2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    engine internal

    3 stranded, 14 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    18
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "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…"~14,000 mi, complaint #1543951
    • "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…"~27,000 mi, complaint #1551406
    • "The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while conducting a routine inspection on the vehicle, the contact noticed that the coolant was low in the coolant reservoir. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer where the vehicle was…"~58,000 mi, complaint #2034567
    • "The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound and there was fire coming from underneath the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she immediately v…"~142,732 mi, complaint #1922028
  2. #2

    engine stall or no start

    6 stranded, 12 unsafe

    18
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "WHEN DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD GOING ABOUT 35-40 MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RPMS SPIKED WAY UP AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING. AS I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE BUT THE RPMS WOULD GO EXTREMELY HIGH. EVERY TIME I HAD A STOP LIGHT AND TRIED ACCELERATI…"~4,638 mi, complaint #1507019
    • "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?"~12,600 mi, complaint #1556408
    • "A RECALL LETTER FROM HYUNDAI ON MY 2018 SANTA FE ON A KNOCK SENSOR TOOK IT TO MY DEALERSHIP THEY DID WHAT EVER THE RECALL WAS [REDACTED ADDRESS] MY CAR WENT INTP LIMP MODE TOOK ME FROM 70MPH TO 30 CALL THE DEALER HAD TO LIMP IT BACK THEY HAH IT FOR 3 WEEKS HAD…"~16,000 mi, complaint #1586334
    • "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 WE…"~21,900 mi, complaint #1551955
  3. #3

    engine oil consumption

    8 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    9
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Losing half a quart of oil every 1000 miles, that would be about 3 quarts every 6000 miles This is not normal for a 2018 car with 65700 miles on it Car had an Oil Consumption Test by dealer No warning lights have come on "complaint #1883510
    • "Failed oil pressure sensor which was leaking oil through the wiring harness; could have caused a fire from oil dripping on exhaust system. Oil pressure sensors should only fail electrically, not from allowing high pressure oil to leak out. Dealer states there…"complaint #1917952
    • "The engine has always burned oil very quickly in my opinion. The engine seized despite regular use. The vehicle was just outside of warranty so we have to pay for a new engine."complaint #1965384
    • "Driving at 70 mph and the car’s RPMs dropped. Coasted to exit the highway to find out the car was not accelerating as it should. Took car straight to dealership to drop it off. Have 100,139 miles on the vehicle. Was told by dealership that car was consuming oi…"complaint #1980227
    • "The engine started exhibiting consumption of oil and knocking around 84,000mi had the car towed to the shop. Don’t have much faith they will do anything even though it is a certified preowned. "complaint #1982968
  4. #4

    airbag system

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at 30-35 MPH, the contact was rear-ended by another vehicle, hit on the driver's side by a truck, and rear-ended again; however, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustaine…"~42,000 mi, complaint #1905937
    • "The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while his fiancee was driving at 45 mph, a deer impacted the driver's side of the vehicle. No air bags deployed. The contact stated the air bag warning light was illuminated after the impact. The con…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1832021
  5. #5

    steering electric assist

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "6 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASE A BRAND NEW 2018 SANTA FE GRANDE MY VEHICLE START CUTTING OFF WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL A CERTAIN WAY I REPORTED IT TO THE COMPANY IT WILL NOT DETECT ON THE MACHINES SO THEY CANNOT FIX IT SO I'M STUCK WITH A CAR THAT CONTINUE TO CUT OFF A…"~1,100 mi, complaint #1644729
    • "STEERING BECOMES UNSTABLE DURING DRIVING ON WINDY DAYS. STEERING TRAYS TO OVER COMPENSATE FOR WIND AND BECOMES SCARY TO DRIVE."~8,000 mi, complaint #1455215
    • "STEERING EXHIBITS "STICTION" AFTER DRIVING FOR 20-30 MINUTES. THIS BECOMES WORSE AS SPEED IS INCREASED. SMALL MOVEMENTS OF THE WHEEL PRODUCE NO STEERING EFFECT BUT RESISTANCE IS FELT. WHEN THE RESISTANCE IS OVERCOME, THE RESULT IS SLIGHT OVER STEER. UNDER THES…"~10,200 mi, complaint #1629721
    • "WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS HIGHER THAN 60MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO STICK IN ONE POSITION AND JERK WHEN YOU TRY TO ADJUST THE STEERING IN THE SLIGHTEST."~18,000 mi, complaint #1513412
  6. #6

