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

As I was driving my vehicle the car started to shake. I was able to make it to a gas station and then had difficulty getting the car to turn over. After several attempts the car turned over but the check engine light was flashing and the car had fumes coming out the back. I towed the car to the dealership I bought it at they determined that the fuel injectors failed and caused the engine to be flooded with gas requiring an entirely new engine to be put in the car.

NHTSA ODI 11532026

***(NW Indiana)*** 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate FWD 3.3L - 64,000mi. Driven to and from work and around town. Purchased used with 31,000mi in July 2020 from Knauz Hyundai. On the afternoon of December 22nd, 2022 I went to accelerate from 35 mph at which point I heard "tick-tick-tick-tick-tick". I had never heard that sound before. I tried the accelerator again and the same "ticking" sound was there. It became progressively louder on the 15 minute ride home but only while accelerating. During this whole episode not once did any warning light come on. I got home and popped the hood to listen to it(I did video record the sound) and to check the oil. The oil was a bit low but I topped it off and then put a code reader on the vehicle. The only thing that came back was a low voltage on the battery. The next morning I started it up and the noise was even louder. After a few minutes the sound subsided a bit, albeit still loud. I was able to drive it to work so that our mechanics could hear it and all three said it sounded like a bearing went bad and that the engine might be a loss. I spoke to another friend that is a mechanic that hosts a local radio show and he said that he had a show recently about how he is seeing A LOT of Hyundai's coming in with the exact same problem. He told me about a recall from 9/19/2017 with the #17V578000. While I am not certain that this pertains to my vehicle, everyone that has read the recall says that can absolutely be the issue. I have tried calling Hyundai Consumer Affairs but sit on hold forever only to be finally disconnected from the call. I am taking it in to Hyundai on January 6th, 2023 for the ABS recall and they said they would charge me $199 to look at this issue. After reading through all of the complaints regarding this problem Hyundai needs to make it right for their "valued" customers.

NHTSA ODI 11499143

Car seems to stall on slow turns, then after 2 seconds its back to normal. Dangerous when turning to avoid oncoming traffic. This vehicle belongs to my granddaughter (Britney N. Smith) I'm driving it as it's too dangerous for her. Dealerships have no solution for this problem!

NHTSA ODI 11498421

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power, then started jerking before independently accelerating. The contact also stated there were times when the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and stopped. The contact would then restart the vehicle and continue driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was diagnosed with no failure being found. The failure reoccurred often. The vehicle was also taken to another local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle but also found no failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,399.

NHTSA ODI 11476901

LEAKED TANK OF GAS. GAS LINE RUPTURED

NHTSA ODI 11474988

When I pull into traffic the car has a big hesitation before it starts to go. Almost feels like it is going to stall. Hyundai dealers said it is not a problem. Looked on a Hyundai blog site and found alot of people have complained about the same problem. Thus has been a chronic problem for me.

NHTSA ODI 11451139

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

We consistently had issues with losing power on turns. My wife questioned Hyundai many times. They took it for a test drive and said they could not duplicate the issue and that they did not receive any complaints from anyone. We believed them until I saw many complaints on various websites including this site. Then the major issue occurred. I was merging onto an interstate making a big right hand loop and while I was in the middle of the right turn loop, the car lost power and then it did not come back. I had multiple cars behind me and many on the highway with nowhere to pull over. Top speed was 45 mph. It turned out to be a blown Turbo. The car is under warranty. That was in July of 2021. It is now December 2021 and I still do not have my car with no idea of when it will be fixed. After telling us they would have the part in August (which didn't happen) then September (which didn't happen) then November (which again did not happen) they said they didn't even show a ship order any longer for the part. We were told to call customer affairs. I called them on 11/22 and again on 12/8 - still no one is calling back. I'm stuck driving a small car while I'm paying for an SUV that no one will give any feedback. There were many cars at the dealer lot which appeared to be the same issue - same model. This has to qualify for the lemon law. The loss of power suddenly is extremely dangerous so if you have one, be careful.

NHTSA ODI 11443074

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

VEHICLE ACCELERATES VERY SLUGGISHLY ON TAKE OFF & IS VERY UNRESPONSIVE UNDER LOAD LIKE GOING UP A HILL.

