2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 84owner reports
- 80,000median miles
- $1,000median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 15, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
205 of the 321 complaints on this car are about the engine. 84 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 Santa Fe Sport.
Narrower sheets: Engine knocking or ticking (31 reports)
Tick what matches of 84 reports
Engine failure 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 are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (84 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.
What owners paid
16 of the 84 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $700 to $8,700.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 45,000 and 110,000 miles, from the 44 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 9 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.
The warranty coverage for engine long block repair or replacement regarding engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear has been extended to a Limited Lifetime Warranty and is valid for original and subsequent owners.
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.
The warranty coverage for certain Theta II engine long block repair or replacement regarding engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear has been extended to a Limited Lifetime Warranty and is valid for original and subsequent owners.
5 more on the 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport page.
What owners wrote
“My vehicle has approximately 152,000 miles, and I am currently experiencing a major engine failure. Oil consumption and knocking on engine Hyundai has had lawsuits in the past with unsafe unreliable engines.”
Filed Jan 27, 2026 · 152,000 miles
“Excessive oil consumption has occurred for the past couple of years. At 80,000 the crankshaft seized and died at an intersection and the dealer said that I need a new engine.”
Filed May 20, 2024
“Engine is consuming 2 qts of oil every 1000 miles. Just had spark plugs replaced as the plugs fouled out due to oil leaking into cylinder. Dealership says the engine must blow for them to approve a new engine under warranty. This is a family vehicle with young children. If the engine fails, the vehicle will lose power brakes ans steering .”
Filed Oct 28, 2023 · 1,000 miles
“major engine oil leak caused by defective drain plug receptacle. replaced washer and plug twice. still leaks. could cause engine failure.”
Filed Oct 9, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 84 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Burns oil or oil level rises 84 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 63 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 54 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 49 reports