2018 Hyundai Santa fe problems

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The Hyundai Santa Fe (Korean: 현대 싼타페) is an automobile produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 2000. It is a five-door crossover SUV that either has front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. It is named after the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and was introduced for the 2001 model year as Hyundai's first SUV. The Santa Fe was a milestone in the company's restructuring program of the late 1990s because the SUV was a hit with American buyers. Between 2006 and 2012, the Santa Fe was positioned between the smaller Tucson compact crossover and the larger Veracruz.

The third-generation Santa Fe introduced in 2012 was available in two versions, which are regular (short) and extended long-wheelbase version. The short model was sold as the Santa Fe Sport in North America (three-row seating was not available) and simply Santa Fe in global markets (three-row seating was standard or optional), while the extended long-wheelbase model is called the Santa Fe in the US, Santa Fe XL in Canada and called the Hyundai Maxcruz in South Korea. The fifth and current generation was released in 2023 and omits diesel engines in favor of petrol hybrid powertrains.

As of 2022, the Santa Fe is positioned between the smaller Tucson – which the Santa Fe shares platform with – and the larger Palisade in Hyundai's global crossover SUV line-up.

2018 Hyundai Santa fe

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Common 2018 Hyundai Santa fe problems

Based on complaints from owners of the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, several common problems have been reported:

  1. Squeaking Noises from Alternator Belt: Owners have reported squeaking noises from the alternator belt around 70,000 miles. This issue is attributed to the accessory drive belts wearing out as the vehicle ages, requiring replacement at an average cost of around $350 depending on local labor rates.
  2. Excessive Oil Consumption: Another prevalent problem is excessive oil consumption at around 50,000 miles. This issue arises as engine seals wear out, leading to oil burning. While regular oil top-offs can manage this problem, replacing engine seals can cost over $1,000.
  3. Black Smoke During Cold Starts: Some Santa Fe models exhibit black smoke during cold starts at around 10,000 miles. This occurs when the vehicle's cold start mode adds extra fuel to the engine in freezing temperatures, resulting in normal but visible black smoke in the exhaust.
  4. Recalls: The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe has two recalls. The first involves the steering wheel potentially detaching from the steering column, which Hyundai will replace for free on affected models. The second recall pertains to the ABS unit, which may have electrical issues that could lead to a fire. Hyundai offers free replacement of the ABS multi-fuse on affected models.

These issues highlight common concerns reported by owners of the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, ranging from belt and oil consumption problems to recalls addressing safety-related issues.

2018 Hyundai Santa fe engine

What is common problem in Hyundai Santa Fe?

Some of the common issues reported by owners, according to RepairPal, include: Transmission Problems. Engine Issues. Suspension Problems.

What is the engine failure on the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?

The Problem: In the affected Santa Fes, the crankshaft assemblies may have been produced with surface irregularities in the crankshaft pin, causing engine-bearing wear that may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

How many miles will a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe last?

200,000 to 250,000 miles

Hyundai Santa Fe

The average lifespan of this popular SUV is 200,000 to 250,000 miles or 13 to 17 years. It can probably reach beyond 250,000 miles if you're a mindful driver who keeps up with routine maintenance.

What is the electrical problem with the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving. This new recall is in addition to the 2016-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles recalled earlier this year for the same safety defect.

2018 Hyundai Santa fe car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Hyundai Santa fe problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Engine problems
  • Service brakes problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Unknown or other problems
  • Steering problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2018 Hyundai Santa fe vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 2018 Hyundai Santa fe

The NHTSA has received 86 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Hyundai Santa fe. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2018 Hyundai Santa fe vehicles.

