Home · 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · Complaints

What 414 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

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 (414)Crash / fire / injury (25)Engine (239)Brakes (67)Fuel system (37)Electrical system (26)Transmission & drivetrain (24)Engine & cooling (15)Speed control (15)Airbags (12)Steering (10)Lights (9)

Newest first · 414 complaints · page 15 of 17

Jul 22, 2020Fuel system

I WAS DRIVING A FEW MONTHS AGO AND AFTER GETTING FUEL MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I DROVE IT FOR A WHILE AND IT CLEARED ITSELF. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO IT CAME ON ABOUT 50 MILES AFTER PUTTING FUEL INTO IT AND GOT IT CLEARED BY SOMEONE WITH OBS II READER. SINCE THEN IVE PUT ABOUT 2000 MILES ON MY CAR AND IT CAME ON AGAIN ABOUT 50 MILES AFTER PUTTING FUEL INTO IT. I REPLACED THE GAS CAP MAKING SURE IT WENT ON CORRECTLY BUT NOTHING. I SMELT LEAKING FUMES WITH THE GAS CAP ON. IM TAKING IT TO A REPAIR SHOP TOMORROW TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT.

NHTSA ODI 11341026

Jun 13, 2020Fuel system

SEVERE ACCELERATION HESITATION AFTER STOPPING, WHEN MAKING SLOW SPEED TURNS AND AFTER HITTING SLOW SPEED DIPS OR BUMPS. VEHICLE GIVES INTERMITTENT WARNING OF ROLLOVER OR EXCESSIVE VEHICLE ANGEL. THIS OCCURES DURING GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS, HOWEVER, THIS BEHAVIOR CREATES COLLISION AND SAFETY HAZARDS, AS THE FUEL SYSTEM APPEARS TO BE SHUT DOWN AS IF A ROLLOVER HAS OCCURED, WHEN IT HAS NOT!!

NHTSA ODI 11328646

Jun 9, 2020

ONE DAY FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE BSD SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327913

May 3, 2020

THE REAR CAMERA HAS A BLUE SCREEN THIS IS KNOWN FOR HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. ALSO MY SUV RAN HOT WHILE DRIVING. THE SUV IS ONLY 2 YEARS WHY IS THE ANTIFREEZE/COOLANT RAN OUT. IT WAS BONE DRY. TALK TO CAR SHOP AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER PUMP USUALLY HO OUT ON THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. ALSO MY SUV ACT LIKE IT DONT WANT EXCELLARATE AND SWITCH GEARS ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING.

