Diagsheet

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · symptom sheet

Engine stalls or loses power while driving

  • 53owner reports
  • 41,000median miles
  • $800median quote
  • 1involved a crash

Newest report Jul 17, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

227 of the 319 complaints on this car are about the engine. 53 of those describe stalling.

Tick what matches of 53 reports

24
12
37
5
1
2

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (6 reports), the ignition coil or plugs (6 reports) and the engine (6 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the engine covers the 2018 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Santa Fe Sport

DP22-003opened Sep 12, 2022
Engine · model years 2013 to 2018

Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.

NHTSA summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan as
EA21-003opened Dec 22, 2021
Engine · model years 2013 to 2014

Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.

NHTSA summary
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement. Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is being installed under recalls and non-safety field actions, and both companies have extended limited engine warranties (see recall files). On December 22, 2021, ODI upgraded PE19-003 and PE19-004 to this Engineering Analysis (EA21-003, covering both Hyundai and Kia) to evaluate the scope of the prior recalls related to engine failures/fires and the efficacy of the recall remedies for the recalls, as well as the long-term viability of related programs and non-safety field actions being conducted by Hyundai and Kia. The former issue involved approximately 550,000 MY 2013 Hyundai Elantra, MY
PE19-003opened Mar 29, 2019
Electrical · model years 2013 to 2014

Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 20V-061.

NHTSA summary
During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles equipped with Theta II and Lambda II engines (approximately 1.3 million vehicles). ODI also reviewed field data of other Hyundai vehicles equipped with Theta II, Gamma, Nu and Lambda engines (approximately 4.8 million). As a result of this PE, Hyundai has issued NHTSA Recalls 20V-746 and 21V-727 to address potential engine failures and fires in certain Hyundai vehicles equipped with various engine types. Additional information on these and other related recall actions is available in the downloadable version of this resume available at NHTSA.gov. In addition, ODI has upgraded this PE to an Engineering Analysis (EA) 21-003 which will focus on potential recall scope concerns and recall remedy concerns related to the engine failure rewlated recalls mentioned above and conducted previously. See the EA21-003 Opening Resume available at NHTSA.gov for more information. Also available in the downloadable version of this resume is a list of the reference numbers for the 302 ODI reports, or Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs), cited above which ODI received through mid-November 2021. Note that the Manufacturer reports cited above are customer complaints received t
DP18-003opened Aug 21, 2018
Electrical · model years 2013 to 2014

Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed may 10, 2019, led to recall 18V-907.

NHTSA summary
In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition. CAS stated that there is a higher number of complaints to NHTSA regarding non-crash fires on these vehicles compared to other similar vehicles. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) had already opened Recall Queries (RQ17-003 and RQ17-004) on all Kia and Hyundai vehicles equipped with Theta II engines for engine failures that may cause stalling and fires.The queries cover most of the petition subject Optima, Sorento, Sonata, and Santa Fe vehicles but not any of the subject Soul vehicles.On August 21, 2018, ODI opened a Defect Petition (DP18-003) to evaluate whether to grant or deny the CAS petition. ODI sent Information Request letters to Kia and Hyundai (September and October 2018) requesting information on all engine and non-engine related fires in the petition vehicles.ODI performed extensive analysis on the information obtained from Kia and Hyundai. During the DP18-003 analysis, Kia and Hyundai each initiated three additional safety recalls related to engine compartment fires on certain petitioned and non-petitioned vehicles (nearly 740,000 total vehicles: Reca

What owners paid

11 of the 53 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $330 to $2,000.

$330$800$2,000
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 7,600 and 99,000 miles, from the 30 reports that gave a mileage.

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1126

What owners wrote

“Followed all the steps for the theta II engine issue included replacing the knock sensor and spark plugs. The engine lost power when driving to Chicago and had to get the vehicle towed and now the dealer is saying that I have to pay for the engine replacement at my own expense in Hyundai is not covering.”

Filed May 23, 2025

“The check engine light came on. The vehicle attempts to stall when changing gears after a stop or deceleration and the engine shutters at speeds 65mph or greater. I am afraid the vehicle will stall if a fast acceleration is required such as moving onto a highway. A diagnostic was performed to confirm the engine is causing the "Check Engine Light or Service Engine Soon Light."”

Filed Jan 18, 2024

“I was driving 55 miles an hour down a major highway all of the sudden my vehicle jumps and lost all power. I did managed to make it onto the side of the road. I turned off the vehicle and turned it back on it was making a crazy noise. It is now not drivable due to the engine failure.”

Filed Jul 26, 2023

“My truck started making very funny noises out of the engine area, two nights ago, and the next day, the noise persisted, and the car stalled. When we checked the oil, it was bone dry. There was no oil light warning. This car is very well-maintained.”

Filed Jun 15, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 53 reports involved a crash and 5 people were hurt. 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.

Other problems on this car