2024-10-22

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-12
  • VIN: KM8SR4HF0JU
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while conducting a routine inspection on the vehicle, the contact noticed that the coolant was low in the coolant reservoir. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer where the vehicle was inspected. The contact was informed that engine needed to be replaced. The dealer suggested that the vehicle remain at the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.
2024-09-16

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-13
  • VIN: KM8SN4HF4JU
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that there were holes underneath the front driver’s and passenger’s side seats. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the seats were removed; however, the seats were not replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
2024-09-05

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-01-25
  • VIN: 5XYW3LB4JG5
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: See attached document for complaint.
2024-08-26

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
  • VIN: KM8SMDHF6JU
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: I am the original owner almost at the end of my powertain warranty. At 93 - 94,000 I started to notice whe accelerating, like a distinct shift into different gears at anywhere between 5-7miles and in incrediments up to 40-45 mph. I have brought to the dealer and this week, will be the four time, which they keep telling me if they can not get a code or necessarily re enact there is nothing they can do. I currently have 97,000 and am bringing it back in this week. PLease help.
2024-08-06

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1992-02-25
  • VIN: KM8SRDHF8JU
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: My driver side passenger door will not open from the inside or the outside. You can hear the locking mechanism lock and unlock, however the door is stuck shut. It locked my 2 year old in. Put her in, drove about 15 minutes down the road then was no longer able to open her door. This is obviously not safe for anyone of any age. There are multiple forums of multiple people with the same issue with a malfunction of Hyundais doors. Hyundai needs to make their vehicle safe.
2024-08-05

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-14
  • VIN: KM8SNDHF1JU
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe SE with 98000. miles lost power while driving, would not accelerate. No warning prior to event. No check engine light prior.Had the vehicle towed to Dealership for diagnostics. Dealership technician pulled codes P0018; P0300; P0302; P0304; P0306. I was told the repairs needed were: Replace left intake camshaft, CVVT, and timing chain tensioner. I had requested the dealership contact the National Consumer Affairs for Hyundai Motor America to put in a claim on the 100,000. mile warranty. After several weeks they declined to fix or offset the repair costs for this claim. they stated the following; "HMA Is Declining To Provide Assistance Due To The Malfunction Being Out Of Warranty Caused By The Time In Service And Mileage Of The Vehicle. No Goodwill Assistance Is Being Offered At This Time." I believe that that this issue is a common occurrence after reading many other customer complaints with the same issues. Why would HMA state "no assistance at this time". It appears that they would rather ignore this concern until the car is past the warranty period.
2024-07-11

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-21
  • VIN: KM8SMDHF0JU
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
  • Summary: June 21, 2024. During travel at high speed (70mph) on NYS Thruway, engine began making loud noise. sounded like something was loose and flapping. WITHOUT WARNING- no instrument warning lights came on, engine seized and power stopped. At no time during my drive did I observe any instrument warning lights. I was able to get over to the side of the road. The temperature gauge remained unchanged. I was concerned about fire in the engine and got as far away from the car as possible. I was 200 miles into my 300 mile journey. After waiting over an hour to have my car towed to the dealer, I was told that there were 3 Hyundai's with similar issues the week before and that the car would likely need an engine replacement due to "excessive oil consumption". This issue is a safety risk as it could have resulted in catastrophic engine fire, as well as safety issues on the Thruway with other cars and lots of traffic. Engines are backordered. Dealer did a full inspection and submitted paperwork on June 28, 2024 to Hyundai for a decision on whether this is covered under warranty. I was told we would have an answer within a few hours. Have been assigned a "liason" with Hyundai and have been in regular contact. However, Hyundai has asked for an additonal time in order to make a decision. No word as of July 11, 2024.
2024-07-06

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-29
  • VIN: KM8SR4HF0JU
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
  • Summary: I was driving going around 50 and put on my brakes after that the abs light Epb light and cruise control lights all came on and my car wouldnt stop unless I preessed very hard on brakes. and other lights on my dashboard came on then the next day I was driving to work and almost wrecked and my car wouldn't stop I had it towed in to cooks automotive and the seals had exploded on the master and cylinder and the booster.also the abs motor would not turn off and my cruise control went out I paid over 1300.00 to get my car fixed but the mechanic informed me that it should have not happened and there was a recall on my year hyundai. Now after almost paying and loosing a weeks worth of work because of malfunction in the vehicle.
2024-06-19