NHTSA ODI 11323084

Apr 2, 2020LightsAirbagsBody & structureCrash2 injuries

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 ODI 11320011

Mar 8, 2020Electrical systemEngine

80 MILES INTO A WEEKS VACATION MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CAR WAS STILL DRIVABLE, BACKTRACKED 20 MILES TO DEALER, LEFT MY NICE CAR (11,000 MILES)THERE FOR THE WEEK WHILE USING A RENTAL CAR WITH 177,000 MILES ON IT. PROBLEM WAS PERTAINING TO CAMPAIGN 953 ENGINE PROBLEMS. A WIRING HARNESS WAS PUT IN, AND THE DEALER UPDATED THE SOFTWARE THAT HAD BEEN UPDATED THAT MARCH, AND THEY SAID THAT WAS ALL FIXED. I HAVE WATCHED THE VIDEO ON THIS CAMPAIGN PROBLEM, AND IT SCARES ME WHERE I CANNOT TAKE MY CAR OUT OF TOWN/ON VACATIONS OUT WEST! IF THIS ENGINE FAILS, I WOULDN'T ALWAYS BE ABLE TO GET TO A DEALER. I'M LIVING IN THE FEAR OF THIS, AND AM SUPPOSED TO HAVE "PEACE OF MIND" ENJOYING MY NICE CAR? I HAD TO LEAVE VACATION A DAY EARLY( RESORT PAID FOR THAT FINAL NIGHT WE DIDN'T GET TO ENJOY), SPENT THAT NIGHT IN HOTEL, JUST TO GET TO THAT DEALER TO PICK UP MY CAR BEFORE THEIR CLOSING TIME. I HAD TO FIGHT TO GET THE FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CAR RENTAL AND ONE NIGHT HOTEL BILL. THROUGH THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE, HYUNDAI FINALLY PAID THAT WHICH WAS ONLY FAIR WHEN A RECALL WAS INVOLVED! NOW I FIND THAT I HAVE CANCELLED GOING TO OUT OF TOWN FUNERALS, AND SHORT WEEKEND VACATIONS, BECAUSE MY ENGINE COULD GO OUT. I HAVE ASKED FOR A NEW ENGINE, AND THE LAST MESSAGE FROM HYUNDAI WAS ALL ABOUT MY CAR DOESN'T FIT THE DESCRIPTION FOR THE LEMON LAW....WHICH I HAVE NEVER MENTIONED.I HAVE ASKED FOR STATISTICS ON HOW MANY ENGINES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS CAMPAIGN 953 ISSUE, BUT NO ONE HAS ANY! IS THIS TRUE?? HOW CAN I GET MY ENGINE REPLACED, SO I CAN ENJOY MY CAR? THAT VIDEO SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN OUT THERE IF I AND OTHERS HAVE TO KEEP DRIVING WITH AN ENGINE THAT CAN BE DANGEROUS IN MANY WAYS!

NHTSA ODI 11316882

Mar 7, 2020Engine

EVERYTIME I ACCELERATE THERE IS A HORRIBLE . AND SOMETIMES WHEN COMING DOWN FROM ACCELERATING TO STOP IT SEEM TO BE GRINDING. THERE IS A SLIPPING SOUND THAT COMES AND GOES. ON CITY STREETS AND TURNING

NHTSA ODI 11316688

Feb 8, 2020SteeringElectrical system

6 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASE A BRAND NEW 2018 SANTA FE GRANDE MY VEHICLE START CUTTING OFF WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL A CERTAIN WAY I REPORTED IT TO THE COMPANY IT WILL NOT DETECT ON THE MACHINES SO THEY CANNOT FIX IT SO I'M STUCK WITH A CAR THAT CONTINUE TO CUT OFF AND NOBODY KNOWS WHY

NHTSA ODI 11307896

Dec 17, 2019

MY VEHICLE HESITATES RANDOMLY UPON ACCELERATION AFTER HAVING STOPPED.....GOING FROM FIRST GEAR TO THIRD....IT FEELS LIKE IT IS ABOUT TO STALL, SO I LET UP ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN IMMEDIATELY PRESS IT AGAIN TO ACCELORATE.....AS I THEN ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD ABRUPTLY, JERKING EVERYONE INSIDE THE VEHICLE....IN READING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, IT SEEMS TO HAVE OCCURED IN YOUR 2017 SANTA FE SPORT SUVS.....

