Home · 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev · Complaints

What 941 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (941)Crash / fire / injury (42)Engine (627)Transmission & drivetrain (153)Electrical system (65)Brakes (58)Fuel system (57)Speed control (51)Steering (27)Engine & cooling (23)Airbags (20)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (9)

65 of 941 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters · page 2 of 3

Jul 4, 2023Electrical system

Hyundai Safety Concerns. The details of the incidents are as follows I own a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe sport turbo on Saturday June 24th while driving down the palmetto expressway at about 70 mi an hour the vehicle suddenly stopped. It was a very dangerous situation with my family aboard we were lucky to have Florida highway patrol toys to a safety location. The car was completely dead and the vehicle was told to homestead Hyundai dealership for repairs 4 days after delivering we received a call letting us know that the computer had been damaged due to a oil leak in the engine that was repaired by them 10 months prior. It has come to our attention that there are recalls for this vehicle for crankshaft problems it is a concern that this is a safety hazard for us and that the dealership is not being transparent with us is the consumer. We have emailed Hyundai Motors Corporation and filed a complaint. I kindly request your immediate attention to this matter, as the safety of my family and other drivers is at stake. I trust that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will conduct a thorough examination of the reported incidents, the dealership's actions, and the potential risks associated with the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Turbo. Your intervention and expertise are vital in ensuring consumer safety and holding accountable those responsible for any negligence or lack of transparency. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I eagerly await your response and hope for a swift resolution to this alarming situation.

NHTSA ODI 11530271

Jun 28, 2023Electrical systemEngine

The engine seized without warning or notice. No warning lamps came on to indicate anything wrong with the oil pressure, engine, or anything else. I received notices for low gas from time to time, but never anything concerning the engine. I heard engine noises the day before the engine seized. The next day it failed. The car was inspected by the dealership and Hyundai to determine whether the cost would be covered by them and this is what was reported to me in the cost for repair: “Engine Rebuild/Replace: 3.3L LONG BLOCK, GASKETS, AND FLUIDS This is the entire process needed to either rebuild or replace the vehicle's engine. This is a process needed when the vehicle's engine is in need of serious repair.” I was denied coverage because my VIN number was not on the recall list for 2017 Hyundais. I believe it was recall 168. When I looked into it, I read exactly what happened to mine. My safety was a concern because the engine stopped while I was driving and I had to coast into a safe area without causing an accident. I was told by the dealership that this was a common problem for 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe’s but the recall is not for all of the Hyundais this problem has happened to. I was told by a former employee of Take5 that Hyundais burn oil quicker than most cars. I can’t confirm that the issue was from a lack of oil, but from what I’ve read, that could be the main issue. I believe a warning on the quickness of oil consumption should be put out as well as an improved warning system/sensors for this make and model.

NHTSA ODI 11529455

May 5, 2023Electrical systemBrakesEngine2 injuries

I bought this vehicle and there was a complete break down malfunction due to the ABS module system! This lack of due diligence caused both myself and my 7 year old to unwillingly enter a vehicle that put our lives at risk and a near death experience that still traumatizes my daughter until this day who refuses to enter any vehicle! This is an unfortunate mistake on your end and there is no where near enough compensation that will ever withdraw the fear from my innocent child’s eyes anytime I need to drive her to school, or basketball practice, or anywhere to run our daily errands and live a normal life! I have nothing else to add except I expect compensation for a safe vehicle and compensation necessary to help my child, my innocent child to get through this fear!

NHTSA ODI 11520592

Jan 25, 2023Electrical systemEngineFire

Car began to smoke from engine compartment. Stopped car in a driving lane on interstate 78 where construction barriers had closed both shoulders. Car then burst into flames. Car was a total loss before fire trucks were able to arrive. Just prior to the fire the Warning light for the abs system malfunction appeared on the dashboard.

NHTSA ODI 11503664

Aug 15, 2022Electrical systemBrakes

The rear hatch closes automatically even if somebody is under the hatch putting items in the trunk without going back up. This is dangerous especially if children are near the hatch. It also at times opens when the button on the hatch is pushed but does not close automatically. The Hyundai Dealership Alexandria (1707 Mount Vernon Avenue) was uninterested in the issue and said they would charge $370 to look at the problem. Also for the safety recall of the ABS system, the earliest appointment at the same dealership was September 7 even though this sounded like a serious recall.

