2017 Hyundai Santa Fe: multiple warning lights

Filed Sep 19, 2026 · Engine · FL

My son was driving the vehicle normally. There were no issues, warning lights, abnormal feel to the drive, and no odd noises. Suddenly, all of the warning lights on the dashboard lit up, acceleration dropped and he could no longer accelerate. He pulled off the main road and there was a burning smell and the vehicle was inoperable.

Filed Jun 30, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NY

We are driving on the highway and the engine just stop working but all lights are still working. I am trying to put gas but it seemed that the engine completely shuts off dangerously without warning. This put my family at risk because there were a lot of big trucks beside us. Theta II 2.0L Turbo engine just stalled I believe this has been around . Can you please help us.

Filed Oct 26, 2024 · Engine · IL

The engine seized. Driving at 55 mph on a 4 lane highway outside of city limits, the vehicle went into limp mode. Luckily, it was later in the evening with less traffic and I was fortunate enough to be able to turn into a left turn lane and coast into an office building parking lot. There was no shoulder available if I had been in the right lane and somewhat of a rural area. There were no sensors that alerted me prior to this happening. But, when it did happen the dash board lit up like a Christmas tree! It was 6:30 pm, I coasted into a parking spot in the lot and turned the car off. It would not start and I contacted a tow service. I had it towed to an automotive shop near my home. They confirmed the next morning, that there was no oil on the dip stick and the engine seized. They alerted me to the fact that this has become a common problem with this Hyundai engine. I then had the vehicle towed the Hyundai dealership where we purchased the vehicle. We are the original owner. The vehicle is sitting at Rosen Hyundai in Algonquin, IL and should be available for inspection. Monica at the dealership called me after the inspection and confirmed that this is a common issue with this vehicle. She at first used the word recall...and when I asked if there was a recall, she said not a recall, but Hyundai has issued a BULLETIN about this problem. At first, she stated that my maintenance records were in order and being the original owner I qualified to file a claim with Hyundai for engine replacement. 3 days later, she called and stated that Hyundai needed more proof of maintenance than what they could pull off Carfax or my claim was going to be denied. She sent me a picture of the engine and stated that the valves show neglect. I replied of course they do....the engine seized! There was never ever any low oil warning light, check engine or or any warning lights what so ever prior to the event! Hyundai admitted that there is no low oil sensor warning.

Filed Nov 3, 2023 · Engine · OR

While driving home one day my car lost all power. All the warning lights on the dash came on and then my car was dead. I managed to safely get off the road but had trouble getting the car to stop. Once stopped safely, my car would not restart. It would crank but would not turn over. My car ended having to be taken to the dealer for diagnostic, only to be told me engine was seized. My car had 58,415 miles on it. No indication that there was anything wrong with the engine.

Filed Oct 23, 2023 · Transmission · MD

Driving down rd at 35 mph felt a sudden jolt and loud noise, car lost power and all lights came on. Coasted to a safe driveway and shut it down. Tried to re- start and it was a loud racket so immediately turned back off. Crazy thing is the oil was just changed , no leaks in garage or warning lights. Now I’m stuck trying to replace an engine that should’ve lasted more than 5 years!

Filed Aug 16, 2023 · Engine · VA

Previous to the day of this incident there was no check engine light showing. I was driving and heard a knocking /grinding sound that progressively got worse. I was trying to get home and the engine suddenly died , all of the warning lights came on and the engine couldn’t start. Took it to the dealership. The third party extended warranty didn’t cover it because all of the oil was missing ( no oil leak was present). Still waiting to see if the dealership will repair.

Filed Feb 24, 2023 · Engine · MA

Driving car when suddenly all the dash lights came on and car started sputtering. Pulled over to side of road where car completely died. Could not restart with jump. Towed to mechanic where he informed me the engine appears to be ruined. Maintain regular oil changes since purchasing car in 2020.

