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.
Seat belts, Mar 5, 2020
BACKSEAT PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT PULL OUT FAR ENOUGH TO BUCKLE. TOOK TO HYUNDAI AND TOLD THAT THERE ARE TEETH BROKEN OFF IN THE ROLLER PART OF SEATBELT. IT SEEMS THAT THIS WOULD BE FAULTY PARTS FOR TEETH TO ACTUALLY BREAK OFF AND NOW KNOWING THIS, ARE ANY OF THE OTHER SEATBELTS AT RISK OF BEING FULLY SECURE FOR PROTECTION. WOULD LIKE INVESTIGATION AND WONDERING WHY IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY HYUNDAI. THEY JUST SHOWED HIM IN A HANDWRITTEN SCRAP OF PAPER AN ESTIMATE AND DISMISSED. GOING FOR SECOND OPINION AND SOMETHING IN WRITING.
Exterior lighting, Feb 28, 2020
2/10/20 MY RIGHT LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS BLOWING OUT. WE HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHT 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN A WEEK. OUR MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT I REPORT THIS PROBLEM TO THE NHTSA TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. MY LIGHT IS OUT AGAIN!!! THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. CANNOT SEE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD UNLESS I USE MY HIGH BEAMS.
Steering, Feb 24, 2020
STEERING WHEEL CLUNKING NOISE WHEN MOVING, TURNING AND MEDAL TO MEDAL NOISE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS.
Power train, Engine, Feb 11, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO (BOULDER HYUNDAI 2555 30TH ST, BOULDER, CO 80301) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V226000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). NOT LONG AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE FEATURE WAS ACTIVATED, HOWEVER THE FEATURE FAILED TO ENGAGE OR OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER WHERE THE DRIVER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE REAR DIFFERENTIALS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,219. *DL CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO HOTCHKISS AUTO REPAIR (DENVER, CO) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE TRANSAXLE. THEY FOUND THAT ALL OF THE SPLINES ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT HAD BEEN WORN DOWN AND WERE NOT MESHING WITH THE SPLINES OF THE TRANSFER CASE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE PRIOR ENGINE WORK THAT WAS DONE ON VEHICLE. *DL *LN*JB *JS *BF*LN *AS *TR
Exterior lighting, Feb 10, 2020
EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE THE DRIVER SIDE BREAK LIGHT HAS GONE OUT. I KEEP REPLACING THE BULB BUT I FIND OUT IT'S THE SOCKET. AS WELL THE DRIVER SIDE PARKING LIGHT THE HALO OVER THE FRONT LIGHT HAS GONE OUT THIS HAS TO BE A DEFECT PLEASE HELP ME TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS KEEPS GOING OUT. THE HALO CANNOT BE REPAIRED EASILY.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Feb 6, 2020
MY CAR KEEPS TURNING ON AND OFF. AS OF RECENTLY THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND OFF INSIDE THE CAR( RADIO, LIGHTS, ) THEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP BUT THE GAS WAS STILL ABLE TO BE USED. THE ABS , STEERING WHEEL , AND SUV INDICATORS WERE RED ON THE DASHBOARD
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 16, 2020
THE FUEL GAUGE ISN'T GIVING THE CORRECT READINGS. TWICE MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE SHE WAS THINKING SHE HAD 70/75 MILES TO GO AND GET TO A STATION. 1ST TIME, SHE WAS DRIVING HOME AND IT SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF AND 2ND TIME IT SHUTS OFF AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IF IT'S READING 75 TO 84 AND YOU ADD GAS, IT STAYS ON 75 TO 84 UNTIL YOU GO BACK AND ADD MORE. SO EVEN AFTER ADDING GAS, SOMETIMES SHE'S SCARED THAT THE CAR MAY BE GOING BY THE GUAGE READING INSTEAD OF WHAT'S ACTUALLY IN THE TANK AND MAY STILL SHUT OFF. P HYUNDAI SAYS IT'S NOT A DANGER BUT HOWS YOUR CAR SUDDENLY KILLS ON THE HIGHWAY AWAY FROM FAMILY OR FRIENDS OR MAYBE STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, NOT DANGER?
