2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 6%of 324 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 700miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport, 6% of the 324 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 700 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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“New car with less than 400 miles. I have experienced 7 episodes during the month of january, where the car fails to accelerate when turning onto a city street. This has happened with both right or left turns to enter traffic from a stop sign. It is just unresponsive for 1-2 seconds then engages with a bit of a jerk. Very frightening! I've had a feeling of panic not knowing if the car will move forward as traffic is approaching. Took to dealership where they checked for DTCS and computer updates. …”
NHTSA complaint #11067331, filed 2018-02, 75 miles“The complaint is in regards the acceleration from either a rolling slow or from a stop to merge into traffic or open lane next to you on the freeway. When you need accelerate I'm getting a severe lag or noresponse from the accelerator. In the last two weeks I've had two occasions where I needed some quick acceleration in order to avoid a bad situation and the car just basically didn't accelerate causing the other drivers to have to brake in order to avoid a near collision. I've been complaining about this issue with this car now since I purchased it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11281944, filed 2019-11, 700 miles“I was slowly crossing three traffic lanes and turning left. No one was coming from the right, so I applied the throttle in the inside lane and nothing happened. The car stalled without warning. It left me in the road and I was t-boned in the driver's door. The other driver was injured, and I have had neck issues. We could have both been killed. The car had stalled once before. I had the car two months with 2,400 miles and now it was declared totaled. I requested the black box to be removed and reviewed. It showed the speed and timing made sense, but why did the car not take off? …”
NHTSA complaint #11083897, filed 2018-04, 2,400 miles“My car cut off in traffic 1 week ago and almost led to an accident. This has been an ongoing issue that I reported 2 years ago with the engine consuming too much oil and ot has been leaking. I have to constantly purchase have oil and spark plugs.”
NHTSA complaint #11577544, filed 2024-03Related service bulletins
- 10253275Apr 9, 2024This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on…
- 10241874Aug 17, 2023Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response…
- 10176195May 21, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with the following symptoms and DTC, follow the Service Procedure on Page 3. ï· Check Engine light on ï· DTC P0880/P088000 - TCM…
- 10176194May 21, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with the following symptoms and DTC, follow the Service Procedure on Page 4. ï· Check Engine light on ï· DTC P0880/P088000 - TCM…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10174800Apr 9, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the oil pressure…
- 10174799Apr 9, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related…
- 10172225Feb 20, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related…
- 10170899Jan 2, 2020This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and repair a transaxle for the following Incorrect Ratio DTC (transaxle clutch slipping more than 200 rpm in gear).
- 10170511Dec 17, 2019If you are servicing a vehicle with a transmission slipping concern, follow the Service Procedure shown below and perform a stall test. This TSB provides a procedure to test each…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport
199 complaintsBrakes
49 complaintsOther or unknown
39 complaintsFuel system
33 complaintsElectrical system
21 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