2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Safety Report
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (399) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 22 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2016 | Compare against the 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport with 56 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport before buying across this generation. |
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Hyundai Santa Fe Sport years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport | 318 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport | 56 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport | 71 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
159 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Hyundai onlyService Brakes, Hydraulic
46 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes, Hydraulic issues Hyundai onlyUnknown Or Other
29 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Hyundai onlyUnknown Or Other,Engine
14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Engine issues Hyundai onlyEngine,Fuel/Propulsion System
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Hyundai onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Hyundai onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Reliability Score
The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic Hyundai has issued recalls for 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles due to issues with the anti-lock, traction control, or electronic limited slip control unit/module, affecting braking performance. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine And Engine Cooling Engine overheating or cooling system malfunctions have been reported, potentially leading to engine damage. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bags, Side/Window Recalls have been issued for 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles due to issues with side curtain air bags. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Suspension, Front, Springs Recalls have been issued for 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles due to issues with front coil springs. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport:
Issues with anti-lock, traction control, or electronic limited slip control unit/module.
Engine overheating or cooling system malfunctions.
Issues with side curtain air bags.
Issues with front coil springs.
Recall Details for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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 Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 2 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
The contact owned a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact’s son stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the brake pedal depressed with no warning light illuminated. The contact’s son stated that the ABS braking system failed, and the brake pedal did not function when attempting to stop the vehicle. As a result of the failure, the contact’s son collided with the highway pavement. No injuries were sustain...
Enterprise car sales sold me this vehicle when it had 3 open recalls on it. The vehicle itself was a problem from the beginning. When I took it in for it's first oil change the mechanic told me it had no oil in it. He said they sold me a car that is notorious for consuming oil and or seizing or blowing up. I had the engine replaced on this car already and I just took it in for it's first oil chang...
I drove 2.5 hours north to a Marine brother's father's funeral, who unexpectedly passed. I started my drive home and made it to Yorktown in about 15 minutes, and the engine light came on, started flashing, and went into limp mode. I pulled over on I-69 to shut it off, pulled the dipstick, and the oil level was full. I pushed the Bluelink button on my rearview mirror, and HMA sent a tow truck to to...
I am reporting a serious safety concern involving a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport with approximately 132K miles. While driving at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power/velocity and the engine light flashed. This created an immediate safety hazard, as maintaining speed is critical in highway traffic. Within seconds, the vehicle regained power and the warning light turned off, giving the impr...
The contact owned a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. No warning lights illuminated. The contact pulls over to the right side of the road, exits the vehicle, and notices flames coming from the engine, and smoke starts coming inside the vehicle. The contact mentioned that a bystander gave him a ...
At 4 AM on March 10,2026, I received a recall for the tires (Recall ID:26T009). I took it to the Hyundai dealership to get it serviced. The Director Mr. [XXX] , informed me that the only recall they have for me is a software recall. In addition, the do not fix any tire recalls I would have to reach out to the manufacturer such as Kumho tires co. When the service tech [XXX] looked at the tires, he...
Engine-Excessive oil consumption. Other-backup camera does not work and hasn’t for some time is 2028 sant fe sport included in recall
2/27/26 Kept regularly scheduled oil changes with dealer. Car began to knock and lose power, Oil light is periodically flashing on and check engine light came on. Took car to Valvoline oil change-they state no fluid on the oil dipstck. Scheduled oil change was not for another month. No oil leaks at all. Vehicle is bucking and knocking and loses acceleration. I have an appt at the dealer tomor...
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact received an undisclosed recall notification, and the local dealer was contacted; however, there were no appointments available. On a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an O'Reilly's Auto Parts to be diagnosed, and DTC: P1326...
While parked the panoramic sunroof spontaneously shattered.
engine cut out on highway, check engine light flashing. Car would not exceed 50 mph on highway and would hesitate/jump trying to go up any hill/incline. Took to mechanic and vehicle had P1326 knock sensor code. There appears to be a service campaign (Campaign 966/T3G) for 2013-2018 Sanat Fe Sport vehicles, but when i enter my VIN campaign does not appear. This is a safety risk/hazard and should be...
