2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Owner Complaints

The engine on this vehicle suffers from a severe oil consumption defect that was first officially reported to the authorized dealership on February 3, 2025 at approximately 90,000 miles while under the factory powertrain warranty. The vehicle completely empties its engine oil supply in under 1,000 miles of normal driving. Running entirely out of oil within such a short interval poses an imminent, extreme risk of sudden engine seizure, catastrophic mechanical failure, and sudden stalling at highway speeds. The manufacturer and dealership have physically documented this rapid depletion of oil over a 17-month period but are refusing to replace the defective components, instead attempting to force this unsafe vehicle back onto public roads for repetitive driving tests.

NHTSA ID

11751139

Incident

Feb 3, 2025

The Hyundai Theta engine is a bad design that has many recalls, a history of oil consumptions, and breakdowns that leave consumers in danger, on the roadside, and out of money. This engine has a design that causes worn engine components and high oil consumption causing reduced engine power, ruined spark plugs, and engine damage with no recourse as a owner. Recently, my family member had a hesitation that causes the car to run rough and display a check engine light. She was in traffic and the vehicle was stopping. Had this been on the interstate it could have been deadly. This IS NOT UNCOMMON for these vehicles. A quick Google search is nationwide proof of an issue with these vehicles and engines that the government needs to hold Hyundai accountable. This particular vehicle has been assessed by a Hyundai and confirmed it is consuming oil at a higher rate than normal, as many other owners have documented. With this most recent issue of stalling out, the mechanic indicated that excessive oil consumption entering the spark plug port has fouled the spark plugs as the design of the engine is flawed. The oil consumption was discovered at approximately 99,000 miles and several steps were completed to "fix" and confirm the issue. There is no "real fix" to the issue due to the inherent design of the motor. Again, this is not a new issue with these cars and there should be recourse that holds Hyundai accountable for bad and dangerous engines. The check engine light did come on as the vehicle began to stall and run rough in traffic.

NHTSA ID

11751035

Incident

Jul 16, 2026

The car has 90,000 miles on it and uses excessive oil, not leaking. It uses at least one quart per 1000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11748333

Incident

Dec 1, 2025

Drive train, head gasket, burned valve, leaking

NHTSA ID

11747934

Incident

Jun 24, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. While the contact’s daughter was driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle started bucking and shaking abnormally. The warning light indicating that the oil level was low had flashed on the screen. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and waited for the contact to arrive on scene. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that the oil level was extremely low. The contact added oil to the engine, and the dipstick failed to indicate the oil level until there was a quart full. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure and referred the contact to the dealer. While attempting to drive the vehicle at approximately 20 MPH with the hazard light flashing on the highway, the vehicle lost drive power. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and waited for the vehicle to be towed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after consistent oil changes, and the next oil change was not due for 11 days. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,314.

NHTSA ID

11744684

Incident

Jun 13, 2026

Mileage

75,314 mi

I had my engine replaced in Nov 2024 due to excessive oil consumption. I was required to do an emissions update due to a recall on my car. Once the dealer did the update, it caused my check engine light to come on and now I need a new catalytic converter, which was all due to the excessive oil consumption. Hyundai dealer knows this but they are telling me I’m responsible for replacing it. It should be replaced by Hyundai not me. It was the issue with the engine.