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-26
  • VIN: KM8SM4HF3JU
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: May 26, 2024 I was driving on a freeway with my grandson. I heard a knocking/clicking sound from my 2018 Santa Fe. No warning lights came on. The car lost all power. I had to navigate the traffic and coast to a stop. Unfortunately we were on the side of the freeway right before a very busy entrance ramp. An 18 wheeler swerved to avoid hitting us. That's when I decided it was not safe to wait in the car for a tow truck. My car was taken to a Hyundai dealership. We received a call that the engine needs to be replaced and was quoted $20,000 for a new engine.I have spoken with a case manager at Hyundia corporate. He says they are waiting on the dealership to request a goodwill warranty because my car was 3,000 miles outside of the 100000 mile warranty. The dealership was suppose to submit it last week but as of today it has not been done. I looked to see if there were any recalls or class action suits for my make and model. That's when I discovered my vehicle has some outstanding safety recalls. I was never notified of these recalls.
2024-06-06

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-04-24
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: 1)CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS,2)STOP DRIVING IT,3)YES,4)YES,5)NO THIS IS THE 3.3 LITER ENGINE AND IT START KNOCKING
2024-05-24

SERVICE BRAKES,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-24
  • VIN: KM8SR4HF0JU
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES,BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
  • Summary: I stepped on the brakes and all the aeb warning collision warning went on and I turn my car off and it still sounds like something is running
2024-04-12

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-04-06
  • VIN: KM8SMDHF0JU
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: The engine started exhibiting consumption of oil and knocking around 84,000mi had the car towed to the shop. Don’t have much faith they will do anything even though it is a certified preowned.
2024-04-11

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-04-07
  • VIN: KM8SRDHF9JU
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: My Hyundai Santa Fe’s engine blew up while I was driving it and everything shut down without warning. I was stuck in the middle of a busy 4 way stop until I was pushed into a parking lot so I could get towed. There was no warning lights such as oil, engine lights, no sensors what so ever!!! It had begun burning oil and I made an appointment to get it checked but the oil was not low this time. I was told that the 3.3/6 cylinders engine isn’t in the recall list and is out of warranty at 123,000 miles so they won’t help replace the engine!! This is a $40000 vehicle!!! I’ve looked online and from what I’ve read there are many many people suffering the same issue with this engine but it’s not part of the class action lawsuit. PLEASE PLEASE HELP. I cannot afford a new engine or a new car.
2024-04-02

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-04-01
  • VIN: KM8SRDHF6JU
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: My vehicle was turning off without any warning, last oil change was in October 2023, and had the oil changed this month. Engine started making loud noises from top, and eventually louder knocking noises from below. We towed vehicle to the dealer where we purchased at Balise Hyundia in Springfield MA. The vehicle has 84,000 miles and we've always maintained it. There were no warning indicators that there was an issue with the engine. After further research I've discovered numerous articles and complaints regarding Hyundai's 3.3-liter engine after certain number of miles. The engines are failing, and I'm concerned we may be victims of an issue that has existed with these engines. This is a safety issue because there is no warning the engine is failing, the car turns off without warning, and the potential of an overheating engine causing a seizure and fire is always a concern.
2024-04-02

