8.7

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,039 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Owner Comments

problem #9

Apr 192024

Santa Fe Sport

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving my 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport in freeway traffic, I felt the vehicle begin to heavily vibrate and the engine was jerking severely. The speed began to slowly descend. I was unable to control this. I was in a one-lane overpass, with no safe place, room, or lane to pull over. I felt hopeless and fearful for my life. I was literally drifting, praying the vehicle would be able to handle the descent upward. As the speed declined, the vibrations became more pronounced. No dash lights were illuminated. Other drivers behind me were approaching rapidly at the speed limit and slamming on their brakes and hazard lights in an attempt to notify drivers further back. I managed to maneuver over to approximately 24 inches of a faux shoulder on the right of [XXX]. Cars hurled past mine within inches of my vehicle. I knew I needed to get out of the car and crawled over to the passenger side. Again, I was trapped. Several HPD units were dispatched to literally shut down the freeway to enable a tow truck driver to safely hook up my SUV. I had it towed to my mechanic and he did a diagnostic indicating a compression issue. He ordered new spark plus and 4 new coils. Upon further investigation he discovered that Cylinder 4 was not holding compression and he informed me that the engine had failed. I then had it towed to the local Hyundai dealer. At check in, I was informed that there would be a $700 diagnostic/tear apart fee to discover what repairs were needed. I informed them exactly what was needed and I expected a new engine. The Hyundai mechanic dismantled the engine and took pictures, ran a few tests. He submitted the results to Hyundai for approval. The engineer at Hyundai denied a new engine claiming "the head coil is not part of the recall". I was told for $2500, Hyundai would "refab" my damaged head to control the leaks. If that repair didn't address the issue, I was sure to get a new engine. A financial and physical risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #8

Jan 012021

Santa Fe Sport

  • miles
The acceleration of the vehicle from a stop. Whether from a stop sign, stop light, even sometimes after slowing down after a turn. It hesitates while the gas pedal is still being applied. Causing the vehicle to slow and other vehicles are forced to brake. The engine does not rev and the tachometer does not move. There are no warnings lights or vehicle notifications. After several attempts to bring it to the dealership, they are never able to replicate the issue. The OBD scans show no issues. It has never been a constant problem, however it remains as a "hit or miss" issue. Could be days of no problems and then popping back up every stop.

- Manteno , IL, USA

problem #7

Mar 032023

Santa Fe Sport

  • miles
Within the last few weeks my 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV has been experiencing few noticeable issues. 1st my vehicle doesn-??t want to start when I turn the key, I have to open the door close it then try again and it will turn over to start. 2nd recently driving on the highway my vehicle slowed all the way down and started jerking like it wanted to cut off. I would push my accelerator down as far as possible and it will still go slow and not speed up.3rd my vehicle is making a throttle/knocking noise and a blinking check engine light is on as well.

- Berkeley, MO, USA

problem #6

Sep 232022

Santa Fe Sport

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car Engine stopped working while I was driving to work. Middle of traffic was not safe and the safety of others was effected because my car was unable to move, it was a high risk dangerous situation. Problem was reported to mechanic as well as insurance company (geico) car was pushed by strangers into a nearby parking lot, which then I waited for a towing truck. The car was inspected by a mechanic who then told me to have it inspected by Hyundai and Hyundai has told me due to lack of maintenance my car stopped working and there is nothing they can do. I am insulted by the lack of concern Hyundai has had for what they have put me and my livelihood through. I am aware of the recall on these vehicles. Engine :2.4L I4 DGI DOHC 16V. The Engine light came on I had it diagnosed immediately-??I was told my cam shaft and knock sensors needed replacement, they were replaced. Engine light goes off for 24 hours until it comes back on and once it came back on my car couldn-??t go over a certain speed, and it died in the middle of traffic.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #5

Mar 102018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 300 miles
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.

- Chatsworth, GA, USA

problem #4

Oct 102018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 14,000 miles
While driving to work, the car maintained the speed despite the fact that the gas pedal was not pressed. The odometer stayed at 4 for no reasons. It was a very scary experience.

- Severn, MD, USA

problem #3

Jul 082018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 12,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Several incidents of stalling when making turns from stops or yields with slow acceleration. Intermittent incidents, though seem to be more noticeable with A/C running. My Hyundai Santa Fe sport, 2018, AWD, does have approximately 12,000 miles on it. When pulling onto the busy highway near where we live, a left turn with prompt acceleration is critical. On about 6 incidents, including 2 in the last week, I have started the turn, then lost acceleration, put the pedal to the floor then it would hesitate for another 1-2 seconds, then jerk up to 7000rpm and the traction control would kick in (light on dash comes on), then takes off quickly. Thus far, no one has been in harms way, however, I fear it will happen. On 7/12/2018 I did take to kc summers Hyundai in mattoon, il. They performed a full inspection, took it for test drive, ran diagnostics and found nothing. I was told there was nothing showing on the computer either. No tsb's. they encouraged me to bring it in each time it occurs in the future. No complaints about the service. I did provide them with the other complaints on this site from many others about this problem and asked them to keep it in my file.

- Mattoon, IL, USA

problem #2

Apr 072018

Santa Fe Sport 4-cyl

  • 1,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe sport. While the vehicle was stopped at a stop light and attempting to make a left turn, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate and went into idle mode. The contact had to pump the accelerator pedal several times for the vehicle to move. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact called a local dealer (fitzgerald's countryside Hyundai, 27419 U S highway 19 N, clearwater, fl 33761, (727) 799-1800) where a service appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,000.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #1

Oct 192017

Santa Fe Sport

  • 50 miles
Vehicle has no acceleration after a stop. When taking off from a stop sign or stop light the vehicle does not respond when stepping on the gas pedal putting our lives in danger of a collision. Seems to happen when switching from eco to normal mode. It has happened multiple times in the short month I have owned it. No indicator lights or visual items to prove it. It just does not accelerate. I have to turn car off and back on to get it to kick in.

- Moore, OK, USA

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