2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 26, 2026NJEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   Bought this as a used vehicle with around 77k miles. The SUV was running fine for a little while until I drove onto the highway. It eventually began to bog down and there was hesitation and jumping instead of acceleration. This continued my entire trip home with the check engine light on. The car was only driven for about 300-400 miles in the time I had it. When I brought it to have an oil change, they found metal shavings in the oil. From what I’ve been reading, this has…

   NHTSA complaint #11759687 · source
2. Filed May 25, 2026KYEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Purchased January 2026 took to Oxmoor Hyundai Service Center March 2026. February 2026 began using oil at a measured rate of 700 miles per tank of oil. Used 3 full tanks of oil within the month of February. Oil lights and engine lights on and off and flashing during this time. March 8, 2026, engine light flashed and then stayed on continuously. Engine shook and stuttered and made a loud noise. Engine stalled while I was driving at 35-40 miles per…

   NHTSA complaint #11739906 · source
3. Filed May 14, 2026VAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Took car to dealer to have oil changed on april 29, 2026 and was told they had also preformed a software update, service campaign 9c2. Everytime since that day after the car has set for a little while and the car is restarted driven it stalls and surges really bad several times lasting for several minutes. It also can do this at random at anytime but not constant like it does when first started. This is very dangerest for obvious rasons and needs to be fixed. Although there…

   NHTSA complaint #11737802 · source
4. Filed Apr 7, 2026TXEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   My 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport equipped with a Theta II GDI engine began exhibiting excessive oil consumption, engine knocking, and cylinder misfires consistent with the known Theta II engine defect covered under the Hyundai class action settlement. Prior to the failure, the check engine light illuminated and I experienced repeated misfires and audible engine knocking. The vehicle required frequent oil additions between oil changes due to excessive consumption. The vehicle…

   NHTSA complaint #11729615 · source
5. Filed Mar 29, 2026CTEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   I bought a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe from a dealership in May of 2023. Ever since then I have paid around $8,000 in repairs for this car. These repairs have been so expensive and time consuming that last year I wasn’t able to drive it for 6 months because it was in the shop for most of the year. I had to fix the Fuel pump, the Battery, timing chain valve TWICE, O2 sensor , Catalytic Converter, Engine valve, cylinder 1 & 3 and NOW I have to fix cylinder 2 & 4 & that cost again…

   NHTSA complaint #11727837 · source
6. Filed Mar 23, 2026NYEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 change and it was already consuming oil. I want a new car but enterprise is telling…

   NHTSA complaint #11726332 · source
7. Filed Nov 3, 2025OHEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   This engine is burning oil. Its mixing oil with gasoline in the cylinders. Its fouling spark plugs and consuming large amounts of oil with absolutely no visible oil leaks. The exhaust is black. PCV valve is clean. Engine is misfiring due to spark plug fouling. New spark plugs and coils. Multiple dealers have stated this is a KNOWN defect with this particular GDI engine but Hyundai refuses to issue a recall.

   NHTSA complaint #11697278 · source
8. Filed May 29, 2025WIEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Vehicle failed an oil consumption test. Dealership acknowledges that the vehicle burns 1.5 quarts per 1 thousand miles. The dealership initially told me that Hyundai would cover a combustion cleaning. However after acknowledging my mileage, they are now refusing to provide any assistance. This is a known issue and they are not acknowledging it. The dealership instructs me to drive until the problem progresses, but according to their data there is already a problem outside of…

   NHTSA complaint #11663612 · source
9. Filed Apr 13, 2025MOEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Vehicle has an excessive oil intake and it is constantly blowing out the spark plugs and coil packs causing poor performance on the vehicle overall. My vehicle's VIN number was listed as a qualifier in a class action lawsuit, but the manufacturer says it is not making the noise it needs to make in order to have it checked. Was also informed I need to pull out my spark plugs and clean them regularly because of the oil buildup. This problem has caused other problems with the…

   NHTSA complaint #11654340 · source
10. Filed Apr 10, 2025GAElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    1. Abs module stopped working. Car no longer has abs. Will not cover under warranty due to computer component. 2. Engine burns oil. 3 quarts in 1k miles. Combustion cleaning done. Now Engine light is one, oil light comes on, car smells of gas & oil.

    NHTSA complaint #11653943 · source
11. Filed Nov 23, 2024MIFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    Upon acceleration from a stopped or rolling stop the vehicle hesitates to propel causing a dangerous situation when entering traffic. Dealer claims its not bad and that the manufacturer is only going to suggest fuel injector cleaner. Fuel injector clener was tried with no improvement. Upon research i have found this to be a common problem with this model. This is not the first problem we have had related to this system. Programming has been adjusted in the past to fix…

    NHTSA complaint #11627011 · source
12. Filed Nov 20, 2024TX3 injuredEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    This is just a follow-up to request an Expedited Hearing regarding the Hyundai Santa Fe because the Engine Stallings, Oil Consumption (about 2 qts. every 1000 miles) Tailpipe Smoking problems are getting worse. It's becoming a Major Safety Hazard. Engine Stalling example: With both kids (girl [XXX] & boy [XXX] ) in the SUV Driving approx. 50 mph the Engine Stalled and I could not steer the SUV. I hit the curve to avoid the 50 mph oncoming traffic and a catastrophic accident.…

    NHTSA complaint #11626424 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology