2018 Hyundai Santa Fe problems and complaints

Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The most-reported areas: Engine (53), Service Brakes (19), Unknown Or Other (12).

Key takeaways

  • 108 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 6 involve a crash, 4 a fire, 6 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine5349%
Service Brakes1918%
Unknown Or Other1211%
Hydraulic1211%
Power Train109%
Electrical System98%
Steering87%
Air Bags66%
Fuel/Propulsion System55%
Vehicle Speed Control55%
Engine And Engine Cooling33%
Seats33%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD5/54/55/54/5
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD5/54/55/54/5

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Engine,engine And Engine Cooling - filed 2026-06-16

See attached letter for complaint

Power Train,service Brakes - filed 2026-05-02

On April 13, 2026, I arrived home and parked the vehicle, engaging the traditional shifter into the "Park" position and turning off the engine. After exiting and standing on the ground to retrieve a purse from the cabin, the vehicle spontaneously and rapidly began reversing. ​As the vehicle gained momentum, I was stru...

Engine - filed 2026-04-11

My wife was driving the vehicle by the left lane on route 9A northbound on elmsford at a speed around 35 mph. The vehicle suddenly came to stop completely while driving. My wife tried to start it but it didn't start. We called the police to come help us due to the ongoing traffic while the towing was on its way. Our me...

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More for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.