HyundaiSanta Fe2017Overview/hyundai/santa-fe/2017/base/

2017 Hyundai Santa Fe

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 Santa Fe.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe is an SUV equipped with an engine that requires 6.0 quarts of 5W‑30 API oil and a six‑speed automatic transmission, delivering an EPA‑rated 18/24/20 mpg city/highway/combined. This model year recorded 941 owner complaints — the highest total across the 2001‑2026 history — with engine issues leading the categories and six recalls issued. By contrast, the 2026 model year logged only 28 complaints, underscoring that the 2017 Santa Fe sits at the peak of the line’s reported reliability problems.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-79 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tail / brake / turnINDOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Thermostat255003C150

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.6 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3616 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 24 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Santa Fe of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.30 sec — 2017 Limited Ultimate
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017Limited Ultimate 3.3L V67.30 sec15.80 sec290 hpAWD
2017Limited Ultimate 3.3L V67.30 sec15.80 sec290 hpFWD
2014Limited 3.3L V67.30 sec15.80 sec290 hpAWD
2013Limited 3.3L V67.10 sec15.80 sec290 hpFWD
2013GLS 3.3L V67.40 sec16.00 sec290 hpFWD
2013Limited 3.3L V67.50 sec15.90 sec290 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-79 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5-8.2
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.0-3.0
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity9.6

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1-7.2 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1-7.2 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)47.7-56.4 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)21.7-28.9 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)26.0-33.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)11.6-17.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53.0-56.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug36.1-50.6 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug36.1-50.6 ft-lbs
Driveshaft Flange to Transmission50.6 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts65-79 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts17.4-24.6 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug28.9 - 43.4 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug43.4 - 57.9 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug28.2-35.4 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerHyundai
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0-18.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46

Service checks

Engine Compression128

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront or rear: 16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-
ABS Sensor Torque6.6
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.024; Rear: 0.370
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation0.0002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
156.0 inch lbs.56 in
296.0 inch lbs.96 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
268.0-72.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
1210.0 ft. lbs.210 ft. lbs
2284.0 ft. lbs.284 ft. lbs
3- 303.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 5 stages
1Inner bolts36 ft. lbs
2Inner bolts90 degrees
3Outer bolts15 ft. lbs
4120.0 degrees120 degrees
521.0-23.0
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.2-8.73.6–4.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect)
Every 37,500 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe represents a significant outlier in the model's federal record, recording 941 complaints, the highest volume across the entire dataset. This figure marks a dramatic spike compared to the 235 complaints seen in 2016 and a precipitous drop to just 108 complaints in 2018. Along with this surge, 2017 saw an increase to 6 recalls and 140 TSBs, peaking a trend of volatility seen in the model's mid-life cycle. The primary drivers for these complaints are the engine (464) and power train (62), though the data does not specify the root cause of these issues. Additionally, the 2017 model year recorded 23 fire complaints and 14 crash complaints. Due to the extreme spike in complaints and engine-related issues relative to surrounding years, this is not a recommended year to buy.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
140
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
941
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 23 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 941 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine464
Power Train62
Power Train,Engine45
Unknown Or Other40
Unknown Or Other,Engine22
Steering21
Engine & Engine Cooling20
Service Brakes, Hydraulic20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V142000Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating SystemsReported 06/03/2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that may not have been set in the correct mode during vehicle… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the TPMS sensors, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at…

17V358000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:LatchReported 05/06/2017

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… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 140 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
Z01 Letter2026-05-22Electrical SystemCertain 2012 – 2017 model year Accent, 2012 – 2017 model year Azera, 2013 – 2018 model…
26-BE-011H DN2026-04-25Electrical SystemSome vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s)…
26-BE-011H TSB2026-04-25Electrical SystemSome vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s)…
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Santa Fe. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2017 Santa Fe take?

6.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2017 Santa Fe have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Santa Fe get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.