2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Fuel system Problems

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

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

After the ECM recall for a software update the car would not run correctly. It jerks and and runs rough. It almost stalls when you put your foot on the gas. I took it back to the dealer and they can not get the problem to duplicate. Noone else has looked at the problem. There were never any problems with the care until the recall. The problem occurred the day I brought the car home from the ECM update.

NHTSA ID

11740806

Incident

May 8, 2026

After my Hyundai dealership performed a recall on emissions my Santa Fe Sport started having problems on cold starts. After it has set for a few hours when I would put into gear and start to driving the car acted as though it was trying to flood out. I have to feather the accelerator and drive very carefully for at least 1/2 - 3/4 miles. This is very dangerous and make me very uncomfortable driving. I took my vehicle back to my Hyundai dealer and the mechanic told me they were waiting for a recall to the recall. How stupid!!! It has been over a month and nothing has been done to fix the problem. Please advise!

NHTSA ID

11740351

Incident

Apr 28, 2026

NO power till car warms up for 5 minutes. It will be jerky on highway. The gas mileage is going down drastically, I was doing 32 miles to gallon and now it's 22mpg. All this is after the recall we just had performed. I have no power trying to avoid accidents, taking off from stopping. Car smells weird now.

NHTSA ID

11739585

Incident

Apr 30, 2026

Component: Engine (Theta II 2.4L GDI) / connecting rod bearing-related failure risk with abnormal internal oil loss. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request (engine, oil level condition, diagnostic history, and dealer records). Safety risk: While driving on the highway (approx. 70 mph), the vehicle displayed a low oil warning, and I experienced concern for potential engine seizure/stalling and sudden loss of power, which could cause a crash. I reduced speed and sought service. This condition presents an ongoing safety risk because sudden engine failure can occur without adequate warning. Dealer confirmation: The problem was confirmed by a Hyundai dealer. After a routine oil change, the low oil warning appeared within ~1,700 miles. A Hyundai service center inspected the vehicle and documented the engine was approximately 3 quarts low with no external leaks, indicating internal loss/engine deterioration rather than a leak. Hyundai then required additional steps (combustion chamber cleaning and monitored mileage), and the abnormal internal oil loss condition persisted. Manufacturer inspection: The vehicle has been inspected by Hyundai dealerships, and Hyundai performed campaign-related actions, including KSDS/ECM update (T3G) and later knock sensor replacement. No police or insurance inspection. No crash or injury occurred. Warning lamps/symptoms prior to failure: Prior symptoms included a Check Engine Lamp with DTC P1326 (KSDS-related) documented by Hyundai service in 2025, followed by continued abnormal internal engine condition. The low oil warning occurred while the vehicle was in motion (highway speed). The issue remains unresolved, and I do not feel the vehicle is safe to operate due to seizure/stall risk. Additional: I reported this as a safety defect because similar Theta II engine issues are widely reported and can result in stalling, seizure, or engine fire. Hyundai denied engine replacement assistance despite the documented condition.

NHTSA ID

11708993

Incident

Jan 5, 2026

Check engine light came on to check the oil and I had recently had an oil change and all of a sudden within a week or two I needed to fill my oil back up and it's gone through two quarts of oil since my oil change this has been going on for 2 years I did not know there was some place like this where I could follow a complaint. I constantly put oil in my car because my car is constantly low on oil and there is no evidence of the oil leaking onto the ground whatsoever. I don't know where the oil is going to but it's not leaking on the ground and there's just been a constant issue for the past 2-3 years

NHTSA ID

11688617

Incident

Sep 1, 2022

I am the current owner a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. While I was driving my SUV on the highway at highway speeds at 60mph, the oil pressure and the check engine warning light illuminated all of sudden after around 1 hour of smooth ride. In the meantime, suddenly the vehicle lost motive power, the steering wheel seized and smoke came immediately. Losing motive power in running conditions and smoke coming out during failure could have endangered our lives. The smoke came out due to leakage of engine oil probably. The vehicle was stuck in the middle of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then after Hyundai Dealership. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,245 only. Before reporting to NHSTA I have seen numerous complaints about high oil consumption and burnt valves on Theta II engines around 2017 santafe sport model and very similar occurrence of events happening to all while driving the vehicle on highways. Hyundai must need to provide support to this year model and make vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11681321

Incident

Aug 14, 2025

My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe had a new engine installed at the dealership, Fred Beans Hyundai Flemington, NJ. I picked it up on [XXX] on [XXX] (and after 134 miles) my car's check engine light came on. I rerouted to dealership about 8 miles. Sitting outside service bay, I smelled smoke and then saw smoke coming out of vents. I then jumped out of car and the car became engulfed in flames and subsequently exploded. The day I picked it up, I pointed out to the service manager that they had not reattached everything to the car properly, sloppy workmanship. Best guess is that they did not attach a valve correctly. Miracle no one was injured or killed! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11650514

Incident

Mar 21, 2024

I brought the car 4/2023 within 2 weeks I had to big it back brakes locking up replaced rotors and pads. Then the strut on right needed to be replaced because of noise and pulling, still pulls. Then the fuel pump went replaced that anc then the differential was replaced but still slipping. The oil light came in after the oil change had to add oil and requesting consumption test. I have had this car 6 months and nobody has figured out what’s going on.

NHTSA ID

11552071

Incident

May 3, 2023

I have need to get 3 oil changes within the past month and a half. Twice I was told I was driving with no oil in my car and the engine was getting ready to go. I notice when I start my car in the morning it is making a rattling noise, this also happens when I try to accelerate and the car will get stuck in gear and hesitate before speeding up. It's been dangerous trying to drive on this highway. I also notice a thick white smoke coming from my muffler. I'm constantly paying for unnecessary oil changes and diagnostic from independent service centers and was told my motor is bad and causing all this oil consumption. I was told to contact Hyundai but no luck.

NHTSA ID

11533022

Incident

Jul 18, 2023

My car is burning to much oil which has caused my car to have a check engine light. I was not due for an oil change until end of July 2023 and the car was barely with no oil. I took it in to get an oil change at Valvoline and they confirmed no oil was hardly in the chamber and that my car needed an oil consumption test by dealer. Hyundai models have been having multiple issues with engine failure. This is a safety Hazard as on the road is when I noticed my car shutting off on me. I am working on getting this taken care of with corporate Hyundai and dealer.

NHTSA ID

11530658

Incident

Jun 30, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil warning light illuminated and then turned off independently. The contact then stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the oil level was low, and a quart of oil was added. The contact then stated that on another occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer where another quart of oil was added. The contact was then advised by the dealer that an oil consumption test would be performed, and the contact was advised to drive the vehicle for 1,000 miles, and a tamper seal was placed on the vehicle. The contact stated that after driving 1,000 miles, 2 ½ quarts of oil had to be added to the engine. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The contact was concerned for her safety while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

NHTSA ID

11522098

Incident

May 5, 2023

Mileage

37,000 mi

I purchased my vehicle at 51,700 miles. Approx 2 months …1,000-2,000 miles later my car went into limp mode and wouldn’t exceed 20 mph. I also noticed that my vehicle was consuming 4-qts of oil every 1,000 miles since then and is experiencing engine failure. It’s a safety hazard to myself and others as the car just shuts off completely while driving. Hyundai won’t do anything about it. I have documents to show every oil change/maintenance on vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11519203

Incident

May 11, 2022

THERE HAS BEEN A KNOCK SINCE THE CAR WAS BOUGHT 3 YRS AGO. IT BURNS THREW AT ABOUT1-2 QUART OF OIL EVERY 2000 MILES TRIGGERING THE OIL LIGHT TO COME ON. OIL CHANGES ARE DONE EVERY 3000 MILES WITH FULL SYNTHETIC ALWAYS. IT'S ALSO BEEN TAKEN INTO HYUNDAI OF OLYMPIA FOR ACCELERATION ISSUE WHILE DRIVING (DOESN'T SHIFT UP/DOWN, SHIFT VERY HARD, STUTTERS WHEN SHIFTING) ALSO ASKED ABOUT OIL CONSUMPTION WHEN TAKEN IN FOR RECALL AND WAS TOLD THE OIL CONSUMPTION WAS NORMAL.

