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2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 179.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

95 reports with mileage · 225 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 196 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports8 fire reports3 injury reports

Engine complaints

196 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2024
Engine

The component that is malfunctioning is my engine. I took it into the dealership and they said I had cylinder scoring on my engine from excessive oil consumption. My safety was put as risk as my car threw itself into limp mode in the middle of the high way while going over 70 mph. I had to immediately pull over on the side of …

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The component that is malfunctioning is my engine. I took it into the dealership and they said I had cylinder scoring on my engine from excessive oil consumption. My safety was put as risk as my car threw itself into limp mode in the middle of the high way while going over 70 mph. I had to immediately pull over on the side of the highway and somehow get it back home while not being able to accelerate fully. My car is not drivable in this mode as it is unsafe. This issue has been confirmed by a dear shop although they refuse to replace the engine unless I pay for it out of pocket which is not possible. The vehicle component was inspected at the dealership. There was no prior warning to the engine issues. If there had been oil consumption issues before I had just recently bought the vehicle and there was no way of me knowing.

NHTSA ODI #11630321

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2024
Engine

The engine is sucking oil faster than it normally would and could put me at danger. If it sucks up too much oil too soon I could lose control of my car in the winter and be the cause of an accident.

NHTSA ODI #11629522

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2024
Engine

I continually need to add oil to the engine. It burns oil so fast I need to add three quarts weekly

NHTSA ODI #11628431

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemInjury

This is just a follow-up to request an Expedited Hearing regarding the Hyundai Santa Fe because the Engine Stallings, Oil Consumption (about 2 qts. every 1000 miles) Tailpipe Smoking problems are getting worse. It's becoming a Major Safety Hazard. Engine Stalling example: With both kids (girl [XXX] & boy [XXX] ) in the SUV Dri…

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This is just a follow-up to request an Expedited Hearing regarding the Hyundai Santa Fe because the Engine Stallings, Oil Consumption (about 2 qts. every 1000 miles) Tailpipe Smoking problems are getting worse. It's becoming a Major Safety Hazard. Engine Stalling example: With both kids (girl [XXX] & boy [XXX] ) in the SUV Driving approx. 50 mph the Engine Stalled and I could not steer the SUV. I hit the curve to avoid the 50 mph oncoming traffic and a catastrophic accident. This incident (about 57,000 miles) and the subsequent 12 to 15 Stallings were reported to Hyundai and is why we are desperately requesting the Expedited Hearing. Many of the Engine Stallings were reported to Hyundai before the Hyundai original Manufacturer 60,000 mile warranty Expired in 10/21. HMA and Vandergriff Hyundai has not repaired the vehicle and is responsible for not Honoring Promises (documented) to test and repair the SUV that cause us to drive the vehicle past the 60,000 mile limited warranty. Per Hyundai Case Managers and Vandergriff Service Managers and Advisors (documented) the Engine Stallings, Oil Consumption/Tailpipe Smoking problems are caused by the manufacture defective engine. These Engine Stalling issues (from [XXX] > [XXX]) are cited in the Federal Class-Action Lawsuit Settlement (which includes our SUV) against Hyundai but Hyundai has not corrected the problem. The class-action settlement provides lifetime warranty repair of this problem. Hyundai has documented these problems via HMA’s 11 case #’s [XXX], [XXX], [XXX] , [XXX] , [XXX] , [XXX], [XXX], [XXX] , [XXX] , [XXX] & [XXX] . The forced out-of-pocket expenses (rentals, loaner cars, repairs, inconveniences etc.) caused by these issues has exceeded $32,000 to which we have not been reimbursed. Re: the Oil Consumption causing Tailpipe Smoking Problems Currently, A California Class-Action Lawsuit says that over 2 million cars in America has the Tailpipe Smoking problems thus making this issue INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AC

NHTSA ODI #11626424

58,000 miles · Nov 4, 2024
Engine

The contact owned a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with en…

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The contact owned a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The contact stated the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact then had the vehicle towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The knock sensor was replaced and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #11623543

144,000 miles · Oct 23, 2024
EngineVehicle Speed Control

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at speeds above 30 MPH, the vehicle shook and vibrated abnormally. In addition, t…

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The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at speeds above 30 MPH, the vehicle shook and vibrated abnormally. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the intended destination. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, there were three small children inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an oil leak and that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was informed that several unknown repairs were needed to prior to requesting an engine replacement by the manufacturer. The contact was informed that the unknown repairs were at the vehicle owner’s expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

NHTSA ODI #11621615

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2024
Engine

Q1. The car is shaking and making rumbling noises upon driving and a check engine light is turned on. It seem like the car will abruptly stop and may result in a crash on a highway. Inspection by multiple mechanics indicate that the engine is misfiring and there seems to be an engine oil leakage issue, imbalance of engine or som…

