2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Electrical System Problems

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.

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.

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. In addition, when the vehicle was restarted, the taillights were inoperable. The contact stated that only the front lights were operable. The contact stated that when the failure occurred, it was nighttime and on a busy dark road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with failed rear toe hitch harness and that the vehicle needed to be re-wired and the toe hitch needed to be removed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 57,720.

Seems to be having ignition switch problems. Bought a new battery a couple times now thinking that was the problem but car won’t start at times. It won’t turn and won’t click and all the electrical (radio lights…) just seems to turn off as I turn the key with no sound following. I have to attempt 3 or 4 times with 3 minute breaks in between and then it will eventually turn and start. This has been happening about 2-3 times a week for about a year.

Reverse Camera malfunctioning most days. A few days a year it works, but usually it's just a blue screen. Other 3 cameras work fine all the time.

Failed oil pressure sensor which was leaking oil through the wiring harness; could have caused a fire from oil dripping on exhaust system. Oil pressure sensors should only fail electrically, not from allowing high pressure oil to leak out. Dealer states there have been some cases where the oil flowed through the wiring harness to the vehicle ECU, rendering a severe problem in controlling the vehicle. Dealer repair invoice attached. Besides the oil pressure sensor the wiring assembly had to be replaced from the oil contamination.

I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT A HOT SMELL IN MY CAR ON TUESDAY. THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE INSPECTION. THURSDAY MORNING THE CAR WAS DRIVEN FOR A SHORT TIME AND PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY AFTER. APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS TO TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATER THE CAR CAB WAS FULL OF SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT BOTH ARRIVED ON SCENE.