NHTSA ID

11741628

Incident

May 8, 2026

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Purchased January 2026 took to Oxmoor Hyundai Service Center March 2026. February 2026 began using oil at a measured rate of 700 miles per tank of oil. Used 3 full tanks of oil within the month of February. Oil lights and engine lights on and off and flashing during this time. March 8, 2026, engine light flashed and then stayed on continuously. Engine shook and stuttered and made a loud noise. Engine stalled while I was driving at 35-40 miles per hour. I was able to continue driving to my home with the stuttering and stalling. The next morning I drove it to the Oxmoor Hyundai Service Center. I told relayed the timeline of all symptoms I had experienced over the 2 month lifetime of my ownership. They did not attempt to reproduce the issue. They only entered "shakes in reverse" as the customer provided issue on the intake information. Service Center performed diagnostic, found cylinder misfires on cylinder 2 and cylinder 4. Replaced spark plugs to resolve Cylinder 2. Cylinder 4 continued to misfire. Used Borescope and found broken valve. They did not address the scoring on the cylinder of the valve. Recommended engine replacement. Advised it would not be covered under a warranty because the rod did not break. The oil consumption was proven with documentation from multiple Valvoline visits and the vertical scoring was present on the cylinder with the broken valve in the borescope photo. The Service Center refused to do a Boring Clearance Test or any other test that would prove the engine should be covered under an extended warranty or class action settlement. It wasn't until I reviewed HMA documents uploaded to the BBB Arbitration, that I realized that the information I initially gave to the Service Center of all the symptoms with timelines had not been entered into the system for diagnostic review by Techline. Arbitrator denied my claim under the theta settlement because the rod had not broken yet, BUT she said my engine was defective.

NHTSA ID

11739906

Incident

Mar 8, 2026

TOOK CAR TO DEALER TO HAVE OIL CHANGED ON APRIL 29, 2026 AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD ALSO PREFORMED A SOFTWARE UPDATE, SERVICE CAMPAIGN 9C2. EVERYTIME SINCE THAT DAY AFTER THE CAR HAS SET FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THE CAR IS RESTARTED DRIVEN IT STALLS AND SURGES REALLY BAD SEVERAL TIMES LASTING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. IT ALSO CAN DO THIS AT RANDOM AT ANYTIME BUT NOT CONSTANT LIKE IT DOES WHEN FIRST STARTED. THIS IS VERY DANGEREST FOR OBVIOUS RASONS AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. ALTHOUGH THERE IS OTHERS REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEMS ON LINE AND A PERSON MAKING THE SAME COMPLAINT WHILE I WAS WATING AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAY "THEY ARE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND I WILL HAVE TO LEAVE MY CAR FOR UP TO THREE DAYS OR MORE TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND THEN THEY WILL LET ME KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE” AND WHAT THE COST WILL BE. I ONLY HAVE THE ONE VEHICLE AND THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE SO NEEDING MY CAR EVERY DAY I CAN NOT DO WITHOUT IT. DUE TO THE FACT THAT HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ACKNOWLAGE THE PROBLEM. THERE REALLY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11737802

Incident

Apr 29, 2026

The engine valves and cylinders keep failing every 6 months. I have to spend another $1,800 to get it fixed. I doe this TWO TIMES last year. My car has the Theta 2 engine

NHTSA ID

11736365

Incident

Mar 28, 2026

While driving on the highway at approximately 70 mph with a heavily loaded vehicle, my 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4L suddenly lost power and entered limp mode. The check engine light flashed and diagnostic code P1326 was stored. During limp mode the engine was banging hard, almost like it was seizing and then releasing repeatedly. This is consistent with connecting rod bearing failure, not wrist pin failure. P1326 is generated by Hyundai's Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS), specifically designed to detect abnormal vibration consistent with connecting rod bearing failure — a known defect covered under Hyundai's Theta II engine warranty extension. Prior to this event the engine had been consuming oil abnormally. Approximately 1,300 miles after my last oil change the oil level had already dropped to the low mark on the dipstick, a significant change from normal operation. The vehicle was towed to a Hyundai dealership where it remains today. The dealership confirmed cylinder scoring and wrist pin damage. Hyundai is attributing the failure solely to wrist pin failure to avoid Theta II warranty coverage. I believe the wrist pin damage is downstream damage caused by the underlying rod bearing defect. My safety was directly at risk at highway speed. The vehicle has approximately 140,000 miles and is within the 15 year/150,000 mile Theta II warranty extension. A Warranty Prior Approval has been submitted to Hyundai Motor America and has been unresolved since March 24, 2026.

