NHTSA Complaint #11710825 — 2017 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

I purchased my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport secondhand from CarMax and have maintained it regularly with timely oil changes and tune‑ups. Despite this, the vehicle is burning oil at an extreme rate—approximately 1 quart every 378 miles. My local Hyundai dealership confirmed this through three consecutive 1,000‑mile oil consumption tests, all showing excessive oil loss far beyond normal operating limits. This level of consumption appears to indicate an internal engine defect, not normal wear. Hyundai corporate denied my case solely because I am the second owner, even though the vehicle is well under 100,000 miles and the defect has been verified by their own technicians. The denial did not address the confirmed test results or the safety implications. I am deeply concerned that the engine could seize while driving due to rapid oil loss, creating a serious risk of sudden loss of power, stalling, or inability to accelerate in traffic. This is a significant safety hazard for me, my passengers, and other drivers. The vehicle has been inspected by the Hyundai dealership, and I am fully willing to make it available for further inspection. A low‑oil warning lamp appeared far earlier than expected after a routine oil change, which prompted the initial investigation and ultimately revealed the defect. Based on my research, this appears to be a known issue affecting Hyundai GDI engines from this era. I am filing this report because the excessive oil consumption represents a latent engine defect with clear safety implications, and Hyundai has declined to address it despite documented evidence.