2017 Hyundai Santa Fe: won't start

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Engine · ME

My engine just died wont start has 121099 and hyundai wont fix it

Filed Nov 26, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NY

While driving on the highway at normal speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power with no prior warning lamps or messages, placing me and other road users at immediate risk. The engine rapidly began knocking, lost acceleration, then stalled completely. I had to coast to the shoulder, which was extremely dangerous in high-speed traffic. The failure appears consistent with bearing wear and debris circulation described in Hyundai Recall 168 and TSB 17-01-071, which warn that certain Hyundai 3.3L engines can suffer internal metallic debris contamination during manufacturing. This can restrict oil flow, damage the bearings, and lead to sudden engine seizure without warning — exactly what happened in this incident. After the failure, the engine was inspected by a Hyundai dealership, but no oil sample, no debris test, and no photo documentation were provided, even though the recall procedure requires these steps when symptoms match knock/no-start failure patterns. The cause was not reproduced or confirmed by any independent mechanical test; the vehicle simply failed suddenly and has remained inoperable since. The incident created a major safety risk because the sudden loss of power happened at highway speed with no safe way to maintain vehicle control or speed. Based on known recall documentation, the symptoms match the described safety-related engine defect. The vehicle remains available for inspection. There were no injuries or police reports, but the situation definitely could have resulted in a crash. In my assessment, this is a critical safety defect related to internal engine debris and bearing failure, consistent with the known Hyundai recall pattern for this engine family

Filed Nov 18, 2025 · Engine · OH

My 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe experienced a sudden and complete engine failure without any warning signs. There were no warning lights, no check engine light, and no unusual noise before the failure. The engine stalled while trying to start, ran very rough for a second, and then completely shut off. After that, the engine would not start again at all. A certified independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed the engine suffered a mechanical failure consistent with rod bearing wear or crankshaft damage, which is the same issue described in Hyundai’s known engine safety recalls. I later took the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership. They also confirmed that the engine had failed, but said it could not be repaired under Hyundai’s programs because my vehicle was not listed in the specific recall. I was never notified of any safety campaigns or recalls. I am not the first owner, so the required recall inspections and updates were never completed on this vehicle before I bought it. The sudden engine shutdown created a serious safety risk, especially because there was no warning before it failed. This failure matches the symptoms described in Hyundai’s Theta II engine defect investigations. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether this vehicle should be included in the affected group, and whether this engine failure is part of the broader safety defect already identified in many Hyundai engines from the same model years.

Filed Oct 6, 2025 · Engine · FL

We have continued to experience, over at least the past 6 months, and at least once a week and under all driving conditions, a stalling and unable-to-restart problem with this vehicle. Usually after waiting a short period of time it will restart, but in one case we had to have it towed to the dealer. The engine typically turns over just fine, so it's not a battery or starter issue. In a couple of instances it won't turn over. We've taken it to two different Hyundai dealerships and they haven't been able to diagnose the problem because they aren't able to replicate the problem when the vehicle is in their possession. The situation is becoming increasingly dangerous. The last time it stalled, my wife was in the middle of a very busy intersection. The problem doesn't produce any codes that the dealership can see; when it stalls and we attempt to restart, most of the dash lights that regularly come on when you start it are displayed. I am aware of a recall (uploaded PDF) for the make, model and year of my vehicle but apparently it only applies to certain VIN numbers. When I enter my VIN its shows no open recalls. However, the problem described in the recall is identical to the problem we are having.

Filed Jul 31, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

The car has been consuming all the engine only after 700 miles. This has been a constant issue since December 2024 and the issue has been brought up with Hyundai dealership in Denville, NJ and Hyundai Corporate as well. Hyundai dealership in Denville, NJ performed 2 oil consumption tests, which the vehicle failed both test only after 700 miles as it consumed all the engine oil. They refused to do further investigation or recall the engine as it should be covered under Hyundai TXXI warranty given the Hyundai Engine II Class Action Settlement a few years ago. The vehicle has broken down on me on the highway a few times and has put my family at risk and danger due to the negligence of the Hyundai dealership in Denville, NJ and Hyundai Corporate refuel to resolve the issue. Now the car does not start at all some days thus it has impacted my work and my ability to provide for my family

