2017 Hyundai Santa Fe: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 911 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 6 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 6 trims analysed.
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe has 911 owner complaints, 14 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Notable Issues.
- Make
- Hyundai
- Model
- Santa Fe
- Model year
- 2017
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 911
- Crash-related complaints
- 14
- Safety recall campaigns
- 6
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Notable Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 22
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 26
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
Uncategorized Issues
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Transmission / Drivetrain, Uncategorized Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe
Inspection Focus
- Request service records specifically for engine repairs or replacements.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and transmission before purchase.
- Check for any history of unintended acceleration incidents.
Before You Close the Deal
- Request service records specifically for engine repairs or replacements.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and transmission before purchase.
- Check for any history of unintended acceleration incidents.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 911 NHTSA complaints for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, the data suggests that engine problems are the most frequently reported issue, followed by transmission/drivetrain concerns. However, the confidence level is low, and these complaints are consumer-submitted, not confirmed defects.
- Engine Problems account for the majority of complaints (630 out of 911).
- Transmission/Drivetrain issues are the second most reported component (147 complaints).
- Crash-related complaints are relatively low (14 out of 911).
- Engine Problems
- Transmission/Drivetrain
- Unintended Acceleration
All 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 630 | 1 | 13 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 147 | — | 3 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 82 | 2 | 6 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 64 | 2 | 10 | — | |
| Brake System | 59 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 52 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 48 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 27 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 24 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 18 | 4 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Chest Clip | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Buckle | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Harness | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Insert | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Padding | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Firerelated | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Air | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
While driving home on the highway from our sons hockey game at about 8:30 pm we were going about 60 mph when the car made a noise and began smoking and as we were trying to pull over on the side of the highway noticed by the reflection of a passing car that the engine on our vehi…
The steering left side electrical components quit working at the same time without warning. This is all related to the Air Bag clock spring a serious safety defect that disables the airbag and possibly horn. I have taken the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership for diagnostics and t…
My engine just died wont start has 121099 and hyundai wont fix it
My wife's 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited experienced a sudden crack in the engine and lost oil without any warning signs. There were no warning lights, no check engine light, and no unusual noise before the engice crack. A certified independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and c…
Seem like there was a recall on the 3.3L engines on the Hyundai Santa Fe starting January 26, 2017, for engine related knocking noise. My Vin is [XXX] according to the Manufacturing plate it was made in Korea released on January 04, 2017. I realize it is a 22-day window on the r…
My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T (Theta II 2.0L GDI Turbo engine) has been diagnosed with burned exhaust valves requiring a complete engine replacement. This is the second catastrophic powertrain failure on this vehicle in under two years. In July 2024, I paid $2,754 to replac…
On my Driver/passenger seat the recline switch with not go back only forward. The dealer explains to me that just diagnosing the issue is 250 then the switch is going to cost me over $800. If replace the Power Seat Switch for $49.99 and the Power Seat Switch Knob only cost $ 15 p…
The contact owned a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe equipped with a Rockland Electric Mobility Scooter Lifter, Part Number: 10101194. The contact stated that after the mobility scooter lifter was installed on the vehicle, the vehicle experienced electrical failures. The A/C became inoperab…
On April 2, 2026, the engine in my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe failed catastrophically while my wife was driving. The vehicle lost power suddenly and completely. There was no warning and no prior symptoms. She was able to pull over safely in a residential area. The vehicle was towed t…
ENGINE. IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. NO IT WASNT REPRODUCED OR CONFIRMED BY A DEALER, BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A COUPLE AND ALSO ME SEEING THAT THE ENGINE WASNT ABLE TO MANUALLY BE CRANKED AT ALL. NO INSPECTION WAS DONE BY MANUFACTURR, POLICE, OR INSURANCE, BECAUSE IT DIDNT CAUS…
The vehicle is burning oil even when oil changes are done routinely. Then all of a sudden I have total loss of power will not go over 35 miles an hour. And climbing hill would not go over 20. It just happened no warning lights on dash So now I have a car that is still owning…
I purchase the 2017 Santa Fe Sport in October of 2023 with just short of 80K miles. It was in great condition and had no issues. I have maintained it according to Hyundai specification and regular on schedule oil changes with recommended 5w-20 full synthetic. At approximately …
Bottom brake lights will not work but top high brake light works. I was stopped by police three times. They state all three brake lights must operate.
Service Campaign Update 9C2 was installed. Since then erratic shifting occurs including up and down shifting without change in acceleration and deceleration or lag. This lasts between 1-5 minutes after initial vehicle start-up. This is dangerous when vehicle attempts to pull out …
These vehicles are not suitable to be on the road, and you NHTSA and Hyundai are doing NOTHING ABOUT IT. These vehicles are EATING oil, a quart every 200 miles. My daughter(college) can't even go on a short road trip to another city without adding oil. The engines in these crap…
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 k…
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe on March 11, 2024, from a private dealer with approximately 46,000. The contact was informed that the vehicle had only one owner who had leased the vehicle. Recently, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic wh…
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil after approximately 1,500 miles, 2 weeks after an oil change was performed. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle was sluggish while attempting to …
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, th…
Engine failed at approximately 95000 miles.
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe.
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Recalls
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. 6 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?▾
Notable Issues. NHTSA currently shows 911 owner complaints, 14 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe?▾
#1: Engine Problems (630 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (147 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (82 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, NHTSA complaints include 14 crash-related reports and 23 fire reports out of 911 total complaints. 18 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?▾
Yes. 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. A major recall area is TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS. 6 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe?▾
The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Santa Fe reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.