NHTSA ODI 11479406

Jul 30, 2022SuspensionElectrical systemEngine

Sway bar and struts continuously malfunctioning causing brake system to fail quickly.Engine more than 5qts a biweekly causing the maintenance numbers to malfunction.Seat belt light keeps going on and off even when in use.These problems are causing a safety risk due to them failing and can cause harm to driver/drivers on the road.Electrical issue has the brake lights malfunctioning and cause harm to others as well.Vehicle has been inspected by Hyundai dealership .Seat belt light continuously come on and off.

NHTSA ODI 11476628

Jul 30, 2022Electrical systemEngineFire

This will be my second report to the NHTSA. I was originally told my car needed a new engine, but then it was confirmed that was not the issue since the car started and drove just fine, the recall for the ABS mod was brought up to two different Hyundai dealerships and their corporate office, I requested if it could not be fixed to buy back my car. It was denied. My car then caught fire while driving, resulting in my husband almost dying on the highway. Fire shot from the bottom of the car up into engulfed flames within seconds…and then blew. Determined it was an electrical engine fire. All could have been avoided if Hyundai had just listened to my concerns and checked my ABS. However due their refusal to do so, and refusal to inspect my engine for the recall, my family, kids included were put at risk. It seems to be happening all over the world with these cars and NOTHING is being done.

NHTSA ODI 11476720

Jun 13, 2022Electrical systemFire

My O2 sensor failed and is under my insurance investigation due to engine light that came on and upon inspection it was determined to have caught on fire under the vehicle. My safety and my children's were at risk potentially may have gone up in flames. Currently the insurance is pending review of any recalls for O2 sensor to determine if Hyundai is handling damages. At this time Hyundai has not taken responsibility.

NHTSA ODI 11468965

Jun 9, 2022Electrical systemBrakes

Just received another letter from Hyundai (First one in Feb./March this one in June) telling me about the same problem with the ABS System and how it might short out and cause an engine fire. STILL NO REMEDY! The letter said I'd receive a second notice ...I guess they meant a third notice! What's taking so long to find a fix??? I'm supposed to be confident taking this vehicle on a trip knowing it may short out and cause a fire at any time while driving or parked!?? This is not acceptable.

NHTSA ODI 11468470

Apr 11, 2022Electrical systemBrakesCrash2 injuries

I went to a drive through car wash. Put my car in neutral and it drives your car through the wash. Once it was done I changed to drive and tapped lightly to get out. I was going to have the car wash attendant wipe down my car. As I approached him my brakes wouldn’t work and the car continued to accelerate despite not pressing down on the gas pedal. None of my electrical lights were working. It took me onto a busy street in Chicago and kept accelerating at full speed. I was trying to brake, put it into neutral or drive, use emergency brake system and nothing was working. I was swerving to avoid hitting other cars or pedestrians. I erratically drove about 1.5 blocks until I hit another SUV. All my airbags deployed. My full trauma work up was negative at the hospital. I am not sure if anyone sustained major injuries in the other car. I filed an insurance claim and my car was deemed a total loss. Insurance company thinks there was definitely an electrical shortage but did not further investigate. They said it would take more money to investigate the cause rather than paying a lump sum for car. I filed a claim case with Hyundai 2 days after the accident. The initial representative said a case manager would call within 5-7 business days and would like the car preserved in case of investigation. I have called over 5 times and have never received a call back nor an initial call from the case manager assigned. There was no active recalls out at the time and the car was serviced a month prior at a Hyundai dealership. Since the accident occurred we received a new recall that the anti-lock brake system could malfunction and cause an electrical short. But according to recall notice there is still no remedy available.

