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2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 179.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

95 reports with mileage · 225 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 196 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports8 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

20 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

I was told by a mechanic that something electrical is wrong with the vehicle it causes the engine to misfire. Different issue than before.

NHTSA ODI #11728648

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2026
Electrical System

My starter failed while out shopping. No issues starting the car departing from my home, but would not start in the store parking lot. My mechanic did not provide the broken part for inspection however everyone commented that is was very unusual for it to fail as I only have roughly 25,000 miles on it. My mechanic also mentioned…

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My starter failed while out shopping. No issues starting the car departing from my home, but would not start in the store parking lot. My mechanic did not provide the broken part for inspection however everyone commented that is was very unusual for it to fail as I only have roughly 25,000 miles on it. My mechanic also mentioned that this was 2nd 2018 hyundai sante fe in the past week he had to replace the starter on that vehicle had 60,000 miles. There were no warning lights prior to the event, I suspected it was the starter after having a new battery installed and no success starting because of the lights that remained on on the instrument panel.

NHTSA ODI #11715566

18,000 miles · Jan 13, 2026
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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 headlights; however,…

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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 headlights; however, the headlights and the indicators were no longer illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who stated that the junction block had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the contact was not sure of the cause of the failure and needed to repair the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle that an interlock casing, fuse, and relay that had melted, and that the switches were not responding, but could not confirm what caused the failure. The contact learned that the vehicle was previously included in a recall for another junction box that had been repaired. The contact was unable to provide the recall campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

NHTSA ODI #11710589

160,000 miles · Jan 12, 2026
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH and approaching a stop, the vehicle stalled. The battery, check engine, and oil warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V810000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehi…

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The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH and approaching a stop, the vehicle stalled. The battery, check engine, and oil warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V810000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where an unknown diagnosis was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The warranty claim was denied. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ODI #11710285

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2025
Electrical SystemEngineFire

My husband was driving our vehicle on the highway when the engine began to smoke and the caught fire. Unfortunately it was not able to be saved. We filed a claim with our carrier and are pending an inspection. We looked up our vin and confirmed a fire recall from 2022.

NHTSA ODI #11692877

60,000 miles · Jul 24, 2025
Back Over PreventionElectrical System

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a blue screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The warning system failed to operate as int…

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The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a blue screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The warning system failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the GPS showed the wrong directions. Due to the failure, the vehicle went into the wrong lane. In addition, several unknown warning lights illuminated while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was too old for the update. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #11676003

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2025
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

1. Abs module stopped working. Car no longer has abs. Will not cover under warranty due to computer component. 2. Engine burns oil. 3 quarts in 1k miles. Combustion cleaning done. Now Engine light is one, oil light comes on, car smells of gas & oil.

NHTSA ODI #11653943

Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 2025
Air BagsElectrical System

The day after I purchased this 2018 Used Hyundai Santa Fe, the passenger air bag light came on. July 2024. I have been working with the dealership where I purchased the vehicle (Larry H Miller Chevrolet, in Murray Utah), and calling Hyundai Corporation for months. Hyundai called me every 3 days for almost 3 months with a custome…

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The day after I purchased this 2018 Used Hyundai Santa Fe, the passenger air bag light came on. July 2024. I have been working with the dealership where I purchased the vehicle (Larry H Miller Chevrolet, in Murray Utah), and calling Hyundai Corporation for months. Hyundai called me every 3 days for almost 3 months with a customer update and they would say is "We have no updates". This is extremely frustrating. The main idea Hyundai Corporate office is telling me is that they don't have a contract with someone that would provide the vehicle part to fix this issue. They don't have a car part available in existence to fix this issue. This is a huge safety concern. I asked them "does that mean my passenger airbag could randomly go off while I'm driving down the road, or does this mean that my passenger airbag won't go off in case I got in a wreck?" They said that it could mean a number of things, but at this time, do not put anyone in the front seat of my car. The car part is a passenger airbag plate sensor that is underneath the passenger seat. Hyundai said there are no after market parts that are sufficient enough to put into the vehicle. Especially with it being a safety issue. How can this be on the consumer??? This is very crippling. This is a huge safety concern with no timeline for resolve. I am very mad. I have been fighting this for 9 months now.

NHTSA ODI #11652169

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2025
Electrical SystemEngine

In May 2024, the vehicle's oil light came on while slightly turning the wheel or braking. When taken to a dealership, they stated that the car only had one quart of oil remaining, which was 4,000 miles after my last oil change and not due for another 1,000 miles. They stated there was excessive oil consumption and recommended th…

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In May 2024, the vehicle's oil light came on while slightly turning the wheel or braking. When taken to a dealership, they stated that the car only had one quart of oil remaining, which was 4,000 miles after my last oil change and not due for another 1,000 miles. They stated there was excessive oil consumption and recommended the vehicle be taken to Hyundai dealer. I took the vehicle to Hyundai dealer in August 2024 because the car was making a rattling sound when accelerating from 0-40mph along with the car jerking between 30-40mph if accelerating except when only applying light pressure to the accelerator. Hyundai dealer stated there was no oil remaining in the vehicle, which was why the vehicle was shaking and rattling when accelerating. They began a claim process with Hyundai as the vehicle was under 100K warranty. After two consumption tests, it was deemed the vehicle was not consuming oil as previously thought. After the last consumption test in October 2024, the oil light began to come back on with me braking the vehicle. Hyundai dealer stated there was nothing further they could do to assist and stated I'd need to reach out to Hyundai customer care to file a report. I did this 10/18/24, and in December, Hyundai customer care told me to take the vehicle back to Hyundai dealer. Hyundai said at that time that now there was an oil leak from the oil pressure sensor, which allowed oil to pass through the entire main wiring of the engine until it reached the PCM. They said I need to replace the PCM, oil pressure switch, and engine control harness for $7,000, not covered by the warranty. Parts are also on backorder for over a year. My car's oil light continues to come on, and now the engine light is coming on while my car shakes when I reach 45mph or greater. It is deemed no longer safe to drive the vehicle, especially with my children in the car. When I checked the dipstick, it was completely out of oil, which was 1500 miles after they performed oil change.

NHTSA ODI #11635497

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine

I have been conducting regular maintenance on my vehicle, getting oil changes, on average around every 6,000 miles. I have had the car since August 2021 and have had no accidents and haven't missed an oil change. My car is a little over 100K miles and the oil light began to come on close to 90k miles. The car is also leaking oi…

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I have been conducting regular maintenance on my vehicle, getting oil changes, on average around every 6,000 miles. I have had the car since August 2021 and have had no accidents and haven't missed an oil change. My car is a little over 100K miles and the oil light began to come on close to 90k miles. The car is also leaking oil and all the service agent could tell me is that the are burns oil at an accelerated rate. Even though the oil light was on, NONE of the service agents mentioned any issues with the oil and nothing was mentioned when I purchased the car. I still have yet to receive the report from my last oil change from 10/06/2023. Also, the ABS light came on after I got the car serviced for a recall for the brakes and potential electrical fire while the car is parked. Each time I checked for a recall, nothing was found, even though this car clearly has an issue with oil consumption, well the engine in general.

NHTSA ODI #11550281

Official recalls

4

22V810000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Oct 27, 2022

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

22V056000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Feb 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

17V801000 · Air Bags:side/window

Dec 13, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

17V577000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Sep 20, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

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-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

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 susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.