NHTSA ID

11377694

Incident

Dec 3, 2020

Mileage

92,000 mi

WHEN DRIVING IN NORMAL AND SPORT MODE, ON ACCELERATION THERE IS A DELAY AND WHEN THE GAS IS LEFT OFF, THE ENGINE IS REVVING HIGH BUT PROPULSION, SPEED IS DIMINISHED, HAVING A STALL OUT AFFECT AT VARYING SPEEDS. RPM IS HIGH BUT ENGINE IS NOT RESPONDING . THIS HAS HAPPENED WEEKLY AND NEARLY DAILY WHEN DRIVING IN CITY ENVIRONMENT WITH SPEED FROM 30 TO 50 PLUS MILES PER HOUR.

NHTSA ID

11172310

Incident

Oct 1, 2017

Mileage

5,000 mi

1.) ON APRIL 20, 2018 STOPPED ON A HILL FOR A RED LIGHT WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND PUT ON THE GAS, THE CAR WENT BACKWARDS. THIS HAPPENED ON A BUSY CITY/HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS BEHIND US. 3.) IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON JULY 21, 2018 ON A CITY STREET WITH NO ONE BEHIND US. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULDN'T RECREATE THIS. 2.) WHEN SOMEONE PUTS A PILLOW UNDER THEM ON THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG DOES NOT WORK. THIS HAPPENS IF THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID

11133547

Incident

Apr 20, 2018

Mileage

29,264 mi

A ROCK KICKED UP WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON A CITY STREET AND HIT UNDERCARRIAGE, DAMAGING THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. THIS IS A SPORTS UTILITY TRUCK, ADVERTISED AND MARKETED TO HANDLE OFF ROAD CONDITIONS. POOR DESIGN IN LACK OF PROTECTIVE METAL PLATE BARRIER AROUND THE CANISTER HAS LEAD TO AN EASY PUNCTURE AND DAMAGE TO EVAC COMPONENT AND EXPENSIVE COST FOR REPLACEMENT WITH NO PART WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID

11090518

Incident

Apr 24, 2018

Mileage

5,300 mi

AFTER HAVING RECALL SERVICE COMPLETED ON GAS TANK AREA, ( FLVV PUMP FUEL REPLACED ON JAN 11TH 2018) I NOTICED AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL TO FULL CAPACITY, A VERY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IS PRESENT ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR WHEN I PARK IT INSIDE AN ENCLOSED AREA (GARAGE). THIS GASOLINE SMELL PERSISTS UNTIL I USE 1/8TH OF THE TANK BY DRIVING. HYUNDAI DEALER SERVICE INSPECTED AND STATED IT IS A "SMALL LEAK AS A HISTORY CODE AND PERFORMED EVAP. SERVICE BAY TEST PASS. ACTUATED PURGE VALVE AND FOUND IT STICKING. ORDERED VALVE". I AM WAITING FOR PART PER DEALER TO BE INSTALLED UPON AVAILABILITY.

NHTSA ID

11089307

Incident

Jan 12, 2018

Mileage

26,408 mi

WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT 90 DEGREES TURN FROM A STOPPED POSITION EXITING A DRIVEWAY OR FROM A STOP SIGN ON SMOOTH SURFACED ROADS, UPON ACCELERATION, AT THE MIDPOINT OF THE TURN THE FORWARD MOMENTUM STARTS TO LAG AND PRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE RESULTS IN WHAT FEELS LIKE A LOSS OF OR REDUCTION OF ENGINE POWER CAUSING POTENTIAL FOR NOT GETTING UP TO A SAFE SPEED TO MERGE SAFELY IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. COMPLAINED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER THAT STATED WAS A COMPUTER ISSUE HAVING TO DO WITH TRACTION CONTROL AND REQUIRES AN UPDATE WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ID

11089305

Incident

Mar 5, 2018

Mileage

24,000 mi

WHILE TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP ONTO A STATE HIGHWAY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ALL ACCELERATIVE CAPABILITY WAS LOST WHEN THE VEHICLE CROSSED A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS AT AN ESTIMATED 5 MPH, MID-WAY THROUGH THE TURN. THE AWD VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A 2.4L NORMALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE 'ECO' DRIVING MODE AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS IN THE 'D' RANGE. ATTEMPTS TO ADD POWER VIA THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE MET WITH NO INCREASE IN ENGINE RPM AND, CONSEQUENTLY, NO INCREASE IN VEHICLE SPEED. THE CONDITION PERSISTED FOR 10-12 SECONDS, DURING WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE TRAVELED ONLY 75-90 FEET WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL NEARLY 'FLOORED.' THERE WAS NO SHOULDER AND ONLY ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION, WHICH PRECLUDED MOVING THE VEHICLE TO A PLACE OF RELATIVE SAFETY. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE SUNNY AND CLEAR, AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 55F. THE ROADWAY SURFACE WAS CLEAN DRY, AND FREE OF LOOSE MATERIAL OR CONTAMINANTS. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON A TANGENT SECTION OF HIGHWAY WITH NO GRADE AND A CROWN SLOPE OF APPROXIMATELY 2-PERCENT.

