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

After performing regular oil changes, and even a new fuel pump sensor, I experienced an issue. Last oil change was within the past two weeks. Driving home from the mountains, I heard a knocking sound from the engine bay. I narrowed it down to all gears above 2500RPM, increasing knocking with RPM speed. I took it easy on the engine, mostly coasting down the mountain. Suddenly during acceleration on an uphill, a pop sounded, and copious white smoke started coming from the engine bay. I pulled over despite having no power brakes but I was fortunate to be near an off ramp in a rural area. Trying to troubleshoot roadside, i noticed fluid on the tie rod, but I wasnt able to determine what kind of fluid it was. When I try to start the car, there is one single click, the engine wont even attempt to turn over. Oil, battery and check engine lights are all on. After towing, I found that the fluid leaking from the vehicle is oil. The vehicle is currently at a transmission shop, but from my research, this isnt a transmission issue but a blown rod bearing the Hyundai engines are know for. I will be contacting a dealership to see if they will at least confirm my diagnosis.

NHTSA ODI 11725726

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate to 40 MPH. In addition, the Hill Descent Assist and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, and the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated that previously, there was a delay with the engine cranking with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was taken to alternate dealers; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11722313

Engine failed at approximately 95000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11719008

My Hyundai Santa Fe has a major oil leak from the oil pressure light. I took the car to a non-Hyundai shop for repair and was told that the problem should be covered under recall campaign 168. Reference Number: 17-01-071, Date of issue: December 01, 2017. A quick check of internet complaints indicates this is a common problem with this type vehicle. My oil pressure light is on at idle after the car is warmed up. Reno Hyundai dealer informs me that it is not covered by recall. I believe that this problem should be covered based on the volume of complaints from other owners. Can your organization help me in getting some kind of an cost adjustment for getting this repaired. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11718516

Purchased this 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe from dealer with 86K miles. (second owner). Immediately noticed excessive oil consumption. Would take vehicle in for oil top off service, to ensure proper levels. At 99K miles (six months after purchase) lost compression in #2 cylinder while driving on the freeway. Per independent auto repair facility and a Hyundai service center, engine replacement is needed. Hyundai declined engine replacement. It appears oil consumption was an issue when the vehicle was traded in to the dealership, and they resold it anyway to an unsuspecting consumer.

NHTSA ODI 11717441

documented oil-consumption issue with my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, which currently has 98,876 miles. This concern was first formally reported in October 2025. Since that time, I have fully complied with all diagnostic and procedural requirements requested by the dealership, including inspections, documentation, and follow-up visits. The dealership has acknowledged that the vehicle has an ongoing oil-consumption condition. Per the instructions provided by Hyundai Service Team, I was advised to “submit my own claim.” I later learned that, as a customer, I am not permitted to submit or appeal a claim directly, and that only the dealership has the ability to do so. I have since been informed by Customer Care that the claim submitted on my behalf was considered weak, which may have contributed to its denial. I was also advised that Hyundai and the dealership were already aware that I did not have the ability to submit or appeal the claim myself, despite being directed to do so. Throughout this process, I have made every good-faith effort to follow Hyundai’s guidance, yet I have experienced repeated misdirection and inconsistent information. This has caused unnecessary delays and frustration while the underlying issue remains unresolved. The vehicle has been properly maintained, with regular oil changes and servicing completed according to Hyundai’s recommended intervals. Despite this, the excessive oil consumption persists and poses a risk to engine longevity and overall safety. Due to the current condition of the engine, I no longer feel it is safe to continue driving the vehicle, which has left me without reliable transportation. Additionally, I have previously experienced the theft of this vehicle, for which I was not compensated, despite the well-documented safety concerns affecting Hyundai customers. Taken together, these issues have significantly impacted my confidence and ability to rely on this vehicle. Given Hyundai’s well-documented history of oil-consumptio

