2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 6 Santa Fe Sport years
The 2018 Santa Fe Sport ranks worst (1st) of 6 model years with a complaint index of 100, 320 complaints, and 4 recalls. Engine problems account for 65% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 76,003.5 miles, making this year one to avoid relative to other Santa Fe Sport years.
- Complaints
- 320
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 8
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20 city / 26.5 hwy
Top 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Engine stalls without warning while driving, in one case during a left turn leading to a collision.
- Vehicles have caught fire in the engine compartment while parked, including one incident where flames appeared under the hood while occupants ate lunch nearby.
- Owners report the ABS brake pedal failing to respond or going soft at low speeds, causing loss of steering control and minor collisions.
- Some engines consume oil excessively, with owners reporting knocking sounds and eventual engine failure after oil changes.
- Electrical smoke and flames have been reported from the rear brake light area while the vehicle was parked and shut off.
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?
- Compared to other Santa Fe Sport years, the 2018 model ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 320 NHTSA complaints, mostly tied to the engine.
- What is the main problem with the 2018 Santa Fe Sport?
- Engine issues dominate, making up 65% of the 320 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 76,003.5 miles.
- Does the 2018 Santa Fe Sport have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2018 Santa Fe Sport, covering the ABS module (fire risk), side curtain airbags, and front coil springs; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2018 model compare to other Santa Fe Sport years?
- The 2018 model has the highest complaint index (100) and is rated Avoid, while 2015 and 2016 are rated Best with complaint indexes of 0 and 20.
- Are there fire risks with the 2018 Santa Fe Sport?
- NHTSA complaints report 8 fires for this model year, and one recall specifically addresses an ABS module short that can cause an engine compartment fire.