NHTSA ID

11074569

Incident

Feb 23, 2018

Mileage

11,000 mi

INTERMITTENTLY THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE DURING ACCELERATION FROM A STANDING START. IT APPEARS RELATED TO TURBO LAG, BUT TO THE EXTREME AND IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. MOST RECENTLY, AS I WENT TO TAKEOFF I WAS MOMENTARILY STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AS I WAS PULLING INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS JUST THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT A TURBO BOOST IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE. THIS ISSUE IS WELL-DOCUMENTED ON THE HYUNDAI AUTO FORUMS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. AGAIN, THIS NOT AN INCONVENIENCE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND HYUNDAI SEEMS UNCONCERNED ABOUT SOLVING THIS ISSUE. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE UNLESS YOU FORCE THEM TO FIX THIS ISSUE. AND IF YOU DON'T, THE BLOOD WILL BE ON THE NHTSA'S HANDS AS WELL. THIS IS ALSO NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS OCCURED, BUT THE MOST RECENT AND SERIOUS EXAMPLE SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11064353

Incident

Jan 12, 2018

Mileage

22,400 mi

STARTING FROM A DEAD STOP OR AT LOW SPEEDS THIS VEHICLE HESITATES TO GO FOR AT LEAST 3-4 SECONDS MAKING IT UNSAFE IF ANOTHER VEHICLE IS COMING AT YOU. WHEN TURNING FROM A DEAD STOP THE ANTI SLIP LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THIS OCCURS, THIS HAS HAPPENED DURING DRY WEATHER. THIS OCCURS MOST FREQUENTLY IN EITHER ECO OR REGULAR DRIVING MODE, NOT SO MUCH WITH SPORT MODE. I DON'T LIKE DRIVING IN SPORT MODE TOO MUCH AS IT WASTES FUEL. I'VE NOTED A WHOLE LOT OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE AND FEEL THAT HYUNDAI NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS! WE LEASED THIS VEHICLE IN DEC 2016 AND IT HAS LESS THAN 9000 MILES ON IT AS OF THIS DEC 2017.

NHTSA ID

11052209

Incident

Dec 4, 2017

Mileage

8,500 mi

THIS VEHICLE HAS DANGEROUS HESITATION ISSUES AT LOWER SPEEDS. I DRIVE IN HEAVY SLOW TRAFFIC FREQUENTLY AND CHANGING LANES OR ACCELERATING AT LOWER SPEEDS IS DANGEROUS AND I FEAR AN ACCIDENT COULD EASILY HAPPEN. WHEN TRAVELLING AT SPEEDS BELOW 20MPH AND THERE IS NEED TO ACCELERATE TO CHANGE LANES, THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN THE GAS IS APPLIED. IT CAN BE FOR 3 OR 4 SECONDS BEFORE THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY ACCELERATES, BY THIS TIME, THE CARS COMING UP IN THE LANE I'M MOVING INTO, HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO AVOID HITTING ME. I'VE HAD IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG AND SUGGESTED THAT I TRY USING A DIFFERENT DRIVING MODE, WHICH I DID WITH THE SAME RESULT. THIS HAPPENS EVERYDAY UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES AND HAS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. IT'S AN ON-GOING PROBLEM. THE DEALER IS OBVIOUSLY PLAYING DUMB WITH REGARDS TO THE ISSUE, BECAUSE THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF COMMENTS ON THE INTERNET, ALL STATING THE SAME ISSUE. I SERIOUSY AM CONSIDERING SELLING THE CAR BECAUSE OF HOW DANGEROUS IT IS. SAD THAT HYUNDAI CAN'T ADMIT THE PROBLEM. NHTSA, PLEASE STEP IN AND MAKE THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

NHTSA ID

11047184

Incident

Nov 17, 2017

Mileage

1,000 mi