2018 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 109 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 24th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 6 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideFeb 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.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 22V056000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, steering wheel/handle barFeb 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.
A steering wheel separation while driving can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 18V118000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
56 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Mar 24, 2019
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.
Engine, Mar 11, 2019
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.
Engine, Feb 28, 2019
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.
Engine, Dec 20, 2018
ENGINE PROBLEM
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 16, 2018
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 ACCELERATING ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE AND RPMS WOULD JUST KEEP REVING UP REAL HIGH. I WAS AFRAID I WAS GOING TO GET HIT OR REAR ENDED. HUGE SAFETY CONCERNS.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 30, 2018
DRIVING @60 W/CRUSE ON GOING DOWN A HILL ENGINE RPM'S SUDDENLY JUMP FROM 2000 TO ANYWHERE FROM 3000 TO 5000 RPM'S AND THE ONLY WAY 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 DOESN'T DOWN SHIFT.THESE BOTH HAPPEN ALL THE TIME.VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 800 MILES.