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2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 323 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport, most often about the engine (64% of complaints, typically around 79,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Santa FE Sport model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory2 recalls for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport problems
Engine
207 complaints · 64%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport. The contact stated that the oil warning light illuminated while driving at various speeds. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact discovered that his vehicle was consuming a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where an oil…
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the oil warning light was blinking. The contact checked the oil level and noticed that there was no oil in the engine; the contact added oil to the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The valve cover…
Brakes
49 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for a routine oil change and the accelerator failure was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming…
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v056000(service brakes, hydraulics); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the ABS warning light intermittently flashed on the…
Other or unspecified
38 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 13,000 miles.
On 2/19/2019 an update for the knock sensor was done on my vehicle. After the update I was driving on an entrance ramp to the highway when my vehicle lost power upon acceleration. I was told by the dealership this is called limp home mode. I was told by the dealership it is likely due to the update done on the knock…
In august of 2018, my 3 month old Santa FE Sport caught fire and was completely destroyed. I was driving on the nj turnpike headed to obx for vacation. I was following my sister down when they stopped to let their dog out at a rest area. I pulled into the space next to them and as soon as I turned the car off, it went…
Fuel system
33 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport. While driving with a half tank of fuel in the vehicle, it began to stall on the highway. The contact noticed fuel coming out of the exhaust and the vehicle ran completely out of fuel as she pulled over to the shoulder. The state police pulled up behind her and ordered…
Severe acceleration hesitation after stopping, when making slow speed turns and after hitting slow speed dips or bumps. Vehicle gives intermittent warning of rollover or excessive vehicle angel. This occures during good weather conditions, however, this behavior creates collision and safety hazards, as the fuel system…
Electrical
21 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport. The contact stated that the headlights suddenly illuminated without the vehicle being turned on, causing the battery to be drained. The contact recharged the battery to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the light switch failed to turn off the high beam…
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport. While the vehicle was parked and shut off, the rear brake lights were illuminated and smoke and flames were present under the front passenger side of the vehicle. The flames were extinguished by the campus police prior to the fire department's arrival. The fire…
Transmission
18 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 500 miles.
I was slowly crossing three traffic lanes and turning left. No one was coming from the right, so I applied the throttle in the inside lane and nothing happened. The car stalled without warning. It left me in the road and I was t-boned in the driver's door. The other driver was injured, and I have had neck issues. We…
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled and decelerated to 55 MPH while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle was not able to accelerate above 63 MPH. The check engine warning light was…
Speed control
10 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 6,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport. While the vehicle was stopped at a stop light and attempting to make a left turn, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate and went into idle mode. The contact had to pump the accelerator pedal several times for the vehicle to move. There…
Several incidents of stalling when making turns from stops or yields with slow acceleration. Intermittent incidents, though seem to be more noticeable with A/C running. My Hyundai Santa FE Sport, 2018, AWD, does have approximately 12,000 miles on it. When pulling onto the busy highway near where we live, a left turn…
Lights
7 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 10,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, headlights.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport. While the vehicle was parked and shut off, the rear brake lights were illuminated and smoke and flames were present under the front passenger side of the vehicle. The flames were extinguished by the campus police prior to the fire department's arrival. The fire…
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport. The contact stated that the headlights suddenly illuminated without the vehicle being turned on, causing the battery to be drained. The contact recharged the battery to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the light switch failed to turn off the high beam…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport recalls
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: side/window
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: coil springs
Risk: If the coil spring fractures, it can puncture the tire, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Hyundai and kia ABS module fires
Summary
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
Loss of motive power
Summary
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
Questions about the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (207 complaints, typically around 79,000 miles); brakes (49 complaints, typically around 72,500 miles); other or unspecified (38 complaints, typically around 13,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 27, 2022 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Hyundai Santa FE Sport?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Santa FE Sport model year since 2000, with 323 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.