2018 Hyundai Santa FE Engine Problems
Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE, 50% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 16,000 miles.
- 54engine complaints
- 16,000median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 64%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 15 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 54 complaints, 3 a fire.
Hyundai Santa FE engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Santa FE | 2 | 5% | 5,100 |
| 2025 Santa FE | 14 | 10% | — |
| 2024 Santa FE | 13 | 8% | — |
| 2023 Santa FE | 35 | 17% | 1,108 |
| 2022 Santa FE | 54 | 27% | 13,750 |
| 2021 Santa FE | 37 | 22% | 28,000 |
| 2020 Santa FE | 80 | 37% | 19,000 |
| 2019 Santa FE | 73 | 36% | 16,000 |
| 2018 Santa FE | 54 | 50% | 16,000 |
| 2017 Santa FE | 650 | 67% | 45,000 |
| 2016 Santa FE | 151 | 64% | 84,500 |
| 2015 Santa FE | 160 | 63% | 88,000 |
| 2014 Santa FE | 274 | 56% | 85,000 |
| 2013 Santa FE | 273 | 45% | 89,163 |
| 2012 Santa FE | 228 | 65% | 89,662 |
| 2011 Santa FE | 64 | 35% | 47,506 |
| 2010 Santa FE | 37 | 14% | 90,300 |
| 2009 Santa FE | 60 | 17% | 89,780 |
| 2008 Santa FE | 60 | 11% | 88,000 |
| 2007 Santa FE | 54 | 8% | 93,132 |
| 2006 Santa FE | 3 | 3% | 126,000 |
| 2005 Santa FE | 11 | 5% | 107,592 |
| 2004 Santa FE | 16 | 5% | 100,000 |
| 2003 Santa FE | 8 | 3% | 89,000 |
| 2002 Santa FE | 10 | 6% | 114,000 |
| 2001 Santa FE | 7 | 3% | 113,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists engine for the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
While driving, the vehicle developed a strong odor of engine oil, followed within minutes by illumination of the red oil pressure warning light. Inspection determined that a bolt had exited the engine's timing assembly, broken the timing chain, and punctured the timing cover, discharging engine oil…
See attached letter for complaint
My wife was driving the vehicle by the left lane on route 9A northbound on elmsford at a speed around 35 mph. The vehicle suddenly came to stop completely while driving. My wife tried to start it but it didn't start. We called the police to come help us due to the ongoing traffic while the towing…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2018 Hyundai Santa FEs have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 54 owner complaints about engine for the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE (50% of the 109 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE engine?
No recall currently lists engine for this vehicle.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 16,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
See all 2018 Hyundai Santa FE problems or engine problems across all Santa FE years.