2018 Hyundai Santa Fe: sudden loss of power

Filed Mar 13, 2026 · Engine · PA

Catastrophic Engine Failure - Cam phasers blew apart and severely cracked the valve covers. This occurred with no prior warning lights. Minutes before failure, there was engine hesitation and noise and then severely reduced power, causing a safety issue while driving. Vehicle was towed to local Hyundai dealer who identified the cam phaser failure ausing external engine damage of the valve covers and complete loss of oil. This occurred only 3,000 miles after an oil change.

Filed Nov 14, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · VA · fire

In September 2024, my 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe experienced an unexpected engine lock-up while driving, creating an immediate safety hazard. Vehicle lost power, began smoking, and posed a potential fire risk. Fire department responded to prevent the engine from catching fire and had to spray the engine compartment with high-pressure water. Following this incident, vehicle remained in Hyundai’s possession for ~9 months for engine-related repairs. When we picked up the vehicle after the prolonged repair period, front-facing camera had completely stopped functioning. This camera has always worked prior to the engine lock-up and was functioning the day of the incident. This was reported to the dealership, Hyundai Motor America. A case manager (Nemesh) took the case. Very supportive, helpful and provided a thorough process for investigating the situation. However, all the sudden case was assigned a new case manager (Bryan) and the process immediately changed and the claim was denied. Given the timing and circumstances, the camera failure appears to be the result of electrical or component damage caused during the engine failure/fire-prevention event. The dealership also confirmed that no independent inspector ever assessed the vehicle for secondary damage despite my repeated requests. Hyundai later denied responsibility without conducting any physical inspection of the damage. This sequence of events — sudden engine failure, required fire-response intervention, prolonged repair, and subsequent electrical component failure — raises significant concerns about safety and the potential for related electrical or wiring issues caused by the engine incident. I am reporting this because the underlying engine failure and fire-risk conditions represent a serious safety defect, and related component failures may indicate broader issues with damage resulting from these events. Also Hyundai not letting the independent inspector assess gives me great concern something was missed.

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 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 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 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 Sep 9, 2021 · FL

My vehicle is available for inspection upon request. On multiple occasions the fluid in coolant reservoir has drained out. There is no visible signs of coolant on the under carriage nor is there a puddle on the floor of my garage and no warning lights have come on. In the span of approximately 2 weeks the fluid dropped 1/4 of an inch. Hyundia of Wesley Chapel (in Wesley Chapel, Fl) has had my vehicle on two occasions for this issue. They documented a lose of pressure in the coolant system of 10psi after an extended pressure test on a cold engine. Various other tests were performed but the source of the loss of coolant has not been found. The vehicle also intermittently experiences a loss of power when trying to accelerate from a full stop. The above mentioned dealership has not been able to replicate this issue either.

Filed Apr 2, 2020 · Airbags, Body · 60,000 miles · MI · crash · 2 injuries

Driving a rental car at 4:30 a.m. On country road attempting to catch our flight back home. After driving approx. 20 minutes, headlights went out and dashboard lights. We had no visibility, attempted to stop vehicle, left pavement and struck a tree. During our week rental of this vehicle we did have issues with SUV losing power when climbing a hill, but not a steep one at all. Suv would drop at least 10 MPH when doing so. Not sure if these two issues are related at all.

Filed Mar 24, 2019 · Engine · 27,000 miles · NJ

My wife was driving on nj parkway in heavy rush hour traffic doing 70 miles an hour. Car then stuttered and slowed down, with her having to move three lanes over while trying to get over bridge. Hyundai blue link came on and told her to get car immediately to the dealer. When taken to dealer they said due to the knock sensor update the engine will need to be replaced at 27,000 miles? This was done by hyundai two weeks ago. Update to yesterday 3/23/19 and same thing happened to her again going to work on the nj parkway. I then took the car to the dealer, same issues, same computer screen showed in the car and will be needing now second engine at 29,000 miles. Two blown engines under 30,000 miles, hyundai admits the problem to us and not sure why others are having issue. Received rental car both times. Will see how hyundai rectify this problem, they should buy back cars from owners and reimburse time missed from work, pain and suffering as well as the stress of driving on ,amir highway and losing power in your car.