2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe has a complaint index of 5, ranking 20th out of 21 model years, but carries a Caution verdict because of a park-outside brake recall. Engine problems dominate, making up 54% of its 109 complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 5/100
- #20 of 21 Santa Fe years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 109
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17.5 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine59 (54%)
- Brakes19 (17%)
- Other12 (11%)
- Electrical System11 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (9%)
- Steering8 (7%)
- Airbags6 (6%)
- Fuel System5 (5%)
- Structure & Body4 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report engine fires accompanied by rattling noises or a burning smell, sometimes with fire visible under the hood while driving at highway speed.
- Some describe a hot smell followed hours later by smoke filling the cabin, prompting fire department response.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including deer strikes and being T-boned, in some cases resulting in injury.
- Steering was described as unstable and difficult to control in windy conditions, with the wheel seeming to overcorrect.
- One owner reported the vehicle reversing on its own after being parked and shifted into Park, striking them with the driver-side door.
- A brake complaint described the SUV accelerating on its own at a drive-thru despite the driver not pressing the gas pedal.
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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 18V118000Feb 17, 2018Steering41,070 vehicles
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.
Risk: A steering wheel separation while driving can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will check the production lot number of the steering wheel assembly, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 26, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 173.
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
- Among 21 model years of the Santa Fe, 2018 ranks 20th with a complaint index of 5, meaning it has fewer complaints relative to other years, but NHTSA capped its verdict to Caution due to a park-outside brake recall.
- What problems does the 2018 Santa Fe have?
- Engine issues account for 54% of the 109 complaints, including reports of fires and rattling noises, followed by brakes at 17% and electrical system problems at 10%.
- Does the 2018 Santa Fe have a recall?
- NHTSA lists two recalls: one for an ABS brake module malfunction that could cause a fire, requiring owners to park outside, and one for a steering wheel assembly that could separate from the steering column.
- How does the 2018 Santa Fe compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 5, 2018 is among the lowest-complaint years in the lineup, but years like 2011 (index 15, Best) and 2010 (index 35, Good) earned better verdicts without a recall-based cap.
- What is the top problem area for the 2018 Santa Fe?
- Engine is the top problem area, with 59 complaints and a median mileage at failure of 21,900 miles.