2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Fuel System Problems

33 owners have reported fuel & propulsion system problems with the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport to NHTSA — 10% of all 323 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 38,000 miles. That ranks #1 of 6 Santa Fe Sport model years for fuel system complaints (a typical year has 10). No fuel system recall has been issued for this model year.

33complaints
38ktypical miles
0related recalls
0crashes
0fires
3injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    350%
  • 25k–50k
    233%
  • 50k–75k
    117%
  • 75k–100k
    00%
  • 100k–150k
    00%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

2018 Santa Fe Sport had been leaking a few little oil spots in my garage . First noticed the problem at about 80k miles. Took it for an oil change and the technician told us he had a lot of complaints on this model vehicle. Fast forward a few months at our next oill change (3 thousand miles later) and the technician told us we were almost completely out of oil. We took the vehicle to the Hyundai dealership and we were told there was nothing wrong, no oil leaks detected. We were then having to bring the vehicle in to the oil change place in between regularly scheduled oil changes and top off the oil (sometimes taking 3-4 quarts in between oil changes). Coming home from the ballpark a few weeks ago we exited the freeway and the vehicle started shaking and losing power and the check engine light came on. …

Jul 2022

Vehicle has an excessive oil intake and it is constantly blowing out the spark plugs and coil packs causing poor performance on the vehicle overall. My vehicle's VIN number was listed as a qualifier in a class action lawsuit, but the manufacturer says it is not making the noise it needs to make in order to have it checked. Was also informed I need to pull out my spark plugs and clean them regularly because of the oil buildup. This problem has caused other problems with the performance of the car the excessive oil intake has caused countless problems terrible performance of the vehicle and is attributing to other poor performance issues. This has been an ongoing problem and have only recently been told by the dealership of this instance. Even though my vehicle is one of the ones in the extended recall because it's not making the noise they like they won't do anything about it. …

Feb 2021

My 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport equipped with a Theta II GDI engine began exhibiting excessive oil consumption, engine knocking, and cylinder misfires consistent with the known Theta II engine defect covered under the Hyundai class action settlement. Prior to the failure, the check engine light illuminated and I experienced repeated misfires and audible engine knocking. The vehicle required frequent oil additions between oil changes due to excessive consumption. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Hyundai dealership where a diagnosis confirmed a burnt valve inside the cylinder head. The dealership recommends replacement of the cylinder head or complete engine replacement to correct the issue. The dealership performed a bearing failure test and attributed the burnt valve to carbon buildup. …

Mar 2026

Bought this as a used vehicle with around 77k miles. The SUV was running fine for a little while until I drove onto the highway. It eventually began to bog down and there was hesitation and jumping instead of acceleration. This continued my entire trip home with the check engine light on. The car was only driven for about 300-400 miles in the time I had it. When I brought it to have an oil change, they found metal shavings in the oil. From what I've been reading, this has been a common problem for this vehicle. It has been sitting in a Hyundai service center for at least a month now with no real responses from Hyundai themselves. They told me they would not fix the problem due to lack of maintenance from prior owners and that they were marking my title (doesn't make sense since I bought this with a clean title). …

Aug 2026

I bought a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe from a dealership in May of 2023. Ever since then I have paid around $8,000 in repairs for this car. These repairs have been so expensive and time consuming that last year I wasn't able to drive it for 6 months because it was in the shop for most of the year. I had to fix the Fuel pump, the Battery, timing chain valve TWICE, O2 sensor , Catalytic Converter, Engine valve, cylinder 1 & 3 and NOW I have to fix cylinder 2 & 4 & that cost again around $2,000 to fix. I am constantly stressed out, crying and becoming broke because I have to keep on repairing this car. I use up all of my tows every year because my car always shuts off on me while I am driving. I am at the point where I want a refund on the car and I want to get rid of this vehicle. …

Mar 2026

I just got Hyundai SUV last December and already cause problem with engine and abs, after I found out that it is recalled a while ago. First ABS, I was going to fix that but all attention to me is engine light then found out it is High pressure fuel pump then burning oil that I smelled something isn't right. I feel it's not safe to drive and I spoke to mechanic, He told me take it back to dealership that they gave me a lemon Hyundai.. I talked to the dealership mechanic shop and never tell me anything how much for high pressure fuel pump? SO I already saw my SUV problem and I decided to check website for Hyundai recalled, that what I had right now.. It's only 6 years old and only 90,000 mileages on that SUV. That smell is very odd and it will cause engine fire..

Apr 2024

The check engine light has gone on three times in the last 18 months. Vehicle has 62,000 miles on it. The first 2 times the issue was with the fuel injectors. All 4 injectors were replaced the first time about 31,000 miles on car and the 2nd time needed to cleaned manifold and reset injectors. today's issue was malfunctioning high pressure fuel pump that leaked into the crank case. The codes for the two most recent repairs are available at Lia Huyndai 645 central ave albany ny. All 3 cases have been confirmed by dealer (Fucillo or Lia). There is one common theme "fuel" involved in all of the warning light problem/code. I have also have a case opened in customer affairs with Hyundai Case #21254176

Apr 2023

The acceleration of the vehicle from a stop. Whether from a stop sign, stop light, even sometimes after slowing down after a turn. It hesitates while the gas pedal is still being applied. Causing the vehicle to slow and other vehicles are forced to brake. The engine does not rev and the tachometer does not move. There are no warnings lights or vehicle notifications. After several attempts to bring it to the dealership, they are never able to replicate the issue. The OBD scans show no issues. It has never been a constant problem, however it remains as a "hit or miss" issue. Could be days of no problems and then popping back up every stop.

Jan 2021

While driving in the Highway, my car lost engine power and lead to my car run no more than 40 miles per hour, after this I took my car to the garage and the said it was the knock sensor that course this issue. After being in the garage, my car knock sensor was replace for a new one to make sure this was giving good reads and while driving in a two way street it happen again and I believe this could be very dangerous if it happen while passing another car on in a crossway. Yes. Yes. As soon it happen the check engine light started blinking. It happens 3 times end of Nov 2023, early December and late December 2023.

Dec 2023

This car is burning excessive amounts of oil. I care for it diligently with regular oil changes and scheduled maintenance. Earlier this summer, Capital Tire and Service confirmed that the engine light was on due to a knock sensor likely caused by low oil. At their advisement I ran a consumption test; 800 miles later the engine was nearly empty of with another engine light signal. This light went off after adding 5 quarts of oil. I am routinely adding extra oil, hoping the engine does not seize, and waiting to see if Hyundai will issue a recall. This vehicle is not safe to drive.

Jul 2024

Fuel System complaints in other Santa Fe Sport years

2013201420152016201720181110352833
Fuel System complaints per model year, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport.

Frequently asked questions

How common are fuel system problems on the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?

NHTSA has 33 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, 10% of the model year's 323 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport fuel system problems?

No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.

At what mileage do 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport fuel system problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.