2017 Hyundai Santa Fe · symptom sheet
Engine leaks oil
- 45owner reports
- 81,000median miles
- $7,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jun 10, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
669 of the 968 complaints on this car are about the engine. 45 of those describe oil leak.
Tick what matches of 45 reports
Oil leak on other Santa Fe years
No other Santa Fe model year has enough reports of oil leak for a sheet of its own. See every Santa Fe year.
What this problem usually is
Oil leak reports usually begin with a spot on the driveway. Some owners smell burning oil or see smoke from under the hood when the leak drips onto something hot. Others only find out because they keep adding oil between changes, or a shop spots the leak during an unrelated visit. A share of them mention the repair falling outside the warranty.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the oil pan gasket (3 reports) and the rear main seal (3 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
17 of the 45 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $600 to $11,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 63,591 and 102,568 miles, from the 21 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“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.”
Filed Nov 19, 2025
“I went for an oil engine and they told me that my engine didn't have any oil. I checked for oil leaks and the vehicle does not have any oil leaks. My car has 100,480 mileage and have never been in any sort of accident.”
Filed Oct 28, 2024
“knocking noise. check engine light came on. took to my mechanic and its a total engine failure. ball bearings are loose and leaking oil and could have catastrophic damage at any moment.”
Filed Dec 8, 2023
“While driving at approx. 65 mph on Friday, March 3, 2023 my Hyundai Sanat Fe completely loss power. It dramatically loss steering and brake pedal feel. The vehicle needed to be towed to the closest service station. The engine shows no signs of oil leaks or any other physical issues.”
Filed Mar 7, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 45 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 failure, knocking or rod bearing 377 reports
- 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
- Loses power when accelerating 26 reports