Other or unspecified, Jan 9, 2020, fire
MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT 2013 MODEL SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED. INCIDENT HAPPENED ON DEC 5, 2019. I AM ATTACHING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON CITY ROAD AT A SPEED OF 45 MPH AND SUDDENLY SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF HOOD. SHE STOPPED THE VEHICLE, GOT OUT OF IT AND A NEARBY DRIVER CALLED 911. FIRE DEPARTMENT FOLKS REACHED THE LOCATION IN 5 TO 10 MINS AND CONTROLLED THE FIRE.
Engine, Jan 9, 2020
THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AND A FEW MINUTES LATER, BEGAN FLASHING. THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON THE SIDE OF I-95. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THE "ENGINE IS BLOWN"
Engine, Dec 30, 2019
MANY TIME MY HYUNDAI ENGINE HESITATES WHEN STARTING OFF. ONLY DOES THIS OCCASIONALLY. MY 2013 SANTE FE HAS DONE THIS HESITATION SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I DO NOT EXPECT IT TO BE DONE. THE DEALER HAS CHECK IT AND ADJUSTED IT BUT STILL HESITATES, BUT NOT OFTEN.DEALER INDICATES THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. HAPPENS WHEN I AM STARTING OFF.
Steering, Dec 28, 2019
LOTS OF LATERAL PLAY (CLICKING SOUND)IN STEERING EVEN WHEN NOT DRIVING.WHILE DRIVING STEERING SHAKES VIOLENTLY.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 27, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL, IT BEGAN LEAKING FUEL AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SHAKER'S FAMILY HYUNDAI (674 STRAITS TURNPIKE, WATERTOWN, CT 06795) TO BE REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000.
Steering, Dec 19, 2019, fire
2013 HYUNDAI SANTE FE SPORT 'STEERING BEGAN A "HESITATION", "LAG", "PLAY" WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL EVEN SLIGHTLY IN EITHER DIRECTION.' THE PROBLEM WILL INCREASED AS 3 DIFERENTE CERTIFIED MECHANICS ALREADY INFORMED ME. IT APPEARS ALL THESE PROBLEMS ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO HYUNDAI'S ELECTION TO USE A CHEAP RUBBER COUPLER BETWEEN THE STEERING COLUMN AND STEERING LINKAGE.' 'THE REPLACEMENT PART IS $6.88. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS CHARGE $400-$500 TO REPLACE IT. NHTSA SHOULD HAVE LONG AGO ORDERED HYUNDAI TO EFFECTUATE A REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART WITH ONE MADE OF A MATERIAL THAT WILL NOT DEGRADE AS THIS PART DOES.' HYUNDAI HAS ISSUED SEVERAL EXTENDED WARRANTIES FOR SOME MODELS, EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW ITS THE SAME PROBLEMS FOR ALL THE MODELS WITH THIS CHEAP RUBBER COUPLER. MOST OF THIS INFORMATION WAS FROM OTHER OWNER'S COMPLAINS, BUT THE NEW INFORMATION I HAVE WAS FROM THE HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPARTMENT. AFTER REPLACING MY ENGINE IN A RECALL (WHERE MY CAR STOPPED AND FIRE STARTED IN MY ENGINE), I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS RUBBER COUPLER. EVERYONE FROM HYUNDAI SERVICE DEP KNOWS THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE IN A RECALL, BUT THEY JUST WILL DO NOTHING TO GET IT TO NHTSA. THEY JUST STATED 'NHTSA IS THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN REQUEST FOR A RECALL.' TODAY I SPOKE AGAIN WITH THE HYUNDAI SERVICE MANAGER (AT RED HOAGLAND HYUNDAI WINTER HAVEN, FL ), BECAUSE AFTER CALLING HYUNDAI RECALL DEP AND BEING TOLD THAT 'IF THE SERVICE DEP DECIDES THAT THIS REPLACEMENT SHOULD BE IN A RECALL THEY COULD REQUEST FOR A EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM THE HYUNDAI RECALL DEP, OR NHTSA NEEDS TO PUT A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM'. ITS CLEAR THAT EVERYONE KNOWS THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE IN A RECALL AND THAT IT IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION, BUT NO ONE DOES ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ARE YOU GUYS WAITING FOR SOME ONE TO DIE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE PUTTING A RECALL? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
Engine, Dec 12, 2019
COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AT 105K MILES, OIL WAS PRESENT IN FAILED ENGINE AND WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF ENGINE FAILURE. 5 MONTHS AND I AM STILL WAITING FOR A NEW ENGINE FROM HYUNDAI.