NHTSA ODI 11289538

Dec 17, 2019Steering

STEERING EXHIBITS "STICTION" AFTER DRIVING FOR 20-30 MINUTES. THIS BECOMES WORSE AS SPEED IS INCREASED. SMALL MOVEMENTS OF THE WHEEL PRODUCE NO STEERING EFFECT BUT RESISTANCE IS FELT. WHEN THE RESISTANCE IS OVERCOME, THE RESULT IS SLIGHT OVER STEER. UNDER THESE CONDITIONS IT IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN STRAIT LINE AS CONSTANT CORRECTIONS AND RE-CORRECTIONS ARE REQUIRED BACK AND FORTH. THE EFFECT IS THAT THE STEERING FEELS TO "FREEZE" UNTIL A MINIMUM BREAK OUT FORCE IS APPLIED, RESULTING IN AN OVERSHOOT PAST THE INTENDED POINT. IT IS SIMILARLY NECESSARY TO APPLY A POSITIVE RETURN TO CENTER FORCE TO RETURN TO STRAIT, AS THE NORMALLY PRESENT SELF CENTERING FEEL IS NOT PRESENT FOR SMALL STEERING ANGLES. THE PROBLEM CAN SOMETIMES BE DETECTED AFTER BEING AT REST FOR A FEW MOMENTS BUT IS NOT INTRUSIVE AT SLOW SPEED. HOWEVER, FROM ~40 UP IT IS VERY TIRING TO STAY IN LANE. HAVE WORKED WITH ONE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A SAS CALIBRATION WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THEY CLAIM "CANNOT REPRODUCE" BUT SPEND MOST EFFORT TRYING TO PERSUADE ME THAT THE STEERING IS NORMAL. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE DID NOT SHOW UP UNTIL ~ 10,000 MILES WHICH INCLUDED LONG ROAD TRIPS ON THE INTERSTATE WITH NO ISSUES. HAVE REFERRED ISSUE TO HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS WHO HAVE ASKED ME TO WORK WITH ANOTHER DEALER - CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A CALL BACK.

NHTSA ODI 11289739

Dec 13, 2019Lights

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN JUNE 2018 AND NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH HEADLIGHTS, SHADOW ON ROADWAY WHEN DRIVING. I NOTICED IN HOUSING THAT THERE WERE FINGER PRINTS ON LENSES AND TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER FOR REMEDY...THEY REPLACED HEADLIGHT ON DRIVER'S SIDE. DID NOT THINK ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT IT UNTIL I DROVE THE VEHICLE DURING DARKNESS. SHADOWS WERE OBSERVED ON SIDE OF ROAD THAT COULD AND DID HIDE BIKERS/WALKERS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION OF THE LIGHTS WHILE PARKED, I NOTICED THAT THESE SHADOWS WERE ALSO OBSERVED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. PASSENGERS IN VEHICLE ALSO NOTICED HEADLIGHT PROBLEMS ON BOTH SIDES OF VEHICLE. I CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS MADE THAT WAY DURING MANUFACTURING. AS TIME PASSED, ANYTIME THAT I TOOK VEHICLE OUT DURING NIGHT TIME HOURS, WHETHER ON THE HIGHWAY, INTERSTATE, OR COUNTRY ROAD, THESE DARK SPOTS WERE ALWAYS VISIBLE AND CONTINUE TO PREVENT ME AS A DRIVER FROM SEEING THE ROADWAY IN ITS ENTIRETY. A PHOTO IS ATTACHED THAT WAS TAKEN TODAY, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED AND HAVE MET WITH NO SOLUTION BEING OFFERED BY THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. I DECIDED TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT ON THIS ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE'S LIGHTING PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 11288886

Dec 8, 2019Speed control

SLOW TO ACCELERATED I HAVE TO RE PRESS THE PEDAL JUST TO TRY AN SPEED UP ON THE HIGHWAY IM GETTING HONKED AT TRYING TO GO UP HILLS I HAVE TO PRESS IT TO THE FLOOR TO GO UP HILLS AN IT IDLES OUT AN ITS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY I CANT GO PAST 50MPH AN I USE SPORT MODE ITS DOSNT HELP IT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IN ALL THE HYUNDAI CARS .

