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
605 reports, newest first.
Engine, May 10, 2021, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACTS WIFE STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND POWER OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (MAJOR HYUNDAI 1534 N 9TH ST, STROUDSBURG, PA 18360 (570) 972-2578) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V226000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.
Engine, May 5, 2021
ON A COMMON DAY TWO WEEKS AGO, I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 SANTA FE AND I ACCELERATED TO PASS A VEHICLE WHEN IT INSTANTLY TURNED OFF AND BEGAN TO EMIT SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE. I PARKED AND WAITED FOR THE SMOKE TO FINISH COMING OUT WITH THE SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC. I PROCEEDED TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND THEN A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CHECKED IT AND TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS STUCK AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.
Engine, May 3, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HYUNDAI OF NORTH CHARLESTON (8485 RIVERS AVE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE ENGINE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE OIL PAN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND AGREED TO PAY A PARTIAL AMOUNT FOR THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,374.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 28, 2021
PURCHASED 4/9/2020. HAD TO BUY BATTERY WITHIN 1 MONTH. THEN REBUILT ENGINE HAD TO BE INSTALLED AND NOW I AM HAVING TO PUT 1 QUART OF OIL IN THE VEHICLE DAILY DUE TO OIL LEAKING UNDER VEHICLE CONSTANTLY WHICH I HAVE HAD TO DO FOR 1 FULL WEEK UNTIL TOMORROW WHEN DEALERSHIP AGREED TO SERVICE VEHICLE AGAIN!
Power train, Apr 23, 2021
MY VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP REPAIRING A BLOWN ENGINE, WHICH FELL UNDER RECALL 162. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR, THE ONLY INOPERABLE AND/OR PROBABLE ISSUE WAS THE ENGINE. WHILE BEING REPAIRED, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT RUST ON THE INPUT SPLINES BECAME LOOSE AND UPON RETURN TO ME, THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT REPLACED, THE VEHICLE WILL NO LONGER HAVE AWD. RESEARCH ON YOUR WEBSITE SHOWS THAT RECALLS 112 (RELATED TO POWER TRAIN | CAMPAIGN #13V355000) AND 102 (RELATED TO SPLINES | NHTSA #11V261000), AS WELL AS CAMPAIGN #947 (RELATED TO RUST) ARE ALL RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO MY VIN, THESE CAMPAIGNS/RECALLS ARE NOT INCLUDED. I AM SUBMITTING THIS REQUEST TO ASK THAT MY VEHICLE CONSIDER BEING INCLUDED IN THESE RECALLS/CAMPAIGNS.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 23, 2021
FIRST WE HEARD WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS MAKING A BELT LOOSE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN OUR LOCAL AREA OF DENVER, THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATION WAS NOT HAPPENING. GIVING IT GAS AND NOTHING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MADE IT HOME, THANK GOODNESS AS ACCELERATION WAS INTERMITTENT( AND NOTHING OVER 25MPH) BUT IMMEDIATELY HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC. MECHANIC FIXED ONE SENSOR AND MORE PROBLEMS AROSE. HE FELT IT SHOULD BE A WARRANTY ITEM BUT SURPRISINGLY ITS NOT. NOW HE THINKS THE RESOLVE WILL BE IN THE FORM OF REPLACING THE ENGINE AS HE'S RUN EVERY OTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST HE COULD.
Steering, Apr 20, 2021
STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO HAVE PLAY IN MOVEMENT. LATER DEVELOPED THUMPING AND KNOCKING WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON BUMPY ROADS. ATTENDANT AT DEALERSHIP MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR TWO WEEKS LATER STATING IT COULD BE THE STEERING COUPLER AND THERE MAY BE A RECALL. SHE DID NOT CONFIRM THE CAR MAY BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FROM HYUNDAI. PROBLEM BEGAN IN MARCH 2021 AND CONTINUES. REPAIR IS DUE TODAY AT DEALERSHIP.
Engine, Apr 15, 2021
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN
Engine, Apr 14, 2021
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. MY LUCK AFTER LOOKING INTO THIS MY VIN DOES NOT MEET THE RECALL FOR THE 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2.0T. BUT THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE CAR WILL GLADLY TAKE MY MONEY FOR AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT
Steering, Apr 13, 2021
THE MDPS (MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A FLEXIBLE RUBBER COUPLING THAT WEARS OUT OVER TIME RESULTING IN A 'CLICKING' OR 'THUD' TYPE NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IT FEELS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Power train, Engine, Apr 6, 2021
FEELS LIKE THE ACCELERATION SLIPS & CAN QUIT SUPPLYING GAS TO ENGINE FOR FEW SECONDS, ENGINE IS KNOCKING, AND TURBO REVS BUT DOESN'T ENGAGE. CAR CAN LOSE POWER AT FULL SPEED RANDOMLY. BROUGHT TO MECHANIC AND THEY READ KNOCK SENSOR ISSUE, ECT NEEDS REPROGRAMMING, & ADD'L ISSUES SO RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE IT MAY FALL UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. NO RECALLS ON VIN. NEXT MORNING MECHANIC SAW FLASHING ENGINE LIGHT. I HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME IT NEEDED A CPU UPDATE / RESET & BATTERY (WHICH WAS RECENTLY TESTED AT MECHANICS TO SHOW GOOD). I PICKED IT UP & IT WAS STILL IN THE BAY. I DROVE IT ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE & HEARD RATTLING. ROADS AREN'T GREAT IN THE AREA SO THOUGHT I SHOULD GET IT ON THE MAIN ROAD. IMMEDIATE HAD SLIPPING WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. DROVE ABOUT HALF A MILE & IMMEDIATELY KNEW THE ENGINE WAS IN DISTRESS SO TURNED AROUND. GOT BACK TO DEALERSHIP, TURNED IT OFF. STAFF GOT IN THE CAR AT MY REQUEST OF A TEST DRIVE & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING. NO REPORT SINCE.
