VehicleVerdict

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport carries two red flags at once: 406 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 1.8× the Santa Fe Sport norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Santa Fe Sport years to avoid. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 50% of all reports (203 of 406), far ahead of brakes at 50. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

406

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

8

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Santa Fe Sport years?

Santa Fe Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted456 complaints2013: 239 complaints2014: 216 complaints2015: 104 complaints2016: 84 complaints2017: 456 complaints2018: 406 complaints
Santa Fe Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Santa Fe Sport years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine20350%
Brakes5012%
Other3910%
Fuel System328%
Electrical System205%
Transmission174%
Speed Control102%
Lighting72%
Airbags72%
Body & Structure51%
Driver Assistance51%
Visibility & Wipers20%
Seat Belts20%
Steering20%
Suspension20%
Tires & Wheels20%
Seats10%

Does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V810000BrakesOctober 27, 2022 · 44,396 units

Defect

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.

22V056000BrakesFebruary 3, 2022 · 357,348 units

Defect

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.

17V801000AirbagsDecember 13, 2017 · 1,209 units

Defect

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.

17V577000SuspensionSeptember 20, 2017 · 197 units

Defect

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

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. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“While sitting in park at a restaurant parking lot eating lunch, an Employee noticed smoke coming from my hood area on my vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle I noticed flames coming from the hood area, The employee attempted to use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire to no avail. Fire department…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 19, 2022 · fire

“I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT ON JUNE 11, #11219391 BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE, AND IT DOES NOT SHOW AS A FILED COMPLAINT. PLEASE ADVISE THE STATUS OF THIS COMPLAINT. THANKS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 29, 2019 · crash

“IN AUGUST OF 2018, MY 3 MONTH OLD SANTA FE SPORT CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. I WAS DRIVING ON THE NJ TURNPIKE HEADED TO OBX FOR VACATION. I WAS FOLLOWING MY SISTER DOWN WHEN THEY STOPPED TO LET THEIR DOG OUT AT A REST AREA. I PULLED INTO THE SPACE NEXT TO THEM AND AS SOON AS I TURNED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 25, 2018 · fire

“SEVERE ACCELERATION HESITATION AFTER STOPPING, WHEN MAKING SLOW SPEED TURNS AND AFTER HITTING SLOW SPEED DIPS OR BUMPS. VEHICLE GIVES INTERMITTENT WARNING OF ROLLOVER OR EXCESSIVE VEHICLE ANGEL. THIS OCCURES DURING GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS, HOWEVER, THIS BEHAVIOR CREATES COLLISION AND SAFETY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 1, 2020

“While sitting in park at a restaurant parking lot eating lunch, an Employee noticed smoke coming from my hood area on my vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle I noticed flames coming from the hood area, The employee attempted to use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire to no avail. Fire department…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 19, 2022 · fire

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport — common questions

Is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 406 complaints put the 2018 model at #2 of 6 Santa Fe Sport years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Santa Fe Sport years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Santa Fe Sport problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (203 complaints), brakes (50 complaints), other (39 complaints).

Does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Hyundai Santa Fe Sport years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Santa Fe Sport years to avoid are 2017, 2018, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016.

How safe is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.