Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. This service procedure describes to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair based on the results of the inspection. Utilize the flowcharts as a guide to ensure the proper procedure and repair is performed. The warranty coverage for engine repair or replacement related to engine noise or damage has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use, whichever occurs first. Warranty coverage is valid for original and subsequent owners.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe have filed 42 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 27,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
42
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Santa Fe | 212 |
| 2015 Santa Fe | 130 |
| 2016 Santa Fe | 134 |
| 2017 Santa Fe | 508 |
| 2018 Santa Fe (this page) | 42 |
| 2019 Santa Fe | 42 |
| 2020 Santa Fe | 50 |
| 2021 Santa Fe | 15 |
| 2022 Santa Fe | 23 |
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 42 engine complaints filed for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 39% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 7 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 42 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair based on the results of the inspection. Utilize the flowcharts as a guide to ensure the proper procedure and repair is performed. The warranty coverage for engine repair or replacement related to engine noise or damage has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use, whichever occurs first. Warranty coverage is valid for original and subsequent owners.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 26-EM-002H describes the procedure to inspect the engine and perform the proper repair based on the results of the inspection. Utilize the flowcharts as a guide to ensure the proper procedure and repair is performed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The warranty coverage of certain engines for repairs and replacement has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles (15years or 240,000km) from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use, whichever occurs first, and is valid for original and subsequent owners in Puerto Rico.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain Santa Fe / Santa Fe XL (NC) vehicles equipped with 3.3L Lambda II GDI engines may exhibit abnormal engine noise or damage. The vehicle will be repaired based on the results of the engine inspection. Hyundai is extending warranty coverage for the engine under this condition to 15 years/150,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use, whichever occurs first. Warranty coverage is valid for original and subsequent owners.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe sudden, catastrophic engine failures with little to no warning on 2018 Hyundai Santa Fes, often between 58,000 and 144,000 miles. The most common scenario is loss of power or complete shutdown while driving—sometimes at highway speeds—with no check engine light or other dashboard warnings beforehand. Some owners heard knocking, ticking, or rattling sounds minutes or hours before failure; others had zero indication.
The failures cluster around specific mechanical problems: fuel injector issues causing misfire (P0300 codes), excessive oil consumption (2+ quarts per 1,000 miles), failed cam phasers, connecting rod bearing failure, seized engines, cracked timing covers, and snapped camshafts. One owner had a catalytic converter blow off; another experienced engine fire with a fractured rod. Metal shavings routinely appear in the oil when dealers inspect.
Oil leaks from cracked timing covers, holes in the engine block, and oil starvation despite regular maintenance are recurring reports. Several owners mention that the knock sensor recall and subsequent software updates sometimes preceded limp mode or failure. Hyundai dealerships quote $11,000–$23,000 for engine replacement or long-block repair; warranty coverage is inconsistent—some are denied outright, others receive partial goodwill assistance. Owners past 100,000 miles face the hardest resistance.
Same Hyundai Santa Fe engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Fuel Injector Failure (Bank 2)
Fuel injectors on bank 2 fail intermittently or remain stuck open, flooding cylinders with fuel. This causes misfires (P0300), loss of power, stalling, and potential fire hazard from excessive fuel accumulation.
When: Intermittent throughout ownership; one case at service visit after owner had taken vehicle for maintenance
Symptoms owners cite: Engine light flashing then staying on; Sudden loss of power or failure to accelerate; Vehicle sputtering and dying while driving; Vehicle unable to turn over after shutdown; Strong gasoline/burning smell
Codes mentioned: P0300, P0302, P0304, P0306
Repairs/costs cited: Injector load test by independent shop confirmed blocked pressure; dealership wanted to replace all coil packs and plugs instead. When injectors were finally replaced, one case showed catalytic converter blown off from fuel buildup combustion.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai dealer initially misdiagnosed as overfilled oil; one narrative mentions Hyundai had parts on hold due to the issue. Fuel injectors were replaced at one dealership.
Excessive Oil Consumption
Engine consumes oil at abnormal rates—2+ quarts per 1,000 miles or 1 quart between consecutive service intervals—leading to oil starvation, internal damage, metal shaving generation, and eventual seized engine.
When: Observed over 1,000-mile service intervals; some cases at 65,700, 84,000, 98,000, 100,000+, 113,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormally dry dipstick between services; No warning lights or oil pressure indicators; Metal shavings in oil at dealer inspection; Loud knocking from engine (in later stages); Engine seizure or loss of power
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers performed oil consumption tests over 1,000 miles confirming 2 quarts consumption. One owner added 4 quarts of oil but engine still seized. Repair cost quoted at $11,000–$20,000+ for engine replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Most manufacturers contacted provided no assistance; one case declined coverage stating malfunction was out of warranty due to time in service and mileage (100,000+ miles).
Cracked Timing Cover and Oil Leaks
Timing cover develops cracks or seal failures, causing rapid oil loss. Oil sprays across engine compartment, belts, and wiring, creating fire hazard risk and leaving engine starved of lubrication.
When: 58,000–100,000+ miles; one case noted hearing leaf-in-fan-blade sound, then ticking, then discovered oil-soaked engine compartment
Symptoms owners cite: Strange sounds (leaf-in-fan-blade, ticking) at low speed; Visible oil sprayed across left side of engine or underneath vehicle; Completely empty oil dipstick despite recent oil change; No warning lights illuminated; Burning smell from underneath hood
Repairs/costs cited: One case: snapped camshaft and cracked timing cover with high metal shavings in contamination check. Another case: hole in engine block with oil leaking and metal shavings visible.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership diagnosed snapped camshaft and cracked timing cover requiring engine replacement; one manufacturer offered to cover half of repair costs.