NHTSA ODI 11460464

Apr 5, 2022BrakesElectrical system

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that since owning the vehicle, the vehicle intermittently failed to start-up as needed. The ABS warning light would be illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the infotainment screen would intermittently go blank causing the backup camera to be inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions however, despite several repairs, the failure persisted. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Recall Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the dealer confirmed parts were not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11459698

Mar 8, 2022Electrical systemBrakesEngine

Icalled my dealer where I purchase my Hyundai & I called Hyundai customer care as well. Both p;laces told me since they do not have a remedy to cure this default there is nothing they can do. They both advised me to park my car away from other vehicles & structures as a fire could be triggered in the engine that could damage the surrounding area. This is preposterous that they recommended me to continue to drive the car but not keep it next to anything. I am a young mother with an 8 month old baby & I am petrified to drive the car & they will not provide me with a substitute car or rental car until they can fix the issue, which they have no timeframe to complete. The recall number for Hyundai is 22V056. Hyundai has it as 218. Please let me know what I can do to expedite this issue & feel safe. Thanks.

NHTSA ODI 11455729

Mar 4, 2022Electrical systemEngineLane Departure

Engine failed within 3 years of having the car so did transmission. Always having other issues with this vehicle. Recently the alternator now the blind spot warning system. This vehicle was purchased new and has had so many problems.

NHTSA ODI 11455205

Jan 27, 2022Electrical systemEngineFuel system

Car has repeatedly lost power or hesitated when making turns. Now it lost power and decelerated over 10 mph abruptly while driving on I-65. After deceleration the car would not accelerate to in a normal fashion. Took minutes to get up to speed. Upon a test drive at the dealership, Terry Lee Hyundai, I was told nothing was wrong with the car. I refused to believe that after my highway driving incident and made them test it again. It produced a dTC code of P0088. After having my car for four days they tried to return it to me again saying nothing was wrong with it. I was dumbfounded. How can I have a drastic highway incident and DTC codes emailed to me via bluelink and nothing be wrong. I feel this car is unsafe for highway driving. May cause a wreck due to the losing power while turning issue and now this highway driving issue. The car drove normal under 60 mph. The turning issue happens when the car makes quick 90 degree turns. Also the engine was replaced due to electrical interference issues at 96000 miles. Car has always had loss of power issues followed by the lack of the ability to accelerate properly. Please help!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11449080

May 30, 2021Electrical systemEngineFuel systemFire

Smelled smoke at a stop light. Continued when light turned green. Pulled over about 30 car lengths later because smoke was coming in the vents. Jumped out of car and ran. Within 2 minutes, entire front engine was completely engulfed in flames. No indicator light came on before. Car was driving perfect.

NHTSA ODI 11419067

Apr 16, 2021Electrical systemEngine

MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS CAUSING VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS THE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER STEERING AND PROPER BRAKING MINE HAS DONE THIS ONCE SO FAR AND I HAVE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THE SAME THIS HAPPENING TO OTHERS WHO OWN THE SAME YEAR MAKE MODEL OF THE VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI 11408491

Jun 9, 2020Electrical system

VEHICLE LOSES ALL ELECTRICAL POWER, DESPITE HAVING A NEW BATTERY INSTALLED BY DEALER. BATTERY RUNS DOWN, SOMETIMES OVERNIGHT. DEALER CANNOT FIND ANY ISSUES, THOUGH SOMETHING CLEARLY IS DRAINING BATTERY POWER VERY QUICKLY. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS. VEHICLE IS OPERATED OFTEN ENOUGH TO PRECLUDE SUCH BATTERY DRAINAGE. I AM BRINGING IT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN ON 11 JUNE, AS THIS OCCURRED AGAIN TODAY (9 JUNE). I PURCHASED A PORTABLE MACHINE THAT JUMPS THE CAR BECAUSE THIS HAPPENS SO OFTEN. MY SPOUSE IS THE PRIMARY OPERATOR OF THIS VEHICLE AND I FEAR THAT THE ELECTRICAL WILL FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY AND POSE A SAFETY PROBLEM. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW OR A LEMON! *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327960