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-03-16
  • VIN: KM8SR4HF9JU
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: Driving at 70 mph and the car’s RPMs dropped. Coasted to exit the highway to find out the car was not accelerating as it should. Took car straight to dealership to drop it off. Have 100,139 miles on the vehicle. Was told by dealership that car was consuming oil. No check engine lights came on, no oil lights on. Nothing. No warning, no smoke, etc. have been told that the car is consuming oil. I was told when I dropped the car off on Saturday there was 1 qt of oil, and by Monday when they test drove the vehicle there was none and the engine had seized up on them in the parking lot. It has now been two weeks. The initial quote given was 11k (if warranty didn’t cover anything). The dealership submitted all maintenance records, registration and the form stating I am the only owner of the vehicle. Friday (XXX) was told warranty would pay 90% and I would be responsible for 10%, did not have an explanation as to why they did not cover all. Ask to get that information. Saturday (XXX) was told warranty would cover 95% and I would cover 5%, awesome. Agreed to get the ball rolling and order parts. Hear from service advisor on XXX, stating that the repairs are now quoted at $23k, so my portion is more. Still no reasoning why. Later found out that Hyundai has discontinued the 11k long block engines, so they are having to order short block engine + all parts to build it. The huge concern is that is ZERO warning. This could have been dangerous had I pulled out in front of a car! I know there are multiple complaints against Hyundai, so I know I am not alone. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-03-12

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-03-11
  • VIN: KM8SM4HF1JU
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: About a week ago the engine started making a strange sound when accelerating at low/mid speed through 2nd and 3rd gear. Best I could describe the sound was "a leaf in a fan blade". About 3 days after that sound started I just happened to be driving with the windows down around 10mph and heard a slight ticking sound. I returned home and immediately checked the oil. Upon opening the hood of the car I saw oil sprayed all over the left side of the engine compartment. When I checked the oil level it was completely empty, but there was standing oil on the skid plate underneath. There were never any warning lights of any kind. Both of the sounds were quiet enough that when the radio was on I couldn't hear them - thankfully I drive with it off most of the time! I parked the car for the weekend, put 4quarts of oil in it Monday morning and drove it to the dealership to drop off. They inspected it and (according to them) found a snapped cam shaft and a cracked timing cover which is where the oil was leaking from while driving. There was also a high amount of metal shavings found when they did a contamination check. This is the primary family car. We use it to go out of town almost every weekend and had just returned home the night before I found the oil leak. With how the oil was spraying across the entire engine compartment and all over the belts this could have very easily resulted in an engine fire at worse or have left us stranded on the side of a busy interstate with a bricked engine along with two adopted foster children with severe PTSD, anxiety, ADHD and extreme behavioral issues when confronted with stressful situations.
2024-03-11

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-03-10
  • VIN: KM8SR4HF2JU
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: Vehicle started normally except for a few chirps that began today, belts are due for replacement so assumed this was it. No unusual noises, behaviors, sounds or performance issues until an hour later; coming to a light where a left turn was to be made, the car started stalling - still no noises or indicators lit. Upon starting the turn the engine shut completely off, and was just barely able to coast to the shoulder. The vehicle’s power completely cut, and attempting to start the vehicle did nothing. Checked the oil, and the dip stick was completely dry, however it was above the low level notch when checked 2,000 miles previously. Upon filling the oil up and jumping the battery which had depleted from sitting with the hazard lights on, the vehicle started but has a very loud knock. With the help of police who had stopped to assist I was able to get the vehicle off of the road and to a safer place to be towed to a nearby shop; have not yet contacted them as they were not open today but I expect the low oil may have caused damage to the engine.
2024-03-11

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-03-02
  • VIN: KM8SRDHF4JU
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. In addition, when the vehicle was restarted, the taillights were inoperable. The contact stated that only the front lights were operable. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, it was nighttime and on a busy dark road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with failed rear toe hitch harness and that the vehicle needed to be re-wired and the toe hitch needed to be removed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 57,720.
2024-02-15

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-02-14
  • VIN: KM8SMDHF4JU
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: Driving at 35 mph, engine lost power and went into limp mode. Check engine light was flashing. Showed code P0018. Catastrophic engine failure. No compression in bank 2 cylinders. Needs an engine replacement. Only 113,000 miles on the engine. No help from Hyundai at all.
2024-02-07

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-10-28
  • VIN: KM8SRDHF8JU
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: The engine has always burned oil very quickly in my opinion. The engine seized despite regular use. The vehicle was just outside of warranty so we have to pay for a new engine.
2023-10-30