Cam Phaser Failure
Cam phasers blow apart and severely crack valve covers, causing complete loss of oil, external engine damage, and sudden loss of power with no prior warning.
When: 3,000 miles after oil change; no mileage stated in another report
Symptoms owners cite: Engine hesitation and noise minutes before failure; Severely reduced power while driving; No prior warning lights; Catastrophic loss of oil after failure
Repairs/costs cited: Cam phasers blew apart with severe valve cover cracking; complete oil loss necessitates engine replacement.
Timing Chain Tensioner Failure with Camshaft Issues
Left intake camshaft fails along with CVVT and timing chain tensioner, causing loss of power and acceleration. Codes indicate valve timing problems.
When: 98,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power while driving; Vehicle unable to accelerate; No check engine light prior to event
Codes mentioned: P0018, P0300, P0302, P0304, P0306
Repairs/costs cited: Replace left intake camshaft, CVVT, and timing chain tensioner required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai Motor America National Consumer Affairs declined assistance, citing malfunction out of warranty due to time in service and mileage (just outside 100,000-mile coverage); no goodwill assistance offered.
Engine Knock Sensor Recall-Related Failures
After Hyundai's knock sensor software update/recall service, vehicles enter limp mode (restricting speed to 30–67 mph) or develop additional electrical harness issues. One case resulted in two engine replacements under 30,000 miles; another caused repeated limp mode on highway.
When: Days to weeks after recall service; one case at 27,000 miles, another at 29,000 miles; another at 14,000 miles after recall and update
Symptoms owners cite: Engine enters limp mode 3 miles after recall service or days later; Speed suddenly restricted (30 mph, 67 mph limits); Car stuttering and slowing in heavy traffic; Check engine light blinking; Speedometer stopped working; Limp mode repeated on second engine after replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Wire harness replaced per Hyundai recommendation; did not resolve limp mode issue. Two engines replaced at 27,000 and 29,000 miles respectively in one case; another vehicle replaced at 14,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai acknowledged problem to owner after first engine failure and covered engine replacement twice; rental car provided both times. Hyundai offered 'a few hundred dollars' in one case after limp mode repeated on highway at 80 mph.
Connecting Rod Bearing Failure and Rod-Knock
Connecting rod bearings fail, leading to rod knock (metallic rattling from engine block). Engine seized or thrown rod (completely locked up engine).
When: Around 84,000 miles in one case; another at undisclosed mileage; one at highway speeds while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking from bottom of engine; Rod lock-up (engine suddenly stops abruptly); Engine seized and unable to restart; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; one owner noted the 3.3-liter engine starts knocking. One case: thrown rod caused 'blown' engine while driving.
Catastrophic Engine Seizure and Fire
Engine seizes completely or fractures internally (fractured rod in engine block), sometimes accompanied by fire from underneath hood. No warning lights or prior indication.
When: 142,000 miles in one case (hole in engine block); 142,732 miles (fractured rod causing fire); various mileages 58,000–144,000; one at 12,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal rattling sound followed by fire coming from under hood; Burning smell while driving; Hole in engine block visible after towing; Oil leaking with metal shavings; Violent shaking then engine shutdown on highway; Engine completely seized
Repairs/costs cited: Fractured rod in engine block caused engine to explode and fire; electrical wiring burned. Hole in engine block with oil and metal shavings leaking onto tow truck. Engine replacement quoted $20,000–$23,000+.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One manufacturer offered to cover half of repair after engine fire; most declined assistance or offered limited goodwill. One case awaiting warranty approval for new engine.
Complete Engine Failure with No Compression
Engine develops no compression in one or more banks of cylinders, causing catastrophic failure and loss of all power.
When: 113,000 miles in one case; around 83,000 miles in another
Symptoms owners cite: Rhythmic knocking that increases with acceleration; Complete engine failure diagnosis; No compression in bank 2 cylinders; Metal shavings in engine/oil; Sudden engine shutoff while driving
Codes mentioned: P0018
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required ($12,000–$20,000+). One vehicle at 113,000 miles just outside 100,000-mile warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No assistance from Hyundai; warranty expired at 100,000 miles.
Synthesized from 42 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
The car began shuttering while driving down a main street (45-50mph). When we pulled over we smelled gasoline and burning. The car was towed to Hyundai service department. The service department informed my the fuel injectors were leaking causing a fire. The are replying the fuel injectors and told me it would be wise to have them replace all sparks plugs ($190) while they had the engine opened…
Engine problem
I bought my 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe 3.3L a year and a half ago with 58k miles from a dealer in Clarksville, MD. On October 18th 2022 with 70k miles my Hyundai Santa Fe starting making a loud noise in engine so I took it to a Hyundai dealer where I was told my engine would need to be replaced and was quoted 19.1k to replace it. I'm the second owner of the car so technically not under warranty.…
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that upon checking the engine oil dipstick, the dipstick was abnormally dry. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed an oil consumption test over 1,000 miles, and found that the engine was consuming 2 quarts of oil. The contact was informed that the excessive oil consumption could cause…
Was on my way home from work, and suddenly my engine threw a rod and now my engine is blown.
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…
Had engine trouble with your 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?
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 engine problem on the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 42 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 16,000 and 142,000 miles, with the median around 27,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 16,000; a quarter make it past 142,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.
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.