2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Driver assistance Problems

I have taken my car to the dealership now 3 times for the same recall issue. This time, they are telling me Hyundai will not repair my car on their end because of "sludge buildup" to which i was not aware. I submitted all records of maintenance and they are refusing to fix my vehicle. I now have an inoperable, because not safe, vehicle that is legally required to be fixed by Hyundai for it's recall, but is not being fixed. Recall 237 If I were to try to drive the vehicle, it could put lives at risk. It will not accelerate quickly, could go up in flames, and does not go the speed limit on highways which are required for me to get home and to work. The recall was confirmed by the dealer as the check engine light flashed and caused a certain code to pop up for maintenance. The solution would be for Hyundai to fix the car, but they are refusing and saying the whole engine needs to be replaced now even though there's nothing wrong with the engine.

NHTSA ID

11691571

Incident

Sep 23, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a blue screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The warning system failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that the GPS showed the wrong directions. Due to the failure, the vehicle went into the wrong lane. In addition, several unknown warning lights illuminated while driving. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was too old for the update. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11676003

Incident

Jul 24, 2020

Mileage

60,000 mi

Back up camara is shorting out due to the location it is getting wet and corroding. Without the camara it can be a safety Hazzard. In doing research this seems to be a common problem due to the location of the camara. Poor design and could cause an accident. Failed after only 69k miles.

NHTSA ID

11656028

Incident

Apr 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at speeds above 30 MPH, the vehicle shook and vibrated abnormally. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the intended destination. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, there were three small children inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an oil leak and that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was informed that several unknown repairs were needed to prior to requesting an engine replacement by the manufacturer. The contact was informed that the unknown repairs were at the vehicle owner’s expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

NHTSA ID

11621615

Incident

Oct 14, 2024

Mileage

144,000 mi

Driving on the highway my Hyundai begins braking and cannot be stopped even though the Automatic braking system was disengaged. Dealt with the dealerships and they all provide no help at all. I have brought this to two different dealerships and they just have excuses. This is a known issue with Hyundai and needs to be addressed.

NHTSA ID

11612483

Incident

Sep 4, 2024

While driving my 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport in freeway traffic, I felt the vehicle begin to heavily vibrate and the engine was jerking severely. The speed began to slowly descend. I was unable to control this. I was in a one-lane overpass, with no safe place, room, or lane to pull over. I felt hopeless and fearful for my life. I was literally drifting, praying the vehicle would be able to handle the descent upward. As the speed declined, the vibrations became more pronounced. No dash lights were illuminated. Other drivers behind me were approaching rapidly at the speed limit and slamming on their brakes and hazard lights in an attempt to notify drivers further back. I managed to maneuver over to approximately 24 inches of a faux shoulder on the right of [XXX] . Cars hurled past mine within inches of my vehicle. I knew I needed to get out of the car and crawled over to the passenger side. Again, I was trapped. Several HPD units were dispatched to literally shut down the freeway to enable a tow truck driver to safely hook up my SUV. I had it towed to my mechanic and he did a diagnostic indicating a compression issue. He ordered new spark plus and 4 new coils. Upon further investigation he discovered that Cylinder 4 was not holding compression and he informed me that the engine had failed. I then had it towed to the local Hyundai dealer. At check in, I was informed that there would be a $700 diagnostic/tear apart fee to discover what repairs were needed. I informed them exactly what was needed and I expected a new engine. The Hyundai mechanic dismantled the engine and took pictures, ran a few tests. He submitted the results to Hyundai for approval. The engineer at Hyundai denied a new engine claiming "the head coil is not part of the recall". I was told for $2500, Hyundai would "refab" my damaged head to control the leaks. If that repair didn't address the issue, I was sure to get a new engine. A financial and physical risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

NHTSA ID

11585306

Incident

Apr 19, 2024

Blind Spot Detection System failed without warning. No obvious indication it has failed. No warning lamps, messages appeared at any time. In operatioin, neither left nor right side provided warning of cars in blind spot and no audio alert was sounded when changing lanes with turn signal on and car in blind spot. (BSD failures - and any advanced safety system failure - should be readily made apparent with an alert or indication of some kind) This safety system can prevent many accidents. However, as more advanced systems are in automobiles and used, the drivers rely on them functioning properly. When they fail without indication - and the driver assumes it works, it can lead to accidents that might otherwise be avoided. If the driver is aware that the system is not working - extra vigilance, for instance, could be used. The car may be made available for inspection upon request. The problem will be reported to dealer on 10 October 2023 for analysis and repair. The car, as of this moment has not been inspected by others.

NHTSA ID

11549126

Incident

Oct 9, 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.