NHTSA ODI 11716427

Current Mileage: ~94,000 miles Ownership: Second owner (purchased less than one year old at 17,035 miles) I purchased this vehicle in December 2018 when it had approximately 17,035 miles. Since purchase, the vehicle has been consistently and properly maintained, primarily at authorized Hyundai dealerships, with documented oil and filter changes throughout my ownership. All required Hyundai recalls and updates have been completed. As confirmed by Hyundai service records, my vehicle is eligible for extended warranty protections under the Theta II Engine Settlement, which explicitly applies to subsequent owners and is not limited to the original purchaser. Engine Failure & Repair History Beginning in mid-2025, my vehicle began to exhibit progressive and excessive oil consumption, despite regular maintenance. Hyundai dealerships performed multiple Hyundai-directed corrective actions, including: PCV valve replacement Multiple oil consumption tests Combustion chamber cleaning (paid out of pocket after Hyundai Motors denied goodwill) These measures failed to resolve the issue. Hyundai’s own oil consumption testing confirmed: 1.2 quarts consumed, followed by 1.4 quarts consumed, indicating worsening internal engine failure West Houston Hyundai has subsequently advised that engine replacement is required, yet Hyundai Motor America has refused coverage, and I was quoted $5,872 for engine replacement and labor at my expense. Engine failure requiring replacement at 94,000 miles is not normal wear and tear and is inconsistent with reasonable consumer expectations or Hyundai’s powertrain representations. Importantly: The vehicle has never been cited for neglect, sludge, or improper maintenance,Oil consumption worsened after Hyundai-directed repairs Hyundai has not identified any misuse or disqualifying condition The failure pattern is consistent with known Theta II piston/ring defects

NHTSA ODI 11716493

I currently owned an 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe FWD with the 3.3 V6 Engine with approximately about 136,000 Miles. We were driving into Vegas when we heard the knocking Engine Sounds. Immediately we called the Dealership in Vegas advising them we were going to TOW the vehicle in. Once we get the Vehicle towed over to the dealership, we waited till the following Monday where it was authorized to have the engine replaced. We were so glad about that. The vehicle was going to be completed by early January and we got the news the Vehicle was completed but now having misfiring issues due to Faulty injectors. I was advised that this was not covered due to the mileage. This was an non issue when I turned in the vehicle to Hyundai. I made several attempts to contact my Case Manager and this was again denied due to the Mileage. For a vehicle with less than 140K miles and being less than 10 years old, we are very upset with this process and for Hyundai knowing that there were concerning issues with both the Fuel Injectors and Engine.

NHTSA ODI 11715522

My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe began consuming oil at an excessive rate—approximately one quart every 250 miles. The vehicle had around 97,000 miles when I first became concerned. I brought it to the Hyundai dealership for evaluation, and they instructed me to continue driving the vehicle and return after 1,000 miles of driving so they could document the consumption. I returned after only 500 miles because of the rapid loss of oil and my concern for driving the vehicle in that condition. While following the dealership’s required oil‑consumption test procedure, the engine performance deteriorated. The vehicle eventually began stalling and had to be towed to the dealership. Because I was required to keep driving the vehicle as part of Hyundai’s diagnostic process, I accumulated an additional 4,000 miles, which pushed the odometer just over 100,000 miles. After completing the test, the dealership submitted a claim for an engine replacement, but Hyundai Corporate denied the claim solely because the mileage exceeded 100,000—despite the fact that the over‑100,000 mileage resulted directly from Hyundai’s own required testing procedure.

NHTSA ODI 11713703

Vehicle: 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe On June 9, 2024, when my wife started the vehicle, the engine was immediately knocking. Due to concern for safety and the risk of catastrophic engine failure, the vehicle was not driven and was towed to our home to prevent further damage. Hyundai was contacted shortly after discovery of the issue. During a phone call, we were told there were no active recalls applicable to our vehicle and no replacement engines available. Due to the lack of immediate support and the vehicle being undrivable, we were forced to send the vehicle to a third-party mechanic on June 14, 2024, to complete a necessary engine repair. On August 21, 2024, we received warranty documentation from Hyundai related to this issue. Despite providing all requested documentation and Hyundai contacting the third-party mechanic directly, the warranty claim process was repeatedly delayed. We were told multiple times that the case was in its final stage, only to later be assigned a new case manager with no knowledge of the case, requiring the process to restart. The vehicle was not returned to us until April 7, 2025, resulting in an extended loss of our primary vehicle for our family. We paid approximately $10,000 out of pocket for the engine repair while the warranty claim remained unresolved. We have since been informed that Hyundai may require the engine to be repaired or replaced again by a dealer with no reimbursement, potentially rendering the previous repair and financial loss unnecessary. This raises serious concerns regarding Hyundai’s handling of a known engine issue and their warranty process. Hyundai Case Number: XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11712809

