2018 Hyundai Santa Fe: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Feb 2, 2026 · Engine · TN

Engine Issues: A week ago, on two separate occasions, my Santa Fe cutoff while driving suddenly. A day later, I noticed a rhythmic knocking upon starting my vehicle. The knocking would increase during acceleration and decrease when I let off. I am only at 83,000 miles on this 2018 vehicle. I took the vehicle in for an oil change and they didn't notice anything off about the oil. Afterwards it slightly improved; however, once I was able to get it to the shop they said there were metal shavings in the engine/oil and it was a complete engine failure costing $12,000 to replace. There were no indicators that there was an issue on the dash.

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · NJ

•Year/Make/Model: 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe •Mileage: ~91,502 •Date Purchased: April 2023 Description of Problem / Safety Concern: I am reporting a safety-related engine defect in my 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The vehicle has developed engine knocking, metal shavings in the oil, and potential timing chain/bearing failure, all of which create a serious risk of engine failure while driving. The vehicle was purchased at 50,855 miles and currently has 91,502 miles, demonstrating that these serious engine defects developed at relatively low mileage. I have attempted to have the issue addressed under Hyundai’s extended warranty, referencing the TXX8 Service Bulletin which provides specific instructions for inspecting, diagnosing, and submitting claims for this type of engine defect. Despite this, two Hyundai dealers have refused to inspect the vehicle or submit a warranty claim: •Hyundai of Trenton refused to inspect or submit any claim. •A second Hyundai dealer demanded nearly $2,000 in fees ($195 diagnostic, $550 additional, $1,200 bearing test) and then denied coverage citing “no codes,” even after acknowledging metal flakes in the oil filter and noisy valve train. I have also contacted Hyundai Corporate three times (two online complaints, one phone call), but the company continues to direct me back to the dealers without resolving the issue. Safety Risk: The ongoing engine defects jeopardize vehicle safety and could result in catastrophic engine failure while driving. Based on research and reports from other owners, these issues may affect other 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles with similar Theta II engines

Filed Aug 1, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · NC

I am writing to formally request your review and potential intervention regarding a serious and potentially widespread mechanical issue involving Hyundai vehicles, along with the manufacturer’s refusal to honor their well-advertised 100,000-mile powertrain warranty for subsequent (non-original) owners. I am the current owner of a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe (VIN: [XXX] ) that is experiencing a Continuous Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) system failure, which has led to a critical engine malfunction. The estimated cost of repairs exceeds $7,000, an unexpected and significant financial burden. Despite the vehicle being well within the 100,000-mile threshold, Hyundai has denied warranty coverage solely on the grounds that I am not the original owner. This policy effectively strips coverage from second-hand buyers and, in my view, is misleading given Hyundai’s extensive advertising of the 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. It creates a false sense of long-term reliability and warranty protection. This is not an isolated case. Numerous complaints have surfaced from Hyundai owners experiencing similar catastrophic engine and powertrain failures—including CVVT malfunctions, rod bearing issues, and engine seizure—raising serious questions about: The safety and reliability of Hyundai's engine systems; The fairness and transparency of Hyundai’s warranty terms and advertising; Potentially systemic manufacturing or design flaws impacting thousands of vehicles on U.S. roads. I respectfully urge the NTSB to review whether such defects present broader safety implications and to assess whether Hyundai’s current warranty practices reflect responsible corporate and consumer protection standards. Please let me know if additional information is required, including repair estimates, maintenance records, or correspondence with Hyundai representatives. I appreciate your time and attention to this matter that is affecting many vehicle owners beyond my individual case. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FO

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 19, 2024 · Engine · TX

May 26, 2024 I was driving on a freeway with my grandson. I heard a knocking/clicking sound from my 2018 Santa Fe. No warning lights came on. The car lost all power. I had to navigate the traffic and coast to a stop. Unfortunately we were on the side of the freeway right before a very busy entrance ramp. An 18 wheeler swerved to avoid hitting us. That's when I decided it was not safe to wait in the car for a tow truck. My car was taken to a Hyundai dealership. We received a call that the engine needs to be replaced and was quoted $20,000 for a new engine.I have spoken with a case manager at Hyundia corporate. He says they are waiting on the dealership to request a goodwill warranty because my car was 3,000 miles outside of the 100000 mile warranty. The dealership was suppose to submit it last week but as of today it has not been done. I looked to see if there were any recalls or class action suits for my make and model. That's when I discovered my vehicle has some outstanding safety recalls. I was never notified of these recalls.

