2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

In June 2026 I took my vehicle to Hyundai for a recall to the ECM module. After that my vehicle would lose power and hesitate to shift gears, and overall does not feel safe. Took vehicle back to dealer and they have told me that I have to wait for them to issue a recall fix for this now .

NHTSA ID

11755929

Incident

Jun 14, 2026

On February 24, 2026, I had the 9C2 software update. My vehicle was being checked for oil consumption. Since then I have had issues with it hard shifting when first starting to drive and sometimes after I've been driving a while. This has continued miles down the road, sometimes over thirty minutes after driving. It also just feels continuously like it is not driving smooth. This only started after the update. I contacted HMA. The first person on my case (Gurvinder) told me I needed to return my car, not to drive it. I had bronchitis, so I did not immediately do that. The next person "Rainey" told me it is a KNOWN issue and they are telling people to warm their cars up for around 3 minutes, and it will be fine. I'd done that, and even driven longer than that. I told him that. I took my mother-in-law home from church miles from there after collecting her at the church door, etc... Getting to the hill at to her home, I didn't think it was going to get up it. Often I don't think I'm going to get out of my driveway, a dangerous driveway in a curve. He wanted Krause Hyundai to contact HMA Engineer. When I was at Krause, they didn't know how to get ahold of HMA Engineer. Dalton also said they can't back the update out. I'm on my third HMA Case Manager. She keeps changing what I've told her is wrong in the emails, I don't think she knows anything about cars. She won't listen when I say I spoke to Dalton at Krause; she keeps speaking to John. [XXX] said they can do diagnostic, but it will cost me. I refuse to pay as [XXX] and Gurvinder had months before wanted me to take it back to get fixed, and Rainey wanted Krause to contact the engineer. It is a known issue with a letter written by Hyundai. Getting a diagnostic code reading performed is not going to help. I'm afraid my vehicle will lose power on the road and I will be struck. I tried uploading both pdf and jpg, but it wouldn't let me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11754336

Incident

Feb 24, 2026

After the recent "important service campaign" involving the THETA II Emissions Logic Improvement my vehicle no longer safety shifts into the lower gears. It will not shift into gear. I am unable to safely get up to a normal speed and the engine and vehicle start shaking. This is isolated to the initial start of the vehicle and any low speed driving after. The issue is resolved after restarting the car, suggesting it is a software issue. This issue immediately began after the ECU update for the THETA II emissions logic improvement on 5/12/2026.

NHTSA ID

11754160

Incident

May 12, 2026

Airbag light illuminates on the dash and the seatbelt light illuminates intermittently as the seat electrical harness under the seat only connects in certain positions of the seat. My issue is associated with the passenger seat. This airbag light is associated with the airbag not firing or improperly firing. To avoid a recall, Hyundai has extended the warranty for vehicles for this issue but refuses to fix mine without payment.

NHTSA ID

11754153

Incident

Sep 11, 2023

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The vehicle was a dealer sale. The contact stated that while attempting to trade the vehicle, the contact was informed by the dealer that the odometer had been rolled back prior to the purchase. The contact had purchased the vehicle in March 2022. A Carfax report indicated that the odometer was reported at approximately 75,585 miles on January 28th, 2022, and 55,710 miles on February 11, 2022, reflecting a 20,000 miles difference. The contact stated that the mileage at the time of purchase was unknown. The vehicle currently had approximately 132,064 miles. The issue was reported to the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Attorney General.