I purchased my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport secondhand from CarMax and have maintained it regularly with timely oil changes and tune‑ups. Despite this, the vehicle is burning oil at an extreme rate—approximately 1 quart every 378 miles. My local Hyundai dealership confirmed this through three consecutive 1,000‑mile oil consumption tests, all showing excessive oil loss far beyond normal operating limits. This level of consumption appears to indicate an internal engine defect, not normal wear. Hyundai corporate denied my case solely because I am the second owner, even though the vehicle is well under 100,000 miles and the defect has been verified by their own technicians. The denial did not address the confirmed test results or the safety implications. I am deeply concerned that the engine could seize while driving due to rapid oil loss, creating a serious risk of sudden loss of power, stalling, or inability to accelerate in traffic. This is a significant safety hazard for me, my passengers, and other drivers. The vehicle has been inspected by the Hyundai dealership, and I am fully willing to make it available for further inspection. A low‑oil warning lamp appeared far earlier than expected after a routine oil change, which prompted the initial investigation and ultimately revealed the defect. Based on my research, this appears to be a known issue affecting Hyundai GDI engines from this era. I am filing this report because the excessive oil consumption represents a latent engine defect with clear safety implications, and Hyundai has declined to address it despite documented evidence.

NHTSA ODI 11710825

Check engine code called issue for cam shaft position error. Replaced sensor, still failing. After reading online forums found that the smaller engine had oil consumption issues, I decided to check oil level, No low oil light, dip stick showed very low oil even though had been to service at Hyundai all correct service intervals. Filled oil to proper level numerous times over last year, monitor it every two weeks. Some times totally fine no oil loss and many other times it continues to have excessive oil consumption. Now randomly smell gas in cabin while driving. Reading online again and the issue is becoming more well documented by users but Hyundai has not yet acknowledged issue with this 3.3L engine. Now the gas mileage head dropped significantly which gives further indication that the piston rings are allowing oil and gas to pass by. This can lead to cam shaft bearings to wear prematurely, other mechanical parts wearing or seizing, including the engine itself for a compete engine failure, a significant risk.

NHTSA ODI 11710560

Excessive oil leaks. When I fix an oil leak another pop up. Im fixing my 4th oil leak. You can smell the oil burning. Engine is making knocking sounds. Hood latch is not working. You have to hold the hood or it will come down.

NHTSA ODI 11708508

I have a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe with ~88,000 miles. I noticed on 12/18/2025 that the oil lamp light came on briefly then turned off. So, I decided to take my car in to get serviced on 12/19/2025. I was told that there is an oil consumption issue with the engine and that Hyundai would need to do a combustion cleaning, and worst case scenario a full engine replacement. Hyundai refuses to cover us under warranty because we transferred the car from my Mother-in-Law's name to my wife's name. I want to file this as a complaint to the NHTSA because a car that isn't even 10-years old AND has less than 90,000 miles should not be needing an engine replacement. Hyundai appears to be aware of the issue as my service advisor at the dealership has mentioned that several of their cars with this engine have the exact same issue. To me, this sounds like a defect and should have a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11708307

Check engine light came on Oil Light came on then the vehicle shut off while I was driving. Safety was not good as I was driving the vehicle. I then had it towed to a shop to have it looked at. That is when I was told I would need a new motor due to a Crankshaft failure. The check engine light had come on the night before but when turning the vehicle on the next morning to take it to get looked at it was no longer on. Was driving it too the shop to have it looked at when it shut off on me while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11707088

While driving- in total movement- the car completely shut off. Without any prior warning or indication. Immediately after, the car restarted, drove a couple blocks over, continuing to shut off while driving. It was then towed. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The warning lights did not appear until AFTER the car quit. They all came on & flashed & quickly went back out. Uncertain which component misfired or is affected- possibly related to an engine or fuel/ cylinder failure. Car is at mechanic for inspection. Our safety & lives were in critical jeopardy as the vehicle stopped without warning while driving in traffic congested area. It is unknown if this is a known issue or if this situation has been replicated however the current mechanic facility has experienced the same issue with this vehicle. Also strong odor of gas was experienced during shutoff.

NHTSA ODI 11705698

“My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4 has been experiencing severe oil consumption issues for a long time. I previously completed a combustion chamber cleaning service as recommended, but the problem continued. On November 10, the Hyundai dealership confirmed the engine oil was low and topped it off. On December 10, the oil was completely empty again with no warning lights. The dealer has documented the issue and recommended an engine replacement, but Hyundai is refusing to approve the repair . The vehicle continues to lose oil rapidly, creating a serious safety risk of engine failure or stalling while driving. This appears to be a known safety-related engine defect affecting this model.”

