NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 357 owner complaints for the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Most complaints involve engine (207) and power train (42). The EPA rates it 21–24 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. 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.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolt for the driver's seat belt anchor might not have been sufficiently tightened during assembly.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“Started car to reverse out of parking space and it started jerking as I accelerated. Drove jerkily the few blocks I had to go to make it home. Did not drive again but upon starting it the check engine light came on. Contacted Hyundai customer care who told me my car was covered under two extended warranties for a well documented engine failure on this exact vehicle - Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2017. I’ve been researching and Hyundai knows about this problem and it had been through the courts after group legal action was taken. Hyundai refuses to pay for the car they know is a failure to be diagnosed. I cannot afford to have the car diagnosed especially not for a problem that Hyundai and half the world know (and have documented) is Hyundai’s fault. Vehicle can not be driven.”
“After we had the Hyundai 9C2 recall completed a few weeks ago, we immediately had rough shifting in our Hyundai Santa Fe Sport driving off the lot. Problem has continued since, and is most notable after cold start/once the car has sat for an extended period of time. Hyundai has released a Drivability Information on 5/18/26 regarding the known issue, but our Dealership was unaware. The Dealership recommended replacement of the Transmission, despite my explanation that the issue began after the installation of the recall fix.”
“The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled; however, upon taking the vehicle to the dealer, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe Sport FWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 24 | $2,500 | 379 |
| Santa Fe Sport FWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,600 | 388 |
| Santa Fe Sport Ultimate FWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,600 | 396 |
| Santa Fe Sport AWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | $2,750 | 410 |
| Santa Fe Sport AWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | $2,750 | 406 |
| Santa Fe Sport Ultimate AWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $2,850 | 425 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 357 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (207), power train (42), service brakes, hydraulic (41). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport at 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 5 out of 5 stars overall.