What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2018 Hyundai Santa FE

Typical pattern

9.9% of complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2018 vehicle — around the middle of the 182 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.4 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (53 complaints), typically at 6.1 yr or about 16,000 miles.

Complaints
142
Median age at failure
5.4 yr
Median mileage
18,000 n=47
Crash / fire / tow
14.8% of reports
Safety recalls
2 1 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
53 reports · 16,000 mi
6.1 yr
11.3%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

22V056000 2022-02-03 Do not drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

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.

18V118000 2018-02-17
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

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.

In owners’ own words

Engine 135 mi 8 mo in service
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.
Engine 4,638 mi 1.1 yr in service
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.
Engine 14,000 mi 1.3 yr in service
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.

Other Santa FE model years

2025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001

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