NHTSA ODI 11287809

Nov 23, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

THE COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS THE ACCELERATION FROM EITHER A ROLLING SLOW OR FROM A STOP TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC OR OPEN LANE NEXT TO YOU ON THE FREEWAY. WHEN YOU NEED ACCELERATE I'M GETTING A SEVERE LAG OR NORESPONSE FROM THE ACCELERATOR. IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS I'VE HAD TWO OCCASIONS WHERE I NEEDED SOME QUICK ACCELERATION IN ORDER TO AVOID A BAD SITUATION AND THE CAR JUST BASICALLY DIDN'T ACCELERATE CAUSING THE OTHER DRIVERS TO HAVE TO BRAKE IN ORDER TO AVOID A NEAR COLLISION. I'VE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THIS CAR NOW SINCE I PURCHASED IT. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD ONE OF THE SERVICE TECHS DRIVE WITH ME SAID WELL IT WAS IN THE ECO-MODE SO YOU CAN EXPECT THAT BUT I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT WHEN YOU PUSH ON ACCELERATOR THE CAR DANGEROUSLY HESITATES AND IS GOING TO GET SOMEBODY BADLY INJURED. SO TODAY IT HAPPENED TO ME AGAIN ON NORTHBOUND I-5 IN TACOMA, WA, I WAS TRYING TO GET INTO ANOTHER LANE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC I HAD ACCELERATE QUICKLY THE CAR JUST SEVERELY HESITATED FOR 1-2 SECONDS AND DID NOTHING??. AFTER THIS INCIDENT I DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN RENTON WASHINGTON AND TOLD THEM THAT I WOULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE UNTIL SOMEBODY LOOKED AT IT THAT THERE WAS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT SOMEBODY WAS GOING TO GET HURT BADLY. IT APPEARS THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE.. I HAVE A 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE ULTIMATE 2.0 ALL WHEEL DRIVE. I TRIED TESTING IT IN SPORT MODE TO SEE IF THE PERFORMANCE WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT BETTER AND IT DID ALSO HESITATE IN THE SPORT MODE AS WELL. WHEN YOU PUNCH THE ACCELERATOR FROM A CREEPING SPEED OR A ROLLING IN SLOW TRAFFIC AND WANTING TO ACCELERATE TO A DIFFERENT LANE OR COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS REALLY WHEN YOU NOTICE ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN, PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11281944

Oct 18, 2019Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S FATHER WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS HOME, THE CONTACT OPENED THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD BURNED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREEN HYUNDAI (1200 S DIRKSEN PKWY, SPRINGFIELD, IL 62703, (217) 525-1370) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT COVER WAS CUT BY AN OBJECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE SEAT AND CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS BURNED BY A FAULTY SEAT WARMER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 23,845. *LN*JB *TP

NHTSA ODI 11269420

Sep 25, 2019Electrical systemLightsFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AND SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE PRESENT UNDER THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FLAMES WERE EXTINGUISHED BY THE CAMPUS POLICE PRIOR TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S ARRIVAL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCONNECTED THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY. A CAMPUS POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WERE FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ODI 11257938

Sep 9, 2019EngineFuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. WHILE DRIVING WITH A HALF TANK OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO STALL ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST AND THE VEHICLE RAN COMPLETELY OUT OF FUEL AS SHE PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE STATE POLICE PULLED UP BEHIND HER AND ORDERED HER TO GET AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FUEL AND FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO M.J. SULLIVAN HYUNDAI (452 BROAD ST C, NEW LONDON, CT 06320, 860-437-6179) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TWO FUEL INJECTORS WERE STUCK OPEN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL WAS IN THE OIL PAN DUE TO THE DIPSTICK. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED THAT THEY REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS, DRAIN THE OIL, AND PLACE NEW OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER STATED THAT WAS ALL THEY WOULD DO TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO GET A CASE FOR A POSSIBLE BUYBACK. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE BUYBACK REQUEST AND OFFERED ONE MONTH CAR PAYMENT TO RESOLVE THE MATTER. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED THE CONTACT REACH OUT TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETRIEVED AND DRIVEN TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,210. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11254135

Jul 19, 2019Electrical systemFire

I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT A HOT SMELL IN MY CAR ON TUESDAY. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE INSPECTION. THURSDAY MORNING THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR A SHORT TIME AND PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY AFTER. APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS TO TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATER THE CAR CAB WAS FULL OF SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT BOTH ARRIVED ON SCENE.

