The Lemon Index

All cars · Hyundai Santa Fe · 2018

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index69100 = average car
Complaints85NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold117,038U.S. model year
Per 100K sold73complaints
Year rank#4 of 21#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 6

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (S6)FWD20 / 28 / 23Regular$2,700
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (S6)AWD19 / 26 / 22Regular$2,850
2.4L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD21 / 27 / 24Regular$2,600
2.4L 4-cylAuto (S6)AWD20 / 26 / 22Regular$2,850
3.3L 6-cylAuto (S6)FWD18 / 25 / 21Regular$2,950
3.3L 6-cylAuto (S6)AWD18 / 24 / 20Regular$3,100

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 10,000 and 97,000 miles. Median 40,600, from 132 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine63,00012,600–105,80066
Brakes125,00061,000–160,0007
Fuel or ev drive system27,0006,300–39,5009
Electrical20,00010,300–59,4008
Transmission & drivetrain700100–6,0007

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Engine40%
Speed control11%
Fuel or ev drive system11%
Steering9%
Lights8%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
43213128033

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 5

  • 22V810000 Oct 2022 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip / Control Unit/Module

    Defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. 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.

    Risk. 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, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 16, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 237. This recall is an expansion of recall 22V-056.

  • 22V056000 Feb 2022 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip / Control Unit/Module

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 18V118000 Feb 2018 Steering / Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 17V801000 Dec 2017 Air Bags / Side/Window

    Defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The side curtain air bags on these vehicles have a component that may detach during deployment of the inflatable curtain air bag.

    Risk. If the component detaches during deployment, the curtain air bag may not inflate properly during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, if the detached component were to enter the vehicle occupant compartment, there could be an increased risk of occupant injury.

    Remedy. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver and passenger side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 171.

  • 17V577000 Sep 2017 Suspension / Front / Springs / Coil Springs

    Defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The front coil springs may have been improperly manufactured and, as a result, may fracture under certain loads while driving.

    Risk. If the coil spring fractures, it can puncture the tire, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. All of the affected vehicles are currently unsold on dealer lots. Dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge prior to the vehicle's sale. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 167.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023–
ClosedLoss of motive power20222023

Manufacturer communications 210

Hyundai filed 210 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 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?

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2013–2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, 21.9M views.

TopicVideosViews
Gauges, lights & wiring61.1M
Transmission & shifter3501K
Driveshaft, axles & 4x41480K
Brakes & ABS4397K
Infotainment, battery & electrical2190K
Windows, doors & mirrors1157K
Oil changes & service175K
Timing chain & engine175K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20155057118,134Engine
20163850131,257Fuel or ev drive system
2017212298133,171Transmission & drivetrain
20186985117,038Engine
20197496127,373Engine
20209592100,757Engine
2021124134112,071Transmission & drivetrain

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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