2017 Hyundai Santa FE acceleration & cruise control problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 9, 2026NEEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle was brought to an authorized dealership for service, and while there Campaign 9C2 (ECU Software Update for Theta II Emissions Improvement) was performed. Immediately following this software update, the vehicle developed drivability degradation, specifically engine stutter/hesitation and rough transmission shifting during cold starts. When attempting to accelerate in the first few minutes of driving, the vehicle delays engagement and then suddenly surges or lurches…

   NHTSA complaint #11763180 · source
2. Filed Aug 21, 2026NCEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Directly after the dealer, Johnson Hyundai of Apex, completed Service Campaign 9C2 on 4/28/26, my vehicle began sticking, surging, and harshly changing gears. I have followed up with the dealer multiple times. They said they are not getting back any diagnostic error codes (outside mechanic shop also confirmed they're also not seeing error codes), but went ahead and recalibrated the ECM. They told me to drive for 200 miles and the issue should be resolved. I have now driven…

   NHTSA complaint #11758484 · source
3. Filed Jul 27, 2026VAEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The 9C2 campaign software update introduced dangerous vehicle hesitation and unpredictable gear changes in active traffic, presenting and immediate crash hazard

   NHTSA complaint #11753154 · source
4. Filed Jul 7, 2026ALEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Hyundai Campaign 9C2 recall update: Took my vehicle in to have the Hyundai Campaign 9C2 recall update performed on the vehicle on June 9th, 2026. Since the update the vehicle is hesitant/jerky upon first drive of the day or anytime it sits more than a few hours. Occasionally it will do this while I am driving. I feel it is a saftey risk because this could cause my vehicle to abruptly hesitate without braking and cause someone to hit me, or worsetransmission to fail while at…

   NHTSA complaint #11748778 · source
5. Filed Jul 7, 2026130,000 miTXDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH on the interstate, the contact heard an abnormal tumbling sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact noticed an unknown object had detached from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact determined that the detached component was the radar sensor. The Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system and the adaptive cruise control became inoperative. The contact stated…

   NHTSA complaint #11748721 · source
6. Filed May 19, 2026KYEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   After the installation of the Service Campaign 9C2 engine update, the car now seems to surge or rev up briefly at lower speeds like it can't find the right gear or is trying to briefly accelerate. It doesn't seem to be as noticeable at highway speeds, but in residential or low speeds, it's very noticeable and a little unsettling as the car feels like it wants to briefly lunge forward. No lights are on the dash and there is no indication of any malfunction, but it did not…

   NHTSA complaint #11738814 · source
7. Filed Jul 25, 2025NJAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Twice my car's gear shifter went from Drive to the right hand side of the gear box. 90% or more of the power cut out immediately creating a massive safety issue. In both instances, i was pulling into traffic after making complete stops at stop signs. The first time, i turned left, the second time I turned right. The shift was untouched by me as it is not a stick shift car. Hyundai charged me close to $400 for the privledge of telling me that I or something bumped the shifter…

   NHTSA complaint #11676101 · source
8. Filed Jul 15, 2025FLDriver Assistance & Safety TechEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The turbocharger failed on my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T. It is still on the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. The turbo failure caused a severe loss of engine power, making acceleration dangerously slow and unpredictable, especially when merging onto highways or passing vehicles. This sudden reduction in power could have caused a rear-end collision or made it impossible to avoid faster-moving traffic. Yes. The failure was confirmed by two independent…

   NHTSA complaint #11673630 · source
9. Filed Nov 26, 2024SCEngineOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The engine seized due to an issue with the oil plug and another part, leading to a lack of oil in the system. The vehicle is currently with Hyundai and available for inspection upon request. How Safety Was Put at Risk: While driving on the highway, I suddenly lost acceleration (below 40mphs). I was forced to pull over to the left side of the highway where it was shallow, where I risked being hit by passing vehicles until there was a safe break in traffic, allowing me to…

   NHTSA complaint #11627525 · source
10. Filed May 10, 2024TXAcceleration & Cruise Control

    The traction control system engages too frequently and makes the vehicle unable to accelerate and far too long to disengage, endangering my family during right turns onto lanes with traffic. the traction control system will engage even when there is no loss of traction, only a moderate acceleration with some turn angle. this has caused near accidents about once a month, that both me and my wife experience. there are no active recalls. all recall work was completed last year.…

    NHTSA complaint #11588005 · source
11. Filed Jul 27, 2023VAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

    A knocking noise from the engine that increases in frequency as the engine rpm increases. Reduced power and/or hesitation and vibration. Illumination of the “check engine” light in the instrument cluster. Illumination of the “engine oil pressure” warning lamp. My car will drive up to maybe 37mph and then the engine will seize up and go into safety mode and it becomes inoperable. THIS is a death trap if we suddenly stall out on the highway or at a higher rate of speed!!!! The…

    NHTSA complaint #11534885 · source
12. Filed Apr 10, 202383,000 miWATowedEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

    The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal became inoperable when depressed and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that a unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to accelerate and coasted downhill into a parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…

    NHTSA complaint #11516337 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology