2018 Hyundai Santa Fe problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (39) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (12) · Steering (8)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Santa Fe model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
37 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2022-02-03 · campaign 22V056000 · 357,348 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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.
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.
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar 2018-02-17 · campaign 18V118000 · 41,070 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (117)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2026-10-15 · 26-GI-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (pdw) sensor(s) that may trigger various dtcs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the pdw sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. this condition may be a res
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-017H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain palisade (lx2) and santa fe (nc) vehicles equipped with lambda ii 6-cylinder engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume s
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Electrical System 2026-05-23 · Z01 Letter · Warranty Program/Extension
certain 2012 – 2017 model year accent, 2012 – 2017 model year azera, 2013 – 2018 model year santa fe sport, 2013 – 2019 model year santa fe, and 2012 – 2017 model year veloster vehicles may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) may be set. at hyundai, we ar
Electrical System 2026-04-25 · 26-BE-011H DN · Warranty Program/Extension
some vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and dtc(s) b1763 (ocs ecu defect), and/or b1764 (ocs mat defect) may be stored. hyundai is extending the warranty coverage of the sensor for the occupant classification system (ocs) / occupant detection system (ods) to 18 ye
Electrical System 2026-04-25 · 26-BE-011H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension
some vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and dtc(s) b1763 (ocs ecu defect), and/or b1764 (ocs mat defect) may be stored. hyundai is extending the warranty coverage of the sensor for the occupant classification system (ocs) / occupant detection system (ods) to 18 ye
Showing the 6 most recent of 117 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-27 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“my 2018 hyundai santa fe xl limited was at a hyundai dealership for a transmission replacement. while it waited for parts, it was parked outside on the dealership’s lot. it caught fire there while no one was working on it, and the cause is not yet known.…”
2026-09-22 · Engine“while driving, the vehicle developed a strong odor of engine oil, followed within minutes by illumination of the red oil pressure warning light. inspection determined that a bolt had exited the engine's timing assembly, broken the timing chain, and punctured the timing cover, discharging engine oil throughout the engine compartment while the vehicl…”
2026-06-16 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/Lubrication:sump/Tank:drain Plug“see attached letter for complaint…”
2026-05-02 · Service Brakes · 💥 crash“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 began reversing. as the vehicle gained momentum, i was struck by the driver-side door, wh…”
2026-04-11 · Engine“my wife was driving the vehicle by the left lane on route 9a northbound on elmsford at a speed around 35 mph. the vehicle suddenly came to stop completely while driving. my wife tried to start it but it didn't start. we called the police to come help us due to the ongoing traffic while the towing was on its way. our mechanic told us the engine was …”
2026-03-13 · Engine“catastrophic engine failure - cam phasers blew apart and severely cracked the valve covers. this occurred with no prior warning lights. minutes before failure, there was engine hesitation and noise and then severely reduced power, causing a safety issue while driving. vehicle was towed to local hyundai dealer who identified the cam phaser failure…”
2026-02-02 · Engine“engine issues: a week ago, on two separate occasions, my santa fe cutoff while driving suddenly. a day later, i noticed a rhythmic knocking upon starting my vehicle. the knocking would increase during acceleration and decrease when i let off. i am only at 83,000 miles on this 2018 vehicle. i took the vehicle in for an oil change and they didn't not…”
2025-11-27 · Power Train“was driving and car turn off on me and wouldn't start i got it towed to hyundai and they said my engine went out it had oil and everything we don't know why can stopped working has been sitting in my drive way for 3 years because we don't have 13000 that hyundai told us…”
2025-11-14 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“in september 2024, my 2018 hyundai santa fe experienced an unexpected engine lock-up while driving, creating an immediate safety hazard. vehicle lost power, began smoking, and posed a potential fire risk. fire department responded to prevent the engine from catching fire and had to spray the engine compartment with high-pressure water. following t…”
2025-11-06 · Power Train“•year/make/model: 2018 hyundai santa fe •mileage: ~91,502 •date purchased: april 2023 description of problem / safety concern: i am reporting a safety-related engine defect in my 2018 hyundai santa fe. the vehicle has developed engine knocking, metal shavings in the oil, and potential timing chain/bearing failure, all of which create a serious risk…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.