NHTSA ID

11731665

Incident

Mar 12, 2026

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. However, excessive oil consumption in a GDI engine directly accelerates carbon buildup on intake valves, as burning oil deposits carbon on valve surfaces preventing proper seating and causing overheating and valve failure. The carbon buildup is therefore a consequential result of the Theta II oil consumption defect, not an independent cause. The safety risk is significant as engine misfires and knocking while driving create unpredictable loss of power and potential for stalling in traffic. The vehicle is currently not reliably operable. The manufacturer has been contacted regarding coverage under the Theta II settlement. The component is available for inspection upon request at the servicing dealership

NHTSA ID

11729615

Incident

Mar 3, 2026

I own a 2018 Honda Santa Fe it is using oil so fast. I know that there is other people complaining about the oil consumption so my engine just blew up because I had it changed on March 13 brand new oil change and on Monday night the engine blew up.. The people who changed my oil said that there have been a complaint that they have been using so much oil and I have talked to Hyundai about this and they refuse to do anything Now I have a Hyundai Santa Fe that is no good to me because I personally can’t afford a new engine/motor

NHTSA ID

11728667

Incident

Mar 30, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,654.

NHTSA ID

11728658

Incident

Apr 1, 2026

Mileage

141,654 mi

I was told by a mechanic that something electrical is wrong with the vehicle it causes the engine to misfire. Different issue than before.

NHTSA ID

11728648

Incident

Apr 1, 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. I do not feel safe driving on the highway or driving with my two kids and I am currently pregnant again and this car isn’t safe for a family. I am constantly feeling broken down and worthless because I can’t even keep this car a float.

NHTSA ID

11727837

Incident

Mar 29, 2026

The contact owned a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact’s son stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the brake pedal depressed with no warning light illuminated. The contact’s son stated that the ABS braking system failed, and the brake pedal did not function when attempting to stop the vehicle. As a result of the failure, the contact’s son collided with the highway pavement. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was required. The contact’s son also stated that the air bags did not deploy during the crash. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and was deemed a total loss by AAA due to severe front-end damage. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11726456

Incident

Mar 23, 2026

Mileage

130,000 mi

Enterprise car sales sold me this vehicle when it had 3 open recalls on it. The vehicle itself was a problem from the beginning. When I took it in for it's first oil change the mechanic told me it had no oil in it. He said they sold me a car that is notorious for consuming oil and or seizing or blowing up. I had the engine replaced on this car already and I just took it in for it's first oil change and it was already consuming oil. I want a new car but enterprise is telling me this is my problem

NHTSA ID

11726332

Incident

Mar 23, 2026

I drove 2.5 hours north to a Marine brother's father's funeral, who unexpectedly passed. I started my drive home and made it to Yorktown in about 15 minutes, and the engine light came on, started flashing, and went into limp mode. I pulled over on I-69 to shut it off, pulled the dipstick, and the oil level was full. I pushed the Bluelink button on my rearview mirror, and HMA sent a tow truck to tow the vehicle to a local dealership about 10-12 minutes away. The dealership did not inspect the vehicle until the following Monday, since it was Friday, three weeks ago. The dealership found DTC codes for misfires in cylinders 1 and 2, multiple-cylinder misfire, and too-high pressure in all four cylinders. The vehicle has had the knock sensor replaced, a KSDS ECM update, and a series of gaskets replaced. It has been burning oil since 69,362 miles and is now not operational, 2.5 hours from home. HMA has declined to replace the engine on a vehicle involved in a class action settlement due to problems with several completed replacements. The dealership has followed the manufacturer's process, and, due to the engine not producing a code it had at 87,986, but now not capable due to piston damage, cylinder scouring, and spark plug damage, the manufacturer has declined a goodwill replacement. The engine failure did put others in harm's way, as it did me when having to pull off the busy interstate to inspect the obvious failure. I have been driving a rental since this situation occurred, have a vehicle that is not operational, and a manufacturer that is not assuming responsibility for the catastrophic failure. I have read numerous forums across several platforms about the Theta 2 engines. The vehicle has been serviced as needed, including multiple requests to fix or repair the engine noises it produced, when the oil level became low, and oil had to be added.

