The Lemon Index2018 Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe is better than average by owner complaints: 85 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 69, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 19 to 24 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Santa Fe year is 2016.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2013–2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, 21.9M views. The 2018 is the same generation.
- Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
How to Replace Headlight Bulbs - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)Virar Automotive · 354K views · 6 videos - Transmission & shifter501K views
How to change the transmission fluid on a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2WDVlad S · 281K views · 3 videos - Driveshaft, axles & 4x4480K views
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe 4x4 - Offroad Demo RunAutoXan · 480K views - Brakes & ABS397K views
Replace Brake Light Bulb - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)Virar Automotive · 196K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Infotainment, battery & electrical190K views
![How to [EASILY] Replace the Battery - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bohu2M2cwkE/mqdefault.jpg)
How to [EASILY] Replace the Battery - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)Virar Automotive · 112K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors157K views
REPAIRING broken lower door molding garnish 2014 hyundai santa fe 877222W000CALive Free · 157K views - Oil changes & service75K views
How to Change Engine Oil 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa FeTRQ · 75K views - Timing chain & engine75K views
![How to Check and Fill Fluids [COMPLETE GUIDE] - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q0OkNUpu1gw/mqdefault.jpg)
How to Check and Fill Fluids [COMPLETE GUIDE] - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)Virar Automotive · 75K views
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Hyundai Santa Fe SUV 3rd Generation 2013-181A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 1.0M views
2016 Kia Sorento vs. Hyundai Santa Fe Mashup Drag Race ReviewThe Fast Lane Car · 1.2M views
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD on & off-road ReviewThe Fast Lane Car · 612K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 432 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Santa Fe year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 10K to 97K miles on the car (132 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 12K–105K miles
Recalls 5
- brakes 2022
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.
- brakes 2022
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
- steering 2018
The steering wheel assembly may break, possibly resulting in the steering wheel separating from the steering column while driving.
Show all 5 recalls
- airbags 2017
The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.
- suspension 2017
The front coil springs may have been improperly manufactured and, as a result, may fracture under certain loads while driving.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 210 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a Check Engine light on and one or more of the…
- If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a ?Check Engine Light on?
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2700–3400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Has a hesitation when you press on accelerator from stop and then suddenly take off fast.
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe owner · NHTSA complaint 11144434
More owner reports
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.
NHTSA complaint 11139483
Engine noise when starting Hyundai Santa fe 2018 stationary
NHTSA complaint 11202644
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 69; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Santa Fe year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (40%), speed control (11%) and fuel or ev drive system (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
5 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
19 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 10,000 and 97,000 miles. The middle report was at 40,600 miles, from 132 complaints.
Does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $3400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Santa Fe year is better than the 2018?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works