Filed Jul 25, 2022 · Engine · MA

Saturday June 25th: Driving on I-495 North in Middleboro, MA and heard a loud clunk. All dashboard lights went on and I immediately pulled off the exit. By the time I got off the ramp, my steering and brakes had locked up and I barely made it through the intersection and pulled to the side of the road. Immediately the car started smoking and a puddle of oil formed under my car. The car was towed to a local car lot. Saturday June 25th PM: I filed a claim with USAA Insurance. Monday June 27th - July 1st: USAA in touch and sending an adjuster to the lot. Tuesday July 5th: I signed a release for the car to be towed to Hyundai of Auburn, MA Wednesday July 6th: Car towed to Herb Chambers Hyundai in Auburn, MA Friday July 8th: Hyundai dealership calls and reports that accident was likely due to a rod being released from the engine and causing damage to the rest of the engine and oil pan. They report they have “100 cars on the lot with the same problem and anticipate 4-5 months at least until the car is diagnosed and fixed.” They report they have no cars to loan or rent to me. They suggest I call Hyundai USA.

Filed Feb 22, 2022 · Engine · WA

I was on the highway going about 65mph when all of the lights on my dashboard came on, including the engine light. I received a warning on the screen to get service immediately. My car started slowing down and I was able to pull over before my engine completely seized up. I was lucky that the highway was not crowded and that I was able to get over before it stopped in the middle of the highway!! I do not know why it failed! I had regular maintenance, oil changes, etc. None of the lights came on before this happened. I had no warning. I have been told by the dealership that I need a new engine. It only had 76K miles on it!

Filed Jan 4, 2022 · Engine · SC

I have a 2017 Hyundai Santa FE Sport 2.4 Liter engine. On December 16th at 3am i was on the highway and the gas would not go above 65mph after i herd a clunk, but i did not hit anything in the road. 4 miles after that it started slowing down with all the warning lights going off. 3 miles after that off the highway onto a city street and 4 miles away from home the vehicle made a sudden down shift (it seemed) started to slow down after a sound of my engine clinking and sounded as some parts fell off. A half mile away from home it slowed to a walking pace and shut down. I looked under the vehicle, oil was everywhere, i looked under the hood and seen the same thing. After a half mile tow my mechanic of 12 years who inspects the vehicle and does all the repairs and oil changes three to four times a year stated the pins and rods under the engine fell apart and blew a hole in the bottom of the engine. My mechanic T.J.Burns at Burns Automotive, CarMax mechanic and Precision Auto all in Greenville, South Carolina said the 2.4 Liter engines from this manufacturer are known for blowing out and dying after 100,000 miles regardless of proper maintenance and this IS a a manufacturer's defect in their professional opinion.

Filed Sep 3, 2021 · Engine · 112,000 miles · CA · fire

The engine in our 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe SE 3.3L V6 has always had problems with lag/ hesitation when accelerating from a stop from the very beginning of ownership (first owner). This was always dismissed by Hyundai's mechanics as not actually existing, although it did lag constantly. I know many other have reported similar issues so, I include this only that it could potentially be an early sign of a manufacturers defect leading to larger problems later? Now, we regularly change the oil in our Santa Fe and have never seen a single warning light outside of tire pressure warnings. But on 7/29/21, with our vehicle just out of warranty at 112k miles, while accelerating to freeway speed from an on ramp at 60 mph multiple warning lights came and at the same time there was a very large bang from the engine and a large amount of smoke came from under the hood, enough to seriously affect the vision of drivers behind me. There was a very rapid lose of speed and I also observed things falling from the vehicle in the rearview. I luckily managed the vehicle to the shoulder and quickly got out. I thought vehicle was on fire, it may have been, the smoke kept up for 5-10 minutes. At this point the car would not start or run and a large pool of oil and or coolant formed underneath. It was towed to a Hyundai dealer and the prognosis was a broken connecting rod that had blew a large maybe 5" diameter hole through the bottom of the engine. And now, despite providing proof of recent oil changes, Hyundai has dismissed any manufacturing issues from causing the issue and sighting the problem was from lack of maintenance because of sludge in the engine. Although to my understanding sludge can also be produced rapidly when contaminants, like coolant, from bad valves or head gaskets, enter the oil. When I asked about this the technician literally just didn't answer. So, now we currently owe $7k on a vehicle needing repairs at the quoted price of $8-$14k and Hyundai has closed our case.

Filed Dec 13, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · 12,500 miles · CO

While driving on december 11, 2017 after dark, down a mountain pass in colorado, at 55 MPH, all of the lights - interior and exterior - failed (turned off) momentarily. When my husband hit the brakes, he could see the brake lights activate in the rear view mirror. After playing with the headlight controls for a few seconds, everything came back on. This happened as my husband was switching from the high beams to the low beams. Even though the interior (dashboard) lights were off, the radio continued to play.