Engine, Apr 5, 2021
UPON DRIVING THE ENGINE STARTING RATTLING THERE WERE NO LIGHTS OR CHECK ENGINE CODES THAT CAME ON. AFTER THAT THE ENGINE LOCKED UP
Engine, Mar 19, 2021
AT ONLY 78,754 MILES THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND THAT INCREASED IN FREQUENCY AS THE ENGINE RPMS AND DECREASED IN FREQUENCY AS ENGINE RPMS DECREASED. HYUNDAI SAID THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACEMENT. IT SOUNDS JUST LIKE THE PROBLEM REPORTED IN THE 2012 SANTA FE RECALL. SINCE I'M CONSIDERED THE SECOND OWNER (VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY LEASED BY SOMEONE ELSE), THE WARRANTY WAS NOT HONORED.
Engine, Mar 13, 2021
I DROVE TO WORK AND PULLED IN THE PARKING LOT THE SANTE FE ACTED LIKE IT WAS HESITATING. I CHECKED EVERYTHING AND IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT 1 MINUTE ACROSS THE STREET TO FIRESTONE. THEY SAID IT WAS COMPRESSION IN THE 4TH CYLINDER AND CHANGED THE OIL INCASE I NEEDED TO DRIVE IT TO A DEALER. I CHOSE TO TOW. THEY UNCOVERED THE SIMILAR PROBLEM. THEY SENT IT UP TO WARRANTY AND IT WAS DENIED TWICE. THEY DEALER AND THE HYUNDAI SPOKESPERSON FOR THE DEALER WERE SHOCKED. I THEN SPOKE WITH A LESSON TO THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND THEY REFUSED AGAIN AS IT WASN'T THE "BEARING". HOWEVER THE CAR ENGINE WAS NOT TORN APART TO KNOW, THE CYLINDER IS CONNECTED TO THE BEARINGS, AND THE ENGINES ARE PROVEN JUNK OVER AND OVER. A FEW YEARS AGO I HAD A RECALL FOR THE OIL HAD IT FIXED AND WAS GIVEN A ENGINE WARRANTY TO 120000 MILES. I HAVE 96000. BUT BECAUSE NOW THEY HAVE A "NEW" ISSUE THEY ARE ONLY COVERING IF IT'S SPECIFICALLY THE "BEARING". WHICH THEY DOMT KNOW FOR SURE AS THEY HAVE TAKEN THE ENGINE APART. AND THE DEALER INFORMED THAT IF I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT IN THE CAR A FEW DAYS PRIOR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. THEY HAD REPLACED ENGINES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. HOWEVER MY CAR WAS DENIED 1 DAY BEFORE THE "NEW" RULE WENT OUT TO DEALERS. HOW SHADY IS THIS. NOW I HAVE A 15000.00 PIECE OF JUNK THAT HYUNDAI WON'T EVEN ATTEMPT TO MAKE RIGHT.
Engine, Mar 6, 2021
MY ENGINE IS BURNING OIL I KNOW IT'S NORMAL BUT IT BURNS A LOT I JUST CHANGED MY OIL A WEEK AGO AND IT'S NOW BELOW THE LOW LEVEL I WONDER WHERE THE OIL IS AND I CHECK IF THERE IS A LEAK I REMOVED THE ENGINE COVER UNDER TO SEE THE OIL PAN ETC I FOUND NOTHING
Electrical system, Feb 16, 2021
THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER DOORS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. THE DRIVER DOOR LOCKS WORK WITHOUT ISSUES. THIS HAPPENS WHEN USING THE KEY FOB AND THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR.
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 16, 2021
1) RADIO STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO. 2) ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, THE DOOR AND TRUCK OPEN LIGHT ON THE DASH APPEARED AND NEVER WENT OFF. 3) ON 1/14/21, THE CAR STARTED MAKING A RATTLING SOUND, AND STOPPED ACCELARATING; AUTO SHOP DETERMINED THE ENGINE WAS RUINED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WITH THE 1ST 2 ISSUES, I WAS STILL ABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, NOW THAT THE ENGINE IS RUINED, I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE.
Engine, Jan 12, 2021
MY CAR WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL EVEN THOUGH I JUST BOUGHT IT 4 MONTHS AGO AT CARMAX WHERE THEY PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE. MY CAR STALLED WHILE GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY AND STARTED TAPPING. THE FIRST SHOP COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND NOW HYUNDAI IS INVESTIGATING.
