2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2018 Santa Fe Sport ranks 2nd worst of 6 model years with a complaint index of 80 and an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate at 65% of complaints, with 4 recalls including two separate ABS module fire recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #2 of 6 Santa Fe Sport years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 320
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 2 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20 city / 26.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine209 (65%)
- Brakes49 (15%)
- Other39 (12%)
- Fuel System33 (10%)
- Electrical System25 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (6%)
- Airbags7 (2%)
- Structure & Body6 (2%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (1%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine stalls suddenly at various speeds, sometimes with the oil warning light on, and can be followed by a knocking sound after repair.
- Some owners report the engine consumes oil rapidly and eventually fails or blows out entirely.
- The engine or engine compartment catches fire, including cases where the vehicle was parked and turned off.
- Brake pedal fails to respond or becomes hard to press, causing the vehicle to slide or lose control at low speeds.
- ABS-related brake failures have also been linked to fires starting near the engine area while driving or braking.
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V810000Oct 27, 2022Brakes44,396 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 22V056000Feb 3, 2022Brakes357,348 vehiclesPark Outside
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 17V801000Dec 13, 2017Airbags1,209 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
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.
Risk: 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.
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other Santa Fe Sport years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2018 Santa Fe Sport ranks 2nd worst out of 6 model years, with a complaint index of 80 and an Avoid verdict. Engine problems account for 65% of its 320 complaints.
- Does the 2018 Santa Fe Sport have a fire recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 22V810000 and 22V056000 both address an ABS module that could short and cause an engine compartment fire on the 2018 Santa Fe Sport.
- What is the most common problem on the 2018 Santa Fe Sport?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, making up 65% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure around 76,003 miles.
- How many recalls does the 2018 Santa Fe Sport have?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2018 Santa Fe Sport, covering brakes, airbags, and suspension components.
- Which Santa Fe Sport model year is best?
- The 2016 Santa Fe Sport has the lowest complaint index at 20 and carries a Best verdict, compared to 80 for the 2018 model.