    backup camera

    1 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE REAR CAMERA HAS A BLUE SCREEN THIS IS KNOWN FOR HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. ALSO MY SUV RAN HOT WHILE DRIVING. THE SUV IS ONLY 2 YEARS WHY IS THE ANTIFREEZE/COOLANT RAN OUT. IT WAS BONE DRY. TALK TO CAR SHOP AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER PUMP USUALLY HO OUT…"~81,000 mi, complaint #1661158
  7. #7

    fuel injector

    1 stranded, 2 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "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…"~27,000 mi, complaint #1555588
    • "THE CAR BEGAN SHUTTERING WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAIN STREET (45-50MPH). WHEN WE PULLED OVER WE SMELLED GASOLINE AND BURNING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED MY THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE LEAKING CAUSING A FIRE. THE A…"~35,000 mi, complaint #1716302
  8. #8

    transmission automatic

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "This will be the fourth time our vehicle has to go to the dealer. We purchased this car in April of this year and the car has lived more at the dealer service department than with us. The first time, the car started smoking and left us stranded. The dealer cha…"complaint #1764641
    • "I am the original owner almost at the end of my powertain warranty. At 93 - 94,000 I started to notice whe accelerating, like a distinct shift into different gears at anywhere between 5-7miles and in incrediments up to 40-45 mph. I have brought to the deal…"complaint #2019508
    • "At 118,000 miles Downhill brake, transmission and [REDACTED ADDRESS] were damaged from the hyundai dealership not fullfilling warranty. They disconnected my tow hitch and my transmission was burning .. smelled like a bon fire. Took me 1 year to repair and have…"complaint #2114967
  9. #9

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR…"~6,000 mi, complaint #1496714
    • "SLOW TO ACCELERATED I HAVE TO RE PRESS THE PEDAL JUST TO TRY AN SPEED UP ON THE HIGHWAY IM GETTING HONKED AT TRYING TO GO UP HILLS I HAVE TO PRESS IT TO THE FLOOR TO GO UP HILLS AN IT IDLES OUT AN ITS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY I CANT GO PAST 50MPH…"~40,123 mi, complaint #1627103
  10. #10

    lighting exterior

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "LED HEADLIGHTS PARTICULARLY ON UNLIGHTED ROADS PRESENT A DARKEN SHADOW ON THE TOP HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION. NARROWING VIEW IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS ONE IS UNABLE TO SEE APPROACHING TRAFFIC OR PEDESTRIANS. DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SUP…"~2,000 mi, complaint #1491959
    • "DRIVING A RENTAL CAR AT 4:[REDACTED ADDRESS] ATTEMPTING TO CATCH OUR FLIGHT BACK HOME. AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 20 MINUTES, HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS. WE HAD NO VISIBILITY, ATTEMPTED TO STOP VEHICLE, LEFT PAVEMENT AND STRUCK A TREE. DURING OUR W…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1657003
  11. #11

    seat mechanism

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that there were holes underneath the front driver’s and passenger’s side seats. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the seats were remove…"~140,000 mi, complaint #2025306
  12. #12

    steering column

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "WE LEASED THIS NEW VEHICLE ON APRIL 21ST 2018. AT THE TIME, WE DID NOT KNOW IT HAD AN OPEN RECALL FOR A FAULTY AND DANGEROUS STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN CONNECTION. WE WERE FINALLY NOTIFIED BY THE DEALERSHIP 2 DAYS AFTER THE SALE ON APRIL 23RD, 2018. ATLANTIC HYU…"complaint #1463766
    • "I have noticed for the past year that my steering column feels loose. It makes a popping noise and really makes noise on rough pavement. I feel like the steering wheel is just gonna come off into my hands. It's very loose to turn and you can feel the pops with…"complaint #1939441
  13. #13

    unintended acceleration

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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."~815 mi, complaint #1547369
  14. #14

    wiring harness

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT A HOT SMELL IN MY CAR ON TUESDAY. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE INSPECTION. THURSDAY MORNING THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR A SHORT TIME AND PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY AFTER. APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS TO TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATE…"~22,000 mi, complaint #1586325
    • "The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. In addition, when the vehicle was restarted, the taillights were inoperable. The contact stated that only the front lights were operable…"~57,720 mi, complaint #1974318
  15. #15

