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2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Common Problems

Ranked from 174 federal NHTSA complaints. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.

3
Safety
5
High severity
3
Medium
2
Low
3 problems on this vehicle involve a crash, fire, or injury risk. If you are experiencing one, stop driving and have it inspected.

13 Common Problems

Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.

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  1. 1

    Engine Knocking and Misfires

    47complaints
    Safety riskEngine

    The engine produces knocking sounds and misfires, indicating potential internal engine failure.

    $200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 14 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  2. 2

    Engine Light Flashes and Check Engine Warning

    46complaints
    High severityEngine

    The check engine light frequently flashes or stays on, indicating potential engine malfunction.

    $100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 12 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  3. 3

    High Oil Consumption

    42complaints
    Safety riskEngine

    The engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, leading to frequent oil changes and potential engine failure.

    $400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 314 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  4. 4

    Excessive Oil Consumption

    39complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine consumes an abnormally high amount of oil, often requiring frequent refills.

    $400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 314 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  5. 5

    Engine Failure Leading to Stalling

    33complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine frequently stalls, especially at higher speeds or under load, posing a safety risk.

    $4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 1220 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  6. 6

    Engine Backfiring and Misfiring

    30complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine backfires and misfires, leading to poor performance and potential safety risks.

  7. 7

    Engine Seizure

    24complaints
    Safety riskEngine

    The engine may seize, potentially leading to a loss of power and a crash or fire hazard.

    $4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 1220 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  8. 8

    Recall repair delays

    11complaints
    Low severityOther

    The manufacturer has not provided the necessary parts for the NHTSA recall campaign in a timely manner.

  9. 9

    Engine Failure During Operation

    8complaints
    High severityEngine

    The engine fails during operation, causing the vehicle to lose power and potentially stall on the road.

    $4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 1220 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  10. 10

    Air Bag System Issues

    5complaints
    Low severityOther

    Issues with the air bag system, including non-deployment during collisions and warning lights.

  11. 11

    Engine Stall During Acceleration After Stopping

    5complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine stalls or does not accelerate properly after stopping, leading to potential collisions.

    $150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 15 hrs labor
    Get local quotes
  12. 12

    Fuel System Leaks

    5complaints
    Medium severityOther

    The fuel system experiences leaks, leading to oil contamination and potential engine failure.

  13. 13

    Engine Stalling and Jerking

    2complaints
    Medium severityEngine

    The engine stalls and jerks unpredictably, especially at higher speeds, leading to loss of control and potential accidents.

    $150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 15 hrs labor
    Get local quotes

Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.