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2018 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD
The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD has 2 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 108 owner complaints, and gets about 20 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SPECS
2018 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD at a glance
- Engine
- 6-cyl 3.3L
- Cylinders
- 6
- Displacement
- 3.3 L
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S6)
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Fuel
- Regular
Source: EPA / NHTSA vPIC, as of July 13, 2026.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
2 openSteering
17/02/2018
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The steering wheel assembly may break, possibly resulting in the steering wheel separating from the steering column while driving.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will check the production lot number of the steering wheel assembly, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 26, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 173.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
03/02/2022
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.
NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.
Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 13, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA
108 filed- 40
ENGINE
See attached letter for complaint
- 15
SERVICE BRAKES
I was driving going around 50 and put on my brakes after that the abs light Epb light and cruise control lights all came on and my car wouldnt stop unless I preessed very hard on brakes. and other lights on my dashboard came on then the nex
- 9
POWER TRAIN
On April 13, 2026, I arrived home and parked the vehicle, engaging the traditional shifter into the "Park" position and turning off the engine. After exiting and standing on the ground to retrieve a purse from the cabin, the vehicle spontan
- 9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am the original owner almost at the end of my powertain warranty. At 93 - 94,000 I started to notice whe accelerating, like a distinct shift into different gears at anywhere between 5-7miles and in incrediments up to 40-45 mph. I have
- 8
STEERING
At 118,000 miles Downhill brake, transmission and 4 wheel drive were damaged from the hyundai dealership not fullfilling warranty. They disconnected my tow hitch and my transmission was burning .. smelled like a bon fire. Took me 1 year to
- 7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
In September 2024, my 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe experienced an unexpected engine lock-up while driving, creating an immediate safety hazard. Vehicle lost power, began smoking, and posed a potential fire risk. Fire department responded to preven
Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 13, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.
CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP
- Overall
- ★★★★★
- Frontal
- ★★★★☆
- Side
- ★★★★★
- Rollover
- ★★★★☆
Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 13, 2026.
FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA
- Combined
- 20 mpg
- City / Hwy
- 18 / 24
- Est. fuel / yr
- $3,100
- CO₂ / mi
- 433 g
EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 13, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.
All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 2 open NHTSA recalls (including the steering). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the engine
Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
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Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD? +
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD, including the steering. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD get? +
The EPA rates the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD at 20 mpg combined (18 city / 24 highway), about $3,100 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD? +
Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD, including 6 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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