2013 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 605 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 14 involved a crash and 41 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 22, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Campaign 23V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchJun 5, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed.
If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
Campaign 17V358000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, axle assembly, axle shaftAug 12, 2013
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2013 front wheel drive Santa Fe Sport vehicles manufactured July 13, 2012, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture.
A fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, it may roll away. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Custom Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 112.
Campaign 13V355000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
53 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 1, 2013
6/10/13 WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH WITH OUTSIDE TEMP AROUND 90 DEGREES MY AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING. TRIED TURNING OFF AND ON BUT WOULD NOT WORK. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE AIR CONDITIONING WORKED AGAIN. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A FLUKE. 6/28/13 WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE THE CAR LURCHED AND THE RPMS WENT UP AND DOWN. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT NO LIGHTS WERE ON AND EVERYTHING LOOKED NORMAL. I PULLED BACK ON THE ROAD AND TOOK THE NEXT EXIT. AT ABOUT 35 MPH THE CAR STARTED HESITATING AND THEN DIED. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IT RESTARTED ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. I WAS CLOSE TO MY DESTINATION SO I DROVE THERE AND CALLED HYUNDAI ASSURANCE. THEY TOWED THE CAR TO THE CLOSEST DEALER AND THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 3 BUSINESS DAYS AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THE COMPUTER SHOWS NO ERRORS. THEY SAID THEY WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO HAVE A FIELD ENGINEER TO COME LOOK AT IT. I DON'T KNOW YET HOW LONG THAT WILL TAKE. I LOVED THE CAR UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. NOW I DON'T THINK I WILL FEEL SAFE IF THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT. AM I JUST SUPPOSED TO KEEP DRIVING IT AND HOPE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN AND HOPE THAT NO ONE IS HURT NEXT TIME. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jun 27, 2013
THE AIR CONDITIONER CUTS OFF FOR NO REASON WHICH CAUSES THE HEAT INSIDE THE VEHICLE TO GO EXTREMELY HIGH CAUSING US TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE.THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS AS THERE IS NOT ALWAYS A GOOD PLACE TO PULL OFF. IF YOU DON'T PULL OFF TO RESTART THE VEHICLE TEMPERATURES CAN RISE TO 100+ DEGREES VERY QUICKLY ESPECIALLY HERE IN FLORIDA! *TR
Steering, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Feb 16, 2013
VEHICLE DELIVERED AS NEW, IMMEDIATELY UPON ATTEMPTING TO PUMP AND FILL GASOLINE TANK, THE PUMP CLICKED AS FULL. HOWEVER, GASOLINE GAUGE ON DASH ONLY WOULD AND CONTINUES TO SHOW 3/4 FULL. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT TO ADDRESS AND ERADICATE THIS SITUATION AND NOTHING HAS CORRECTED THE SITUATION NOR DOES HYUNDAI HAVE ANY ANSWERS AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN MY FAVORITE HYUNDAI SERVICE FACILITY FOR MANY DAYS AND WHEN FINALLY RETURNED THE ONLY ANSWER I WAS GIVEN, WAS THAT THE VEHICLE IS AN EARLY PRODUCTION OF THE MODEL AND THEY HAVE HAD SOME OF SAME PROBLEM. IN ADDITION THE ELECTRONIC STEERING IS A GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT AS IT IS QUITE DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON A TRUE STRAIGHT PATHWAY NO MATTER WHAT THE COMPOSITION OF THE PAVEMENT. THERE WAS SOME SORT OF ALERT FROM THE FACTORY ON AN ADJUSTMENT HOWEVER AND WAS ADDRESSED BUT IS STILL TERRIBLE. THEN THERE'S AN ISSUE ON THE HITCH WHEREBY THEN TRAILER PREP WIRING WAS INCLUDED ON THE INVOICE, INSTALLED BY THE SELLING DEALER AND THE SERVICING DEALER FEELS IT NOT THERE DUTY/RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR IT. I HAVE BEEN A HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SINCE 2001 AS THIS IS A VERY GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT AND BESIDES SAFETY ISSUES. THESE ISSUES MUST BE CLEARED UP ASAP BY BOTH THE HYUNDAI MANUFACTURER AND STRAIGHTENED OUT WITH THEIR DEALERS. PLEASE ! I WOULD THINK THE MANUFACTURER ADMITTING THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM AND CANNOT SOLVE IT THEY WOULD REPLACE MY EXACT VEHICLE AS I PURCHASED IT EQUIPPED AND TAKE BACK THIS ONE. THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM SO JUST SIMPLY REPLACE MY VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY CHARGES TO ME NOW!