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-01-01
  • VIN: KM8SR4HF7JU
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: I have noticed for the past year that my steering column feels loose. It makes a popping noise and really makes noise on rough pavement. I feel like the steering wheel is just gonna come off into my hands. It's very loose to turn and you can feel the pops within the steering wheel. I took my car to local repair shop and they told me there was a recall and that I should take to dealer. I called dealer but my Vin # is not listed within the actual recall. However I read the recall itself and that is what is happening to my Hyundai. It makes no sense that my exact Vin # would not be included in recall since I am having that problem.
2023-10-17

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-10-06
  • VIN: KM8SRDHFXJU
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
  • Summary: We took our 2018 Santa Fe in for service because the check engine light came on and we lost power when accelerating. We were told that it has "catastrophic engine failure" and that we need a full engine replacement. On a less than 5 year old car. We are being blamed for this although we have kept up with regular oil changes and service. We were told that we could not get any warranty on the engine. We have been quoted $7,500 for an engine "replacement" and a 1 year warranty. They do not make the engine any longer so it is not even a true replacement. We brought it in to Hyundai of Metairie. They will not answer or return our calls. Do not buy a hyundai.
2023-09-28

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-08-30
  • VIN: KM8SMDHF5JU
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: My airbag light came on 1000 miles over the warranty mileage while on vacation. Had the issue checked and it was a 'pre tensioner', driver side, that shorted out and in turn shorted out the airbag module. This is a huge safety problem and should not happen. It should also be covered, due to no fault of my own. I have tried to resolve the issue with Hyundai customer care, but no help from them. I had to, because I'm not driving unprotected, get the car fixed on my own. I'm retired, a veteran and on a fixed income. $2300.00 is a lot to absorb. I've asked Hyundai for help, but no response.
2023-09-25

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-09-25
  • VIN: KM8SR4HF4JU
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: Reverse Camera malfunctioning most days. A few days a year it works, but usually it's just a blue screen. Other 3 cameras work fine all the time.
2023-08-24

ENGINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-06-27
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: KM8SR4HF7JU
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal rattling sound and there was fire coming from underneath the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she immediately veered to the side of the road and exited the vehicle with her son. The contact stated that the fire died out before the fire department arrived. A fire department report was filed. There was no police report filed. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that a fractured rod in the engine block had caused the engine to explode, and the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer also informed the contact the fire had burned the electrical wiring. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to cover half of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 142,732.

2018 Hyundai Santa fe recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2018 Hyundai Santa fe.

2022-02-03
  • Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
  • Park Out Side: 1
  • Park Out Side: 1
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
  • Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
  • Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
  • Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.
2018-02-17
  • Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
  • Components: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
  • Summary: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The steering wheel assembly may break, possibly resulting in the steering wheel separating from the steering column while driving.
  • Consequence: A steering wheel separation while driving can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
  • Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will check the production lot number of the steering wheel assembly, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 26, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 173.

Negative 2018 Hyundai Santa fe car reviews

  1. Jalon Hodkiewicz 2024-08-15

    Hello! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are sorry to hear that you have been having issues with your car. It sounds like you have taken great care of it, so it's unfortunate that this has happened. We understand that this must be frustrating for you, especially given the cost of the repairs. We appreciate your feedback and will make sure to pass it along to our team. If there is anything we can do to assist you further, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you for choosing Hyundai and we hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future.

  2. Trenton Abernathy 2024-07-17

    The navigation and voice recognition system may benefit from improvement to enhance its speed and accuracy. As a previous Ford owner, I have experienced a faster and more accurate navigation system. This aspect is a significant factor in my decision not to purchase another Hyundai.

