2018 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 55 of 108 complaints (51%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 962 in 2017 to 108 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–3,300 | 2,600–3,300 | 2,600–3,300 | 2,500–3,300 | 2,500–2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–23 | 19–24 | 19–24 | 19–25 | 22–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–20 / 22–27 | 17–21 / 22–28 | 17–21 / 22–28 | 17–22 / 22–29 | 20–22 / 26–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 387–476 | 379–475 | 379–475 | 362–479 | 362–411 | |
| Complaints filed | 236 | 962 | 108 | 196 | 208 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 14 | 6 | 16 | 13 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 23 | 4 | 11 | 8 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 18 | 6 | 10 | 15 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
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 Sep 16, 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: 55 of 108 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.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (10)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg | 28 mpg (high) | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 388 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 410 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 21 mpg (high) | 27 mpg | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 379 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 396 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 406 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg | 24 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 425 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 18 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 427 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 17 mpg (low) | 23 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 457 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.3L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 433 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.3L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 475 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 55 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 19 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 7 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
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 21, 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.