VehicleVerdict

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe carries two red flags at once: 143 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Santa Fe years to avoid. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 56 reports (39% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

143

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

10

Crash-involved

7

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Santa Fe years?

Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted1,231 complaints2001: 293 complaints2002: 219 complaints2003: 390 complaints2004: 386 complaints2005: 300 complaints2006: 143 complaints2007: 981 complaints2008: 718 complaints2009: 506 complaints2010: 331 complaints2011: 268 complaints2012: 474 complaints2013: 806 complaints2014: 679 complaints2015: 331 complaints2016: 288 complaints2017: 1,231 complaints2018: 143 complaints2019: 268 complaints2020: 270 complaints2021: 236 complaints2022: 292 complaints2023: 307 complaints2024: 186 complaints2025: 170 complaints2026: 39 complaints
Santa Fe NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Santa Fe years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine5639%
Brakes1913%
Other128%
Transmission107%
Electrical System96%
Steering86%
Airbags64%
Fuel System53%
Speed Control53%
Driver Assistance43%
Seats32%
Lighting21%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Seat Belts11%
Body & Structure11%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

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

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.

18V118000SteeringFebruary 17, 2018 · 41,070 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The steering wheel assembly may break, possibly resulting in the steering wheel separating from the steering column while driving.

Consequence

A steering wheel separation while driving can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will check the production lot number of the steering wheel assembly, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 26, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 173.

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.

“THE CAR BEGAN SHUTTERING WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAIN STREET (45-50MPH). WHEN WE PULLED OVER WE SMELLED GASOLINE AND BURNING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED MY THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE LEAKING CAUSING A FIRE. THE ARE REPLYING THE FUEL INJECTORS AND TOLD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 28, 2020 · fire

“I was at the Tim Hortons drive-thru stopped behind a car in front of me the car in front of me started to go to the order window , as I let off the brake to start to go my suv took off full speed! I hit the brakes as hard as I could and the car kept moving forward like the throttle was stuck at…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 3, 2022 · crash

“THE REAR CAMERA HAS A BLUE SCREEN THIS IS KNOWN FOR HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. ALSO MY SUV RAN HOT WHILE DRIVING. THE SUV IS ONLY 2 YEARS WHY IS THE ANTIFREEZE/COOLANT RAN OUT. IT WAS BONE DRY. TALK TO CAR SHOP AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER PUMP USUALLY HO OUT ON THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. ALSO MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 25, 2020

“On April 13, 2026, I arrived home and parked the vehicle, engaging the traditional shifter into the "Park" position and turning off the engine. After exiting and standing on the ground to retrieve a purse from the cabin, the vehicle spontaneously and rapidly began reversing. ​As the vehicle…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 13, 2026 · crash

“I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT A HOT SMELL IN MY CAR ON TUESDAY. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE INSPECTION. THURSDAY MORNING THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR A SHORT TIME AND PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY AFTER. APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS TO TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATER THE CAR CAB WAS FULL OF SMOKE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 18, 2019 · fire

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe — common questions

Is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 143 complaints put the 2018 model at #24 of 26 Santa Fe years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Santa Fe years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Santa Fe problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (56 complaints), brakes (19 complaints), other (12 complaints).

Does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. 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 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 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Santa Fe years to avoid are 2017, 2007, 2013, 2008, 2014, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018. The cleanest record among Santa Fe years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe 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.