NHTSA ODI 11406937

TAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO OUR DRIVEWAY ,THE VEHICLE HESITATED THEN SURGED AT A HIGH SPEED AND CRASHED INTO OUR HOME.BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED BUT COULD NOT STOP THE IMPACT.BELIEVE THE SURGE MAY BE RELATED TO THE TURBO ENGINE ACCELERATING.

NHTSA ODI 11386838

WHILE DRIVING MY 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT 2.0T TO ENTER THE FREEWAY, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE NORMALLY. IT STARTED TO SHAKE AND FELT LIKE THE ENGINE WAS "MISFIRING" AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, I WAS ABLE TO GET UP TO 60MPH. I TRIED TAKING MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR AND PRESSING IT AGAIN BUT IT WOULD ONLY LOSE SPEED AND THEN I'D HAVE TO WORK MY WAY UP TO 60 MPH. I WAS TRAVELLING STRAIGHT AND ON A FLAT ROAD. ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN FOOT WAS ON ACCELERATOR, THEN IT WENT OFF. ONCE I WAS OFF THE FREEWAY AND TRIED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN FROM A STOP, CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE GOING UP THE INCLINE AND THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST HIT MY TAIL END. FINALLY,I TURNED LEFT TO GO UP THE HILL TOWARD MY HOUSE, I COULD ONLY GET UP TO 15 MPH BUT RPMS WERE BETWEEN 3500-4000. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC BEHIND ME BUT I WAS AFRAID I WASN'T GOING TO MAKE IT UP THE STREET OR THAT SOME CAR WOULD COME UP BEHIND ME AND MY CAR WOULD STOP. IN ORDER FOR A CAR TO BE SAFE IT NEEDS TO BE RELIABLE IN ACCELERATION AS MUCH AS BRAKING AND STEERING! I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP DAY AFTER TOMORROW.

NHTSA ODI 11373894

DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STOP SIGN/RED LIGHT OR TURNING THE ENGINE HESITATES FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 SECONDS AFTER SEVERAL TRIES BEFORE REACHING DESIRED SPEED. WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL ON FREEWAYS THERE IS A 10 TO 15 SECOND DELAY WHEN ACCELERATING OR PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH IN ONE INSTANCE CAUSED A NEAR ACCIDENT ON A HIGH SPEED FREEWAY. MY VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN CAUSING OTHER VEHICLES GO AROUND ME PASSING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE LANE. THESE HESITATIONS HAVE CAUSED ME SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS AND MAKES ME NOT FEEL CONFIDENT WHEN DRIVING THIS CAR. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MANY OCCASIONS AND THEY REPORT NO ERROR CODES SHOW UP AND, THE MECHANIC CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION EARLIER THIS YEAR. THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPROVEMENT. I HAVE REVIEWED MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS HESITATION PROBLEM. WILL IT TAKE DEATH REPORTS TO HELP US OWNERS? MY ISSUE BEGAN IN 2018 RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE AND THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING MORE OFTEN NOW. NO HELP IS IN SIGHT WHEN HYUNDAI AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO ADMIT THE PROBLEM AND MAKES ME AND OTHER OWNERS FEEL LIKE WE DON'T KNOW OUR VEHICLES OR OUR OWN MINDS!! WE NEED HELP BEFORE A DEATH OCCURS NOT AFTER!!

NHTSA ODI 11362328

CARBON MONOXIDE INSIDE THE CABIN WHEN TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY ABOUT 70 MILES AN HOUR

NHTSA ODI 11185575

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

NHTSA ODI 11183958

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A DEAD STOP OR NEARLY A DEAD STOP THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE SMOOTHLY. THERE SEEMS TO BE A PAUSE AND THEN IT ACCELERATES QUICKLY, THIS CAUSED A FAMILY MEMBER TO HIT A CAR IN A PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ODI 11153036

MY 2017 SANTA FE SPORT WITH THE 2.0 TURBO ENGINE, HESITATES ALL THE TIME WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE OR MAKE A TURN FOR APROX. 1-2 SECONDS, THUS IT MAKES FOR A HAZARDOUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE TURNING IN FRONT OF ON COMING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI 11131071

WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT FROM A STOP OR LOW SPEED (<10 MPH) ON A PAVED CITY STREET, INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND TO MY GAS PEDAL. I CAN HAVE THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. ONLY AFTER 1.5 TO 2.0 SECONDS WILL THE CAR REACT, AND WHEN IT DOES, IT IS VIOLENTLY FAST. THIS CAUSES ISSUES WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS STALLING FOR ALMOST 2 SECONDS BEFORE THE CAR BEGINS TO MOVE FORWARD (VIOLENTLY).

