2018 Hyundai Santa FE Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 2%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 31,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE, 2% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Driving a rental car at 4:30 a.m. On country road attempting to catch our flight back home. After driving approx. 20 minutes, headlights went out and dashboard lights. We had no visibility, attempted to stop vehicle, left pavement and struck a tree. During our week rental of this vehicle we did have issues with SUV losing power when climbing a hill, but not a steep one at all. Suv would drop at least 10 MPH when doing so. Not sure if these two issues are related at all.”
NHTSA complaint #11320011, filed 2020-04, 60,000 miles“Led headlights particularly on unlighted roads present a darken shadow on the top half of the windshield while car is in motion. Narrowing view is a safety hazard as one is unable to see approaching traffic or pedestrians. Dealership and Hyundai customer support stated that headlights meet specs. Service manager drove car at night and told me that he sees the issue but has no fix. Hyundai customer support said it was not a warranty issue, but a design issue and I could modify the headlights at my expense and break the warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #11120572, filed 2018-08, 2,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11025476Nov 6, 2025This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp…
- 10178175Jul 14, 2020This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. The…
- 10129908Feb 7, 2018This TSB provides information on the headlight pattern changes on certain 2018 MY Sonata (LFa), Elantra (ADa)(AD), Elantra GT (PD), Santa Fe Sport (AN), and Santa Fe (NC).
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 1% |
| 2023 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 0% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 9 | 4% |
| 2014 | 11 | 2% |
| 2013 | 16 | 3% |
| 2012 | 14 | 4% |
| 2011 | 14 | 8% |
| 2010 | 7 | 3% |
| 2009 | 9 | 3% |
| 2008 | 11 | 2% |
| 2007 | 43 | 6% |
| 2006 | 9 | 8% |
| 2005 | 5 | 2% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE
54 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE
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