIGHTS OR OTHER WIRING IN THIS AREA. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN OPERATED FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 HOURS. I AM THE FIRE MARSHAL AND I HAVE READ REPORTS OF OTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 3, 2019 · fire

“MY CAR HAS STARTED JERKING WHEN UP SHIFTING AND SEEMS TO ONLY BE HAPPENING WHEN THE CAR HAS NOT WARMED UP. THEN TODAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 78MPH MY CAR LOST POWER. NOT COMPLETELY. ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING "GAVE OUT" AND I LOST THE FORWARD FORCE I WAS GOING. IT ALSO BECAME LOUDER, ALMOST…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · February 19, 2021

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport — common questions

Is the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 456 complaints put the 2017 model at #1 of 6 Santa Fe Sport years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Santa Fe Sport years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 Santa Fe Sport problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (208 complaints), brakes (58 complaints), transmission (39 complaints).

Does the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Hyundai Santa Fe Sport years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Santa Fe Sport years to avoid are 2017, 2018, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016.

How safe is the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.