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the engine made a knocking sound, and the vehicle started shaking before starting to smoke. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that there was a hole in the engine block and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The ...
My vehicle is using excessive oil. I first noticed this around 80 000 miles. Initially it started off with not being able to get the 5000 miles before next oil change and dropped to around 4000 miles. It then dropped to 3000 and now less than a 1000 miles before I am needing at least 2 quarts of oil. I have had the vehicle examined by midas and they confirmed there are no leaks, cracks or reason f...
My air bar light was flashing so I took it into the dealer as it is still under warranty. They said it is a sensor in the seat that deploys the air bag. It has been since November with no ETA on the part. When I asked about getting my car back after several times they tried to get me to sign a wavier saying if I was in an accident they wouldn't be liable. I refused and my car is still at this deal...
Car stuttered and would not rev past 2k rpm. Blinking check engine light appeared Code was for known connecting rod failure for all theta engines for our 2018 sante fe. Hyundai is trying to get out of covering the cost of repair or replacement even though this is a very well known issue and is covered under warranty.
Constantly losing oil and there is NO oil leak. Had numerous Oil Consumption Test done. Paid for other unnecessary testing as well. Thousand of complaints on line of other Santa Fe Sports also having the same issue. Hyundai denied a new engine even though dealership recommended it. Also Hyundai Consumer also denied, since corporate told dealership no. Losing 4 quarts of oil, going less than ...
engine consumes excessive amounts of oil. we have to check oil every day and add oil even after 30 mile trips. low oil can result in a seized engine which could result in a crash if power is lost in high traffic areas or highway speeds. hyundai knows there is an issue and engines that seize are replaced with the same defective design. this is dangerous and could result in a crash or being s...
My starter failed while out shopping. No issues starting the car departing from my home, but would not start in the store parking lot. My mechanic did not provide the broken part for inspection however everyone commented that is was very unusual for it to fail as I only have roughly 25,000 miles on it. My mechanic also mentioned that this was 2nd 2018 hyundai sante fe in the past week he had to re...
My vehicle has approximately 152,000 miles, and I am currently experiencing a major engine failure. Oil consumption and knocking on engine Hyundai has had lawsuits in the past with unsafe unreliable engines.
Engine is burning oil as a default in manufacturing of engine, leaving little to know oil in the engine and causing other malfunctions that use the oil
Showing 20 of 399 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine
Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug...
Component: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Opened 2023-11-17
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando....
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Has the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT have?
The 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT has 399 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 11 involved crashes. 12 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT?
The 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT involve engine (159 complaints), service brakes, hydraulic (46 complaints), unknown or other (29 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other,engine, engine,fuel/propulsion system, engine and engine cooling.
How many crash reports does the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT have?
There are 11 crash reports associated with the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT out of 399 total complaints (2.8% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT have?
There are 11 fire reports for the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT out of 399 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT?
12 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT is extreme caution advised. It has 399 complaints, 4 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT are: 1. ENGINE (159 complaints), 2. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC (46 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (29 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE (14 complaints), 5. ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (13 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 159 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT?
Be cautious of vehicles with open recalls, especially those related to service brakes and engine cooling. Ensure the vehicle has been serviced according to recall notices. The 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT has 399 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT?
The 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 399 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 22 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Service brakes, hydraulic and Engine and engine cooling.
What are the known issues with the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT?
Known issues with the 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT include: Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, side/window, Suspension, front, springs. These are based on patterns found across 399 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
Yes, recalls have been issued for issues with service brakes, air bags, and suspension components.
What are the most common issues with the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
The most common issues are related to service brakes, engine and engine cooling, air bags, and suspension.
What should I do if my 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has open recalls?
Contact the dealership to have the vehicle serviced according to the recall notices.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of vehicles with open recalls, especially those related to service brakes and engine cooling. Ensure the vehicle has been serviced according to recall notices.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The data includes 399 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 11 reported crashes, 11 fire incidents, 12 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16