← New search

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 212.5.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Compare all Santa Fe years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

37 reports with mileage · 71 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 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports4 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

108 reports
12,600 miles · Apr 9, 2019
Engine

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, IT HAS BEEN AT THE HYUNDAI GARAGE IN DUBOIS, PA FOR 3 WEEKS WAITING FOR A NEW ENGINE AND IT IS A NEW VEHICLE WITH ONLY 12.600 MILES?

NHTSA ODI #11194945

27,000 miles · Apr 6, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

ABOUT A MONTH AGO I WAS DRIVING HOME TO SANTA FE NEW MEXICO WITH MY WIFE AND DOG. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND DIED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CALLED BLUE LINK WHICH IS THE HYUNDAI ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE CLUB AND THEY TOWED MY VEHICLE INTO FIESTA HYUNDAI IN SANTA FE. AT FIRST THEY SAID MY OIL WAS OVER FILLED. I CALLED JIFFY LU…

Read full complaint

ABOUT A MONTH AGO I WAS DRIVING HOME TO SANTA FE NEW MEXICO WITH MY WIFE AND DOG. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND DIED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CALLED BLUE LINK WHICH IS THE HYUNDAI ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE CLUB AND THEY TOWED MY VEHICLE INTO FIESTA HYUNDAI IN SANTA FE. AT FIRST THEY SAID MY OIL WAS OVER FILLED. I CALLED JIFFY LUBE WHERE I HAD IT SERVICE 5 DAYS PRIOR AND THEY SENT THEIR MANAGER TO HYUNDAI. UPON HIS ARRIVAL THE SERVICE MANAGER AT HYUNDAI SAID THEY MADE A MISTAKE AND IT WAS A FUEL INJECTOR THAT WAS STUCK ON AND FILED THE CYLINDER WITH FUEL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. THEY REPLACE THE FUEL NOZZLE AFTER 3 DAYS I GOT THE VEHICLE BACK AND HEADED TO MCKINNEY TEXAS, I MADE IT TO WICHITA FALLS TEXAS AND THE CAR SPUTTERED AND DIED AGAIN THIS TIME NOT EVEN TURNING OVER WHEN YOU PUSHED THE BUTTON. ONCE AGAIN I CALLED BLUE LINK AND THEY TOWED THE VEHICLE INTO HYUNDAI TO BE SERVICED. THEY CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND ADVISE ME. THEY NEVER CALLED ME BACK SO I HAD TO CALL THEM. THEY SAID THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BLEW OFF. THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE IT IN THE MORNING. THAT NERVE HAPPENED AND THEY HAVE NOT CALLED ME BACK SINCE AND THAT WAS 6 DAYS AGO. THIS VEHICLE POURING FUEL INTO A CYLINDER IS A FIRE HAZARD. THIS TIME IT BUILT UP ENOUGH COMBUSTION TO BLOW THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER COMPLETELY OFF. I DO NOT KNOW THE REASON FOR THIS AS OF YET AS THEY ARE NON RESPONSIVE BUT I HAVE FILED A LEMON LAW CASE AGAINST HYUNDAI AND AM AWAITING THEIR DECISION. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE AND I REFUSE TO GET BACK ONTO IT AGAIN. IT HAS STRANDING MYSELF AND MY FAMILY DOG INCLUDED TWICE NOW ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE ENGINE DIED BOTH TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11194354

21,900 miles · Mar 26, 2019
Engine

DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE PARKWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, ENGINE FELT LIKE IT WAS SHUTTING DOWN, CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING, ENGINE LIGHT WAS BLINKING, SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, BLUE LINK NOTIFICATION SYSTEM ADVISED TO GET TO SERVICE TODAY. THIS OCCURRED ONE WEEK AFTER THE CAR RECEIVED A SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR A KNOCK SENSOR RECALL.…

Read full complaint

DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE PARKWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, ENGINE FELT LIKE IT WAS SHUTTING DOWN, CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING, ENGINE LIGHT WAS BLINKING, SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, BLUE LINK NOTIFICATION SYSTEM ADVISED TO GET TO SERVICE TODAY. THIS OCCURRED ONE WEEK AFTER THE CAR RECEIVED A SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR A KNOCK SENSOR RECALL. CAR HAS BEEN IN SERVICE SINCE 3/9/19; DEALERSHIP REPLACED WIRIING HARNESS PER HYUNDAI'S RECOMMENDATION, WHEN THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, THE ISSUE HAS NOT RESOLVED. THEY ARE WAITING FOR HYUNDAI TO ADVISE OF NEXT STEPS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE EVER GETTING BACK IN THIS VEHICLE DUE TO ALL OF THE CURRENT ISSUES SURROUNDING HYUNDAI ENGINES, INCLUDING FIRES.

NHTSA ODI #11191553

27,000 miles · Mar 24, 2019
Engine

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON NJ PARKWAY IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC DOING 70 MILES AN HOUR. CAR THEN STUTTERED AND SLOWED DOWN, WITH HER HAVING TO MOVE THREE LANES OVER WHILE TRYING TO GET OVER BRIDGE. HYUNDAI BLUE LINK CAME ON AND TOLD HER TO GET CAR IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER THEY SAID DUE TO THE KNOCK SENSOR UPD…

Read full complaint

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON NJ PARKWAY IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC DOING 70 MILES AN HOUR. CAR THEN STUTTERED AND SLOWED DOWN, WITH HER HAVING TO MOVE THREE LANES OVER WHILE TRYING TO GET OVER BRIDGE. HYUNDAI BLUE LINK CAME ON AND TOLD HER TO GET CAR IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALER. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER THEY SAID DUE TO THE KNOCK SENSOR UPDATE THE ENGINE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 27,000 MILES? THIS WAS DONE BY HYUNDAI TWO WEEKS AGO. UPDATE TO YESTERDAY 3/23/19 AND SAME THING HAPPENED TO HER AGAIN GOING TO WORK ON THE NJ PARKWAY. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, SAME ISSUES, SAME COMPUTER SCREEN SHOWED IN THE CAR AND WILL BE NEEDING NOW SECOND ENGINE AT 29,000 MILES. TWO BLOWN ENGINES UNDER 30,000 MILES, HYUNDAI ADMITS THE PROBLEM TO US AND NOT SURE WHY OTHERS ARE HAVING ISSUE. RECEIVED RENTAL CAR BOTH TIMES. WILL SEE HOW HYUNDAI RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM, THEY SHOULD BUY BACK CARS FROM OWNERS AND REIMBURSE TIME MISSED FROM WORK, PAIN AND SUFFERING AS WELL AS THE STRESS OF DRIVING ON ,AMIR HIGHWAY AND LOSING POWER IN YOUR CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11191162

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2019
Seats

THE DRIVER'S SEAT APPEARS TO BE SET TOO LOW AT THE BACK OF THE SEAT. THE SIDES OF WINGS OF THE BUCKET SEAT ARE TOO HIGH NEAR THE REAR OF THE SEAT. DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN IT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO POSITION THEMSELVES AWAY FROM THE LEFT SIDE WING EITHER FORWARD OR FORWARD AND TOWARDS THE CENTER CONSOLE. I WORRY THAT DUE TO THE POOR …

Read full complaint

THE DRIVER'S SEAT APPEARS TO BE SET TOO LOW AT THE BACK OF THE SEAT. THE SIDES OF WINGS OF THE BUCKET SEAT ARE TOO HIGH NEAR THE REAR OF THE SEAT. DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN IT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO POSITION THEMSELVES AWAY FROM THE LEFT SIDE WING EITHER FORWARD OR FORWARD AND TOWARDS THE CENTER CONSOLE. I WORRY THAT DUE TO THE POOR SEAT DESIGN SITTING PROPERLY POSITIONED WITHIN THE SEAT IS NOT POSSIBLE BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT SIT COMFORTABLY. IT APPEARS ONLINE THAT MANY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE DRIVER'S SEAT. DURING AN ACCIDENT I BELIEVE GREATER PERSONAL BODILY INJURY COULD OCCUR TO A DRIVER BECAUSE OF THE POOR SEAT DESIGN AND NOT BEING PROPERLY SEATED IN THE SEAT. I HAVE RIDDEN IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT AND IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. IT MIGHT BE THE OUTER PLASTIC SHROUD ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT THAT CAUSES THE IMPROPER SEATING WITHIN THE VEHICLE. I WORRY FOR MY SAFETY, MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AND OTHER DRIVER'S SAFETY BECAUSE OF THE POOR SEAT DESIGN.

NHTSA ODI #11190866

815 miles · Mar 11, 2019
Engine

I WAS PARKING THE CAR. THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND MY HAND WAS ON THE GEAR SHIFT. THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY. THE CAR JUMPED THE CURB I WAS FACING AND ENDED UP IN A GRASS MEDIAN. I HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE VERY HARD TO GET THE CAR TO STOP.

NHTSA ODI #11185946

14,000 miles · Feb 28, 2019
Engine

TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. DEALERSHIP PUT A NEW COMPUTER UPDATE ON CAR DUE TO BAD ENGINES. THE NEXT DAY 1-30-19 THE VEHICLE HAD A ERROR COME ON THE CAR PUTTING IT IN SAFE MODE NOT ALLOWING THE CAR TO MOVE OVER 67 MPH. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. MURDOCK HYUNDIA OF LINDON. THEY DID A TEST TO DETERMINE THAT THE ENG…

Read full complaint

TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. DEALERSHIP PUT A NEW COMPUTER UPDATE ON CAR DUE TO BAD ENGINES. THE NEXT DAY 1-30-19 THE VEHICLE HAD A ERROR COME ON THE CAR PUTTING IT IN SAFE MODE NOT ALLOWING THE CAR TO MOVE OVER 67 MPH. HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. MURDOCK HYUNDIA OF LINDON. THEY DID A TEST TO DETERMINE THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS TOOK 29 DAYS FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX AND MY CAR IS NOT THE SAME. THE MOTOR SEEMS SLUGGISH. CAR IS ONLY 6 MONTHS OLD WITH 14000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11183217

15 miles · Dec 26, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

OCCASIONALLY STALLS WHEN STOPPED & TAKE OFF & TURN RIGHT OR LEFT AT A SLOW SPEED..ONE T IME DIED COMPLETELY ABLE TO PULL OVER & RESTART ENGINE. HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS. THE DATES IT STALLED ARE 9-14-18 10-5-18 10-18-18 11-16-18 11-28-18 12-04-18

NHTSA ODI #11163465

1 miles · Dec 20, 2018
Engine

ENGINE PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #11162841

7,500 miles · Nov 7, 2018
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED TO MAKE AN AUDIBLE SOUND WHEN IT WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SPOKANE HYUNDAI (8801 E SPRAGUE AVE, SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99212, (509) 922-1450) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED TO MAKE AN AUDIBLE SOUND WHEN IT WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SPOKANE HYUNDAI (8801 E SPRAGUE AVE, SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99212, (509) 922-1450) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V145000 (SEAT BELTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,500.

NHTSA ODI #11149996

Official recalls

2

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.

18V118000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Feb 17, 2018

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The steering wheel assembly may break, possibly resulting in the steering wheel separating from the steering column while driving.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A steering wheel separation while driving can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will check the production lot number of the steering wheel assembly, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 26, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 173.

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.