2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 199about this part
- Share
- 61%of 324 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 199 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport, 61% of the 324 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have been stopped at a single light (on a state highway) and waiting to turn left but when I accelerated the vehicle did not go. But in a second it took off but I braked because by now it was not safe/clear to go. Also, when I use cruse it goes down hill while raising the rpms (always), this is my third Hyundai vehicle therefore I have never had this happen before.”
NHTSA complaint #11362263, filed 2020-10, 300 miles“My car is 6months old with 7600 miles on it. I stopped at a red light. My car began to shake/shudder and then shut off. I had to try and restart it 4 times before it successfully restarted. This happened on a city street, thankfully right before getting on the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11184588, filed 2019-03, 7,600 miles“While driving my practically new 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport with 11,653 miles, it suddenly jerked out of cruise at 65 MPH and the dashboard lit up along with the touch screen that said to call customer care immediately. A nice man at the other end of the phone checked my car as I was driving but could find nothing after running the diagnostic. He said I should be able to drive it about another 300 miles but should get to my dealership as soon as possible. …”
NHTSA complaint #11218574, filed 2019-06, 11,653 miles“On 2/19/2019 an update for the knock sensor was done on my vehicle. After the update I was driving on an entrance ramp to the highway when my vehicle lost power upon acceleration. I was told by the dealership this is called limp home mode. I was told by the dealership it is likely due to the update done on the knock sensor and to drive it to their dealership. I did not feel it was safe to drive any further than necessary so I had it towed . The dealer ran a diagnostic and it came back it needs a new engine. The current engine only has approx. 13,000 miles on the odometer. …”
NHTSA complaint #11183289, filed 2019-02, 12,500 miles“80 miles into a weeks vacation my engine light came on, car was still drivable, backtracked 20 miles to dealer, left my nice car (11,000 miles)there for the week while using a rental car with 177,000 miles on it. Problem was pertaining to campaign 953 engine problems. A wiring harness was put in, and the dealer updated the software that had been updated that march, and they said that was all fixed. I have watched the video on this campaign problem, and it scares me where I cannot take my car out of town/on vacations out west! If this engine fails, I wouldn't always be able to get to a dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #11316882, filed 2020-03, 11,312 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11038458Oct 8, 2026Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure…
- 11038456Oct 7, 2026Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures…
- 11033700May 21, 2026Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air…
- 11033699May 21, 2026Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. This bulletin…
- 11033705May 19, 2026Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start…
- 11033701May 19, 2026Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start…
- 11031416Apr 14, 2026Certain 2019 – 2020 model year Santa Fe, 2017 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2015 – 2019 model year Sonata, and 2018 – 2021 model year Tucson vehicles may exhibit elevated…
- 11030625Mar 30, 2026Hyundai Motor America is currently investigating an ongoing issue with software GDS event #1383 related to 2015MY Sonata (LFA) 2.4L vehicles. The matter is currently being…
- 11030619Mar 30, 2026Hyundai Motor America is currently investigating an ongoing issue with software GDS event #1383 related to 2015MY Sonata (LFA) 2.4L vehicles. The matter is currently being…
- 11029941Mar 6, 2026Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. Technical Service…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport
49 complaintsOther or unknown
39 complaintsFuel system
33 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaintsForward 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