2017 Hyundai Santa Fe · symptom sheet
Loses power when accelerating
- 26owner reports
- 55,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 12, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026
796 of the 961 complaints on this car are about the engine. 26 of those describe loses power accelerating.
Tick what matches of 26 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the throttle body (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The crankshaft assemblies may have been produced with surface irregularities in the crankshaft pin, causing engine bearing wear.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Hyundai will notify all owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 168.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Santa Fe
3.3l engine loss of motive power (lomp). Closed may 16, 2024.
NHTSA summary
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
NHTSA summary
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
NHTSA summary
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 20V-061.
NHTSA summary
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed may 10, 2019, led to recall 18V-907.
NHTSA summary
Scope and timeliness. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 17V-226.
NHTSA summary
Front axle shaft failure. Closed sep 20, 2013, led to recall 13V-355.
NHTSA summary
Transmission intermediate driveshaft. Closed may 10, 2011, led to recall 11V-258.
NHTSA summary
Engine seizure. Closed aug 12, 2002.
NHTSA summary
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 20,500 and 83,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Engine failed at 114,000 miles. Burned 2 holes through 3rd cylinder. was almost struck crossing intersection making left hand turn when vehicle stalled and would not accelerate to get back into normal driving lane.”
Filed Oct 16, 2025 · 114,000 miles
“I was driving on the highway at 65 miles per hour and my 2017 Santa Fe began to decelerate. I tried pushing hard on my petal and it would not accelerate past 30 mph. I got off the highway as safely as I could. I heard a knocking sound while driving and the check engine light came on after my car experienced this problem.”
Filed Apr 25, 2024
“My mil lamp light came on and all of a sudden my vehicle would not accelerate had scanner out I. My car and was told I need a new engine. Researched the theta crankahaft issues could that have caused my engine to fail? I had no warning whatsoever”
Filed Mar 15, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 26 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.
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 377 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 238 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 164 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 160 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 63 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 59 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 58 reports
- Engine leaks oil 45 reports