Last updated: 2026-10-10
Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Problems
Oil burning that ends in a seized or blown engine is the most common engine failure on the Hyundai Santa Fe, mostly in the 2018 model year.
- Owner complaints
- 341
- Share of all complaints
- 21%
- Crash / fire / injury reports
- 0 / 9 / 3
- Related recalls
- 2
Santa Fe engine complaints by model year
The 2018 model year dominates, with 182 of the 341 engine complaints and about 15.6 per 10,000 sold. The 2019 and 2020 years sit far lower, near 4 per 10,000, but still describe oil burning and engine failure. The 2021 through 2023 years have fewer complaints, mostly stalling and injector misfires. The 2024, 2025, and 2026 years show very few complaints, but they have had little time on the road, so that is not proof they are trouble free. The 2025 and 2026 years also carry an engine recall.
- 2018182 · 15.6/10k sold
- 201947 · 3.7/10k sold
- 202040 · 3.9/10k sold
- 202116 · 1.4/10k sold
- 202228 · 2.4/10k sold
- 202321 · 1.6/10k sold
- 20244 · 0.4/10k sold
- 20253 · 0.2/10k sold
- 20260 · 0/10k sold
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under engine, engine and engine cooling. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.
What goes wrong
Oil burning is the main engine complaint on this SUV. Owners add quarts between changes, find no leak, and often get no warning light until the dipstick is dry. Some report about 2 quarts lost every 1,000 miles. Left alone, it can end in knocking, a broken connecting rod, or a locked engine. Newer years show a different mix: fuel injector misfires, stalling, and power loss. Engine problems make up about one in five of all owner complaints on the model.
The risk is real. Engines have stalled at highway speed, and one 2018 owner could not steer after a stall at about 50 mph. Federal records show no crashes in this area, but fire reports appear in 2018, 2019, and 2020. One 2020 car caught fire minutes after a valve cover gasket repair. A 2019 car burned in a driveway after an engine reseal and turbo replacement. Failed engines often need full replacement.
Symptoms owners report
Oil disappears with no leak
Owners find the engine several quarts low between changes with no drip on the driveway. Reports include smoke from the exhaust, fouled spark plugs, and a low oil light that flickers or comes on soon after a change. Many get no warning at all.
Knocking, seizure, engine failure
When the oil runs low, owners describe knocking or clicking, then a broken connecting rod or a locked engine. Some failures happen on the highway with no oil light. Dealers often call for a full engine replacement.
Stalling while driving
The engine cuts out at highway speed, when braking to a stop, or in stop-and-go traffic. Some owners link it to the Idle Stop and Go system. In 2023 reports, restarting usually clears it and dealers often find no codes.
Misfires from fuel injectors
The check engine light comes on, the engine shakes, and the car loses power. Code P030100 shows up often in 2022 reports. Dealers tend to replace one injector at a time, so misfires return on another cylinder.
Smoke, burning smells, and fire
Fire reports appear for 2018, 2019, and 2020. They include leaking fuel injectors, a fire shortly after a valve cover gasket repair, and a car that burned after being parked. Some owners smelled gas or burning oil first.
When the problems start
Oil burning failures in 2018 reports cluster between roughly 58,000 and 123,000 miles, with several just past warranty. The 2019 complaints often start between 85,000 and 100,000 miles, and the 2020 ones around 78,788 to 110,000 miles. Injector misfires in the 2022 year repeat between about 36,285 and 51,000 miles. A few failures come much earlier, including one engine with metal in the oil at 7,042 miles.
Repairs and recalls
Owners report dealers running oil consumption tests, with one shop asking $150 for the test. Repairs named include fuel injectors, spark plugs, gaskets, valves, a turbo, and full engine replacement. Replacement quotes run from $12,000 to $20,000, and one owner was quoted $7000. Some warranty claims were denied, one for missing oil-change receipts. Federal records list two engine recalls. The 2022 recall covers a cracking turbocharger oil supply pipe, fixed by replacing the pipe. The 2025 and 2026 recall covers possibly improperly tightened connecting rod bolts, fixed by replacing the engine. Both are free.
| Model years | Campaign | Problem |
|---|---|---|
| 2025, 2026 | 25V549000 | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power and engine… |
| 2022 | 22V197000 | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022 Santa Fe and Santa Cruz vehicles. The oil supply pipe to the turbocharger may crack, which could result in an oil leak in the engine compartment. |
Checking a used Santa Fe for engine problems
- Pull the dipstick on a cold engine and note the oil level. Ask how often the owner adds oil between changes.
- Ask for oil-change receipts and any oil consumption test results. Missing receipts have led to denied warranty claims.
- Look for blue-gray smoke from the exhaust at startup and under hard acceleration.
- Idle the engine, then drive in stop-and-go traffic. Watch for stalling, hesitation, rough idle, or a check engine light.
- Run the VIN through the federal recall lookup to confirm the turbo oil pipe or engine recall work was done.
- Be cautious with 2018 models. Get an independent inspection and ask about any past engine repair.
2 engine recalls cover the Hyundai Santa Fe. A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Problems: common questions
- Which Hyundai Santa Fe years have the most engine problems?
- The 2018 model year has by far the most, with 182 of the 341 engine complaints. The 2019 and 2020 years follow at far lower rates. Years from 2024 on show few complaints, but they are too new to judge, since complaints build up over time.
- Is it safe to drive a Santa Fe that burns oil?
- It is risky. Owners report engines that stalled at highway speed, one with a loss of steering, and some failures came with no oil light. Check the oil often and have the car inspected promptly if the level keeps dropping.
- Is there a recall for Santa Fe engine problems?
- Federal records list two engine recalls. One covers 2022 models for a turbocharger oil supply pipe that may crack. The other covers 2025 and 2026 models for connecting rod bolts that may be improperly tightened. Check the VIN for your car.
- How much does it cost to fix a failed Santa Fe engine?
- Owners report replacement quotes from $12,000 to $20,000, and one was quoted $7000. Recall repairs are free. Some owners say warranty claims were denied, so keep every oil-change receipt.
- What are early signs of Santa Fe engine trouble?
- Watch for oil that drops between changes with no leak, a flickering low oil light, exhaust smoke, and fouled spark plugs. Knocking, misfires, hesitation, and stalling are later warnings. Some engines fail with no warning at all.
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