2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. This model year has 106 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Brake System
Uncategorized Issues
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 54 | — | 3 | — | |
| Brake System | 18 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 12 | — | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 9 | — | 2 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 6 | 4 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 | — | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 106 most recent complaints
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…
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 w…
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 201…
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
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 …
•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 pote…
Engine stopped abruptly without warning while driving vehicle.
I am writing to formally request your review and potential intervention regarding a serious and potentially widespread mechanical issue involving Hyundai vehicles, along with the manufacturer’s refusal to honor their well-advertised 100,000-mile powertrain warranty for subsequent…
At 118,000 miles Downhill brake, transmission and 4 wheel drive 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 transmission changed thr…
The oil pressure switch has a faulty seal causing oil to leak out onto the engine block. This causes oil on the underbody and ground, smoke amd smell from oil on got surfaces, knocking noises from the engine, reduced power or hesitation, illumination or the check engine light and…
Q: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A: Two fuel injectors on bank 2 are failing intermittently causing the engine light to flash and stay on (P0300 errors) and the car loses power. Q: How was your safety or the sa…
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 pulled off the street,…
Seems to be having ignition switch problems. Bought a new battery a couple times now thinking that was the problem but car won’t start at times. It won’t turn and won’t click and all the electrical (radio lights…) just seems to turn off as I turn the key with no sound following. …
Engine burned 3-4quarts of oil within 3,000 miles. Can result in vehicle failure while driving in city or highway. Vehicle has had all manufacture recommended service and issue started under warranty, but manufacturer has declined to repair issue.
Rear reverse camera stopped working. Image became grainy, then flickered, then went to a blue screen. Can't see anything behind the vehicle when backing up is a big safety hazard.
Significant oil consumption and engine noise.
My engine failed on 11/21/24. I brought it to dealership to confirm the failure on 11/22/2024. I was driving on the highway when the car started to violently shake and then shut off. The dealership sent pictures of the engine and other components to Hyundai to confirm the engine …
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while her son was driving 60 MPH in the far-left lane with the contact seated in the front passenger's seat, the contact and the driver noticed a burning odor. The driver was able to pull into the median. The drive…
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that upon checking the engine oil dipstick, the dipstick was abnormally dry. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed an oil consumption test over 1,000 miles, and found tha…
Was on my way home from work, and suddenly my engine threw a rod and now my engine is blown.
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Recalls for 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe has 106 NHTSA owner complaints, 5 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (54 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?▾
#1: Engine Problems (54 complaints). #2: Brake System (18 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (12 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?▾
The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe has 5 crash-related complaints and 4 fire reports out of 106 total NHTSA complaints. 5 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?▾
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The largest issue: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?▾
The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Santa Fe reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.