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2018 Hyundai SANTA FE SPORT: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

319 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

60,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 95 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 195 of 319 complaints (61.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior6219.4%
Engine operation3912.2%
Electrical and battery issues144.4%
Fuel system concerns92.8%
Steering behavior61.9%
Transmission and shifting10.3%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine
195
Unknown Or Other
38
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
35
Fuel/Propulsion System
33
Electrical System
20
Power Train
18
Service Brakes
13
Engine And Engine Cooling
10
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine195
Unknown Or Other38
Service Brakes, Hydraulic35
Fuel/Propulsion System33
Electrical System20
Power Train18
Service Brakes13
Engine And Engine Cooling10

Engine: 195; Unknown Or Other: 38; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 35; Fuel/Propulsion System: 33; Electrical System: 20; Power Train: 18; Service Brakes: 13; Engine And Engine Cooling: 10

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
34
25,000 to 49,999
8
50,000 to 74,999
14
75,000 to 99,999
13
100,000 to 149,999
23
150,000 and above
3
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00034
25,000 to 49,9998
50,000 to 74,99914
75,000 to 99,99913
100,000 to 149,99923
150,000 and above3

Under 25,000: 34; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 23; 150,000 and above: 3

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (34). 224 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2017
2
2018
14
2019
16
2020
8
2021
11
2022
68
2023
57
2024
48
2025
57
2026
38
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20172
201814
201916
20208
202111
202268
202357
202448
202557
202638

2017: 2; 2018: 14; 2019: 16; 2020: 8; 2021: 11; 2022: 68; 2023: 57; 2024: 48; 2025: 57; 2026: 38

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 62 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 39 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 14 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11045542 · 2017-11-13 (November 13, 2017)

VEHICLE HAS NO ACCELERATION AFTER A STOP. WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL PUTTING OUR LIVES IN DANGER OF A COLLISION. SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN SWITCHING FROM ECO TO NORMAL MODE. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE SHORT MONTH I HAVE OWNED IT. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS OR VISUAL ITEMS TO PROVE IT. IT JUST DOES NOT ACCELERATE. I HAVE TO TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO GET IT TO KICK IN.

Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 11045542 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11052864 · 2017-12-06 (December 6, 2017)

I HAVE JUST PURCHASED MY SANTA FE SPORT 2.0T ULTIMATE 4 DAYS AGO AND WHILE DRIVING HOME TODAY FROM WORK TRAFFIC WAS A STOP AND GO. CAR DROVE FINE FOR ABOUT A MILE IN THIS TRAFFIC (I DRIVE A TOTAL OF 16 MILES A DAY TO AND FROM WORK), THEN I TRIED TO GO AFTER STOPPING AND THERE WAS A BIG HESITATION IN THE ACCELERATION. THE CAR WENT TO 8 MPH THEN FELT AS IT HAD STALLED AND I ALMOST WAS HIT, THANKFULLY MY CAR STARTED GOING. IT DID THIS TWICE IN LESS THEN TEN MINUTES AND BOTH TIMES I WAS ALMOST HIT. I WAS ON A HIGHWAY DURING AFTER WORK 5:30 RUSH …

Owner-reported narrative. 129 miles reported. Look up ODI 11052864 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11065540 · 2018-01-28 (January 28, 2018)

01/28/2018 - DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 79 NEAR EVANS CITY AT 7:30 AM, SUNDAY MORNING AND SUNROOF SHATTERED AND BLEW OUT OF THE CAR. THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND AT THE TIME, NO ROCKS OR TREES HIT IT.

Owner-reported narrative. 2,180 miles reported. Look up ODI 11065540 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11067331 · 2018-02-06 (February 6, 2018)

NEW CAR WITH LESS THAN 400 MILES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED 7 EPISODES DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY, WHERE THE CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE WHEN TURNING ONTO A CITY STREET. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH BOTH RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS TO ENTER TRAFFIC FROM A STOP SIGN. IT IS JUST UNRESPONSIVE FOR 1-2 SECONDS THEN ENGAGES WITH A BIT OF A JERK. VERY FRIGHTENING! I'VE HAD A FEELING OF PANIC NOT KNOWING IF THE CAR WILL MOVE FORWARD AS TRAFFIC IS APPROACHING. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CHECKED FOR DTCS AND COMPUTER UPDATES. SINCE THE PROBLEM IS UNPREDICTABLY INTERMI…

Owner-reported narrative. 75 miles reported. Look up ODI 11067331 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11083897 · 2018-04-08 (April 8, 2018)

I WAS SLOWLY CROSSING THREE TRAFFIC LANES AND TURNING LEFT. NO ONE WAS COMING FROM THE RIGHT, SO I APPLIED THE THROTTLE IN THE INSIDE LANE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IT LEFT ME IN THE ROAD AND I WAS T-BONED IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS INJURED, AND I HAVE HAD NECK ISSUES. WE COULD HAVE BOTH BEEN KILLED. THE CAR HAD STALLED ONCE BEFORE. I HAD THE CAR TWO MONTHS WITH 2,400 MILES AND NOW IT WAS DECLARED TOTALED. I REQUESTED THE BLACK BOX TO BE REMOVED AND REVIEWED. IT SHOWED THE SPEED AND TIMING …

Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11083897 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11084937 · 2018-04-13 (April 13, 2018)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND WENT INTO IDLE MODE. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (FITZGERALD'S COUNTRYSIDE HYUNDAI, 27419 U S HIGHWAY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33761, [phone removed]) WHERE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11084937 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11089226 · 2018-04-21 (April 21, 2018)

THIS IS A NEW CAR WITH LESS THAN 1200 MILES PURCHASED FEBRUARY 2018. EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ISSUES THE PAST 6 WEEKS WHERE THE CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE WHEN TURNING A CORNER. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH BOTH RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS TO ENTER TRAFFIC FROM A FULL STOP. UNRESPONSIVE FOR 1-2 SECONDS THEN ENGAGES WITH A BIT OF A JOLT. SCARY IN THAT I DO NOT KNOW IF THE CAR WILL MOVE FORWARD AS TRAFFIC IS APPROACHING. DRIVING VERY DEFENSIVELY NOW. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED FROM A STRAIGHT FORWARD DEAD STOP. HAVE SEEN OTHER ISSUES OF THIS TYPE ON LINE. DEALER NOT C…

Owner-reported narrative. 750 miles reported. Look up ODI 11089226 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11090802 · 2018-04-28 (April 28, 2018)

VERY LOSE STEERING AND THERE IS A MANUFACTURE RECALL ON THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL ACTUALLY SEPARATING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN ITSELF. VERY HARD TO DRIVE WITHOUT SWERVING.

Owner-reported narrative. 10,760 miles reported. Look up ODI 11090802 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

17V577000 · Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs

Reported: 2017-09-20 (September 20, 2017)

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The front coil springs may have been improperly manufactured and, as a result, may fracture under certain loads while driving.

Consequence: If the coil spring fractures, it can puncture the tire, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: All of the affected vehicles are currently unsold on dealer lots. Dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge prior to the vehicle's sale. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 167.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V801000 · Air Bags:Side/Window

Reported: 2017-12-13 (December 13, 2017)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
22V056000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module

Reported: 2022-02-03 (February 3, 2022)

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.

Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗
22V810000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module

Reported: 2022-10-27 (October 27, 2022)

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.

Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