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: other or unspecified
56 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 11, 2024
Ani-Lock Brake System Unable to get an appointment to get the part repaired Have been trying for over a month to bring the car in & was told that there was a worldwide glitch & the dealership was unable to get the parts to fix the problem
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jun 5, 2024
When we received the notification about the Anti-Lock Brake System fuse recall, we called our nearest dealer (Larry H. Miller Hyundai) to make an appointment and found out we had to wait almost four weeks to be seen. When it finally was our appointment day, we brought the car in and we found out that they could only test to see if we needed the Anti-Lock Brake System fuse. We of course failed and were told that they ordered the part and would call when it was available within 2-3 days. Five days went by and we never heard back so we called them to find out what was happening with the part. The service agent let us know that since Hyundai only allocates five of these parts to them per day, they have to inform customers as they were seen by the dealership. Which was different from what we were told initially. We then asked, how long would we have to wait and they said at least three to four weeks before we were called that the part was available to us. We waited a month just for the appointment, now we have to wait another month just for the part and possibly another month for another appointment just to have the part put on our car. We always assumed when there is a recall, your car would be fixed right away. Never have we had to wait for a part especially when its for a recall. Its ridiculous that Hyundai only gives five parts for this recall, when it affects so many cars to each dealer.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, May 22, 2024, fire
I was driving when it stalled out while driving and people helped me push my car out of turning lane to safety. The hood engulfed in flames. It was out the blue I had just bought the car a few months earlier. I was notified later that there was a recall on the car that caused fires but was unaware at the time
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Apr 17, 2024, fire
I have a Hyundai 2013 Santa Fe Sport 2.0T. I parked the car in the middle of my cement driveway. I went into my home for a moment to get my Stanley water bottle. When I walked back to the car, the engine compartment was on fire. I had 2 fire extinguishers and attempted to put out the fire by to no avail. My daughter immediately called 911 to report the fire. The fire department came and it took about 8-10 fireman to put the fire under control. I have owned all types of cars for the past 40-years. I have never seen a car go up in flames and burn to the ground in about one minute. Had I parked my car in the garage my entire house would have burn down while potentially killing my entire family. I called my insurance company (Geico) to advise them of the fire and asked them to contact Hyundai about the matter. Geico said its not their responsibility. I'm having difficulty contacting Hyundai to report this serious fire before some other family gets killed. I never was notified about any type of dangerous recall with the entire car burning down. I will try to contact Hyundai again tomorrow morning (XXX). Please help me with this matter as Hyundai must be held accountable for this fire almost killing my entire family. More importantly I wish to help prevent a similar situation for another family in the future. Thank You, [XXX] [XXX] or [XXX] ) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Apr 1, 2024
Hyundai is taking an extensive period of time to repair a current recall. Owners were notified to park vehicles away from other structures and other vehicles. Since I've had to park my vehicle outside of my garage, my vehicle has been broken into. I installed remote start because I physically was unable to scrape the ice off my windshield. The delays in this "fix' have cost me frustration and money. I've called Hyundai each month to check in and nobody has an answer. As of this moment, we have no notification of how soon a repair can be made. I'd like to sell or trade my vehicle in, but with an open recall without a current repair, the value is not the same.
Other or unspecified, Mar 25, 2024
Hyundai announced recall over 6 months ago and there is still no remedy. Manufacturer Recall Number 251 NHTSA Recall Number 23V651000 They advise to park outside. I've been parking outside for these 6 months, while I have a perfectly good garage available. Since I've been parking outside, I've been concerned over a number of issues: safety walking outside at night, possible theft, slipping on ice/snow (which I've done a couple of times). My windshield also got cracked. While I can't prove that happened while parked outside, I think that it was. This vehicle has had many recalls before, but nothing that ever took this long. Is there any way to push this along?
Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2024
The driver door doesn't latch correctly and vehicle says door is open.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Mar 8, 2024
There is a very serious recall (fire danger when parked due to brake fluid leak) and Hyundai has not made efforts on next steps.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 28, 2024
Burning smell and smoke. No oil leak. Car will not start. I do not have another vehicle to use. I have 2 young children
Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2024
The Key Fob and Door Touch Sensors will not operate when outside temperatures are cold. I have to use the Manual Key to unlock & lock my doors.
