Home · 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev · Complaints

What 108 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (108)Crash / fire / injury (10)Engine (53)Brakes (19)Transmission & drivetrain (10)Electrical system (9)Steering (8)Airbags (6)Fuel system (5)Speed control (5)Engine & cooling (3)Seats (3)

Newest first · 108 complaints · page 3 of 5

Jun 29, 2023AirbagsCrash1 injury

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at 30-35 MPH, the contact was rear-ended by another vehicle, hit on the driver's side by a truck, and rear-ended again; however, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries and received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not deemed totaled. The vehicle was towed to the tow yard. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11529607

Jun 9, 2023Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating, and failed to exceed 65 MPH. The vehicle later lost motive power with the ABS and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

NHTSA ODI 11526196

May 20, 2023AirbagsCrash1 injury

I was T boned on the driver then hit a pole. NO AIRBAGS deployed. I was traveling around 45 mph. Other vehicle speed unknown

NHTSA ODI 11522993

May 12, 2023Engine

I was driving about 60-65 mph on the interstate, and with no dashboard lights illuminated, the car started making a loud clanking noise. Without warning, there was 1 additional loud noise and the engine froze, excessive smoke came from the front of the car and underneath the car. I pulled over to the side of the road. There was an oil trail behind the car and under the car. The car is now being inspected by our local Hyundai dealership and awaiting warranty approval.

NHTSA ODI 11521745

Mar 28, 2023Engine

Losing half a quart of oil every 1000 miles, that would be about 3 quarts every 6000 miles This is not normal for a 2018 car with 65700 miles on it Car had an Oil Consumption Test by dealer No warning lights have come on

NHTSA ODI 11514186

Nov 24, 2022Engine

I bought my 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.3L a year and a half ago with 58k miles from a dealer in Clarksville, MD. On October 18th 2022 with 70k miles my Hyundai Santa Fe starting making a loud noise in engine so I took it to a Hyundai dealer where I was told my engine would need to be replaced and was quoted 19.1k to replace it. I'm the second owner of the car so technically not under warranty. Hyundai is paying half of repair and rental extended warranty is paying the other half and a 10 day rental. Car has been there for a month parts still aren't there and was told it could take months to get my car back.

NHTSA ODI 11494793

Oct 26, 2022Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11491063

Aug 19, 2022Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11480116

Aug 19, 2022Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 22v056000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced the failure. The VIN tool confirms parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11480119

Aug 12, 2022Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect

NHTSA ODI 11479024

Aug 9, 2022AirbagsCrash

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while his fiancee was driving at 45 mph, a deer impacted the driver's side of the vehicle. No air bags deployed. The contact stated the air bag warning light was illuminated after the impact. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medication attention. No police report was filed. The driver continued driving to their residence. The contact took the vehicle to the repair facility, where it was being serviced at the moment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ODI 11478317

Aug 4, 2022Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11477526

Jul 18, 2022Engine

With no dashboard lights illuminated, the engine completely seized while driving 60 MPH on the highway. I was thankfully able to get it off to the side. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership and is currently awaiting a warranty approval for a new engine.

NHTSA ODI 11474623

Jun 28, 2022Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and James Wood Hyundai (2110 US-287, Decatur, TX 76234) were made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11471383

Jun 17, 2022Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brake, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11469801

Jun 17, 2022Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11469806

Jun 10, 2022Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11468632

Jun 10, 2022Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. The contact has stated that the dealer completed the repair.

NHTSA ODI 11468649

Jun 10, 2022Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11468691

Jun 1, 2022Brakes

Hyundai initiated a recall campaign 218 on 02/02/2022 for: VEHICLES THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ("ABS") MODULES THAT COULD MALFUNCTION INTERNALLY AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OVER TIME. URGENT: FIRE RISK WHEN PARKED The manufacturer has FAILED to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner. I am unable to park my vehicle in garage and have not heard any response when this will be remedied.

NHTSA ODI 11466967

Apr 7, 2022Brakes

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that she received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11459973

Apr 5, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle independently came to an abrupt stop. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with alternator, battery, and starter failures. The vehicle was repaired three times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11459689

Feb 10, 2022Engine

The contact’s daughter owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.*TP

NHTSA ODI 11451357

Feb 3, 2022Speed controlBrakesCrash1 injury

I was at the Tim Hortons drive-thru stopped behind a car in front of me the car in front of me started to go to the order window , as I let off the brake to start to go my suv took off full speed! I hit the brakes as hard as I could and the car kept moving forward like the throttle was stuck at full acceleration. I wasn't even hitting the gas pedal, after my vehicle struck the car and continued to smash into the car while I was holding a brake I put it in neutral and then the car finally came to a stop. I had 5 children in the car. And I am seeing this being an issue in alot of hyandai vehicles. And alot of complaint with this same issue. If this would have happened on the hiway it could have possibly killed or Injured someone. I am scared to death to drive the vehicle again.

NHTSA ODI 11450306

Sep 27, 2021

Vehicle lost complete control of steering, as it felt "loose" during a left turn at an intersection. Vehicle could not be controlled by steering wheel causing me to drive into oncoming traffic lanes until vehicle slowed to a stop.

NHTSA ODI 11434581

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Working with the data? Download all 108 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev verdict →