2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport engine problems

194 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2018 Hyundai Santa FE Sport — 61% of all complaints for this model year.

194

Engine complaints

61%

share of all complaints

77,147 mi

median reported incident mileage

1 / 3

crash / fire reports

What owners report

“The engine on this vehicle suffers from a severe oil consumption defect that was first officially reported to the authorized dealership on February 3, 2025 at approximately 90,000 miles while under the factory powertrain warranty. The vehicle completely empties its engine oil supply in under 1,000…”
filed Jul 17, 2026
“The Hyundai Theta engine is a bad design that has many recalls, a history of oil consumptions, and breakdowns that leave consumers in danger, on the roadside, and out of money. This engine has a design that causes worn engine components and high oil consumption causing reduced engine power, ruined…”
filed Jul 17, 2026
“The car has 90,000 miles on it and uses excessive oil, not leaking. It uses at least one quart per 1000 miles.”
filed Jul 5, 2026

Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.

Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these…
26-01-013H-2 DN · Service Campaign · issued May 21, 2026
Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation. If present, this condition is…
9C2 DCS 260518 · Service Campaign · issued May 19, 2026
Certain 2019 – 2020 model year Santa Fe, 2017 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2015 – 2019 model year Sonata, and 2018 – 2021 model year Tucson vehicles may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. Hyundai is conducting…
9C2 OL · Service Campaign · issued Apr 14, 2026