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 2, 2024, fire
Caught on fire while driving, total loss unknown reason nor any warning. I stopped because of rotational noise to check tires, then car burst intimate flames. State troopers assisted and report filed.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 2, 2023
Hello, I'm not sure if this is something that you would handle or not. My husband and I have a Hyundai Santa Fe (husband-2015, Mine - 2013). We both bought the vehicles used and haven't had any major problems until about a year ago when both of our vehicles started drinking motor oil like people drink water. We don't have any signs of a leak anywhere. We had taken it to the Hyundai Dealerships and other mechanics and both say that Hyundai has been known to have this problem. Many years ago, I had a Hyundai Sonata which I bought brand new around 2003 and had it for many years. I never had this problem. After doing my research, I have seen where other people have had this problem with their Hyundai vehicles. I emailed several people about our situation, one being [XXX] , and received a response from Hailey, Customer Service Specialist with Hyundai Motor America and her response was for us to have Oil Consumption Testing done. She said that it would be our responsibility to pay for the testing and any repairs that need to be done since we're past the warranty and the years of our vehicles. From what the dealership and other mechanics keep saying, I feel it should be a recall for this problem due to Hyundai being aware that this has been a problem with their vehicles for years. I've known people to have cars much older than ours that never had an oil consumption problem such as this. Also, from what I read, this Oil Consumption Testing is a process that is done in stages which can be costly. Plus this Oil Consumption problem can lead to our engine dying without us knowing when it will die. With this problem, we don't have any warning that our motor oil is low or empty for our oil light will either blink or don't come on at all. I have seen mine blink, but by then the oil was already gone. My husband's oil stick had burnt and he purchased another one from Hyundai. The new one is now burnt and mine is burnt as well. This is a safety hazard. I feel that Hyundai should INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2023
I turned on my car and we able to drive approximately 2-3 miles down the road when all of a sudden my ABS light, traction control light, and my hill start assist light lit up on my dashboard. Approximately a week later I was notified of the safety recall on my vehicles ABS module. The lights have remained illuminated since they initially came on.
Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2023, fire
My husband was driving home and noticed the rpms showed 0 when he was idling. Then a little bit of smoke come out of the hood so he pulled over. When he stopped, there was thick black smoke coming out of the hood. Seconds after he got out of the vehicle the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. The check engine light was on and we were going back and forth with dealers since I baught the car 2 months prior about getting it fixed. Before the fire, the vehicle was inspected by a huyndia representative and was scheduled to be worked on the next day. The insurance company did an investigation as well.
Other or unspecified, Sep 27, 2023
2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM IS NOT FUNCTIONING. EVEN WHILE I AM DRIVING IT WILL SAY MY DOOR IS AJAR. WHEN I LOCK THE DOORS THEY AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK THEMSELVES. THE ALARM GOES OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE I AM AT WORK. I AM CONSTANTLY HAVING TO GO OUT TO THE PARKING LOT TO TURN IT OFF. I HAVE YET TO TAKE IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY FOR REPAIRS. 3 MONTHS AFTER BUYING THIS CAR THE MOTOR BLEW UP AND LUCKILY THERE WAS A RECALL SO IT WAS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO ME. I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL DOOR NOT WANTING TO OPEN. I USUALLY HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE PULL THE LEVER WHILE I AM TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR AT THE SAME TIME FOR IT TO OPEN.
Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2023, fire
05/22/23 engine shut off as I was exiting freeway. Dashboard fully illuminated with all check engine lights on. Put the car in park, turned car off, and turned it back on and the engine turned over and allowed me to get home. 5/23/23 inspected at AAMCO. Issue was not able to be replicated and tech stated that the computer did not record any issues from previous day. 6/6/23 engine spontaneously shut off on freeway. Pulled to shoulder and heard knocking sound, saw plume of smoke, then car erupted into flames. No injuries. Los Angeles FD report 0591 Car determined total loss.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 23, 2023, fire
As I drove off the highway and stopped at the light, all of my warning lights came on and fire started coming out of the hood in front of me. I bailed out of the vehicle and the entire front half of the car burned/melted completely.
