HyundaiSanta Fe Sport2018Overview/hyundai/santa-fe-sport/2018/base/

2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport

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

Body SUV

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is an SUV that carries forward a platform and engineering approach consistent with its lineage from 2013 through 2018. In its final model year it records 412 owner complaints, the highest tally in the nameplate’s six‑year complaint history, with the engine emerging as the primary complaint area and five recall actions issued. This concentration of issues marks 2018 as a peak year for reported problems, underscoring a reliability trajectory that climbs from the relatively low 64 complaints recorded in 2016.

Model year201820172016201520142013

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 2630035505. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tail / brake / turnINDOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter2630035505
Spark plug1884911070
Battery37110C6812

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

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

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

8.3–8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.30 sec — 2018 SUV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018SUV 2.4L I-48.30 sec16.40 sec185 hpFWD
20182.0T Ultimate 2.0L Turbo I-48.40 sec16.50 sec240 hpAWD
20172.0T Ultimate 2.0L Turbo I-47.60 sec15.90 sec240 hpAWD
20152.0T Ultimate 2.0L Turbo I-46.60 sec15.00 sec264 hpAWD
20152.0T Ultimate 2.0L Turbo I-49.30 sec17.00 sec264 hpAWD
20132.4 2.4L I-48.60 sec16.60 sec190 hpFWD
20132.0T 2.0L Turbo I-49.10 sec16.80 sec264 hpAWD
20132.4 2.4L I-49.10 sec16.90 sec190 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts145.0-152.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87.0-94.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87.0-94.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87.0-94.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87.0-94.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87.0-94.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14-17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36-40 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerHyundai
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque11 - 18 ft-lbs

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

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
288.0-92.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113.0-16.0 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
290.0
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep New cylinder head bolts must be installed.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees; Apply liquid gasket on the edge of the cylinder block and cylinder head gasket. Threebond 1217H or equivalent. Assemble the cylinder head gasket and the cylinder head within 5 minutes after applying sealant.90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep New cylinder head bolts must be installed.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees; Apply liquid gasket on the edge of the cylinder block and cylinder head gasket. Loctite 5900H or equivalent.90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
220.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
3120.0-125.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
220.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
3120.0-125.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
2120.0-125.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
2120.0-125.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
220.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
3120.0-125.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
220.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
3120.0-125.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 45,000 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 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · 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)
Every 45,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)

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 Sport sits at the peak of complaint volume for its generation, with 412 complaints and 5 recalls, a sharp rise from the modest 64 complaints in 2016 to the 338 complaints in 2017. The recall count also climbs from 1 in 2016 to 5 in 2018, while investigations remain low (2) and total safety bulletins (201) are the highest recorded for this period. Engine‑related complaints dominate the 2018 profile, accounting for 166 of the 412 issues, followed by brake and hydraulic concerns. Compared to the earlier years, where complaints and recalls were relatively stable, the 2018 spike suggests a concentrated set of quality or reliability problems that were not present in earlier model years. Given this upward trend in both complaints and recalls, a 2018 Santa Fe Sport may carry higher risk than the 2016 or 2017 models, so buyers should weigh the potential for increased maintenance costs and seek vehicles with a clean recall history.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
201
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
412
Owner complaints
12 involved a crash · 11 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 412 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine166
Service Brakes, Hydraulic46
Unknown Or Other29
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System15
Unknown Or Other,Engine14
Engine & Engine Cooling10
Power Train8
Power Train,Engine7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V577000Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil SpringsReported 20/09/2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The front coil springs may have been improperly manufactured and, as a result, may fracture under certain loads while driving. Remedy: All of the affected vehicles are currently unsold on dealer lots. Dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge prior to the vehicle's sale. The recall began…

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 201 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
Z01 Letter2026-05-22Electrical SystemCertain 2012 – 2017 model year Accent, 2012 – 2017 model year Azera, 2013 – 2018 model…
26-01-013H-2 DN2026-05-20Electrical SystemCertain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles…
26-01-013H-2 TSB2026-05-20Electrical SystemCertain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles…
9C2 0605182026-05-18Electrical SystemFollowing completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain…
9C2 DCS 2605182026-05-18Electrical SystemFollowing completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain…

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 Sport. 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

Does the 2018 Santa Fe Sport have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.