Filed Jun 6, 2024 · Engine · AL

1)connecting rod bearings,2)stop driving it,3)yes,4)yes,5)no this is the 3.3 liter engine and it start knocking

Filed Apr 12, 2024 · Engine · TX

The engine started exhibiting consumption of oil and knocking around 84,000mi had the car towed to the shop. Don’t have much faith they will do anything even though it is a certified preowned.

Filed Apr 2, 2024 · Engine · MA

My vehicle was turning off without any warning, last oil change was in October 2023, and had the oil changed this month. Engine started making loud noises from top, and eventually louder knocking noises from below. We towed vehicle to the dealer where we purchased at Balise Hyundia in Springfield MA. The vehicle has 84,000 miles and we've always maintained it. There were no warning indicators that there was an issue with the engine. After further research I've discovered numerous articles and complaints regarding Hyundai's 3.3-liter engine after certain number of miles. The engines are failing, and I'm concerned we may be victims of an issue that has existed with these engines. This is a safety issue because there is no warning the engine is failing, the car turns off without warning, and the potential of an overheating engine causing a seizure and fire is always a concern.

Filed Mar 12, 2024 · Engine · AR

About a week ago the engine started making a strange sound when accelerating at low/mid speed through 2nd and 3rd gear. Best I could describe the sound was "a leaf in a fan blade". About 3 days after that sound started I just happened to be driving with the windows down around 10mph and heard a slight ticking sound. I returned home and immediately checked the oil. Upon opening the hood of the car I saw oil sprayed all over the left side of the engine compartment. When I checked the oil level it was completely empty, but there was standing oil on the skid plate underneath. There were never any warning lights of any kind. Both of the sounds were quiet enough that when the radio was on I couldn't hear them - thankfully I drive with it off most of the time! I parked the car for the weekend, put 4quarts of oil in it Monday morning and drove it to the dealership to drop off. They inspected it and (according to them) found a snapped cam shaft and a cracked timing cover which is where the oil was leaking from while driving. There was also a high amount of metal shavings found when they did a contamination check. This is the primary family car. We use it to go out of town almost every weekend and had just returned home the night before I found the oil leak. With how the oil was spraying across the entire engine compartment and all over the belts this could have very easily resulted in an engine fire at worse or have left us stranded on the side of a busy interstate with a bricked engine along with two adopted foster children with severe PTSD, anxiety, ADHD and extreme behavioral issues when confronted with stressful situations.

Filed Mar 11, 2024 · Engine · FL

Vehicle started normally except for a few chirps that began today, belts are due for replacement so assumed this was it. No unusual noises, behaviors, sounds or performance issues until an hour later; coming to a light where a left turn was to be made, the car started stalling - still no noises or indicators lit. Upon starting the turn the engine shut completely off, and was just barely able to coast to the shoulder. The vehicle’s power completely cut, and attempting to start the vehicle did nothing. Checked the oil, and the dip stick was completely dry, however it was above the low level notch when checked 2,000 miles previously. Upon filling the oil up and jumping the battery which had depleted from sitting with the hazard lights on, the vehicle started but has a very loud knock. With the help of police who had stopped to assist I was able to get the vehicle off of the road and to a safer place to be towed to a nearby shop; have not yet contacted them as they were not open today but I expect the low oil may have caused damage to the engine.

Filed Jul 19, 2019 · Engine · 16,000 miles · WI

A recall letter from hyundai on my 2018 santa fe on a knock sensor took it to my dealership they did what ever the recall was 3 miles down the road my car went intp limp mode took me from 70mph to 30 call the dealer had to limp it back they hah it for 3 weeks had the wire harness replaced asked they had any trouble with this as we were going on vacaton they said no half way through our trip to south dakota it went into limp mode again this time the speed was 80mph on the highway I called hyundai doesnt seem they care if we were killed or not offered a few hundred dollars our vacation was ruined I dont feel safe in this SUV but cant seem to get help from hyundai I will never buy another one

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.