Oct 10, 2019Electrical system

OVER ONE MONTH AGO, MY GPS VIEWER SHOWED A WRONG TIME. I RESET THE CLOCK AND EXITED THE FEATURE. THE CLOCK QUIT APPEARING ON THE SCREEN. AT FIRST I DIDN'T NOTICE IT. THEN WHEN I DID, I WASN'T ABLE TO ENTER THE PROGRAM TO SET THE CLOCK: IT WAS ALL DARK ON THE CHOICES. I READ BOTH MY MANUALS AND NOTHING IN THEM TALKED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I HAD SEVERAL FRIENDS READ THE MANUAL AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY INFORMATION TO FIX THIS EITHER. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND HAVE IT FIXED AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS. THE SECOND TIME I CAME TO THE DEALER, THE TECHNICIAN ORDERED THE WHOLE HEAD UNIT AND THEY SAID I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE ORDER. IT'S ABOUT 4-5 WEEKS NOW AND I STILL HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING. I CALLED LAST WEEK AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO ETA FOR IT. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE.

NHTSA ODI 11267569

Sep 24, 2019Electrical systemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT, EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND STATED THAT THE FIRE INITIATED AROUND THE BATTERY AREA. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED A WEEK PRIOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11257848

Aug 10, 2019Electrical systemLights

WRONG TIRE PRESSURE READING

NHTSA ODI 11243023

Jun 3, 2019Electrical systemEngine

MY CAR WOULDN'T START HAD MY CAR FOR SERVICE. I WAS CHARGED A SERVICE FEE WHICH THEY WOULD TELL ME WHATS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I WAS ONLY TOLD THE BATTERY WAS AN ISSUE. THAT WAS REPLACE. THE PERSON WHO ATTEND ME DID NOT TELL ME ANYTHING ABOUT GETTING AN OIL CHANGE OR ANY OTHER PROBLEMS IN FEBRUARY. WENT BACK IN APRIL BECAUSE MY CAR STOP RUNNING TURNED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WENT BACK TO THE SAME DEALER I NOT FIX CARS SO WHEN I GET SERVIVE FOR THE VEHICLE. I WOULD THINK SOMEONE WOULD TELL ME OTHERWISE BUT NO. I TOKE IT BACK I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE DOESNT HAVE WARRANTY. THAT IT EXPIRED BUT IN THE SYSTEM THERE WAS NO WARRANTY EVEN RECORDED. NOW I AM STUCK WITH HARASSMENT CALLS ABOUT A VEHICLE I NO LONGER HAVE DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE. I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE LAST YEAR IN JUNE 2019. I DIDNT HAVE THE CAR FOR THEN A YEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11217441

May 27, 2019Electrical systemSeat belts

MY CAR JUST TURNED OFF. WHILE I WAS DRIVING UNDER 15 MILES, IT TURNED OFF, THIS HAS HAPPENED 3!TIMES SINCE I GOT THE CAR. THE SEATBELT IN THE 2ND ROW BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT SOMETIMES DOESN'T WANT TO LOCK. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEMS SO THERE'S NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. I SPOKE TO THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE AND SENT EMAILS AND NO ONE CAN FIX THE ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 11210121

May 3, 2019Electrical systemFire

CAN WAS SITTING FROM 7:00 PM ON 5/2 AND WE WOKE TO FULL ON FIRE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE AT 4:50 AM ON 5/3 - FIRE CO BELIEVES ELECTRICAL

NHTSA ODI 11205494

Mar 4, 2019Electrical systemFuel system

NAVIGATION SCREEN DOES NOT TURN OFF AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN AND CAR WILL NOT START

NHTSA ODI 11183958

Feb 13, 2019Electrical systemEngine

CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED TURNING RIGHT FROM A STOP SIGN, WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. ALL ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER SHUT DOWN, ENGINE CUT OFF. RESTARTED BUT ENGINE SPUTTERS, FEELS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO SHIFT GEARS WHILE STILL IN PARK. IT WAS A VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. WAS NOT ABLE TO GET STARTED TO DRIVE HOME. ONE WEEK EARLIER I NOTICED THE COMPUTER ACTING UP WHEN I FIRST STARTED UP, BUT RESTATED AND DROVE ANYWAY (NO PROBLEM THAT TIME WHILE DRIVING).

NHTSA ODI 11179770

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Working with the data? Download all 941 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev verdict →