2018 Hyundai Santa Fe: check engine light

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Engine · IL

While driving, the vehicle developed a strong odor of engine oil, followed within minutes by illumination of the red oil pressure warning light. Inspection determined that a bolt had exited the engine's timing assembly, broken the timing chain, and punctured the timing cover, discharging engine oil throughout the engine compartment while the vehicle was in operation. Engine oil was sprayed onto hot engine and exhaust components while the vehicle was being driven on public roads. This presents a fire hazard. The same failure also risks sudden loss of engine oil pressure and seizure without warning, which would cause an abrupt loss of motive power in traffic. Approximately twelve days before this failure, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken for service within two days. The technician was unable to clear the code or identify the cause and advised a dealer inspection. No warning of imminent catastrophic engine failure was provided by the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a Hyundai dealership, which quoted $6,932.28 plus tax and characterized the work as a "timing repair." This vehicle is equipped with the 3.3L Lambda II GDI V6. I am aware that this engine is the subject of Hyundai Warranty Extension TXX8 covering engine damage on 2013–2019 Santa Fe vehicles, and of a federal class action alleging premature failure of internal rotating components in this engine. The dealership's estimate made no reference to that extension, and Hyundai's public VIN lookup tool returns no campaigns for this vehicle. The vehicle remains at the dealership and the failed components are intact and available for inspection upon request. The failure was confirmed by both an independent service facility and the Hyundai dealership.

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TX

The oil pressure switch has a faulty seal causing oil to leak out onto the engine block. This causes oil on the underbody and ground, smoke amd smell from oil on got surfaces, knocking noises from the engine, reduced power or hesitation, illumination or the check engine light and oil pressure light, high speed stall, and will also cause fire in the engine compartment resulting in death or sever injury. I have taken my car to the Red McCombs Hyundai dealership in San Antonio TX for repair and they have confirmed that it is the oil pressure switch seal that failed. The oil leak has also damaged electrical components causing a malfunction in the dash cluster and steering wheel control.

Filed Jun 26, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

Q: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A: Two fuel injectors on bank 2 are failing intermittently causing the engine light to flash and stay on (P0300 errors) and the car loses power. Q: How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A: Driving to Newark airport on [XXX] the car suddenly lost power and was quickly coming to a halt. LUCKILY I was was in the middle lane and was able to get to the shoulder without incident. This also happened to my daughter when she was in WA state, driving to work on the highway (the car was serviced but the fuel injectors were not replaced - see attached receipt). Q: Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? A: Yes. An independent service center performed a injector value load test which determines the amount of blocked pressure the injector is performing under load. The values and the math show that more than 1 injector on bank 2 are failing. Q: Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? A: I had the vehicle in the Hyundai dealer but they did not do the injector load test and only wanted to replace all the coil packs and plugs. I had two other independent service facilities confirm the issue is with fault fuel injectors. Hyundai has the parts on hold and is not releasing any due to this issue. I do NOT understand how this is not a recall circumstance. I am fortunate that in both instances an accident did not occur. Q: Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? A: Yes, the engine light comes on - at first blinking, then steady. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 3, 2025 · Transmission · IL

All of the bolts that hold the CVVT assembly backed out and one came completely out. It punctured a hole in my valve cover. Oil sprayed all underneath my hood and leaked out on the road. The car went into limp mode while I was driving, and had I not already pulled off the street, this would have caused a multiple vehicle accident. I had the vehicle towed to the manufacturer dealer and they confirmed the issue. The only warning lamp that came on was the check engine, and that didn't happen until i had already pulled over. Thus all happened within a matter of 10 minutes of driving.

Filed Aug 5, 2024 · Engine · NJ

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe SE with 98000. miles lost power while driving, would not accelerate. No warning prior to event. No check engine light prior.Had the vehicle towed to Dealership for diagnostics. Dealership technician pulled codes P0018; P0300; P0302; P0304; P0306. I was told the repairs needed were: Replace left intake camshaft, CVVT, and timing chain tensioner. I had requested the dealership contact the National Consumer Affairs for Hyundai Motor America to put in a claim on the 100,000. mile warranty. After several weeks they declined to fix or offset the repair costs for this claim. they stated the following; "HMA Is Declining To Provide Assistance Due To The Malfunction Being Out Of Warranty Caused By The Time In Service And Mileage Of The Vehicle. No Goodwill Assistance Is Being Offered At This Time." I believe that that this issue is a common occurrence after reading many other customer complaints with the same issues. Why would HMA state "no assistance at this time". It appears that they would rather ignore this concern until the car is past the warranty period.

