2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 63owner reports
- 94,000median miles
- $1,150median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 15, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
223 of the 321 complaints on this car are about the engine. 63 of those describe misfire.
Tick what matches of 63 reports
Misfire on other Santa Fe Sport years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the sensor (9 reports), the spark plugs (8 reports) and the catalytic converter (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2018 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Santa Fe Sport
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 20V-061.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed may 10, 2019, led to recall 18V-907.
What owners paid
11 of the 63 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $800 to $2,500.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 68,000 and 120,000 miles, from the 36 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 11 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Applicable vehicles with 2.0L T-GDI and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit Abnormal Noise or No Crank/No Start condition.
Certain vehicles with 2.0L T-GDI and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit abnormal noise or no crank/no start condition related to connecting rod bearing wear or damage.
Hyundai has launched a Service Campaign for applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L GDI engines that may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326.
Applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326.
7 more on the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport page.
What owners wrote
“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”
Filed May 7, 2026
“I was told by a mechanic that something electrical is wrong with the vehicle it causes the engine to misfire. Different issue than before.”
Filed Apr 1, 2026
“Car stuttered and would not rev past 2k rpm. Blinking check engine light appeared Code was for known connecting rod failure for all theta engines for our 2018 sante fe. Hyundai is trying to get out of covering the cost of repair or replacement even though this is a very well known issue and is covered under warranty.”
Filed Feb 10, 2026
“This engine is burning oil. Its mixing oil with gasoline in the cylinders. Its fouling spark plugs and consuming large amounts of oil with absolutely no visible oil leaks. The exhaust is black. PCV valve is clean. Engine is misfiring due to spark plug fouling. New spark plugs and coils. Multiple dealers have stated this is a KNOWN defect with this particular GDI engine but Hyundai refuses to issue a recall.”
Filed Nov 3, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 63 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 84 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 84 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 54 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 49 reports