NHTSA ID

11725641

Incident

Feb 27, 2026

I am reporting a serious safety concern involving a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport with approximately 132K miles. While driving at highway speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power/velocity and the engine light flashed. This created an immediate safety hazard, as maintaining speed is critical in highway traffic. Within seconds, the vehicle regained power and the warning light turned off, giving the impression that the issue had resolved. Shortly afterward, while exiting the highway, the vehicle began shaking and felt as though it would stall but was able to drive home less than one mile. A mechanic retrieved misfire codes for cylinders 2 and 4. Further inspection revealed internal engine damage in cylinder 4 requiring major rebuild. A full deconstruction revealed that one of the valves in cylinder 4 had partially broken. This failure occurred with little to no warning and involved a sudden loss of power at highway speed, which could have resulted in a serious accident. The vehicle’s warning systems did not provide adequate or persistent alerts prior to significant engine failure. Over the last 6 months it began consuming oil frequently requiring weekly checks, however no warning systems or errors to indicate an underlining concern. Based on research, similar Hyundai vehicles have documented issues involving excessive oil consumption and internal engine damage without sufficient warning. This raises concerns about a potential safety defect affecting engine performance and failure detection.

NHTSA ID

11725311

Incident

Feb 25, 2026

The contact owned a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. No warning lights illuminated. The contact pulls over to the right side of the road, exits the vehicle, and notices flames coming from the engine, and smoke starts coming inside the vehicle. The contact mentioned that a bystander gave him a fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire, the flames stopped, then a couple of seconds later, the failure persisted. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was towed to J&J Towing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating to the failure of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V810000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.

NHTSA ID

11725196

Incident

Mar 11, 2026

Mileage

170,000 mi

At 4 AM on March 10,2026, I received a recall for the tires (Recall ID:26T009). I took it to the Hyundai dealership to get it serviced. The Director Mr. [XXX] , informed me that the only recall they have for me is a software recall. In addition, the do not fix any tire recalls I would have to reach out to the manufacturer such as Kumho tires co. When the service tech [XXX] looked at the tires, he informed me that there is Bridgestone tires on the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11724297

Incident

Mar 14, 2026

Engine-Excessive oil consumption. Other-backup camera does not work and hasn’t for some time is 2028 sant fe sport included in recall

NHTSA ID

11722393

Incident

Mar 1, 2025

2/27/26 Kept regularly scheduled oil changes with dealer. Car began to knock and lose power, Oil light is periodically flashing on and check engine light came on. Took car to Valvoline oil change-they state no fluid on the oil dipstck. Scheduled oil change was not for another month. No oil leaks at all. Vehicle is bucking and knocking and loses acceleration. I have an appt at the dealer tomorrow3/2/26 and am hoping hyundai will cover any necessary repairs as they have multiple Technical service bulletins about this.

NHTSA ID

11721308

Incident

Feb 27, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact received an undisclosed recall notification, and the local dealer was contacted; however, there were no appointments available. On a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an O'Reilly's Auto Parts to be diagnosed, and DTC: P1326 was retrieved. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that there were damages to the engine caused by engine misfire. The dealer was in the process of determining if the engine needed to be replaced. The contact waited and then called the dealer and was informed that DTC: P1326 was not the correct code and that there was another fault code related to the recall. The contact was informed that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11719417

Incident

Feb 10, 2026

Mileage

120,000 mi

While parked the panoramic sunroof spontaneously shattered.

NHTSA ID

11718921

Incident

Feb 18, 2026