2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport engine problems: what's covered and what to do

Last reviewed 2026-10-09 · Data: NHTSA, official settlement and manufacturer documents · Independent site, not affiliated with Hyundai, Kia or NHTSA

Short answer

Every 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport came with a Theta II engine (2.4L GDI or 2.0L turbo GDI), and Hyundai's settlement notice lists 2013-2018 and certain 2019 Santa Fe Sport. If KSDS has been done at a Hyundai dealer, the short block has lifetime warranty coverage for consumer-owned vehicles under the settlement.

Check your VIN to see recalls and which programs list your exact engine.

Which engines and years are involved

2.4L GDI (base) and 2.0L turbo GDI ("2.0T"): both Theta II, both listed.
NHTSA's decoder sometimes labels these as "Santa Fe" rather than "Santa Fe Sport". The 7-seat long-wheelbase Santa Fe of the same years used a 3.3L V6 and is not on this list.

What the settlement and KSDS campaign say

KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) is free dealer software that listens through the knock sensor for the vibration pattern of a worn connecting-rod bearing. If it hears it, it turns on the check-engine light and limits engine power so the car can be driven to a dealer instead of the engine failing on the road. Kia's dealer letter names the trouble code P1326 for this condition.

Settlement: Hyundai notice lists 2013-2018 and certain 2019 Santa Fe Sport with genuine Theta II GDI engines.
KSDS: Hyundai Campaign 953 lists 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport. The campaign page has a free VIN check.
Recall 17V-226 covered 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport engines with machining errors that cause bearing wear (inspect, replace short block if needed).
Deadlines: past-repair reimbursement closed August 9, 2021; the warranty extension needs no claim form.

Engine-related recalls

17V-226 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
18V-934 · ENGINE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.

Recall text quoted from NHTSA. Whether a recall is still open on a specific car can only be checked by VIN at NHTSA or the manufacturer.

What owners report to NHTSA

1,285 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport. 786 of them name an engine component.

Model year	All complaints	Engine complaints	Engine + fire	Typical mileage mentioned (engine)
2013	199	119 (60%)	13	60,000 (n=20)
2014	164	105 (64%)	11	28,900 (n=14)
2015	83	46 (55%)	4	too few (n=7)
2016	69	45 (65%)	10	73,500 (n=10)
2017	352	218 (62%)	5	59,262 (n=63)
2018	418	253 (61%)	5	60,000 (n=77)

Source: NHTSA complaints API, pulled 2026-10-09. "Engine complaints" are complaints where the owner picked an ENGINE component (one complaint can list several components). Mileage is the median of mileages owners typed into their complaint text, shown only when at least 10 complaints mention one. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and counts reflect how many owners filed, not how many cars failed.

Complaint volume is lower than the Sonata because fewer were sold, but the engine share is high: roughly 55-65% of complaints in most years name the engine. 2017 and 2018 have the most engine complaints in this range.

Warning signs to take seriously

Knocking that rises with RPM, or a sudden loss of power on the highway.
Check-engine light with reduced power.
Fuel smell after a prior engine replacement (recall 18V-934 covers fuel pipes on vehicles repaired under 17V-226).

What to do, step by step

Run the Campaign 953 VIN check. Book KSDS if it's open.
Check open recalls by VIN at NHTSA and Hyundai.
With symptoms, call a Hyundai dealer service department with the VIN and ask about the Theta II settlement coverage before paying for diagnosis.
Keep maintenance records.

Dealer insider note

This guide covers the Santa Fe Sport, and the guide above notes that NHTSA's decoder sometimes labels it just "Santa Fe". That matters, because a shorthand name on paperwork can send a lookup to the wrong vehicle. Ask the advisor to confirm that the repair order names the right model and the right engine.

Both engines, the 2.4L GDI and the 2.0L turbo, are Theta II and are on the settlement list. The 7-seat long-wheelbase Santa Fe used the 3.3L V6 and is not. If you are unsure which you have, count the seats and check the VIN.

At the service desk say: "Please check this VIN for open campaigns and recalls, including KSDS." Ask whether the car was ever repaired under recall 15V-568 or 17V-226. If it was, ask whether fuel pipe recall 18V-934 applies, since that one involves work done during an engine replacement.

Ask for the repair order to show the campaign number, and ask about a loaner or rental if the car is held for inspection. Ask for the written outcome of any engine test.

When buying used, ask for the KSDS completion record, any engine replacement paperwork, recall history and maintenance records. Tell the 2.4 from the 2.0T by what the VIN says, not by guesswork.

Until the VIN check is done, do not sign a release, a waiver or a customer-pay repair order. Get any estimate in writing, and ask whether fees are waived if the car is covered.

If the shop stalls or says no, call the manufacturer's customer-care line (number is in your owner's manual). Give the VIN and repair order, ask for a case number, and keep every receipt.

Questions

Is the 2.0T Santa Fe Sport covered too?

Yes, it's listed. The settlement covers both the 2.4L and 2.0L turbo Theta II GDI engines in the 2013-2018 (and certain 2019) Santa Fe Sport. Confirm specifics with Hyundai.

Is the 2013-2018 Santa Fe (3-row, V6) covered?

No. The 3.3L V6 isn't a Theta II engine and isn't listed.

Is my Santa Fe Sport also eligible for the anti-theft software?

2013-2018 Santa Fe Sport is on Hyundai's Campaign 993 list, but only key-start vehicles without an immobilizer need it. Check your VIN at hyundaiusa.com/anti-theft.