Wheels, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 5, 2021
THE MOTOR STATED TO ACT UP. IT WAS DRIVING REGULAR THEN ALL AT ONCE THE MOTOR STARTED TO MAKE A GRINING NOISE THEN THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 20 MPA. I GOT SCARED THEN CAME HOME IT WAS SMOKING TOO. I PUT MY FOOT TO THE FLOOR AND NOTHING HAPPENED STILL GOING 20 MPA
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 5, 2021, fire
TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO RIGHT SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. THE CONTACT PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO PARKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. . THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART, HOWEVER IT LOST POWER AGAIN AND SMOKE APPEARED COMING FROM THE HOOD AND INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. AND SMELT BURN WIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO RESIDENCE BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Steering, Jan 5, 2021
2013 SANTA FE 2.0T - CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, THE ERRATIC STEERING AND CONTINUOUS WANDERING ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY HAS CAUSED ME TO PARK MY CAR MORE THAN I DRIVE IT. A MAJORITY OF MY DRIVING INVOLVES HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 60MPH AND OVER WHICH I CAN NOT ACHIEVE IN THIS CAR DUE TO ITS POOR STEERING, UNSAFE WANDERING AND UNPREDICTABLE STEERING BEHAVIORS. I HAVE HAD WITNESSES TO THIS AND ACTUALLY STATE THAT IT LOOKS LIKE I'M DRIVING DRUNK. THE CAR WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD! IF IT'S WINDY OUTSIDE, YOU MIGHT AS WELL FORGET DRIVING THE CAR EVEN AT SPEEDS BELOW HIGHWAY NORMAL SPEEDS. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND HYUNDAI KNOWS THIS!!
Steering, Jan 5, 2021
2013 SANTA FE 2.0T - CAR IS UNSAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. CAR ERRATICALLY STEERS ALL OVER THE PLACE AND IT'S A CONSTANT FIGHT TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD, LET ALONE IN THE LANE. IF IT'S WINDY OUTSIDE OR DRIVING ANYWHERE NEAR A SEMI TRUCK YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR. I, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO RESOLVE THIS. I LITERALLY SPENT 35K FOR A CAR THAT CAN ONLY BE USED IN TOWN. I CAN'T EVEN TAKE ROAD TRIPS THAT INVOLVES GOING OVER 50MPH OR ON HIGHWAYS BECAUSE OF HOW UNPREDICTABLE AND UNSAFE THIS VEHICLE IS! WHY WON'T HYUNDAI FIX THIS OR RECALL THIS?!?!?!
Steering, Jan 5, 2021
2013 SANTA FE 2.0T ERRATIC, UNSAFE, UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNPREDICTABLE STEERING. I HAVE TO CONTINUOUSLY FIGHT THE STEERING IN MY 2013 SANTA FE. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AT SPEEDS OVER 50MPH AND YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR ANYWHERE ON HIGHWAYS OR WINDY DAYS. THE CAR IS SO UNSAFE THAT I LITERALLY CAN'T NOT MAKE PLANS TO DRIVE ANYWHERE THAT INVOLVES HIGHWAYS. I LITERALLY PLAN TO TAKE BACKROADS, WHEN APPLICABLE TO GO ANYWHERE BESIDES GROCERY SHOPPING IN TOWN. THE TIRES, ALIGNMENT AND EVERYTHING ELSE HAS BEEN CHURCHED AND RECHECKED MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES. THIS IS INFURIATING NOT TO MENTION UNSETTLING. I HAVE BEEN SCAMMED OUT OF 35K FOR A CAR THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC. I ONLY WISH I TESTED THIS CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BEFORE I PURCHASED. THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES ARE BEING COMPLETELY IGNORED BY HYUNDAI.
Steering, Jan 5, 2021
THIS WILL BE MY FOURTH COMPLAINT AND I WILL KEEP FILING THESE UNTIL HYUNDAI RESOLVES THIS! 2013 SANTA FE 2.0T - CAR IS UNCONTROLLABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR ERRATICALLY WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD. I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO FIGHT THE CAR TO KEEP IT IN THE LANE. IF YOU GET ANYWHERE NEAR A 18 WHEELER OR IT'S WINDY OUTSIDE, YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT CONTROLLING THE CAR, IT LITERALLY WANDERS ALL OVER THE ROAD AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT MODE THE STEERING IS IN. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE! I CANNOT TAKE MY FAMILY ANYWHERE THAT INVOLVES THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE CAR IS UNPREDICTABLE. I HAVE BEEN TO A TOTAL OF 7 DEALERS AND THEY ALL SAY THE SAME THING 'NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE'. HOWEVER WHEN THE TECHNICIAN DRIVES IT, HE DEFINITELY ACKNOWLEDGES THE ONGOING PROBLEM. HYUNDAI NEEDS TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND FIX THIS ISSUE. I HAVE SPEND $35K ON A CAR THAT'S NOT AS SAFE AS A $2K CAR ON THE HIGHWAYS