NHTSA ID

11513762

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Within the last few weeks my 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV has been experiencing few noticeable issues. 1st my vehicle doesn’t want to start when I turn the key, I have to open the door close it then try again and it will turn over to start. 2nd recently driving on the highway my vehicle slowed all the way down and started jerking like it wanted to cut off. I would push my accelerator down as far as possible and it will still go slow and not speed up.3rd my vehicle is making a throttle/knocking noise and a blinking check engine light is on as well.

NHTSA ID

11512567

Incident

Mar 3, 2023

My car Engine stopped working while I was driving to work. Middle of traffic was not safe and the safety of others was effected because my car was unable to move, it was a high risk dangerous situation. Problem was reported to mechanic as well as insurance company (geico) car was pushed by strangers into a nearby parking lot, which then I waited for a towing truck. The car was inspected by a mechanic who then told me to have it inspected by Hyundai and Hyundai has told me due to lack of maintenance my car stopped working and there is nothing they can do. I am insulted by the lack of concern Hyundai has had for what they have put me and my livelihood through. I am aware of the recall on these vehicles. Engine :2.4L I4 DGI DOHC 16V. The Engine light came on I had it diagnosed immediately…I was told my cam shaft and knock sensors needed replacement, they were replaced. Engine light goes off for 24 hours until it comes back on and once it came back on my car couldn’t go over a certain speed , and it died in the middle of traffic.

NHTSA ID

11493426

Incident

Sep 23, 2022

I HAVE BEEN STOPPED AT A SINGLE LIGHT (ON A STATE HIGHWAY) AND WAITING TO TURN LEFT BUT WHEN I ACCELERATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT GO. BUT IN A SECOND IT TOOK OFF BUT I BRAKED BECAUSE BY NOW IT WAS NOT SAFE/CLEAR TO GO. ALSO, WHEN I USE CRUSE IT GOES DOWN HILL WHILE RAISING THE RPMS (ALWAYS), THIS IS MY THIRD HYUNDAI VEHICLE THEREFORE I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE.

NHTSA ID

11362263

Incident

Mar 10, 2018

Mileage

300 mi

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, THE CAR MAINTAINED THE SPEED DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT PRESSED. THE ODOMETER STAYED AT 4 FOR NO REASONS. IT WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE.

NHTSA ID

11139483

Incident

Oct 10, 2018

Mileage

14,000 mi

SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF STALLING WHEN MAKING TURNS FROM STOPS OR YIELDS WITH SLOW ACCELERATION. INTERMITTENT INCIDENTS, THOUGH SEEM TO BE MORE NOTICEABLE WITH A/C RUNNING. MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT, 2018, AWD, DOES HAVE APPROXIMATELY 12,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN PULLING ONTO THE BUSY HIGHWAY NEAR WHERE WE LIVE, A LEFT TURN WITH PROMPT ACCELERATION IS CRITICAL. ON ABOUT 6 INCIDENTS, INCLUDING 2 IN THE LAST WEEK, I HAVE STARTED THE TURN, THEN LOST ACCELERATION, PUT THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR THEN IT WOULD HESITATE FOR ANOTHER 1-2 SECONDS, THEN JERK UP TO 7000RPM AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WOULD KICK IN (LIGHT ON DASH COMES ON), THEN TAKES OFF QUICKLY. THUS FAR, NO ONE HAS BEEN IN HARMS WAY, HOWEVER, I FEAR IT WILL HAPPEN. ON 7/12/2018 I DID TAKE TO KC SUMMERS HYUNDAI IN MATTOON, IL. THEY PERFORMED A FULL INSPECTION, TOOK IT FOR TEST DRIVE, RAN DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND NOTHING. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING SHOWING ON THE COMPUTER EITHER. NO TSB'S. THEY ENCOURAGED ME TO BRING IT IN EACH TIME IT OCCURS IN THE FUTURE. NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SERVICE. I DID PROVIDE THEM WITH THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE FROM MANY OTHERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND ASKED THEM TO KEEP IT IN MY FILE.

NHTSA ID

11111000

Incident

Jul 8, 2018

Mileage

12,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND WENT INTO IDLE MODE. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (FITZGERALD'S COUNTRYSIDE HYUNDAI, 27419 U S HIGHWAY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL 33761, (727) 799-1800) WHERE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID

11084937

Incident

Apr 7, 2018

Mileage

1,000 mi

VEHICLE HAS NO ACCELERATION AFTER A STOP. WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL PUTTING OUR LIVES IN DANGER OF A COLLISION. SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN SWITCHING FROM ECO TO NORMAL MODE. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE SHORT MONTH I HAVE OWNED IT. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS OR VISUAL ITEMS TO PROVE IT. IT JUST DOES NOT ACCELERATE. I HAVE TO TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO GET IT TO KICK IN.

NHTSA ID

11045542

Incident

Oct 19, 2017

Mileage

50 mi