  3. Carey Berge 2024-06-21

    I hope you're doing well! I wanted to share my experience with my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe, which I purchased new in May of 2017 as a graduation present for my granddaughter. It's a beautiful pearlescent white color and has been a fantastic car for her. The car drives smoothly and has only required routine maintenance. However, I have noticed that the paint on the hood has started to come off in large chunks, revealing the metal underneath. I did some research and found that other models, dating back to 2008, have had similar issues with the same color. Unfortunately, the paint warranty has expired (3 years), so I'm not sure if Hyundai will be able to help me with this issue. I reached out to the dealership, and they suggested that I bring the car in for the service manager to take a look. It seems to me that if this has been a known issue since 2008, Hyundai would have taken steps to address it. I will keep you updated on the outcome of my visit to the dealership. Thank you for your time!

  4. Brock Glover 2024-05-29

    This is my second Hyundai and I am a loyal customer. I was initially impressed with the reliability of the Accent, which led me to repurchase the brand. I bought my car brand new from the dealership and have been consistently satisfied with my purchase. I have even considered upgrading to the Genesis, which speaks to my confidence in the brand. While I did experience an unexpected engine failure at 102k miles, the mechanics attributed it to low oil. Despite getting my oil changes at the dealership and having no visible leaks or oil spots, I understand that these things can happen and I still trust in the quality of Hyundai vehicles. Overall, I highly recommend this brand to others looking for a reliable and high-quality car.

  5. Carter Mayert 2024-03-09

    Please be aware that before purchasing a Hyundai, it may be helpful to review comments from multiple platforms online. I recently had an issue with my 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe SE Ultimate with the 3.3L engine, and after speaking with others who have had similar engines, I found that many have experienced engine failure between 90,000 and 110,000 miles, including those with the four-cylinder engine. Unfortunately, Hyundai has not been able to provide support to those affected and has not taken responsibility for the issue. I had to pay $7,000 for a remanufactured engine and labor. While I have had many vehicles over the years, I have never experienced an engine failure at such low mileage. I know of others who have had similar experiences, and I encourage you to do your research and read reviews before making a purchase. While I cannot recommend Hyundai or Kia due to my personal experience, I encourage you to make an informed decision based on your own research. Thank you for taking the time to consider my experience.

Positive 2018 Hyundai Santa fe car reviews

  1. Dexter Swaniawski 2025-01-05

    We were in the market for a mid-sized SUV to replace our beloved 2004 Toyota Highlander. After test driving the new Highlander, we found it difficult to see over the dash and the engine lacked power. We also looked into the Honda Pilot, but it was quite expensive and the dealer was not willing to negotiate much from the MSRP. However, we stumbled upon the Hyundai Santa Fe, which had great reviews on the internet and in Consumer Reports. Although we had never owned a Hyundai before, we decided to give it a try. We chose the Santa Fe SE with the Premium Package based on its features and price, and found a local dealer in Massachusetts. They gave us a fantastic quote over the internet, just a bit over the invoice price. We had a great experience with the Hyundai dealer, who was very helpful throughout the purchase process. The Santa Fe has all the features we wanted, which would have cost us $10K more on the Honda Pilot. We've had the Santa Fe for about 3 months now, and it has been excellent in the NE winter with its AWD and powerful V6 engine. It has a comfortable and quiet ride, and the safety features are top-notch. The rear and 3rd row seats split to allow for skis, which is very useful, and the rear view camera and proximity warning systems on the side mirrors work great. Overall, we are very happy with our decision to go with the Hyundai Santa Fe.My only minor complaints are that the electronic dash system is a bit complicated, the front seatbelt clips are a bit low and I don't like the feel of the leather steering wheel. Also, you can only listen to the radio about 10 minutes without the engine running, then it shuts off. However, I believe that these issues will become less noticeable over time. Overall, I highly recommend test driving the Santa Fe as it is an excellent SUV choice.

  2. Lester Bartoletti 2024-11-07

    I appreciate your feedback. However, I would like to clarify that our assessment of value does take into account the features available in the vehicle. We believe that the features offered contribute significantly to the overall value of the vehicle.