    abs module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Hyundai initiated a recall campaign 218 on 02/02/2022 for: VEHICLES THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ("ABS") MODULES THAT COULD MALFUNCTION INTERNALLY AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OVER TIME. URGENT: FIRE RISK WHEN PARKED The manufacturer has…"complaint #1815885
  16. #16

    adas blind spot

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "ONE DAY FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE BSD SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. *TR"complaint #1667912
  17. #17

    adas collision warning

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I stepped on the brakes and all the aeb warning collision warning went on and I turn my car off and it still sounds like something is running"complaint #1994247
  18. #18

    battery and charging

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle independently came to an abrupt stop. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be dia…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1805760
  19. #19

    brake hydraulics

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I was driving going around 50 and put on my brakes after that the abs light Epb light and cruise control lights all came on and my car wouldnt stop unless I preessed very hard on brakes. and other lights on my dashboard came on then the next day I was driving…"complaint #2005324
  20. #20

    cruise control conventional

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "DRIVING @60 W/CRUSE ON GOING DOWN A HILL ENGINE RPM'S SUDDENLY JUMP FROM 2000 TO ANYWHERE FROM 3000 TO [REDACTED ADDRESS] TO STOP ENGINE RACING IS TO TAP THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE CRUSE. ALSO VEHICLE WILL NOT SPEED UP WHEN TURNING A CORNER,LIKE THE TRANSMISSION…"complaint #1472048
  21. #21

    door latch and hinge

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "My driver side passenger door will not open from the inside or the outside. You can hear the locking mechanism lock and unlock, however the door is stuck shut. It locked my 2 year old in. Put her in, drove about [REDACTED ADDRESS] then was no longer able to op…"complaint #2013955
  22. #22

    engine cooling

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "My vehicle is available for inspection upon request. On multiple occasions the fluid in coolant reservoir has drained out. There is no visible signs of coolant on the under carriage nor is there a puddle on the floor of my garage and no warning lights have c…"complaint #1767440
  23. #23

    engine head gasket

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "All of the bolts that hold the CVVT assembly backed out and one came completely out. It punctured a hole in my valve cover. Oil sprayed all underneath my hood and leaked out on the road. The car went into limp mode while I was driving, and had I not already pu…"complaint #2097272
  24. #24

    interior trim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S FATHER WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS HOME, THE CONTACT OPENED THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT…"~23,845 mi, complaint #1613320
  25. #25

    other

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that she received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The con…"complaint #1806171
  26. #26

    parking brake

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS TEACHING MY VEHICLE I SUDDENLY MARKED STEERING WHEEL ON THE BOARD. AND ON THE BRAKES EVERY TIME I PUT THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE IT MAKES A LOUD SOUND ON THE LEFT REAR SIDE."~6,954 mi, complaint #1501830
  27. #27

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "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 ([REDACTED ADDRESS], SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99212, [REDACTED PHONE]) TO BE D…"~7,500 mi, complaint #1513618
  28. #28

    steering rack mechanical

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Vehicle lost complete control of steering, as it felt "loose" during a left turn at an intersection. Vehicle could not be controlled by steering wheel causing me to drive into oncoming traffic lanes until vehicle slowed to a stop."complaint #1770528
  29. #29

    timing belt or chain

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2018 Hyundai Santa Fe SE with 98000. miles lost power while driving, would not accelerate. No warning prior to event. No check engine light prior.Had the vehicle towed to Dealership for diagnostics. Dealership technician pulled codes P0018; P0300; P0302; P0304…"complaint #2013554
  30. #30

    tire failure

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO TIRES, TIRE LINE: CRUGEN PREMIUM KL33 N/A, TIRE SIZE: 235/55/R19 N/A, THE DOT NUMBER: 000JTYANH4419. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS SHAKING ABNORMALL…"~23,758 mi, complaint #1690986
  31. #31

    transmission manual clutch

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "On April 13, 2026, I arrived home and parked the vehicle, engaging the traditional shifter into the "Park" position and turning off the engine. After exiting and standing on the ground to retrieve a purse from the cabin, the vehicle spontaneously and rapidly b…"complaint #2202697

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for HYUNDAI SANTA FE directly.