2017 Hyundai Santa FE engine problems
643 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2017 Hyundai Santa FE — 67% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Vehicle was brought to an authorized dealership for service, and while there Campaign 9C2 (ECU Software Update for Theta II Emissions Improvement) was performed. Immediately following this software update, the vehicle developed drivability degradation, specifically engine stutter/hesitation and…”
filed Sep 9, 2026
“-The primary mechanical failure is a burned exhaust valve in Cylinder 2, which has resulted in 0 PSI compression and a persistent engine misfire. This severe top-end valve degradation occurred as a direct consequential result of a chronic, underlying defect in the engine's internal oil-delivery and…”
filed Sep 8, 2026
“On May 26.2026, Southern States Hyundai performed mandated Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement). The software immediately caused drivability degradation and a catalytic converter failure, mirroring the defects Hyundai acknowledged to the NHTSA on May 18, 2026. Corporate customer care is using an…”
filed Sep 3, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Crankshaft assemblies may have been produced with surface irregularities in the…Campaign 17V578000 · Sep 20, 2017
Related service bulletins
Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 26-EM-002H describes the procedure to inspect the…
26-EM-002H DCS · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Feb 11, 2026Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect the engine and perform the proper…
26-EM-002H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Feb 11, 2026Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. This service procedure describes to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair…
26-EM-002H DN · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Feb 11, 2026
Engine problems in other Santa FE years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Santa FE | 2 | 6% |
| 2025 Santa FE | 13 | 10% |
| 2024 Santa FE | 12 | 8% |
| 2023 Santa FE | 35 | 17% |
| 2022 Santa FE | 53 | 27% |
| 2021 Santa FE | 37 | 22% |
| 2020 Santa FE | 76 | 36% |
| 2019 Santa FE | 71 | 36% |
| 2018 Santa FE | 53 | 49% |
| 2016 Santa FE | 151 | 64% |
| 2015 Santa FE | 160 | 63% |
| 2014 Santa FE | 274 | 56% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2017 Hyundai Santa FE
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.