Other or unspecified, Sep 19, 2022
RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LATCH BROKE. PIN HOLDING TWO COMPONENTS OF LATCH FAILED RESULTING IN INABILITY TO CLOSE DOOR COMPLETELY. BLACK PLASTIC OR OTHER PROTECTIVE MATERIAL COVERING LATCH ASSEMBLY DISINTEGRATED WITH APPARENT WEAR, EXPOSING PIN WHICH HOLDS TWO COMPONENTS OF LATCHING/LOCKING MECHANISM AS SHOWN IN ATTACHED PHOTOS. REPLACED PART WHICH REQUIRED REMOVAL OF INNER DOOR PANEL. NOW DRIVER'S DOOR BEGINNING TO MAKE SAME ABNORMAL SOUND AT CLOSING AS WELL AS RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR.
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2022
After I get into my vehicle I push the Lock Button to secure all my doors but it will Click back OPEN for an Unknown reason. This prevents me from protecting myself from someone entering my vehicle immediately after I do.
Other or unspecified, Jun 11, 2022
In July purchased this used vehicle in Florida. In November of 2021 while on a road trip from Florida emergency lights came on and engine stopped on I-75. Was towed after 45 minutes to dealer who had vehicle for 3 weeks and said item was was repaired. In January of 2021 the same thing happened, this time on a one lane mountain road. It did not catch fire but the rpms were very bad and slowly drove the 9 miles to home. The dealership that Hyundai National told me to contact refused to tow the car even after telling him I was 76 and in a wheelchair and was scared to death to drive it the 40 miles to get there. After 2.2 weeks he contacted me and told me it was once again repaired and to come get it. Knowing my husband had just passed away and I had no one and living in the rural mountains of Georgia. Three weeks again the emergency lights have come on and sometimes will drive but rpms are very low and I am very fearful to drive it. Hyundai National told me to call the dealer who said there were no recalls as he did before.
Other or unspecified, May 5, 2022
The alarm keeps going off randomly and it shows that the door is opened when it’s actually closed.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 28, 2022
Was driving vehicle when it stalled out. Engine,oil pressure, and stearing lights came on the dash. Tried to crank the car again and a loud noise from the motor happened. Like a rod in the motor.
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2022
Exploding Sunroof On 02/22/22 I was driving home from an appt, going approx. 40 mph when all of a sudden i heard a loud sound like a shotgun and then glass from my sunroof was falling down on me. I have a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Nothing hit me, I didn't hit any pot hole or anything, the weather was around 70 and overcast, it was terrifying. My first thought was a stray bullet shot in the air came down and hit the sunroof. Thank goodness there wasn't a car near me on the 4 lane road. I was able to pull off on a side street; i was shaking, bawling, and so confused. There was no warning whatsoever, just BAM, explosion. I called 911, who came out within about 20 minutes. Upon further investigation, we determined the glass was protruding upwards and out of the car indicating the explosion came from inside the vehicle. We examined the large pieces of glass to see if there were any scratches or dings and found nothing. I filed the police report, closed the sunshade to drive home without glass falling on me. Things could have been much worse. I just found out since my car only has 77K miles, the sunroof is still under warranty and will be fixed by Hyundai. Still, something should be done about this as I've been researching, it seems more common than it should!
Other or unspecified, Feb 15, 2022
I pulled in my garage and my husband walked in front of my vehicle and said that he could smell something burning but there was no oil leaking and we didn't know where the burning smell was coming from except for it was under the front of my car under the hood somewhere. That was very scary after I heard about this recall for the Hyundai's catching on fire but no mention of my 2013 vehicle
Other or unspecified, Jan 20, 2022
While driving the sunroof glass exploded/shattered on its own. This was confirmed by Denbigh Body and Painting. Luckily, I had the headliner closed so only a few pieces of glass got through, but no injury occurred.