2018 Hyundai Santa Fe: Rod bearing failure
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2018 Santa Fe report: rod bearing failure. CarComplaints.com lists 1 owner complaints, average mileage 70,000 miles.
NHTSA has 56 owner complaints for the 2018 Santa Fe in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11766057 (filed 09/22/2026): “While driving, the vehicle developed a strong odor of engine oil, followed within minutes by illumination of the red oil pressure warning light. inspection determined that a bolt had exited the engine's timing assembly, broken the timing chain, and punctured t…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11744400 (filed 06/16/2026): “See attached letter for complaint…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace short block (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range: get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .