This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport powertrain problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
2injuries
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Hyundai Santa Fe Sport in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be updated with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32). This Dealer Best Practices Guide provides information to assist dealership personnel with customer questions relating to the immobilizer software upgrade, window decals and steering wheel lock ant-theft solutions available from
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with the following symptoms and DTC, follow the Service Procedure on Page 4. ï· Check Engine light on ï· DTC P0880/P088000 - TCM Power signal error open/short ï· Transmission stuck in 4th gear fail-safe ï· Harsh shift into Reverse and Drive
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with the following symptoms and DTC, follow the Service Procedure on Page 3. ï· Check Engine light on ï· DTC P0880/P088000 - TCM Power signal error open/short ï· Transmission stuck in 4th gear fail-safe ï· Harsh shift into Drive and Reverse
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners consistently report a Theta 2.5L turbo engine that burns oil at an abnormal rate—sometimes consuming 2–4 quarts between scheduled oil changes or running bone-dry within 500–1,000 miles. The problem shows up as oil in the spark plugs, PCV valve, and combustion chamber; it fails dealership consumption tests and combustion chamber cleaning; and it persists even after complete engine replacement in at least one case.
Severe acceleration lag plagues the powertrain during merges and turns, with drivers experiencing 1–2 second delays or complete unresponsiveness despite pushing the pedal—a hazard owners say puts them at collision risk. Engine stalling without warning has occurred at highway speeds and during traffic maneuvers; one owner's car stalled during a left turn and was T-boned, resulting in injuries and a total loss.
Engine knock, RPM limiting to 2,000 rpm, and inability to exceed 60–63 mph appear alongside check engine lights. One owner paid $583 for a knock sensor replacement, only to have identical symptoms recur within weeks.
Hyundai's response: dealerships acknowledge the model is "notorious" for these failures, yet corporate denies warranty claims citing mileage overages, second-owner status, or warranty expiration—even when the issue is "well known" and defective. Owners report two-month waits for appointments, denial of reimbursement for testing and rentals, and being told the car "drives as designed" despite safety risks.
Same Hyundai Santa Fe Sport powertrain reports on nearby years: 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive oil consumption and burning
The Theta 2.5L turbo engine burns or loses oil at an abnormal rate, independent of external leaks. Owners report the dipstick reading low or bone-dry between scheduled oil changes, sometimes requiring 2–4 quarts topped off within 1,000 miles. Oil appears in the spark plugs, PCV valve, and combustion chamber. The issue persists after combustion chamber cleaning and fails consumption tests. One owner reported oil burning continuing even after a complete engine replacement.
When: First noticed at 80k miles; occurs within 500–1,000 miles after oil changes. Some failures reported at 98k–120k miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Dipstick reads low or bone-dry between services; Oil in spark plugs and PCV valve; Engine knocking from oil leaking into pistons and rod bearings; Oil visible in combustion chamber during chamber cleaning; Burning smell (implied by rapid depletion); Check engine light during advanced failure states
Codes mentioned: Connected rod failure (mentioned in complaint #12)
Repairs/costs cited: Hyundai dealerships performed 1,000-mile oil consumption tests (failed); combustion chamber cleaning (failed follow-up test); engine replacement quoted at $10,000. Owners report partial or full warranty denials citing mileage thresholds, ownership history (second owner coverage at 60%), or expired warranty terms. One owner required 2 months in rental while tests were conducted; repairs and rentals were not reimbursed despite initial promises.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Corporate denied engine replacement claims citing mileage overages or expired warranty; Hyundai stated the issue is 'fixed for now' without permanent repair. Dealership service techs confirmed the vehicle model is 'notorious for consuming oil.' Hyundai will not honor warranty claims on second owners or after certain mileage thresholds, despite acknowledging the problem is 'well known' and defective.
Acceleration lag and throttle unresponsiveness
Engine fails to respond immediately when the accelerator is depressed, causing a 1–2 second delay or complete hesitation during traffic merges, turns from stop signs, or passing maneuvers. The issue occurs at low speeds and rolling starts and creates a safety hazard when rapid acceleration is needed to avoid collisions.
When: Reported from low mileage (less than 400 miles on new vehicles); one case at 135k miles. Intermittent and unpredictable.
Symptoms owners cite: Severe lag or no response when pressing accelerator pedal; 1–2 second hesitation during turns or merges; Check engine light illumination (some cases); Failure to accelerate above certain speeds (e.g., 60–63 mph); Issue occurs in both Eco Mode and Sport Mode
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (no specific codes reported by owners)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships checked for DTCs and computer updates but did not identify or resolve the issue, returning vehicles stating they 'drive as designed.' No repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service technicians attributed the problem to Eco Mode operation and claimed the vehicle 'drives as designed.' No recalls identified for the reported issues. No manufacturer response documented.
Engine stalling and loss of power during driving
Engine cuts out or stalls unexpectedly while driving, sometimes while accelerating or attempting to merge into traffic. The vehicle loses power and cannot resume normal operation without external intervention. One owner's vehicle stalled during a left turn, resulting in a collision.
When: Reported at various mileages from 2,400 miles to 135k miles; at least one incident two months after purchase.
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected engine stall with no warning; Complete loss of power during acceleration or turning; Check engine light illumination; Inability to accelerate above certain RPM or speed thresholds (e.g., 55–63 mph at 135k miles); Vehicle loses power on highway at 75 mph, drops to 55 mph
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (specific codes not reported)
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs were documented. One owner's vehicle was declared a total loss after collision; black box data confirmed timing and speed were appropriate, but the cause of stall was not explained. Another owner was told the car 'might make it' without permanent solution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not contacted in most cases. One dealership confirmed VIN was not under recall. No manufacturer response documented for stalling failures.
Knock sensor failure and related engine deration
Engine exhibits knocking, RPM limitation, and power loss attributed to knock sensor malfunction or underlying bearing/oil starvation issues. One owner paid $583 for knock sensor replacement, but the underlying problem—excessive oil consumption—persisted.
When: April 2023; symptoms appeared again in May 2023.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light flashing; Engine knock or detonation noise; RPM limited to 2k rpm or below; Inability to accelerate above 60 mph; Random deceleration to 15 mph or lower
Codes mentioned: Knock sensor code (not specified)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner paid $583 for knock sensor replacement at independent shop (Motorworld); issue recurred one month later. Motorworld recommended an $800 oil consumption test, identifying low oil despite no illuminated oil warning light. Hyundai dealership refused to cover knock sensor replacement cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai claimed the knock sensor replacement made the engine eligible for 'lifetime' warranty coverage; however, this was contradicted by Motorworld. When the owner asked for engine replacement, Hyundai said they could do nothing. No coverage was offered for knock sensor replacement or oil consumption test.
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 16 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 68,700 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Hyundai/Santa Fe Sport.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.