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: service brakes
63 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Jan 8, 2024
NHTSA Recall Number23V651000 - I was told this issue would be fixed by November 2024. To date "no remedy has been identified" per Hyundai, however, the same thing happened in other vehicles with this manufacturer and a remedy has been implemented, the ABS brake module has been replaced. Hyundai is not following through with this. I am unable to drive my vehicle as it my spontaneously combust. I cannot drive my grandchildren in a vehicle that may catch on fire at any time. There is a remedy, replace the ABS break module. Hyundai is not doing this in a timely fashion.
Structure, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 7, 2023, fire
The vehicle caught fire while driving due to unknown cause. The vehicle was unable to break as smoke began coming into the vents. Car came to a stop and the flames were present underneath the vehicle before engulfing the entire hood. Vehicle has been deemed total loss by insurance.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 30, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Service brakes, Nov 17, 2023
On July 26, 2023 the brakes totally failed on my 2013 Santa Fe Sport. I paid $$$ to have the brakes fully repaired. This week I received a Hyundai recall campaign notice 251 that suggested brakes might fail with a potential for resulting fire. This recall message prompted me to report my incident to Hyundai. Since it has been over 10 years, Hyundai says it has no responsibility. The issue for me was traffic safety to protect our loved ones and to avoid causing a serious accident or injury to others. I would Hyundai to be be responsible and pay for my brake repair and ensure its vehicle are safe and road worthy.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 23, 2023, fire
My car engine compartment fire while parked in front of my condo
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Recently, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated after refueling the vehicle. The warning lights disappeared after driving for an extended period. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 5, 2023, fire
The contact owned a 2013 Hyundai Santa FE. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost all motive power, but he was able to safely coast to the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the engine was on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with fire extinguishers provided by bystanders. A fire report was filed, and a police report was not filed. No injuries were reported. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow and deemed a total loss. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,000.
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Jun 9, 2023
I was driving down the highway when the car suddenly just jolted stalled and misfired. I put on my hazards and jerked to get a read since the engine light came on. After 4 diagnostic tests and 3 different mechanics the codes read misfire in cylinder 2. Spark plugs were installed new, but after further inspection and 3 pressure tests the problem was scoring to the cylinder wall, not the cylinder coil itself. The final test was by a Hyundai dealer, but he did not tear down the engine further to find exact cause. He initially suggested an oil change, but I have been getting oil changes every month before service is due as oil is burning off and not lubricating essential mechanical parts. I have records of monthly changes. I also had several issues with brake fluid leaks regardless of tube installation per another recall for ABS system. I visited dealer under the advise of Hyundai customer service telling me I was under an extended warranty up to 150,000. After visiting dealer I was told the warranty does not cover my power train issue but only pertaining to rods and bearings. However, according to best practice guide 162 and class action I am still eligible for free inspection as a returning customer which was denied. I had no notice or knowledge of a bad engine when purchasing vehicle. I was told of ABS system recall and a no cost inspection. The previous owner serviced the recall 162 so it’s showing as closed, but as a returning customer I believe it to still be active and deserves further review. A tow would be required to inspect the vehicle at any dealership or repair shop.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 25, 2023
It all started on Thursday, February 16 when I went into my garage and noticed a strange chemical smell and my car battery was dead. My husband replaced the battery that night, but we noticed the break lights stayed on. When took it to a Firestone Department on Friday, February 17, they replaced the battery terminal and ran diagnostics. We finally called and got an answer on Monday, February 20. The mechanic said it was the ABS Control Module and wiring harness. We transported the car that Monday afternoon to the local Hyundai dealership, which we really didn’t want to deal with since we haven’t had nice experiences with them in the past. They never called us and when we finally got ahold of the service department on Wednesday, February 22, they stated that they believe that it is the ABS Control Module, but they are unable to fix it locally. We would have to send it to another Hyundai dealership which is about 100 miles away. After speaking to the Hyundai Corporate Office, they suggested with previous recalls to place an incident report. The recall for the ABS Systems for Hyundai came out on May 16, 2018 and the recall number 218. The recall includes cars with the cruise control systems.