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Q1. The car is shaking and making rumbling noises upon driving and a check engine light is turned on. It seem like the car will abruptly stop and may result in a crash on a highway. Inspection by multiple mechanics indicate that the engine is misfiring and there seems to be an engine oil leakage issue, imbalance of engine or some part of it. The engine configuration is the same as with the engine recalls (under recall number-17V226000) made on 2013 and 2014 models of Hyundai Santa Fe sport which is GDI, 2.4 Liter and was also manufactured in the USA. Yes, the car is available to inspect on request. Q2. The car was shaking and rumbling while driving even at 40mph. We had to pull up to the side because it felt risky and then had to drive slowly to reach home. It was scary and felt life-threatening with a risk of crashing due to abrupt halting of the car. Q3. Yes inspected by the manufacturer- Hyundai. Q4. The check engine light has been coming on and off for over 10 months period. The car has been inspected and checked by multiple mechanics including 2 times visit to the Hyundai service center. They first appeared in Oct 2023 and is an ongoing issue every other month costing me ~$1000. I have been filling up with 4 quarter of engine oil after driving ~200 miles since it was suspected to be an engine oil leakage issue. However, nothing has been resolved and this issue fits the description and problems seen the Hyundai 2013 and 2014 Santa Fe sports- which have been recalled (under recall number-17V226000).

NHTSA ODI #11612592

Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2024
Engine

The oil light has appeared to light up in the car while I am driving it. The first time was January 2023. I pulled over and checked my oil and had literally no oil in my car. I immediately went to Auto Zone (or Advance/O'Reilly's-I'll check my receipts) and poured 5 quarts of oil in the car and called Hyundai (this was within …

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The oil light has appeared to light up in the car while I am driving it. The first time was January 2023. I pulled over and checked my oil and had literally no oil in my car. I immediately went to Auto Zone (or Advance/O'Reilly's-I'll check my receipts) and poured 5 quarts of oil in the car and called Hyundai (this was within the timeframe of oil changes). They had me bring my car in and stated they needed to change oil and do an oil consumption test, so I had to drive 1,000 miles, bring my car back in and repeat. In the end, they said nothing was wrong with my car. In early August, this year, the same thing happened and I am having to go through this again.

NHTSA ODI #11611213

50,000 miles · Aug 21, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an abnormal amount of engine oil. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where an oil consumption test was completed, and the results were that the vehicle was consuming one quart of oil for every …

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The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an abnormal amount of engine oil. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where an oil consumption test was completed, and the results were that the vehicle was consuming one quart of oil for every 640 miles driven. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated the dealer contacted the manufacturer to request that the engine be replaced; however, the manufacturer declined to approve the engine replacement due to previous services being performed by independent mechanics. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11610091

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I got my oil changed 98,161 March 1 2024 at mechanic shop Mechanic shop checked oil March 29 2024 at 98,867 a total of 706 miles driven since last oil change. They added 2.5 quarts of oil. So i did my own research online found out the Hyundai 2018 Santa Fe Sport Turbo 2.5 Theta engines has excessive oil consumption problems that…

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I got my oil changed 98,161 March 1 2024 at mechanic shop Mechanic shop checked oil March 29 2024 at 98,867 a total of 706 miles driven since last oil change. They added 2.5 quarts of oil. So i did my own research online found out the Hyundai 2018 Santa Fe Sport Turbo 2.5 Theta engines has excessive oil consumption problems that will cause Engine to seize/lock up, catch on fire, and other mechanical problems. I have an extended warranty TXXI and TXXC. Oil consumption leaks into the pistons and rod bearings and will cause a knocking in the engine. The oil is already in spark plugs and pcv valve which i replaced. But it will continue to keep happen over and over. I don't want my engine to catch on fire with me in it or at all that's why i am proactive in getting this solved now its already a problem. I contacted Wilson Hyundai dealership they did an 2 month oil consumption test Oil change i had to drive it for 1000 miles It failed. Then they did combuster chamber cleaning i had to drive it for another 1000 miles it failed again. So they submitted claim to corporate that i needed an engine. Corporate declined saying i was over my miles they had the wrong mileage it was a way just to deny me but dealership had correct miles so they could not follow through with that lie. So Corporate made Dealership send another claim in this time corporate denied it saying i was over my warranty. No i was not i started this at 98, 867 miles When 2.5quarts had to be added. I also had to wait a week to get into Wilson dealership because they were backed up in appointments i was at 100,212 miles and so where other Hyundia dealerships others were 1-2 months out in appointments. I had to be in a rental car for 2 months had to pay for it and still pay car note paid for oil testing which i was told i would be reimbursed for repairs and car rentals but they did not honor it nor did they pay goodwill pay for all of my inconvenience 2 month long testing and it failed and they still denied/ lied

NHTSA ODI #11607979

Official recalls

4

22V810000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Oct 27, 2022

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 237. This recall is an expansion of recall 22V-056.

22V056000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Feb 3, 2022

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.

17V801000 · Air Bags:side/window

Dec 13, 2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the component detaches during deployment, the curtain air bag may not inflate properly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, if the detached component were to enter the vehicle occupant compartment, there could be an increased risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 171.

17V577000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Sep 20, 2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The front coil springs may have been improperly manufactured and, as a result, may fracture under certain loads while driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the coil spring fractures, it can puncture the tire, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: All of the affected vehicles are currently unsold on dealer lots. Dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge prior to the vehicle's sale. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 167.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.