Is the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport a bad year?
356 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 221, 4.6× a quiet Santa Fe Sport year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport were filed between 16k and 104k miles. You're at 75,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 Santa Fe Sport owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 75,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 221 (62%) | 16k–104k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 55 (15%) | 30k–97k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 42 (12%) | 0k–11k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 29 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 28 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 16 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 75,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 356 complaints: 5 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 5 report an injury · 33 say the car was towed.
50 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
While driving my Hyundai santa fe sport, I noticed hesitation when accelerating from a stop. The engine light also started blinking.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 75,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: 3
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
In the affected vehicles, the bolt for the driver's seat belt anchor might not have been sufficiently tightened during assembly. If the bolt was not sufficiently tightened, driver's seat belt may come unanchored in a collision, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Hyundai: 176
Repair instructions Hyundai sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition…
Diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2
Applicable vehicles with 2.0L T-GDI and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit…
Hyundai has launched a Service Campaign for applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L GDI engines that may experience the Check Engine warning lamp…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Loss of Motive Power
Neighbouring years
2016 Santa Fe Sport: 72 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2018 Santa Fe Sport: 326 complaints, consider selling.
Every Hyundai Santa Fe Sport year
2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · All Santa Fe Sport years side by side
Other Hyundai models: Hyundai Accent · Hyundai Azera · Hyundai Elantra · Hyundai Elantra Touring · Hyundai Entourage · Hyundai Genesis · Hyundai Genesis Coupe · Hyundai Ioniq 5 · Hyundai Kona · Hyundai Kona Electric · Hyundai Palisade · Hyundai Santa Cruz · Hyundai Santa Fe · Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid · Hyundai Sonata · Hyundai Sonata Hybrid · Hyundai Tiburon · Hyundai Tucson · Hyundai Tucson Hybrid · Hyundai Veloster · Hyundai Veracruz · Hyundai XG350. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport a bad year?
356 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 221, 4.6× a quiet Santa Fe Sport year. At 75,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport were filed between 16k and 104k miles. You're at 75,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (221), brakes (55), transmission and drivetrain (42), speed control (29), fuel system (28). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 16k–104k miles.
How many recalls does the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 22V-056), Seat belts (NHTSA 17V-365), Latches and locks (NHTSA 17V-358). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.