Service brakes, Jan 21, 2023
ABS was repaired 6 months ago. Now light comes back on today.
Service brakes, Jan 15, 2023
Brake failure. Our 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T is having serious brake issues. On pressing brake pedal, it'll travel all the way down, and only pumping the brake might get vehicle to stop. My wife almost hit a vehicle at a traffic light. We've had both front and rear brakes replaced, and master cylinder has been replaced by a certified mechanic, but to no avail. Our mechanic suggested contacting Hyundai dealership, as next option would be ABS. I made an appointment with our local Hyundai Dealer in Odessa, Texas, but said they can only get me in on February 9th, and this vehicle is needed for work. The vehicle is a serious hazard to drive. I've since noticed several ABS recalls, but none for this year model. Something is seriously wrong. My wife almost rear ended a vehicle on the first incident.
Service brakes, Jan 8, 2023
Brake failure. Our 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T is having serious brake issues. On pressing brake pedal, it'll travel all the way down, and only pumping the brake might get vehicle to stop. My wife almost hit a vehicle at a traffic light. We've had both front and rear brakes replaced, and master cylinder has been replaced by a certified mechanic, but no avail. Our mechanic mentioned possibility of an ABS issue, and suggested we contact Hyundai first. I made an appointment with our local Hyundai Dealer in Odessa, Texas, but said they can only get me in on February 9th, and this vehicle is needed for work. The vehicle is a serious hazard to drive.
Service brakes, Aug 29, 2022
My abs, traction control lights came on meaning the abs system is rendered inoperable. Hyundai has a campaign (949) for the same make and model as my SUV but my VIN isn’t included in that campaign. The SUV has 70,000 miles on it.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jun 22, 2022
While driving abs light, stability control light, and hill decent light came on. ABS and stability control are important safety features to prevent loss off control and potential collisions. Seems to be a common problem for hyundai.
Service brakes, Nov 11, 2021
The Downhill Assist system shows a light, and the vehicles brake lights do not work when it is lighting up. It only occurs sometimes, but it causes the vehicle to slow on it's own and the brakes light are not working. I feel this may cause an accident or even an injury due to an accident. I was wanting to know if you could investigate this to see if anyone else is having this possibly dangerous problem?
Service brakes, Air, Oct 14, 2021
ABS system lights going off after recall Recall #205 being completed. My vehicle has only 27,000 miles on it and is in excellent condition. I took it in for the recall and have spent thousands of dollars at the dealership for regular maintenance over the past year. Two days after the recall being done, my ABS system lights went off. Rick Case Hyundai wants to charge another $l,200 for ABS sensor replacement. This is incredible since nothing was wrong until I took it in, as advised, for the recall on the ABS system. Now they say I need to keep the car outside in case of a fire and that the sensors aren't covered. This is an outrange and I get NO assistance since contacting Hyundai Customer Care and the case manager of my Case #l8756193 is an absolute joke and of no help whatsoever. The sensors should be replaced at NO Cost to me as it was a direct result of the recall visit.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 8, 2021
My vehicle had been stalling on I assign for a couple of months until one day in June 2021 it wouldn’t start at all. I got a new battery installed and assumed that all was well. Weeks later, I was in route to visit family when my ABS, traction, and down hill break lights all came on. I pulled over and tried cutting my car off and on a few times to see if that would resolve the issue and it did not. My car also seemed to slow down a bit and struggled slightly accelerating up hills. In 2019 my turbo engine was replaced after my vehicle stopped accelerating while I was on the interstate. There is currently a recall on 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe’s that reads: “ Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short… If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.“ unfortunately my VIN is not included in the recall and I fear my car may catch fire any day now as a result of this failure.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jun 2, 2021
My car is making a rapid beeping noise it stops every time I break I am extremely scared. I believe it has something to do with my engine. I’ve recorded videos however the box below doesn’t allow videos.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 26, 2021
AFTER STARTING THE CAR, THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR DEFECTIVE ABS,ESC AND DBS (MAY) STAY ON. SOMETIMES AFTER STARTING THE CAR, THESE LIGHT GO OFF. HYUNDAI HAD PREVIOUSLY REPLACED ABS SENSORS ON THE VEHICLE.
