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Engine coolingPart report

2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
4%of 324 total for the year
Median mileage
106,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport, 4% of the 324 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT-Consumer is writing in with concerns and questions about the engine oil light indicator. Consumer checked the oil and it was dry. Consumers questions are: Why the engine oil light did not come on until there was almost no oil in the oil pan? There are no oil leaks under the vehicle. I am a retired Automotive Technician with 37 years for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC., and I have never seen this before. What happen to the warning and where did the oil go? Is there a recall on the Engine Oil Warning Light?”

NHTSA complaint #11525801, filed 2023-06

“The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving to the residence at a moderate speed, the oil warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The following day, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine even though an oil change had been performed a month earlier. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, where an oil change was performed. …”

NHTSA complaint #11695227, filed 2025-10, 149,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that shortly after an oil change was performed, the Low Oil icon was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced excessive oil consumption, and the oil dipstick indicated that the engine oil level was low. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11694693, filed 2025-10, 120,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was a scraping and clicking sound coming from the engine. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and coasted off the highway. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11475960, filed 2022-07, 106,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. While the contact’s daughter was driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle started bucking and shaking abnormally. The warning light indicating that the oil level was low had flashed on the screen. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and waited for the contact to arrive on scene. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that the oil level was extremely low. The contact added oil to the engine, and the dipstick failed to indicate the oil level until there was a quart full. …”

NHTSA complaint #11744684, filed 2026-06, 75,314 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2018134%
2017164%
201634%
201556%
2014106%
2013115%

Other parts of the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport

Engine
199 complaints
Brakes
49 complaints
Other or unknown
39 complaints
Fuel system
33 complaints
Electrical system
21 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
18 complaints
Vehicle speed control
10 complaints
Air bags
7 complaints
Exterior lighting
7 complaints
Body and structure
5 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology