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Owner report · 2018 model year

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe

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2018 Hyundai Santa Fe
Crash-test image: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Engine

Engine leads by volume: 56 of 110 complaints (51%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 973 in 2017 to 110 in 2018.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
110
Recall campaigns
2
EPA fuel cost per year
$2,600–$3,300
Combined MPG
19–24

Complaints by model year

  1. 2382016
  2. 9732017
  3. 1102018
  4. 2052019
  5. 2182020

Where owners report problems

  1. Engine56 (51%)
  2. Brakes19 (17%)
  3. Other13 (12%)
  4. Transmission & Drivetrain10 (9%)
  5. Electrical9 (8%)
  6. Steering8 (7%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 2018: 5 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category20162017201820192020vs. 2018 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Annual fuel cost ($)2,700–3,3002,600–3,3002,600–3,3002,500–3,3002,500–2,850
Combined MPG19–2319–2419–2419–2522–25
City / Highway MPG17–20 / 22–2717–21 / 22–2817–21 / 22–2817–22 / 22–2920–22 / 26–29
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)387–476379–475379–475362–479362–411
Complaints filed238973110205218Not compared
Recalls issued36222Not compared
Crash-involved complaints81461614Not compared
Fire-involved complaints2235139Not compared
Injuries reported71861015Not compared
Deaths reported00000Not compared
Configurations compared55542

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Engine: 56 of 110 NHTSA complaints (51%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe get?

EPA rates it 19–24 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?

EPA estimates $2,600–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

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EPA-Rated Configurations (10)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic (S6)42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD20 mpg28 mpg (high)23 mpg$2,700388 g/mi
Configuration 2Automatic (S6)42.0LAll-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD19 mpg26 mpg22 mpg$2,850410 g/mi
Configuration 3Automatic (S6)42.4LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD21 mpg (high)27 mpg24 mpg (high)$2,600 (low)379 g/mi (low)
Configuration 4Automatic (S6)42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD20 mpg27 mpg23 mpg$2,700396 g/mi
Configuration 5Automatic (S6)42.4LAll-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD20 mpg26 mpg22 mpg$2,850406 g/mi
Configuration 6Automatic (S6)42.0LAll-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD19 mpg24 mpg21 mpg$2,950425 g/mi
Configuration 7Automatic (S6)63.3LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD18 mpg25 mpg21 mpg$2,950427 g/mi
Configuration 8Automatic (S6)63.3LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD17 mpg (low)23 mpg20 mpg$3,100457 g/mi
Configuration 9Automatic (S6)63.3LAll-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD18 mpg24 mpg20 mpg$3,100433 g/mi
Configuration 10Automatic (S6)63.3LAll-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD17 mpg (low)22 mpg (low)19 mpg (low)$3,300 (high)475 g/mi (high)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine560300
Transmission & Drivetrain101010
Fuel System50100
Electrical90200
Brakes192020
Steering80000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires10000
Airbags & Restraints74040
Driver Assistance & Speed Control71010
Body, Seats & Latches41020
Visibility & Lighting31020
Other130200

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (2)

  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

    Campaign 22V056000 · Feb 3, 2022

    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.
    Consequence
    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.

  • STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

    Campaign 18V118000 · Feb 17, 2018

    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.
    Consequence
    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.