NHTSA ODI 11122907

VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE. VEHICLE AS INTERMITTENT ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WHEN TURNING. DECEMBER 15, 2017 1:57 PM 7/8 FULL TANK ENGINE NORMAL TEMP OUTSIDE TEMP 73 PULLING OUT OF PUBLIX SHOPPING CENTER, MAKING RIGHT TURN ONTO 103RD ST. VERY MILD ACCELERATION TO GET THE VEHICLE MOVING MADE RIGHT TURN PRESS DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR NOTHING. RELEASED ACCELERATOR AND PRESS DOWN AGAIN NOTHING. RELEASED ACCELERATOR A SECOND TIME AND PRESS DOWN FINALLY HAD THROTTLE RESPONSE FEB 21, 2018 6:26PM JUST FILLED FUEL TANK AND AUTOMATED CARWASH AT SAM'S WHOLESALE CLUB. MADE A RIGHT TURN FROM SAM'S PARKING LOT ONTO YOUNGERMAN DRIVE. PARKING LOT HAS SLIGHT DOWNWARD INCLINE TO STREET LEVEL, RESULTING IN SLIGHT CAR BODY TWISTING. VERY MILD ACCELERATION TO GET THE VEHICLE MOVING MADE RIGHT TURN PRESS DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR NOTHING. RELEASED ACCELERATOR AND PRESS DOWN AGAIN NOTHING. RELEASED ACCELERATOR A SECOND TIME AND PRESS DOWN FINALLY HAD THROTTLE RESPONSE APRIL 10, 2018 4:00 P.M. MILEAGE 18092 OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE 60&#65439; OVER CAST LIGHT SPRINKLE RAIN MAKING A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC STEPPED ON THE THROTTLE ONLY PARTIAL RESPONSE; RELEASE THE THROTTLE; STEPPED ON IT AGAIN, STILL ONLY PARTIAL RESPONSE; RELEASE THE THROTTLE A SECOND TIME STEPPED ON IT AND FINALLY HAD FULL THROTTLE RESPONSE. APRIL 17, 2018 18545 MILES TEMP 75&#65439; 3/4 FUEL. PULLING OUT OF LOWE'S PARKING LOT TURNING RIGHT, NO ACCELERATION. RELEASED THE THROTTLE REAPPLY THE THROTTLE TO GET POWER. APRIL 26, 2018 5:15 P.M. OUTSIDE TEMP 80 DEGREES, SUNNY . 19056 MILES. MAKING A LEFT TURN AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. VERY LIMITED ACCELERATION DESPITE FULL TANK OF GAS. AFTER ABOUT 10 SECONDS OF MASHING ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR, IT FINALLY PICKED UP AND TOOK OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11091667

ACCELERATION ISSUES. ON AT LEAST TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, ACCELERATION FROM A STOP RESULTED IN THE CAR STAYING AT THE SAME SPEED. HAD TO REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL AND REAPPLY SEVERAL TIMES TO GET IT MOVING. NORMALLY, APPLYING THROTTLE PUSHES INDIVIDUALS BACK ON THEIR SEATS. CAR WAS TAKEN TO LAUREL HYUNDAI AND PER THE TECHS "UNABLE TO REPLICATE CUSTOMERS CONCERN ON ROAD TEST, NO CODES STORED OR PRESENT IN SYSTEM, NO TAB'S FOR CONCERN FOUND". LOOKING AT GETTING RID OF THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11090385

UPON MOVING AFTER COMPLETE STOP AND TURNING VEHICLE TO RIGHT OR LEFT, THERE IS HESITATION BEFORE THERE IS THROTTLE RESPONSE. IT OCCURS MORE OFTEN IF WHILE INITIALLY MAKING A TURN AND ANY SIZE BUMP OR POTHOLE IS ENCOUNTERED. A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THERE IS NO WAY TO MAKE AN AVOIDANCE MANEUVER IF NECESSARY SINCE THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE THROTTLE RESPONSE. THE SAME SITUATION OCCURS WHEN AT SLOW SPEEDS A POTHOLE OR BUMP IS ENCOUNTERED DURING A TURN. AGAIN, DANGEROUS, BECAUSE WITHOUT A RESPONSIVE THROTTLE NO AVOIDANCE MANEUVER IS POSSIBLE. N.B. I PUT TODAY'S DATE BECAUSE THE "FIELD IS REQUIRED". IT OCCURS ON A DAILY BASIS, NONETHELESS.