Filed Feb 11, 2025 · Engine · ME

In October I took my car to dealership for an oil consumption test and I was going through 10-15 quarts of oils between oil changes. In 322 miles I used 2 quarts of oil.Replace the engine is what I was told and manufacturer denied all goodwill. I ride around with a 5qt jug of oil and funnel in my car at all times. 10 days I was driving down the highway with my husband and child with the cruise control on, when I noticed that my tactometer was continuing to increase and the engine reving for no reason. I shut the cruise control off and the car speed slowed immediately, and when apply my foot to the gas I was not gaining any speed only slowing down. I pulled over into the break down lane and put the car in park. Once I put the car into park, it started to idle very loud and hard with the check engine, oil pressure and battery lights coming on and stalled, would not start. Had towed to personal mechanic he recommended taking it to the dealership as he was coming up with no pressure in the 4th cylinder and the 3rd at about 50%, checked with boarscope for faulty valves and saw nothing. Towed to dealership they say valve was consumed thru the engine it runs fine but not because engine needs to be replaced.

Filed Jan 8, 2025 · Engine · NH

My wife and I bought a used 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, and the car has performed admirably over the last 4 to 5 years. Within the last month, the car started having stuttering issues and we took the car to our local shop, where we asked for a quick check and an oil change. The local shop reported that we had a Crank Shaft Advance error code, and that the car did not have much oil in it. We have not seen major oil loss between oil changes before, which concerned me. Once the car was full on oil the error codes cleared and the car worked well over the next few weeks. Oil levels seemed good during that time, but my wife took the car out to New York and back, then a trip into Boston (around 600 miles overall). On the way back from Boston, the engine stalled and would not start. We sent the car to be checked at a local Pep Boys, they performed a borescope and believed that the engine needed replacement. I contacted Autofair Hyundai and had the car towed there to service under Hyundai TSB 24-EM-007H. [XXX] >> The dealership mentioned that the diagnostics would cost ~200 dollars and detailed a number of error codes (low fuel flow, crankshaft advance, etc.). They then quoted a $8,000 to make the repairs and then they could check to see if the car met any warranty requirements. I opened a ticket with Hyundai and the ticket was closed. I believe this falls under Docket No. [XXX] and should be covered under Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin (23-EM-007H) [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 Aug 6, 2024 · Engine · MN

My stepson was driving the car and it stopped running while at a red light in a left turn lane on a busy intersection. When he went to try to start it, it wouldn't turn over. Fortunately 2 officers showed up on scene to protect my stepson and his friends from an accident by blocking the lane behind the car. I arrived at the site of the incident and tried to start the car. When it wouldn't turn over I checked the oil and there was none on the dipstick. We just had numerous seals replaced on the engine within the last 8000 miles. We had it towed to a trusted shop that we frequent. They said that the motor was seized and there was no evidence of leaks. I called the local Hyundai dealer and I was told there was no coverage for the engine. Looking online I found many complaints from other people that have had the same issue with the same 3.3 liter engine. The engine was resealed due to leakage, however I had never needed to top off the oil since I bought the car. I have the oil changed every 3,000 miles or so. The shop that resealed the engine never took the heads off and stated that they did not see any evidence of major engine issues when they had the oil pan off. According to my stepson, there was never any warning and no lights on the dash.

Filed Jun 3, 2024 · Electrical · AZ · crash

Purchased Vehicle 6/2022 has had an electrical problem since day one randomly does not start and must be jumped. I have taken in 2 times only to be told there is nothing wrong. I called Hyundai Corporate to see what steps I should take to resolve issues was told to take car in a third time and again told nothing wrong. A new battery was placed two months after my purchase date. And again this past February and issues still exist. Was given two option should problem not be resolved 1) Buy back vehicle 2) replace with different vehicle. Both options have been withdrawn. Explanation car has been on the road to long. I put $13500 down and have made payments for 2 years. There is still $12000 on the loan. Is there anything I can do to recoup at least my down-payment. I am a senior on social security and a part time job in which i am a caregiver and do not feel safe driving this vehicle. I and do not have a down payment to trade the car in. I do not want the vehicle there are other issues starting and with a parasitic draw there are bound to be additional issues down the road. Can you help please. Expected ResolutionHyundai take car back and return my down payment so I can purchase a reliable vehicle o Additionally just recently discovered vehicle was in 2 accidents which this information was never disclosed. I would not have purchased had I known.

Filed Nov 5, 2023 · Engine · AZ

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe 7 seater died from engine failure due to no oil. Oil was checked by Earnhardt Hyundai 4,000 miles/10 months prior. Car never gave any indication that oil was needed or engine problem was imminent. It just died in the HOV lane and would not start up. Obviously it's very dangerous and unnerving when your car just stops out of the blue. Also since it's past 100,000 miles Hyundai is not offering any help with engine repair. On the internet there are numerous reports of this same thing happening to other 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe owners.

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.