  3. Jason Turner 2024-10-29

    This vehicle is incredibly easy to operate, with nothing too complex. It boasts 290 horsepower and amazing acceleration. The turning radius is impressive, the stereo is nice and loud, and visibility is good. I can't think of a single complaint. I've owned a GMC, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mitchabechi (the worst of them all), and Jeep Liberty beats them all. Just drive one and you'll see what I'm talking about!

  4. Hubert O'Kon 2024-10-24

    I recently had the pleasure of renting a Santa Fe SUV for 10 days and 1000 miles. Although I own an Audi Q5 and Acura MDX, I found the Santa Fe to be a nice car with a lot of great tech features such as blind spot warning, backup camera, smart phone integration, and hill assist. The performance was adequate, although I did feel like I was driving a 4 cylinder due to the engine revving pretty high for just modest acceleration. The handling was okay, but it didn't inspire confidence. The suspension handled rough pavement comfortably, but big bumps, especially in turns, really unsettled the vehicle. The brakes were a bit grabby, which made urgent braking feel like emergent braking. The interior was nicely done, although there was an obvious difference in quality between my own vehicle and this rental. However, I'm sure many readers will consider this an unfair comparison. The visibility out the sides and back was limited, but thankfully the blind spot monitors worked well. I think most people will be really happy with this mid-sized SUV.

  5. Kamren Wunsch 2024-10-18

    I recently purchased a Santa Fe SE Ultimate AWD with Tech Package and was fortunate enough to receive a generous $10,500 employee pricing discount. I must say, this car is worth every penny and more! In fact, I believe it is worth more than what I paid, thanks to the discount. Here in Michigan, Hyundai cars are sold at employee pricing for everyone to compete with the big three. The Santa Fe is truly amazing, boasting all the features of high-end SUVs and even luxury brands like Audi. The cabin is incredibly quiet and the third row is perfect for kids, with convenient USB ports and charging available. With the added safety features that come with the tech package, owning this car is a dream come true. I highly recommend this vehicle, especially due to its high-quality construction and excellent value for money pricing.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2018 Hyundai Santa fe problems:

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Failure : r/Hyundai
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Failure : r/Hyundai
https://www.reddit.com/r/Hyundai/comments/z29zhe/2018_hyundai_santa_fe_engine_failure/

Nov 23, 2022 ... There are lawsuits a mile long against Hyundai for engines with excessive oil consumption and random engine failures. Hyundai is actually having ...

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
https://www.vehiclehistory.com/report/hyundai/santa-fe/2018

Jan 5, 2023 ... Tire pressure issues and oil pan fails. Overall impact on reliability is low but does require more awareness as the driver. Also the Bluetooth ...

Warning to Potential 2017 and 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Owners ...
Warning to Potential 2017 and 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Owners ...
https://www.santafeforums.com/threads/warning-to-potential-2017-and-2018-hyundai-santa-fe-owners.12585/

Jul 5, 2017 ... I believe that anyone considering this vehicle should be made aware of all of these issues, as Hyundai has been anything but forthcoming. And ...

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Problems | Kelley Blue Book
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/hyundai/santa-fe-sport/2018/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 ...

Engine Problem | Hyundai Santa Fe Forums
Engine Problem | Hyundai Santa Fe Forums
https://www.santafeforums.com/threads/engine-problem.17265/

Feb 16, 2022 ... Common problem with the Theta 2 engines in these cars. You should have recived a notification from Hyundai for a software update that would warn ...

Other years of Hyundai Santa fe

hyundai santa fe 2019 photo
Santa fe 2019
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127

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27

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hyundai santa fe 2020 photo
Santa fe 2020
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104

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23

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hyundai santa fe 2021 photo
Santa fe 2021
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131

6

25

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hyundai santa fe 2022 photo
Santa fe 2022
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145

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22

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hyundai santa fe 2023 photo
Santa fe 2023
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135

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24

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hyundai santa fe 2001 photo
Santa fe 2001
Hyundai

212

4

27

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