2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Safety Report

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport presents a mixed safety picture. While it boasts excellent crash test ratings from NHTSA, achieving 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal and side impacts, and 4 stars for rollover, its real-world reliability and fire risk are concerning. The vehicle has accumulated 399 total complaints, including 11 crashes, 11 fires, and 12 injuries, with no reported fatalities. A significant portion of these complaints, 159 (approximately 40%), are related to the ENGINE, indicating a widespread and serious issue. This is further supported by numerous complaints detailing excessive oil consumption, engine knocking, sudden power loss, and engine seizure, often leading to dangerous situations on highways. Recall history highlights critical safety defects. Two recalls (NHTSA Campaign Numbers 22V810000 and 23V651000) address a malfunctioning Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module that can cause an electrical short and lead to an engine compartment fire, even when parked. This directly correlates with the 11 reported fires. Another recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 18V758000) concerns side curtain airbags that may not inflate properly due to a detaching component, increasing injury risk in a crash. A fourth recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 18V757000) addresses front coil springs that may fracture, potentially puncturing a tire and causing a loss of vehicle control. These recalls underscore significant manufacturing defects that could compromise safety. The high number of engine-related complaints, coupled with the fire risk from the ABS module recall, suggests that despite strong crash test performance, the vehicle has notable reliability and fire safety vulnerabilities. The pattern of engine failures, often involving excessive oil consumption and sudden power loss, poses a substantial risk to drivers, especially at highway speeds. The combination of these factors indicates that while the vehicle performs well in controlled crash scenarios, its operational safety is compromised by persistent mechanical and electrical issues.

Our recommendation: Given the high number of engine complaints, fire risks from ABS module issues, and multiple safety recalls, exercise extreme caution; a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic, specifically checking for engine health and recall completion, is essential.