2017 Hyundai Santa Fe · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 377owner reports
- 93,000median miles
- $6,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 8, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
669 of the 968 complaints on this car are about the engine. 377 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2017 Santa Fe.
Narrower sheets: Engine knocking or ticking (113 reports) · Engine seized (78 reports) · Rod bearing failure (45 reports)
Tick what matches of 377 reports
Engine failure on other Santa Fe years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (366 reports), the timing chain (15 reports), the short block or long block (6 reports) and the turbo (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The crankshaft assemblies may have been produced with surface irregularities in the crankshaft pin, causing engine bearing wear.
All 6 recalls on the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Santa Fe
3.3l engine loss of motive power (lomp). Closed may 16, 2024.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-226.
Engine seizure. Closed aug 12, 2002.
What owners paid
70 of the 377 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,000 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 65,000 and 109,000 miles, from the 179 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Was driving my 2017 Santa Fe Ultimate 3.3L v6 at a low speed on residential streets. With only 110,000 miles without warning or indicators the engine failed. Regular schedule oil changes were preformed. Hyundai wouldn't offer any goodwill financial help with a engine replacement, stuck with a car loan and work working vehicle.”
Filed Jun 30, 2023 · 110,000 miles
“Check engine light came on, made an appointment to bring to the mechanic. 1 mile into the trip, engine lost power. We had to tow to the mechanic. Synopsis: hole in block caused by catastrophic engine failure at 120,000 miles. When check engine light occurred, oil was at correct level; and vehicle has always been maintained properly.”
Filed Jun 29, 2023 · 120,000 miles
“Car had excessive oil consumption so had to continually add oil. One day check engine light comes on and I drive it two blocks back home. Next time I start car check engine light is blinking. Told need new engine due to low to no compression in the cylinders but they do not know why there is no compression. No prior warnings..complete engine failure..130k miles.”
Filed Jun 17, 2023 · 130,000 miles
“Purchased with 56k miles. Had oil change at time of purchase. Changed oil at 60k and again at 65k. At 67k with no warning lights, no low engine oil light, no warning of any kind, the engine blew. Seems to be a very common problem and dealership told me not covered under warranty since Iâm not original owner. Seems to me to be a manufacturing issue if itâs happening as much as Iâm seeing.”
Filed May 5, 2023 · 56,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 377 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 239 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 165 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 161 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 66 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 59 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 58 reports
- Engine leaks oil 45 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 26 reports