NHTSA ODI 11233444

Jul 19, 2019Engine

A RECALL LETTER FROM HYUNDAI ON MY 2018 SANTA FE ON A KNOCK SENSOR TOOK IT TO MY DEALERSHIP THEY DID WHAT EVER THE RECALL WAS 3 MILES DOWN THE ROAD MY CAR WENT INTP LIMP MODE TOOK ME FROM 70MPH TO 30 CALL THE DEALER HAD TO LIMP IT BACK THEY HAH IT FOR 3 WEEKS HAD THE WIRE HARNESS REPLACED ASKED THEY HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH THIS AS WE WERE GOING ON VACATON THEY SAID NO HALF WAY THROUGH OUR TRIP TO SOUTH DAKOTA IT WENT INTO LIMP MODE AGAIN THIS TIME THE SPEED WAS 80MPH ON THE HIGHWAY I CALLED HYUNDAI DOESNT SEEM THEY CARE IF WE WERE KILLED OR NOT OFFERED A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS OUR VACATION WAS RUINED I DONT FEEL SAFE IN THIS SUV BUT CANT SEEM TO GET HELP FROM HYUNDAI I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE

NHTSA ODI 11233455

Jun 22, 2019BrakesCrash

I SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT ON JUNE 11, #11219391 BUT HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE, AND IT DOES NOT SHOW AS A FILED COMPLAINT. PLEASE ADVISE THE STATUS OF THIS COMPLAINT. THANKS

NHTSA ODI 11221829

Jun 12, 2019Fire

IN AUGUST OF 2018, MY 3 MONTH OLD SANTA FE SPORT CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. I WAS DRIVING ON THE NJ TURNPIKE HEADED TO OBX FOR VACATION. I WAS FOLLOWING MY SISTER DOWN WHEN THEY STOPPED TO LET THEIR DOG OUT AT A REST AREA. I PULLED INTO THE SPACE NEXT TO THEM AND AS SOON AS I TURNED THE CAR OFF, IT WENT UP IN FLAMES. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPT ARRIVED IT WAS ENGULFED AND I LOST EVERYTHING.

NHTSA ODI 11219462

Jun 11, 2019BrakesCrash

I RENTED THE VEHICLE FROM ENTERPRISE RENT A CAR ON MAY 28. IT SEEMED TO RUN FINE THEN AND ON THE MORNING OF MAY 29. BUT ABOUT 3.45P.M. I WAS DRIVING ON CITY STREETS IN ARCADIA TO MY DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT WHEN I SAW A CAR AHEAD OF ME SUDDENLY PUT ON ITS BRAKE LIGHTS. I PRESSED MY BRAKES, BUT MY CAR DID NOT SLOW. I HAD TO SWERVE AROUND THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE BRAKES STARTED WORKING AGAIN. AT THE NEXT TRAFFIC LIGHT, I MADE A LEFT BEHIND ANOTHER CAR. AT THE NEXT TRAFFIC LIGHT, I WAS GOING TO MAKE A RIGHT BEHIND THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. IT WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I WAS ABOUT 50 YARDS AWAY, WHEN I PRESSED ON MY BRAKES, BUT THE CAR DID NOT SLOW. I PRESSED AS HARD AS I COULD, BUT THE CAR KEPT GOING AND GOING AND REAR-ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IT THEN JUMPED BACK AND HIT THE OTHER CAR AGAIN. IT WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE. TO THE BEST OF MY RECOLLECTION, I HAVE NOT CAUSED A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS. THE OTHER DRIVER AND I PULLED OVER AND EXCHANGED INFORMATION. BADLY SHAKEN, I DROVE TO MY DOCTOR'S OFFICE AND TOLD HIM ABOUT IT. UPON LEAVING HIS OFFICE, I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY IN HIS PARKING LOT BECAUSE OF THE BRAKES,, BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AGAIN. THIS TERRIFIED ME AS THE TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD AHEAD WAS FULL OF CARS. AS I WENT OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE BRAKES CAME BACK ON. I DROVE HOME AT ABOUT 15 MPH, AND ABOUT 100 YARDS BEHIND ANY OTHER CAR. I WAS VERY AFRAID. I PARKED MY CAR AT HOME. THE NEXT DAY, I CALLED ENTERPRISE TO HAVE THEM TOW THE CAR AWAY. AAA CAME AND DID THAT ON MAY 30.