NHTSA ODI 11084736

RIM PAINT PEELING AT 9000 MILES HAPPENING ALL OVER COUNTRY RIMS NEED TO BE RECALLED I HAVE 5 SPOKE Y RIMS 19 ' INCH CAR HESITATES FROM DEADSTOP SAFETY ISSUE ALL OVER INTERNET FROM OTHER CAR OWNERS

NHTSA ODI 11083136

AT LOW SPEED AND PULLING OUT TO TRAFFIC, AT TOMES THERE IS NO POWER FOR 3 TO 5 SECONDS, VERY DANGEROUS WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI 11081146

THE SANTA FE SPORT WAS PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2017. WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A REDLIGHT OR WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY MOMENTUM ON THE ROAD, THE ACCELERATION DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY AND THE RPMS BEGIN TO REV UP HIGH, BOUNCING UP AND DOWN, BUT THE SANTA FE SPORT WILL STALL. WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ISSUE CONTINUES AND PANIC SENTS IN DUE TO THE CARS BEHIND US CAN REAR END THE SANTA FE SPORT. NO MATTER HOW FAR OR HARD THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED THE SANTA FE SPORT WILL STALL. ALL WHILE NO "ENGINE LIGHT" TURNS ON. TOOK THE SANTA FE SPORT FOR SERVICE TO THE DEALER OVER 6 TIMES BETWEEN 2017 AND 2018 AND ONLY AN EMS PART WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES MOSTLY IN VERY BAD TRAFFIC, AGAIN VERY CONCERNING FOR SAFETY. THE SANTA FE SPORT NEEDS TO BE TURNED OFF AND BACK ON IN ORDER FOR THE PROBLEM TO CEASE. NO MATTER WHAT DRIVE MODE IT IS IN (ECO; SPORT; NORMAL) THE ISSUE PERSISTS. WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2017 SANTA FE SPORT RIGHT OFF THE LOT WHICH HAS BEEN PAID FOR AND IT IS UNFAIR THAT WE ARE STILL PAYING WHAT SEEMS LIKE OUR LIVES WE CONTINUE TO SPEND MORE WITH GAS, TOLLS, TRAVEL AND TIME FROM WORK TO TAKE THE SANTA FE SPORT IN FOR SERVICE AND WE DO NOT GET REFUNDED FOR THIS.

NHTSA ODI 11072801

PURCHASED CAR IN JUNE 2017 AND CURRENTLY HAVE APPROX. 5100 MILES. WHEN GOING FROM A STANDSTILL STOP OR A SLOW ROLLING START (EXITING A DRIVEWAY) THE ACCELERATION IS LACKING. CAR WILL GO HIGH RPMS BUT NO SPEED. AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO A ROAD WAY IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN AS APPROACHING CARS FROM THE REAR CLOSE WHAT WAS A SAFE DISTANCE TO BEING ON TOP OF THE BUMPER IN NO TIME SINCE I CAN NOT ACCELERATE. 0-40 CAN TAKE UPWARDS OF 30 SECONDS WITH PEDAL DEPRESSED FULL. CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AT DEALER IN DECEMBER 2017 AND WAS "CORRECTED". NOW THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME WORSE AND CAR WILL PRODUCE PROBLEM MORE FREQENTLY AND IN ANY DRIVING CONDITION TO INCLUDE BEING IN TRAFFIC. THE ONLY WAY I CAN SOMEWHAT CORRECT THE ISSUES (AND FIGURED IT OUT DURING TRIAL AND ERROR) IS TO TURN THE DRIVE MODE TO SPORT AND TURN OFF TRACTION CONTROL. WHEN CAR IS IN ECO THE PROBLEM IS MUCH MORE SERVE AND IN NORMAL IT FREQUENTLY HAPPENS. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO ADJUST OR TURN OFF SYSTEMS IN A VEHICLE TO MAKE IT SAFE TO DRIVE NOR SHOULD I HAVE A VEHICLE I CAN NOT DRIVE AT SAFE SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI 11062337