The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 398,418 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 143 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC22V0560002022-02-03357,348 affected
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…
STEERING18V1180002018-02-1741,070 affected
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
53
3fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
12
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
12
1fires
POWER TRAIN
10
1crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9
2fires
STEERING
8
SERVICE BRAKES
7
2crashes2injuries
AIR BAGS
5
4crashes4injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
5
1fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints143
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“See attached letter for complaint”
“See attached letter for complaint”
“On april 13, 2026, I arrived home and parked the vehicle, engaging the traditional shifter into the "park" position and turning off the engine. After exiting and standing on the ground to retrieve a purse from the cabin, the vehicle spontaneously and rapidly began reversing. ​as the vehicle…”
“On april 13, 2026, I arrived home and parked the vehicle, engaging the traditional shifter into the "park" position and turning off the engine. After exiting and standing on the ground to retrieve a purse from the cabin, the vehicle spontaneously and rapidly began reversing. ​as the vehicle…”
“My wife was driving the vehicle by the left lane on route 9a northbound on elmsford at a speed around 35 mph. The vehicle suddenly came to stop completely while driving. My wife tried to start it but it didn't start. We called the police to come help us due to the ongoing traffic while the towing…”
“Engine issues: a week ago, on two separate occasions, my santa fe cutoff while driving suddenly. A day later, I noticed a rhythmic knocking upon starting my vehicle. The knocking would increase during acceleration and decrease when I let off. I am only at 83,000 miles on this 2018 vehicle. I took…”
“Catastrophic engine failure - cam phasers blew apart and severely cracked the valve covers. This occurred with no prior warning lights. Minutes before failure, there was engine hesitation and noise and then severely reduced power, causing a safety issue while driving. Vehicle was towed to local…”
“Engine stopped abruptly without warning while driving vehicle.”
Defect investigations
InvestigationAQ23002 Opened 2023-11-17 · open
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured…
InvestigationDP22003 Opened 2022-09-12 · closed 2023-12-12
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.