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: steering
95 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Sep 26, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45 MPH AND UP, THE VEHICLE WANDERS AND DRIFTS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THIS IS VERY TIRING TO DRIVE AND REQUIRES CONSTANT ATTENTION. AT THE LOWER SPEEDS IT SEEMS TO WANDER MOSTLY TO THE LEFT SO YOU CONSTANTLY HAVE TO CORRECT TO THE RIGHT. DEALER HAS MADE SIX ATTEMPTS TO FIX WITHOUT SUCCESS. *JS
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 12, 2013
STEERING FELT "WEIRD" FROM THE MOMENT I LEFT THE LOT WITH MY NEW CAR. TEST DRIVE ON A SIMILAR VEHICLE WAS FINE. THE CAR WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD, REQUIRES CONSTANT STEERING TO KEEP A STRAIGHT TRACK. MY 40 MILE TRIP HOME WAS SPENT FIGHTING THE WHEEL, NOT ENJOYING MY NEW CAR....WHICH I LOVE OTHERWISE. I WILL NOT KEEP THIS CAR IF THE STEERING CANNOT BE FIXED, OTHER DRIVER'S HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT. *TR
Steering, Jul 22, 2013
CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO TERRIBLE STEERING CAR WONDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD VERY HARD TO KEEP IN LANE OVER 50 MPH I WOULD BE SURPRISE IF NO ONE HAS CRASHED BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR
Steering, Jul 15, 2013
THE STEERING IS HARD TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WONDERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE AS IF YOU ARE BEING HIT BY STRONG WIND GUSTS. THE FASTER YOU GO THE WORSE IT GETS. THE TRACKING IS TERRIBLE. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT MODE ITS IN OR WEATHER THE VEHICLE IS EMPTY OR HAS 3 PASSENGERS IN IT. YOU'RE ALWAYS CORRECTING WHICH MAKES FOR A VERY DRAINING TRIP. *TR
Steering, Jul 8, 2013
STEERING WANDERS FROM CENTER AT HIGHWAY SPEED (65+MPH). REQUIRES CONSTANT AND EXCESSIVE CORRECTION TO KEEP IN THE LANE. I HAVE TAKEN CAR TO DEALER TO HAVE IT SERVICED ON 7/03/2013 WITH NO RESOLUTION. *TR
Steering, Jun 17, 2013
CAR WONDERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHEN IT SHOULD BE GOING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD. IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS, BUT IS MORE NOTICEABLE ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jun 13, 2013
DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY IS VERY UNSAFE. VEHICLE WANDERS, VERY HARD TO CONTROL. CONSTANTLY HAVE TO CORRECT. *TR
Steering, Jun 1, 2013
THE STEERING IS HARD TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WONDERS FROM SIDE TO SIDE AS IF YOU ARE BEING HIT BY STRONG WIND QUESTS. THE FASTER YOU GO THE WORSE IT GETS. THE TRACKING IS TERRIBLE. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT MODE ITS IN OR WEATHER THE VEHICLE IS EMPTY OR HAS 3 PASSENGERS IN IT. *TR
Steering, May 31, 2013
2013 SANTA FE SPORT 2 OT 19 INCH TIRES. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASE AROUND APRIL 13 2013. AT 1000 MILES I NOTICE VEHICLE STEERING HAS A WANDERING EFFECT, ITS LIKE DRIVING IN HIGH WINDS. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT STEERING TO MAINTAIN THE LANE. TOOK TO DEALER ON MAY 30 2013 WITH 1406 MILES THEY CAME UP WITH DURING SHIPPING TIRES ARE OVER INFLATED TOO KEEP FROM BOUNCING ON TRANSPORTER, THEY LOWERED TIRE PRESSURE.THAT DIDN'T WORK, DEALER TOLD ME TO BRING IT BACK . BUT ANY WAY I EMAILED CONSUMERAFFAIRS@HMAUSA.COM ON MAY 30,2013. YOU CAN CALL AT 1-800 633-5151 SO I GOT CORPORATE AND DEALERSHIP INVOLVED. I HAVE WORKED WITH THEM BEFORE, THEY WERE HELPFUL AND CONCERNED. *TR
Steering, Apr 21, 2013
SEVERE LEFTWARD PULL ON HIGHWAY. CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAY OR UNDIVIDED ROADS, BECAUSE CAR PULLS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
Steering, Mar 29, 2013
WHEN I TEST DROVE THE SANTA FE, I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST WIND BUFFETING ME AROUND. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR 1400 MILES MOSTLY ON THE HIGHWAY, I BELIEVE THAT THE DSSM - DRIVER SELECTED STEERING MODE - IS TOTALLY UNSTABLE. AS REPORTED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS, YOU MUST CONSTANTLY CORRECT TO TRY TO MAINTAIN YOUR LANE. THE HIGHER THE VEHICLE SPEED, THE MORE CORRECTIONS ARE REQUIRED. IT IS VERY HARD TO MAINTAIN THE CENTER OF YOUR LANE AT COMMUTING SPEEDS WITH STOP AND GO DRIVING. I HAVE DRIVEN OVER 1,000,000 MILES AND THIS IS THE FIRST VEHICLE THAT WILL NOT TRACK STRAIGHT DOWN A SMOOTH LEVEL HIGHWAY. I TALKED WITH THE HYUNDAI SERVICE MANAGER WHO REFERRED TO THEIR ALIGNMENT TECHNICIAN AND I WAS TOLD TO DRIVE IN THE "SPORT" MODE WHICH I HAD LEARNED BY TRIAL AND ERROR. SHE STATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM BUT DO NOT HAVE A SOLUTION. DO NOT BUY THIS VEHICLE IF YOU DO MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING. THIS WOULD NOT BE A GOOD VEHICLE FOR AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER. I BELIEVE THAT THE STEERING DIFFICULTY WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO HEAD ON COLLISIONS. HYUNDAI SHOULD CORRECT THIS ASAP. *TR