Service brakes, Dec 30, 2020
ABS & BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. EVEN AFTER REPLACING BRAKES. THIS IS CURRENT RECALL BUT MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW UP UNDER THIS RECALL. THE RADIO & GPS WORKS BUT THERE IS NO SOUND COMING OUT. I WAS ABLE TO RESET BEFORE BUT NOT ANYMORE.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Dec 9, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE FLUID MODULE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. HYUNDAI OF CHARLESTON LOCATED AT 8485 RIVERS AVE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 6, 2020
IN 2018 I BECAME A VICTUM OF IDENITY THEFT, SYNTHETIC IDENITY THEFT, COMPLETE MISUSE AND ABUSE OF MY SSN BY FINACIAL INSTITIONS, CRIMINLAS , USING MY IDENITY AGAINST ME WHERE I WAS DENIED ALMOST A YEAR WORTH OF EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE I HAD HACKERS, SCAMMER, THEIVES IN MY POLICIES , POLICIES I NEVER HAD, I GOTTEN THE PAPEWORK LATER IN 2018 ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE ENGING ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL, I WAS BEING DOOPED BY THE ADMINSTRATION, WHEN THEY KNEW THIS CAR WAS IN 2017 WAS BURNING OIL AT 75,000 MILES WHEN I TRIED TO TRADE IT IN, NOT ONLY THAT BUT IN 2017 ALL THIS IDENITY THEFT AND SYNTHETIC IDENITY THEFT WAS GOING ON WHICH I DID NOT UNDERSTAND, BUT I HAD A JERK FALSIFY MY DOCUMENTS, AND I KEPT THE ORGINALS , I ALSO HAD SOMEONE SENDING MY INFORMATION AND MY EMAILS INTO THE UNDERGROUND MARKET, I ALSO HAD SIGNS OF MAIL THEFT AND FRAUD LINKIMG TO SYNTHETIC IDENITY THEFT, IM STILL FIGHTING THIS JERKS EVERYTIME I TAKE THIS CAR TO THE DEALER LOCALLY THE CAR IS WORSE , I SWEAR THEY HAVE BEEN MESSING WITH IT INSTEAD OF RESOLVING IT, THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR THREE YEARS AND I'VE ABOUT HAD WITH IT, IF IT SHOWS ALL THE WAY TO CORPORATE ON THE TITLE OF FOUNTAIN VALLEY CA, A DIFF SYNTHETIC IDENITY THEN IT'S APPARENT SOMEITHING ISN'T RIGHT, COULD YOU LIVE ON UNDER 2400.00 IN A YEAR A MOTHER W CHILDREN BECAUSE OF THIS , I'M QUITE FRANKLY COULDNT BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP IT, YOU CAN'T CONTROL SYTHETIC IDENITY THEFT IT'S IMPOSSIBLE, I'M SICK AND IIRED OF LIARS, CHEATS AND CRIMINALS ABUSE MY NAME MY SNN, CAUSING ME HARM N DISTRESS THIS WAS GOING ON IN 2017, BUT 2018 THESE JERKS WOULD SEND ME IN CIRCLES AND CHARGE ME FOR SOMETHING I ALREADY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH IT, BUT JUST TO CHEAT THERE CUSTOMSERS AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED IT'S NOT FUNNY, SICK N TIRED OF THE GAMES! ITS CRUEL AND INHUMANE AND THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE NO REMEDY FOR NOTHING , IT STALLS IN MOTION, DOESN'T DRIVE
Service brakes, Engine, Nov 18, 2020
WHILE DRIVING I TURNED THE CORNER GOING ROUGHLY 7 MPH AND MY CAR JUST COMPLETELY STALLED OUT. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT BACK STARTED BUT DROVE IT HOME AND DIDN'T WANT TO RISK TAKING IT OUT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY OR STREET.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 10, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V520000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. RICK CASE HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 19991 VILLAVIEW RD, CLEVELAND, OH 44119 AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.*DT THE CONSUMER STATED MANUFACTURER EXPECTS CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THE RENTAL VEHICLE. *TR
Service brakes, Oct 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH ABS MODULES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000.