2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Complaints

DRIVING @60 W/CRUSE ON GOING DOWN A HILL ENGINE RPM'S SUDDENLY JUMP FROM 2000 TO ANYWHERE FROM 3000 TO 5000 RPM'S AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP ENGINE RACING IS TO TAP THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE CRUSE. ALSO VEHICLE WILL NOT SPEED UP WHEN TURNING A CORNER,LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T DOWN SHIFT.THESE BOTH HAPPEN ALL THE TIME.VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 800 MILES.

5/30/2018

WHEN DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD GOING ABOUT 35-40 MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RPMS SPIKED WAY UP AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING. AS I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE BUT THE RPMS WOULD GO EXTREMELY HIGH. EVERY TIME I HAD A STOP LIGHT AND TRIED ACCELERATING ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE AND RPMS WOULD JUST KEEP REVING UP REAL HIGH. I WAS AFRAID I WAS GOING TO GET HIT OR REAR ENDED. HUGE SAFETY CONCERNS.

10/16/2018

OCCASIONALLY STALLS WHEN STOPPED & TAKE OFF & TURN RIGHT OR LEFT AT A SLOW SPEED..ONE T IME DIED COMPLETELY ABLE TO PULL OVER & RESTART ENGINE. HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS. THE DATES IT STALLED ARE 9-14-18 10-5-18 10-18-18 11-16-18 11-28-18 12-04-18

12/26/2018

THE REAR CAMERA HAS A BLUE SCREEN THIS IS KNOWN FOR HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. ALSO MY SUV RAN HOT WHILE DRIVING. THE SUV IS ONLY 2 YEARS WHY IS THE ANTIFREEZE/COOLANT RAN OUT. IT WAS BONE DRY. TALK TO CAR SHOP AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER PUMP USUALLY HO OUT ON THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. ALSO MY SUV ACT LIKE IT DONT WANT EXCELLARATE AND SWITCH GEARS ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING.

5/3/2020

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that she received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

4/7/2022

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

6/10/2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000.

9/4/2018

OCCASIONALLY STALLS WHEN STOPPED & TAKE OFF & TURN RIGHT OR LEFT AT A SLOW SPEED..ONE T IME DIED COMPLETELY ABLE TO PULL OVER & RESTART ENGINE. HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS. THE DATES IT STALLED ARE 9-14-18 10-5-18 10-18-18 11-16-18 11-28-18 12-04-18

12/26/2018

I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT A HOT SMELL IN MY CAR ON TUESDAY. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE INSPECTION. THURSDAY MORNING THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR A SHORT TIME AND PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY AFTER. APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS TO TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATER THE CAR CAB WAS FULL OF SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT BOTH ARRIVED ON SCENE.

7/19/2019

6 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASE A BRAND NEW 2018 SANTA FE GRANDE MY VEHICLE START CUTTING OFF WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL A CERTAIN WAY I REPORTED IT TO THE COMPANY IT WILL NOT DETECT ON THE MACHINES SO THEY CANNOT FIX IT SO I'M STUCK WITH A CAR THAT CONTINUE TO CUT OFF AND NOBODY KNOWS WHY

2/8/2020

STEERING BECOMES UNSTABLE DURING DRIVING ON WINDY DAYS. STEERING TRAYS TO OVER COMPENSATE FOR WIND AND BECOMES SCARY TO DRIVE.

3/17/2018

WE LEASED THIS NEW VEHICLE ON APRIL 21ST 2018. AT THE TIME, WE DID NOT KNOW IT HAD AN OPEN RECALL FOR A FAULTY AND DANGEROUS STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN CONNECTION. WE WERE FINALLY NOTIFIED BY THE DEALERSHIP 2 DAYS AFTER THE SALE ON APRIL 23RD, 2018. ATLANTIC HYUNDAI OF ISLIP, NY TOLD US THAT THEY THEMSELVES WERE JUST NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL, BUT THROUGH A SEARCH I LOCATED ARTICLES SHOWING THAT HYUNDAI MOTORS BEGAN NOTIFYING CUSTOMERS ON MARCH 16TH, 2018, OVER A MONTH EARLIER. MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN WERE ALLOWED TO DRIVE OFF THE LOT IN THIS VEHICLE, WHICH COULD UNKNOWINGLY EXPERIENCE A SEPARATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE BEING DRIVEN. WE WOULD NOT HAVE LEASED THIS VEHICLE IF WE HAD KNOWN ABOUT THE RECALL AND BECAUSE THEY LIED, STATING THAT THEY HAD JUST GOTTEN NOTICE OF THE RECALL.