Steering, Mar 26, 2013
AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTS TO EXHIBIT A 'WANDERING EFFECT'...AT SPEEDS 60 MPH PLUS, IT REALLY STARTS TO 'WANDER'...THE HIGHER THE SPEED, THE WORSE IT GETS. DIFFICULT AND EXHAUSTING ON A LONG TRIP TO KEEP IT IN A STRAIGHT LINE....."IT`S LIKE DRIVING ON MARBLES"...REQUIRES CONSTANT ATTENTION. *TR
Steering, Seats, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 21, 2013
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AROUND JANUARY 30TH, 2013, AT THE TIME OF THE TEST DRIVE I NOTICED A LOT OF WIND NOISE IN THE CABIN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STAY IN A STRAIGHT LINE AT 55 MPH, IT WOULD SWAY LEFT TO RIGHT. AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGMENT I STILL PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. THE SALES PERSON INFORMED ME THAT THE REASONS WHY THE VEHICLE PERFORMED THE WAY IT DID WAS BECAUSE IT WAS A VERY WINDY. THE NEXT DAY I CONTACTED THE SALES PERSON AND ADVISED HIM THAT I WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. HE HAD ME BRING THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP AND THEY CHECKED THE TIRES AIR PRESSURE AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THEY MADE UP SOME STORY THAT THE VEHICLES ARE TRANSPORTED WITH 50 PSI ON THE TIRES AND THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. TO THIS DATE THE VEHICLE STILL SWAYS LEFT TO RIGHT WHEN DRIVING OVER 55 MPH AND THE CABIN NOISE IS DRIVING ME CRAZY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT HYUNDAI WILL NEED TO FIX QUICKLY. I HAVE NOW MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH THE SHOP BECAUSE THE DRIVER SEAT STARTED TO FEEL LOOSE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES OR SLOWING DOWN. THIS VEHICLE HAS TOO MANY SAFETY ISSUES AND NOW WITH ONLY 1500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE I AM FORCED TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP. WHEN SPEAKING WITH THE SHOP MANAGER HE MADE IT SOUND LIKED NO ONE ELSE WAS HAVING THESE PROBLEMS, MAYBE THEY NEED TO READ THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE. *TR
Steering, Feb 22, 2013
DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY IS VERY UNSAFE. VEHICLE WANDERS, VERY HARD TO CONTROL. CONSTANTLY HAVE TO CORRECT WHAT FEELS LIKE SIX INCHES OF FREE PLAY BETWEEN STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT TIRES. *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!
Steering, Feb 14, 2013
STEERING IS VERY PROBLEMATIC. THE CARS DRIFTS AND IT IS A CONSTANT CHALLENGE TO KEEP IN A STRAIGHT LINE. *TR
Steering, Feb 14, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE STEERING HAD TO BE SET TO THE SPORT SETTING FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING AND TO THE COMFORT SETTING FOR CITY DRIVING IN ORDER FOR THE CONTACT TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO UPGRADED THE STEERING COMPUTER SYSTEM HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Steering, Feb 5, 2013
IT IS HARD TO KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT IN A HIGHWAY. HAVE TO CORRECT IT ALL OF THE TIME. THAT IS VERY UNSAFE AND UNCOMFORTABLE. *TR
Steering, Nov 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, SHE BEGAN TO TURN THE WHEEL AND NOTICED THAT SHE HAD TO CONSTANTLY STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT DID NOT COME UP WITH A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150.
Steering, Suspension, Aug 28, 2012
THE CAR WANTS TO GO ANYWHERE BUT STRAIGHT. ANY UNEVEN PAVEMENT, WIND GUSTS OR CARS PASSING BY CAUSE THE CAR TO REQUIRE A STEERING CORRECTION. AT SPEEDS OVER FIFTY MILES PER HOUR STEERING INPUT IS REQUIRED NINETY PERCENT OF THE TIME TO KEEP THE CAR WITHIN THE DRIVING LANE. THE DEALER CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS TO SPECIFICATION AND NORMAL. THIS IS THE WORST VEHICLE I'VE EVER DRIVEN INCLUDING SEVERAL MOTOR HOMES. *TR *JS