NHTSA ID

11752626

Incident

Jul 24, 2026

Mileage

132,064 mi

After a recall repair (Campaign 9C2) was performed on my vehicle, it developed a hesitation and lack of acceleration issue that did not exist before the repair. The vehicle exhibits rough or delayed gear shifting, a noticeable lack of power/acceleration, and behavior that feels like the engine is not receiving adequate fuel. This occurs both during cold start and after the vehicle has been driven and is fully warm

NHTSA ID

11752291

Incident

Jul 20, 2026

We have a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport with a refurbished engine due to a past class act settlement, we were notified by Hyundai to bring in the vehicle for Service campaign 9C2 to update the Engine Control Module (ECM) Software for vehicles equipped with the (2.4 GDI) Theta II refurbished engine, which we have. The morning after we updated the 9C2 software, after starting our car cold for the first time in the am, our car went into limp mode, shaking very badly, it would not accelerate above 20 MPH, it had a lot of trouble shifting from 1st to 3rd gear and acted like it was going to stall out and then die in the middle of the road while I was in the car with my 2 children. The dealership we took it to was not able to duplicate the limp mode, but has documented that they did witness hesitation and sluggishness while test driving it. I cannot validate that it was test driven cold immediately as requested as all their test drives were done without me. Due to the vehicle not accelerating as it should normally, I feel the vehicle is very unsafe and unreliable as well. I’m willing to provide more documentation, and our car is available for further inspection. I did request the help of a Hyundai customer relations case manager who stated Hyundai is aware of all of the drive-ability issues I have stated and he said they are hoping to provide another software update, but that time frame is unknown. Dealership mechanic stated the same thing and believes our issue is related to the 9C2 update. The manufacture has not inspected the vehicle, but we would absolutely love them to if they would. There have been no check engine lights come on before or after this update, only misfire codes came up after the update which dealership has those, and since the dealership was unable to witness it going into limp mode while driving it, they could not gain the much needed data that pinpoints the exact problem. We were advised to warm up car and rev up the RPM to above 2,000 before driving.

NHTSA ID

11752266

Incident

May 5, 2026

After a recall repair (Campaign 9C2) was performed on my vehicle, it developed a hesitation and lack of acceleration issue that did not exist before the repair. The vehicle exhibits rough or delayed gear shifting, a noticeable lack of power/acceleration, and behavior that feels like the engine is not receiving adequate fuel. This occurs both during cold start and after the vehicle has been driven and is fully warm. I returned the vehicle to the dealership (Wallace Hyundai), where the service advisor personally test drove the car with me and confirmed he could feel the hesitation firsthand. Despite this, the dealership stated no issue was found and advised warming the car up for 1-3 minutes before driving as a workaround. I tested this exact recommendation, and the issue returned even after the vehicle was fully warmed and had already been driven. Hyundai Motor America's National Consumer Affairs department has stated this is "under review" but has also described the hesitation as "normal" cold-start behavior related to catalyst warm-up. This does not match what I am experiencing, since the issue also occurs when the vehicle is already warm, and their own dealership's advisor confirmed the problem exists. I have also noticed a decrease in fuel efficiency (MPG) since the software update associated with this recall. This issue directly affects the safe operation of the vehicle — specifically the ability to accelerate reliably, including in situations like merging onto highways or pulling into traffic, where a lack of power could result in a collision. I do not consider the vehicle safe to drive in its current condition.

NHTSA ID

11749084

Incident

Jun 17, 2026

Certain 2012 – 2017 model year Accent, 2012 – 2017 model year Azera, 2013 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2013 – 2019 model year Santa Fe, and 2012 – 2017 model year Veloster vehicles may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) may be set. At Hyundai, we are committed to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value. In an effort to meet this commitment, the warranty coverage for the Occupant Classification System (OCS)/Occupant Detection System (ODS) under these conditions has been extended to 18 years/unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners.

Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. This bulletin provides instructions for updating the Engine Control Module (ECM) to address this condition.

Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these vehicles may be releasing air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards.

Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation. If present, this condition is expected to occur only within approximately the first 1-3 minutes after engine start, while the catalyst is reaching its normal operating temperature.

Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation. If present, this condition is expected to occur only within approximately the first 1-3 minutes after engine start, while the catalyst is reaching its normal operating temperature.

Certain Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. The paint warranty coverage for affected vehicles has been extended to 10 years/unlimited miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use and is valid for original and subsequent owners. The warranty extension does not apply to any vehicle that has ever been declared a total loss or sold for salvage by a financial institution or insurer or has a branded or similar title under any state’s law.