4/24/2018

YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS TEACHING MY VEHICLE I SUDDENLY MARKED STEERING WHEEL ON THE BOARD. AND ON THE BRAKES EVERY TIME I PUT THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE IT MAKES A LOUD SOUND ON THE LEFT REAR SIDE.

9/26/2018

I was at the Tim Hortons drive-thru stopped behind a car in front of me the car in front of me started to go to the order window , as I let off the brake to start to go my suv took off full speed! I hit the brakes as hard as I could and the car kept moving forward like the throttle was stuck at full acceleration. I wasn't even hitting the gas pedal, after my vehicle struck the car and continued to smash into the car while I was holding a brake I put it in neutral and then the car finally came to a stop. I had 5 children in the car. And I am seeing this being an issue in alot of hyandai vehicles. And alot of complaint with this same issue. If this would have happened on the hiway it could have possibly killed or Injured someone. I am scared to death to drive the vehicle again.

2/3/2022

DRIVING @60 W/CRUSE ON GOING DOWN A HILL ENGINE RPM'S SUDDENLY JUMP FROM 2000 TO ANYWHERE FROM 3000 TO 5000 RPM'S AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP ENGINE RACING IS TO TAP THE BRAKES TO DISENGAGE CRUSE. ALSO VEHICLE WILL NOT SPEED UP WHEN TURNING A CORNER,LIKE THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T DOWN SHIFT.THESE BOTH HAPPEN ALL THE TIME.VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 800 MILES.

5/30/2018

WHEN DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD GOING ABOUT 35-40 MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RPMS SPIKED WAY UP AND THE CAR STARTED SHAKING. AS I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE BUT THE RPMS WOULD GO EXTREMELY HIGH. EVERY TIME I HAD A STOP LIGHT AND TRIED ACCELERATING ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE AND RPMS WOULD JUST KEEP REVING UP REAL HIGH. I WAS AFRAID I WAS GOING TO GET HIT OR REAR ENDED. HUGE SAFETY CONCERNS.

10/16/2018

OCCASIONALLY STALLS WHEN STOPPED & TAKE OFF & TURN RIGHT OR LEFT AT A SLOW SPEED..ONE T IME DIED COMPLETELY ABLE TO PULL OVER & RESTART ENGINE. HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS. THE DATES IT STALLED ARE 9-14-18 10-5-18 10-18-18 11-16-18 11-28-18 12-04-18

12/26/2018

ABOUT A MONTH AGO I WAS DRIVING HOME TO SANTA FE NEW MEXICO WITH MY WIFE AND DOG. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND DIED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CALLED BLUE LINK WHICH IS THE HYUNDAI ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE CLUB AND THEY TOWED MY VEHICLE INTO FIESTA HYUNDAI IN SANTA FE. AT FIRST THEY SAID MY OIL WAS OVER FILLED. I CALLED JIFFY LUBE WHERE I HAD IT SERVICE 5 DAYS PRIOR AND THEY SENT THEIR MANAGER TO HYUNDAI. UPON HIS ARRIVAL THE SERVICE MANAGER AT HYUNDAI SAID THEY MADE A MISTAKE AND IT WAS A FUEL INJECTOR THAT WAS STUCK ON AND FILED THE CYLINDER WITH FUEL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. THEY REPLACE THE FUEL NOZZLE AFTER 3 DAYS I GOT THE VEHICLE BACK AND HEADED TO MCKINNEY TEXAS, I MADE IT TO WICHITA FALLS TEXAS AND THE CAR SPUTTERED AND DIED AGAIN THIS TIME NOT EVEN TURNING OVER WHEN YOU PUSHED THE BUTTON. ONCE AGAIN I CALLED BLUE LINK AND THEY TOWED THE VEHICLE INTO HYUNDAI TO BE SERVICED. THEY CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND ADVISE ME. THEY NEVER CALLED ME BACK SO I HAD TO CALL THEM. THEY SAID THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BLEW OFF. THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE IT IN THE MORNING. THAT NERVE HAPPENED AND THEY HAVE NOT CALLED ME BACK SINCE AND THAT WAS 6 DAYS AGO. THIS VEHICLE POURING FUEL INTO A CYLINDER IS A FIRE HAZARD. THIS TIME IT BUILT UP ENOUGH COMBUSTION TO BLOW THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER COMPLETELY OFF. I DO NOT KNOW THE REASON FOR THIS AS OF YET AS THEY ARE NON RESPONSIVE BUT I HAVE FILED A LEMON LAW CASE AGAINST HYUNDAI AND AM AWAITING THEIR DECISION. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE AND I REFUSE TO GET BACK ONTO IT AGAIN. IT HAS STRANDING MYSELF AND MY FAMILY DOG INCLUDED TWICE NOW ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE ENGINE DIED BOTH TIMES. *TR