NHTSA ODI 11704714

My vehicle has never missed an oil change or maintenance event yet at my last oil change my engine had burned through all its oil and no low oil light or check engine light came on. Hyundai is refusing to cover it under their warranty stating it occurred due to maintenance neglect even though all oil changes and maintenance events receipts were provided to Hyundai and are available in car fax.

NHTSA ODI 11704398

Engine went into limp mode and a knocking sound was heard. Had car inspected and oil changed but no improvements occurred. Took car to dealership and it failed engine test. Hyundai will not cover replacement under open extended warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11704168

# **NHTSA Complaint Answers** ### **1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request?** The **engine** failed due to **sudden and extreme oil consumption** that resulted in the engine being completely dry of oil despite regular maintenance. This caused internal damage including **CVVT (Continuous Variable Valve Timing) system failure**, bearing damage, and a complete engine seizure. Yes, the failed engine is fully available for inspection upon request. The vehicle is currently located at Dick Smith Hyundai in Greenville, South Carolina, where the dealership diagnosed the failure and recommended a full engine long block replacement. ### **2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?** The engine failure occurred **suddenly and without warning**, causing the vehicle to lose power while operating. The loss of engine function created the risk of: * sudden deceleration in traffic, * inability to accelerate or maneuver, * potential rear-end collision, * complete engine stall in unsafe conditions. The vehicle had **no oil warning light** prior to the failure, meaning I had no indication that the engine was at risk until the failure occurred. ### **3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?** Yes. The engine failure was confirmed by: • **Schwab’s Automotive** in Fayetteville, NC – determined the engine suffered catastrophic internal damage and was not repairable. • **Dick Smith Hyundai** dealership – confirmed **high oil consumption and CVVT damage**, and recommended a full **engine long block replacement** (estimate: $8,160.60). The problem has been fully verified by both an independent mechanic and an authorized Hyundai dealership. ## **4.Yes.The vehicle was formally inspected by Hyundai Motor America through the dealership’s diagnostic report. Hyundai reviewed the case (Case #XXX) after receiving the dealership findings.The engine remains intact avai. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11704253

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.

NHTSA ODI 11703860

My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe suffered a crankshaft/bearing failure identical to NHTSA Recall 17V578000. Hyundai states my VIN was not included in the recall, but the vehicle has the same 3.3L engine, the same failure, and the same symptoms described in the recall bulletin. The engine has never been replaced. The defect appears broader than the recall VIN range. They are refusing to replace the defective engine.

NHTSA ODI 11702987

While driving on the highway at normal speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power with no prior warning lamps or messages, placing me and other road users at immediate risk. The engine rapidly began knocking, lost acceleration, then stalled completely. I had to coast to the shoulder, which was extremely dangerous in high-speed traffic. The failure appears consistent with bearing wear and debris circulation described in Hyundai Recall 168 and TSB 17-01-071, which warn that certain Hyundai 3.3L engines can suffer internal metallic debris contamination during manufacturing. This can restrict oil flow, damage the bearings, and lead to sudden engine seizure without warning — exactly what happened in this incident. After the failure, the engine was inspected by a Hyundai dealership, but no oil sample, no debris test, and no photo documentation were provided, even though the recall procedure requires these steps when symptoms match knock/no-start failure patterns. The cause was not reproduced or confirmed by any independent mechanical test; the vehicle simply failed suddenly and has remained inoperable since. The incident created a major safety risk because the sudden loss of power happened at highway speed with no safe way to maintain vehicle control or speed. Based on known recall documentation, the symptoms match the described safety-related engine defect. The vehicle remains available for inspection. There were no injuries or police reports, but the situation definitely could have resulted in a crash. In my assessment, this is a critical safety defect related to internal engine debris and bearing failure, consistent with the known Hyundai recall pattern for this engine family

NHTSA ODI 11701758

It sounds like the rod inside are hitting need a new engine. Auto shop said need a new engine. Engine has 125000 that all no oil leak no other problems.

NHTSA ODI 11700253

The engine seized back in August 2025. The engine stopped working while I was driving on a Main Street and almost caused an accident. Unfortunately I put other drivers at risk when this happened. The engine issue was confirmed and inspected by the victorville Hyundai dealership in California. There was not any warning lamps prior to this.

NHTSA ODI 11700175