HyundaiSanta Fe2018Overview/hyundai/santa-fe/2018/base/

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Santa Fe.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe is a conventional SUV pairing a six-speed automatic transmission with fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined, while routine maintenance calls for 6.0 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil. With 108 total owner complaints and just 2 recalls — the top complaint area being the engine — this model year represents a sharp decline from the 941 complaints recorded for the 2017 Santa Fe, the worst in the nameplate's 2001–2026 complaint history. That dramatic drop suggests Hyundai addressed many of the prior year's pain points, positioning the 2018 as a comparatively stable entry in the model's lineage and a reasonable choice for a used-SUV shopper prioritizing reliability over peak model years.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque79-94 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tail / brake / turnINDOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Thermostat255003C150

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.6 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3616 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 24 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Santa Fe of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2013 Limited 3.3L V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017Limited Ultimate 3.3L V67.30 sec15.80 sec290 hpAWD
2017Limited Ultimate 3.3L V67.30 sec15.80 sec290 hpFWD
2014Limited 3.3L V67.30 sec15.80 sec290 hpAWD
2013Limited 3.3L V67.10 sec15.80 sec290 hpFWD
2013GLS 3.3L V67.40 sec16.00 sec290 hpFWD
2013Limited 3.3L V67.50 sec15.90 sec290 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 79-94 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5-8.2
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 qt
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity9.5
Engine Oil5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1-7.2 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1-7.2 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)47.7-56.4 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)21.7-28.9 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)26.0-33.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)11.6-17.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53.0-56.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36-40 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts79-94 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerHyundai
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque11 - 18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.29-1.40 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.70-5.50 oz

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum284.5 High Pressure Fuel Line. psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum2133.5 High Pressure Fuel Line. psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)69.6-75.4 Low Pressure Fuel Line. psi
RPM69.6
Engine Compression128

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.024; Rear: .370
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0002
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0009; Rear: .0012

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
156.0 inch lbs.56 in
296.0 inch lbs.96 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
268.0-72.0
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs.2.9–4.3 ft. lbs
219.5-23.1 ft. lbs.19.5–23.1 ft. lbs
3Repeat Step 2 twice.
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 5 stages
1Inner bolts36 ft. lbs
2Inner bolts90 degrees
3Outer bolts15 ft. lbs
4120.0 degrees120 degrees
521.0-23.0
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.2-8.73.6–4.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect)
Every 37,500 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe represents a dramatic statistical improvement over the preceding model year, dropping from a massive 941 complaints in 2017 to just 108, while also featuring fewer recalls (2 versus 6) and investigations (2 versus 3). Across the broader generational arc, federal complaints have swung wildly from previous highs of 681 in 2007 and 604 in 2013 to the severe 2017 spike, making 2018's low figure a welcome stabilization before complaints moderately rise again to 191 in 2019. Sitting at the bottom of this complaint curve implies the manufacturer mitigated the severe issues plaguing the 2017 model, though the data does not specify the root causes for the remaining concerns. Engine issues dominate the 2018 profile with 36 complaints, followed by hydraulic service brakes (12), alongside 6 crash and 4 fire complaints. Given its exceptionally low complaint volume relative to the volatile years immediately surrounding it, the 2018 Santa Fe stands out as a strong, lower-risk purchase in the used market, provided you verify the two factory recalls have been properly addressed.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
114
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
108
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 108 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine36
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12
Unknown Or Other7
Steering5
Air Bags5
Power Train,Engine4
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System3
Seats3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V118000Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle BarReported 17/02/2018

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The steering wheel assembly may break, possibly resulting in the steering wheel separating from the steering column… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will check the production lot number of the steering wheel assembly, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March…

22V056000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModuleReported 03/02/2022

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an… Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 114 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
Z01 Letter2026-05-22Electrical SystemCertain 2012 – 2017 model year Accent, 2012 – 2017 model year Azera, 2013 – 2018 model…
26-BE-011H DN2026-04-25Electrical SystemSome vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s)…
26-BE-011H TSB2026-04-25Electrical SystemSome vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s)…
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Santa Fe. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Santa Fe take?

6.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Santa Fe have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Santa Fe get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.