4/6/2019

DRIVING A RENTAL CAR AT 4:30 A.M. ON COUNTRY ROAD ATTEMPTING TO CATCH OUR FLIGHT BACK HOME. AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 20 MINUTES, HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS. WE HAD NO VISIBILITY, ATTEMPTED TO STOP VEHICLE, LEFT PAVEMENT AND STRUCK A TREE. DURING OUR WEEK RENTAL OF THIS VEHICLE WE DID HAVE ISSUES WITH SUV LOSING POWER WHEN CLIMBING A HILL, BUT NOT A STEEP ONE AT ALL. SUV WOULD DROP AT LEAST 10 MPH WHEN DOING SO. NOT SURE IF THESE TWO ISSUES ARE RELATED AT ALL.

4/2/2020

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while his fiancee was driving at 45 mph, a deer impacted the driver's side of the vehicle. No air bags deployed. The contact stated the air bag warning light was illuminated after the impact. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medication attention. No police report was filed. The driver continued driving to their residence. The contact took the vehicle to the repair facility, where it was being serviced at the moment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

8/9/2022

LED HEADLIGHTS PARTICULARLY ON UNLIGHTED ROADS PRESENT A DARKEN SHADOW ON THE TOP HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION. NARROWING VIEW IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS ONE IS UNABLE TO SEE APPROACHING TRAFFIC OR PEDESTRIANS. DEALERSHIP AND HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SUPPORT STATED THAT HEADLIGHTS MEET SPECS. SERVICE MANAGER DROVE CAR AT NIGHT AND TOLD ME THAT HE SEES THE ISSUE BUT HAS NO FIX. HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SUPPORT SAID IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE, BUT A DESIGN ISSUE AND I COULD MODIFY THE HEADLIGHTS AT MY EXPENSE AND BREAK THE WARRANTY. I WILL ATTACH A PICTURE AND CAN BRING THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT AGENT TO VALIDATE.

8/17/2018

DRIVING A RENTAL CAR AT 4:30 A.M. ON COUNTRY ROAD ATTEMPTING TO CATCH OUR FLIGHT BACK HOME. AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 20 MINUTES, HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS. WE HAD NO VISIBILITY, ATTEMPTED TO STOP VEHICLE, LEFT PAVEMENT AND STRUCK A TREE. DURING OUR WEEK RENTAL OF THIS VEHICLE WE DID HAVE ISSUES WITH SUV LOSING POWER WHEN CLIMBING A HILL, BUT NOT A STEEP ONE AT ALL. SUV WOULD DROP AT LEAST 10 MPH WHEN DOING SO. NOT SURE IF THESE TWO ISSUES ARE RELATED AT ALL.

4/2/2020

THE DRIVER'S SEAT APPEARS TO BE SET TOO LOW AT THE BACK OF THE SEAT. THE SIDES OF WINGS OF THE BUCKET SEAT ARE TOO HIGH NEAR THE REAR OF THE SEAT. DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN IT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO POSITION THEMSELVES AWAY FROM THE LEFT SIDE WING EITHER FORWARD OR FORWARD AND TOWARDS THE CENTER CONSOLE. I WORRY THAT DUE TO THE POOR SEAT DESIGN SITTING PROPERLY POSITIONED WITHIN THE SEAT IS NOT POSSIBLE BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT SIT COMFORTABLY. IT APPEARS ONLINE THAT MANY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE DRIVER'S SEAT. DURING AN ACCIDENT I BELIEVE GREATER PERSONAL BODILY INJURY COULD OCCUR TO A DRIVER BECAUSE OF THE POOR SEAT DESIGN AND NOT BEING PROPERLY SEATED IN THE SEAT. I HAVE RIDDEN IN THE PASSENGER'S SEAT AND IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. IT MIGHT BE THE OUTER PLASTIC SHROUD ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT THAT CAUSES THE IMPROPER SEATING WITHIN THE VEHICLE. I WORRY FOR MY SAFETY, MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AND OTHER DRIVER'S SAFETY BECAUSE OF THE POOR SEAT DESIGN.