Filed Apr 11, 2024 · Engine · MI

My Hyundai Santa Fe’s engine blew up while I was driving it and everything shut down without warning. I was stuck in the middle of a busy 4 way stop until I was pushed into a parking lot so I could get towed. There was no warning lights such as oil, engine lights, no sensors what so ever!!! It had begun burning oil and I made an appointment to get it checked but the oil was not low this time. I was told that the 3.3/6 cylinders engine isn’t in the recall list and is out of warranty at 123,000 miles so they won’t help replace the engine!! This is a $40000 vehicle!!! I’ve looked online and from what I’ve read there are many many people suffering the same issue with this engine but it’s not part of the class action lawsuit. PLEASE PLEASE HELP. I cannot afford a new engine or a new car.

Filed Apr 2, 2024 · Engine · TX

Driving at 70 mph and the car’s RPMs dropped. Coasted to exit the highway to find out the car was not accelerating as it should. Took car straight to dealership to drop it off. Have 100,139 miles on the vehicle. Was told by dealership that car was consuming oil. No check engine lights came on, no oil lights on. Nothing. No warning, no smoke, etc. have been told that the car is consuming oil. I was told when I dropped the car off on Saturday there was 1 qt of oil, and by Monday when they test drove the vehicle there was none and the engine had seized up on them in the parking lot. It has now been two weeks. The initial quote given was 11k (if warranty didn’t cover anything). The dealership submitted all maintenance records, registration and the form stating I am the only owner of the vehicle. Friday (XXX) was told warranty would pay 90% and I would be responsible for 10%, did not have an explanation as to why they did not cover all. Ask to get that information. Saturday (XXX) was told warranty would cover 95% and I would cover 5%, awesome. Agreed to get the ball rolling and order parts. Hear from service advisor on XXX, stating that the repairs are now quoted at $23k, so my portion is more. Still no reasoning why. Later found out that Hyundai has discontinued the 11k long block engines, so they are having to order short block engine + all parts to build it. The huge concern is that is ZERO warning. This could have been dangerous had I pulled out in front of a car! I know there are multiple complaints against Hyundai, so I know I am not alone. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 15, 2024 · Engine · OH

Driving at 35 mph, engine lost power and went into limp mode. Check engine light was flashing. Showed code P0018. Catastrophic engine failure. No compression in bank 2 cylinders. Needs an engine replacement. Only 113,000 miles on the engine. No help from Hyundai at all.

Filed Oct 17, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · LA

We took our 2018 Santa Fe in for service because the check engine light came on and we lost power when accelerating. We were told that it has "catastrophic engine failure" and that we need a full engine replacement. On a less than 5 year old car. We are being blamed for this although we have kept up with regular oil changes and service. We were told that we could not get any warranty on the engine. We have been quoted $7,500 for an engine "replacement" and a 1 year warranty. They do not make the engine any longer so it is not even a true replacement. We brought it in to Hyundai of Metairie. They will not answer or return our calls. Do not buy a hyundai.

Filed Aug 23, 2021 · Acceleration · FL

This will be the fourth time our vehicle has to go to the dealer. We purchased this car in April of this year and the car has lived more at the dealer service department than with us. The first time, the car started smoking and left us stranded. The dealer changed out the fuel injectors. When it randomly started smoking it smelled strongly of gas and we were scared that the car would catch fire. The other times were due to the car not accelerating as it should on the highway making it quite difficult to merge and speed up as needed on the highway. This time, it's the same thing. The car does not want to shift gears and it's very dangerous when you are trying to accelerate to get to the right speed and you have cars coming in close from behind and there is no way to signal to them that the car is having trouble shifting. This problem started again yesterday. The check engine light turned on yesterday as well and we took the car to Autozone to scan it. the only code that came up was abs. The car just got towed to the dealer yet again but I have lost hope that they will be able to fix the issue as they have failed 3 times already. (one of these times the dealer failed to refill my radiator coolant after the flushed it causing the car to overheat as well and the car ac malfunctioned as well as a result.

Filed Mar 26, 2019 · Engine · 21,900 miles · NJ

Driving vehicle on the parkway at approximately 65 MPH, engine felt like it was shutting down, car stopped accelerating, engine light was blinking, speedometer stopped working, blue link notification system advised to get to service today. This occurred one week after the car received a software update for a knock sensor recall. Car has been in service since 3/9/19; dealership replaced wiriing harness per hyundai's recommendation, when they test drove the vehicle, the issue has not resolved. They are waiting for hyundai to advise of next steps. I do not feel safe ever getting back in this vehicle due to all of the current issues surrounding hyundai engines, including fires.