2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Complaints

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.

Car is running out of oil quickly but there are no visible leaks. Have had the oil changed a couple of times since then and have had to add oil in between because the oil light comes on when I make turns. Had the oil changed at a local oil service station and they said it was almost empty.

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.

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)

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that after the completion of an unknown air bag recall repair, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that the front passenger's side lower seat assembly needed to be replaced due to the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) failure, Part Number: B149000; however, the part was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and sent automated emails advising of the estimated time of availability of the part; however, the part had not been available, and there was no further communication from the manufacturer. The dealer advised the contact to remove the vehicle from the property because of the manufacturer. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,305.

We have a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe with 130k miles on it. It has the 2.4 engine with known manufacturing defects. We are the 2nd owner and timely & proper maintenance was completed on it since it was new. My [XXX] driver was operating the vehicle on Interstate 75 in Middle Georgia when the vehicle started running very rough, slowed down dramatically and the check engine light started blinking. She was blessed that a large truck didn’t run her over as she tried to move to the side of the roadway. We called a tow truck to take it to the nearest Hyundai dealership- ALM Hyundai of Warner Robins, GA. They inspected the vehicle and stated that the engine had messed up and they wouldn’t replace it since the vehicle had 130k miles and outside their window for 120k mile replacement. We purchased the vehicle from the original owner in 2022. We verified that it had timely and proper maintenance on it. We were also aware of a potential engine issue but verified with a Hyundai service advisor at Five Star Hyundai in Macon, Ga that the vehicle would be eligible for engine replacement if it messed up due to a manufacturing defect as long as proper maintenance was completed. We noticed that the vehicle was significantly burning oil at around 110k miles and regularly had to put oil in it to make sure it would not run dry. We did have the safety recall performed on it for the engine knock issue that Hyundai mandated. These vehicles are a major safety hazard on the roadway and these effected engines should be replaced by the manufacturer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My vehicle was serviced for an oil change at my dealership today. The mechanics are concerned about too much oil consumption in between oil changes. They have no evidence of a leak. Prior to getting my oil changed, a red oil light appeared when I brake. The dealership had mentioned of related recalls for this problem for this vehicle model.

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.

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.

Component: Engine (Theta II 2.4L GDI) / connecting rod bearing-related failure risk with abnormal internal oil loss. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request (engine, oil level condition, diagnostic history, and dealer records). Safety risk: While driving on the highway (approx. 70 mph), the vehicle displayed a low oil warning, and I experienced concern for potential engine seizure/stalling and sudden loss of power, which could cause a crash. I reduced speed and sought service. This condition presents an ongoing safety risk because sudden engine failure can occur without adequate warning. Dealer confirmation: The problem was confirmed by a Hyundai dealer. After a routine oil change, the low oil warning appeared within ~1,700 miles. A Hyundai service center inspected the vehicle and documented the engine was approximately 3 quarts low with no external leaks, indicating internal loss/engine deterioration rather than a leak. Hyundai then required additional steps (combustion chamber cleaning and monitored mileage), and the abnormal internal oil loss condition persisted. Manufacturer inspection: The vehicle has been inspected by Hyundai dealerships, and Hyundai performed campaign-related actions, including KSDS/ECM update (T3G) and later knock sensor replacement. No police or insurance inspection. No crash or injury occurred. Warning lamps/symptoms prior to failure: Prior symptoms included a Check Engine Lamp with DTC P1326 (KSDS-related) documented by Hyundai service in 2025, followed by continued abnormal internal engine condition. The low oil warning occurred while the vehicle was in motion (highway speed). The issue remains unresolved, and I do not feel the vehicle is safe to operate due to seizure/stall risk. Additional: I reported this as a safety defect because similar Theta II engine issues are widely reported and can result in stalling, seizure, or engine fire. Hyundai denied engine replacement assistance despite the documented condition.