3/22/2019

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that there were holes underneath the front driver’s and passenger’s side seats. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the seats were removed; however, the seats were not replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

9/16/2024

See attached document for complaint.

9/5/2024

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while conducting a routine inspection on the vehicle, the contact noticed that the coolant was low in the coolant reservoir. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer where the vehicle was inspected. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer suggested that the vehicle remain at the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

10/22/2024

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED TO MAKE AN AUDIBLE SOUND WHEN IT WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SPOKANE HYUNDAI (8801 E SPRAGUE AVE, SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99212, (509) 922-1450) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V145000 (SEAT BELTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,500.

11/7/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S FATHER WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS HOME, THE CONTACT OPENED THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD BURNED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREEN HYUNDAI (1200 S DIRKSEN PKWY, SPRINGFIELD, IL 62703, (217) 525-1370) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT COVER WAS CUT BY AN OBJECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE SEAT AND CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS BURNED BY A FAULTY SEAT WARMER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 23,845. *LN*JB *TP

10/18/2019

DRIVING A RENTAL CAR AT 4:30 A.M. ON COUNTRY ROAD ATTEMPTING TO CATCH OUR FLIGHT BACK HOME. AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 20 MINUTES, HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS. WE HAD NO VISIBILITY, ATTEMPTED TO STOP VEHICLE, LEFT PAVEMENT AND STRUCK A TREE. DURING OUR WEEK RENTAL OF THIS VEHICLE WE DID HAVE ISSUES WITH SUV LOSING POWER WHEN CLIMBING A HILL, BUT NOT A STEEP ONE AT ALL. SUV WOULD DROP AT LEAST 10 MPH WHEN DOING SO. NOT SURE IF THESE TWO ISSUES ARE RELATED AT ALL.

4/2/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO TIRES, TIRE LINE: CRUGEN PREMIUM KL33 N/A, TIRE SIZE: 235/55/R19 N/A, THE DOT NUMBER: 000JTYANH4419. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS SHAKING ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT DROVE TO A TIRE SHOP AND NOTICE THAT THE TREAD BELT WAS SEPARATING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, IN APRIL THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 23,758.

9/9/2020

2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES REQUESTING THAT AIRBAG SENSOR IN VEHICLE BE DEACTIVATED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT ACTIVATE DUE TO BEING PETITE. THE CONSUMER QUESTIONED IF THERE WAS A FIX.

8/30/2021

I stepped on the brakes and all the aeb warning collision warning went on and I turn my car off and it still sounds like something is running

5/24/2024

I stepped on the brakes and all the aeb warning collision warning went on and I turn my car off and it still sounds like something is running

5/24/2024

I was driving going around 50 and put on my brakes after that the abs light Epb light and cruise control lights all came on and my car wouldnt stop unless I preessed very hard on brakes. and other lights on my dashboard came on then the next day I was driving to work and almost wrecked and my car wouldn't stop I had it towed in to cooks automotive and the seals had exploded on the master and cylinder and the booster.also the abs motor would not turn off and my cruise control went out I paid over 1300.00 to get my car fixed but the mechanic informed me that it should have not happened and there was a recall on my year hyundai. Now after almost paying and loosing a weeks worth of work because of malfunction in the vehicle.

7/6/2024

I was driving going around 50 and put on my brakes after that the abs light Epb light and cruise control lights all came on and my car wouldnt stop unless I preessed very hard on brakes. and other lights on my dashboard came on then the next day I was driving to work and almost wrecked and my car wouldn't stop I had it towed in to cooks automotive and the seals had exploded on the master and cylinder and the booster.also the abs motor would not turn off and my cruise control went out I paid over 1300.00 to get my car fixed but the mechanic informed me that it should have not happened and there was a recall on my year hyundai. Now after almost paying and loosing a weeks worth of work because of malfunction in the vehicle.

7/6/2024

Rear reverse camera stopped working. Image became grainy, then flickered, then went to a blue screen. Can't see anything behind the vehicle when backing up is a big safety hazard.

4/10/2025