NHTSA ODI 11219391

Jun 7, 2019Engine

WHILE DRIVING MY PRACTICALLY NEW 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT WITH 11,653 MILES, IT SUDDENLY JERKED OUT OF CRUISE AT 65 MPH AND THE DASHBOARD LIT UP ALONG WITH THE TOUCH SCREEN THAT SAID TO CALL CUSTOMER CARE IMMEDIATELY. A NICE MAN AT THE OTHER END OF THE PHONE CHECKED MY CAR AS I WAS DRIVING BUT COULD FIND NOTHING AFTER RUNNING THE DIAGNOSTIC. HE SAID I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DRIVE IT ABOUT ANOTHER 300 MILES BUT SHOULD GET TO MY DEALERSHIP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I TOLD HIM I WAS OVER 300 MILES FROM HOME SO HE HELPED LOCATE A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP CLOSER AND I HEADED THAT WAY WHILE STILL TALKING TO THE CUSTOMER CARE GUY. AS I WAS GETTING ON THE ON-RAMP TO TRAVEL I-35, THE CAR JERKED AND ACTED LIKE IT LOST POWER AND I PULLED OVER. THE GUY CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO COME AFTER THE CAR AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. MY CAR WENT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING EITHER AND SAID THEY HAD TO WAIT ON HYUNDAI CORPORATE TO AUTHORIZE THEM TO CHECK THE ENGINE. THAT TOOK SEVERAL MORE DAYS BUT ONCE THEY RECEIVED THE AUTHORIZATION, THEY DROPPED THE OIL PAN AND FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL WHICH INDICATED MY ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND WOULD NEED A REPLACEMENT. INITIALLY, THEY SAID IT MIGHT TAKE UP TO 6 WEEKS. AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CALLS HYUNDAI FINALLY ASSIGNED ME A CASE NUMBER AND A CASE MANAGER. THE CASE MANAGER WAS WORTHLESS, WOULD NOT RETURN MY CALLS OR SEND ANY UPDATES ABOUT THE STATUS OF MY VEHICLE. FINALLY, HYUNDAI CORPORATE ASSIGNED ME ANOTHER CASE MANAGER AND AFTER LOOKING AT MY STATE'S LEMON LAWS, I ASKED THEM TO BUY MY CAR BACK FROM ME. THE SECOND CASE MANAGER SENT ME A LETTER ASKING FOR SOME DOCUMENTATION AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD SEND A RE-PURCHASE OFFER. THAT WAS OVER A MONTH AGO AND I STILL HAVE HEARD NOTHING FROM HYUNDAI. IT HAS NOW BEEN 83 DAYS SINCE MY CAR QUIT WITH NO RESOLUTION IN SIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11218574

May 3, 2019Body & structureFuel system

THE BRACKET HOLDING THE CHARCOAL CANISTER BROKE AND THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED

NHTSA ODI 11205431

Apr 20, 2019Engine

ENGINE NOISE WHEN STARTING HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2018 STATIONARY

NHTSA ODI 11202644

Apr 9, 2019Engine

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF, IT HAS BEEN AT THE HYUNDAI GARAGE IN DUBOIS, PA FOR 3 WEEKS WAITING FOR A NEW ENGINE AND IT IS A NEW VEHICLE WITH ONLY 12.600 MILES?

NHTSA ODI 11194945

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Working with the data? Download all 414 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 23, 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 Sport verdict →