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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 605

Of the 2013 reports, 14 involved a crash and 41 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine273 reports · 45% of complaints
Owner complaints605Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine273
  2. Steering95
  3. Service brakes64
  4. Other or unspecified56
  5. Electrical system53
  6. Power train52
  7. Fuel/propulsion system32
  8. Structure23

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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: power train

52 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Jan 7, 2013

    2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER STATES ISSUES WITH HESITATION AND STALLING WHEN ACCELERATING. *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION, WHICH WAS COMMON AMONG SEVERAL BRANDS OF AUTOMOBILES AND THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THE HESITATION AT ACCELERATION OCCURRED AT SLOW SPEEDS WHILE TURNING AND THE ENGINE WOULD MOMENTARILY STALL. *JB

  2. Power train, Jan 1, 2013

    WE BOUGHT IT 10/5/2012. WITHIN SEVERAL DAYS OF BUYING IT MY HUSBAND TOLD ME IT HAD BEEN STALLING OUT AFTER STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. WE ALSO NOTED IT HESITATES SEVERELY AT TIMES DURING ACCELERATION, INCLUDING ON THE HIGHWAY. WE HAVE THEIR BLUE LINK WITH A MONTHLY VEHICLE REPORT AND IT HAS BEEN REGISTERING SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CHASSIS AND POWER TRAIN IN THE REPORTS FROM NOV. AND DEC. 2012. WE HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND THEY RESET THE BLUE LINK. I CHANGED THE DATE FOR THE REPORT FOR AFTER IT HAD BEEN RESET AND NOW IT SHOWS THAT IT LOGGED 4 ISSUES WITH THE POWER TRAIN. APPARENTLY THOUGH THEY CAN NOT SEE AT THE DEALERSHIP WHAT IT LOGS? THEY DID SHOW ME THAT THEY CAN'T SEE THIS. WE HAVE ALSO HAD THE MESSAGE "FUEL CAP NOT ON" BUT IT IS. ON 12/30/2012 WE HAD IT OUT AND IT HESITATED SO BADLY WHEN GETTING OFF AND ON THE HIGHWAY IT LASTED ALMOST A FULL MINUTE EACH TIME FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHING ON AND OFF. WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. DID WE JUST GET THE LEMON? I UNDERSTAND "WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS IT'S DOING IT FOR US", BUT REALLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE? WE HAVE ALSO NOTICE IT DOES THIS STUFF EVERY OTHER TANK OF GAS, SOMETIMES MORE FREQUENTLY. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE WE BUY THE GAS AT EITHER AS WE HAVE TRIED ROTATING STATIONS EVERY 5 OR SO FILL UPS. *TR