2018 Hyundai Santa Fe problems, complaints & recalls
TypicalWithin ±30% year on year
NHTSA has received 432 owner complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, or 49.2 per year on the road — a typical number of complaints (complaint index 1.22, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #53 of 76 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Hyundai models its rate is 9% lower; against other Midsize SUVs it is 6% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2017-11-13 and 2026-10-09. Median delay from incident to filing: 17 days.
432Complaints
49.2Complaints per year on the road
1.22Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
5Recalls · ⚠ 2
5.8%Share involving a crash or fire
59Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 29.1 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 56 complaints, 35% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (60.9% of complaints), followed by Brakes (13.4%) and Unspecified or other (6.9%). Engine complaints are 2.7 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 25 reports (5.8%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 13 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 64 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (54% of incidents). In the last 12 months 59 new complaints were filed, versus 79 in the 12 months before — down 25%.
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for this model year, 2 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 2 NHTSA investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires” (audit query, opened 2023-11-17, still open).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles1.22
vs. other Hyundai models0.91
vs. other 2018 models1.04
vs. other Midsize SUVs0.94
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (56)0.65
On April 13, 2026, I arrived home and parked the vehicle, engaging the traditional shifter into the "Park" position and turning off the engine.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-05-02 · ODI 11735250 · Crash
I own a 2018 Honda Santa Fe it is using oil so fast. I know that there is other people complaining about the oil consumption so my engine just blew up because I had it changed on March 13 brand new oil change and on Monday night the engine blew up..
Engine · 2026-04-01 · ODI 11728667 · Crash
My 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe is burning oil and I run the risk of engine failure. I have to check my oil level daily. The mechanic who performed my last oil change said he is seeing this frequently with this age Hyundai Santa Fe.
Engine · 2026-10-09 · ODI 11770237
The driver window as well as the driver rear window fuse blows out. It poses a threat when you need to get the windows down in an event of emergency.
Electrical · 2026-09-29 · ODI 11767684
Took car to dealer to have oil changed on april 29, 2026 and was told they had also preformed a software update, service campaign 9c2.
Fuel system · 2026-05-14 · ODI 11737802
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
Risk: 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.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR Campaign 18V118000 · 2018-02-17
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW Campaign 17V801000 · 2017-12-13
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.
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.
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.
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.
Risk: 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.
AQ23002 · audit query · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · Opened 2023-11-17 · Model years: 2018, 2019
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…
Loss of Motive PowerClosed
DP22003 · defect petition · ENGINE · Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
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 i…