Other or unspecified, Dec 5, 2019
WE HAD AN ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN RUNNY ROUGH. DEALERSHIP SAID CAR WAS LOW ON OIL. THEY WANT TO PERFORM A OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. INTERNET SEARCH SAYS THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. HOW DO WE GET THIS RESOLVED. CAR CURRENTLY HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES.
Steering, Dec 3, 2019
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 65MPH MY STEERING ALL OF THE SUDDEN GOT HARD AND THE STEERING LIGHT INDICATOR CAME ON THE DASH BOARD. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO WORK WITH OUT ANY POWER STERRING BUT MADE IT A TOUGH RIDE
Steering, Nov 26, 2019
PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND UNDER VEHICLE. FROM LOOKING AT VEHICLE FORUMS APPEARS TO BE STEERING GEAR USED IN ELECTRICAL STEERING MOTOR. STEERING HAS PLAY IN IT WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CONTACTED AND SAID NO RECALLS, UNSURE IF COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY DEALER SOLD ME.
Exterior lighting, Nov 26, 2019
MY HEADLIGHTS KEEPS BLOWING LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER BEING REPLACED.
Engine, Nov 13, 2019
VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 162 ON 11/6/19. DEALERSHIP INSTRUCTED ME TO GET AN OIL CHANGE, DRIVE MY VEHICLE, AND RETURN EVERY 700-1000 MILES TO HAVE OIL LEVELS CHECKED. I COMPLIED AND DROVE MY VEHICLE ON A SHORT TRIP ON 11/8/19. AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30 PM, AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE SEIZED AND I LOST ALL POWER TO MY VEHICLE. MY WIFE AND 2 CHILDREN (4 AND 6) WERE IN THE VEHICLE. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST OFF OF THE ROAD AND INTO A GAS STATION PARKING LOT. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO TOW THE VEHICLE, FIND IMMEDIATE TRANSPORTATION, AND PAY FOR A RENTAL VEHICLE UNTIL IT HAD BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO HYUNDAI SAFETY RECALL 162. I FEEL THAT MY FAMILY'S SAFETY WAS UNNECESSARILY PUT AT RISK AS I HAD MY VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP TWO DAYS PRIOR FOR THIS EXACT RECALL. THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP EXAMINING THE VEHICLE IS CHECKERED FLAG HYUNDAI. BECAUSE I WAS OUT OF TOWN, MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TYSINGER HYUNDAI WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY LOCATED AWAITING AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT.
Power train, Nov 10, 2019
HYUNDAI CONTINUES TO HAVE ONGOING MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE FWD TRANSMISSION ALL TYPES AND LARGELY MOST OF ITS MODEL BRANDS. THE POINT IS THAT EVEN UNDER 100KMILES THEY REFUSE TO ASSIST IN THE COST FOR REPAIRS...
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 4, 2019
ON SEPTEMBER 20TH 2018 AFTER HAVING THE CAR A WEEK, THE CAR MADE A NOISE WOULD NOT START ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE BLINKING ON AND OFF THEN NEVER CAME ON AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO SAY IT WAS A BATTERY, WHICH THEY NEVER GAVE A SERVICE RECEIPT FOR NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I ASKED. THEN AGAIN ON AUGUST 7 2019 MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STOP WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. THANKFULLY WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF THE EXPRESSWAY WHICH WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION. AFTER ABOUT 30 MIN THAT DID RESTART BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OF 60 MPH. AS WE COASTED THE REMAINDER OF OUR TRIP. THEN AGAIN ON OCTOBER 7 THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AFTER RECEIVING AN OIL CHANGE AND TUNE UP. THIS TIME SMOKING AND STALLING AND NEVER COMING BACK ON AGAIN. THE BRAKE WOULD BE PRESSED WHEN THE PUSH TO START BETTON NEVER WENT TO THE ON POSITION.
Engine, Oct 29, 2019
WE WERE DRIVING DOWN 231 WHEN SUDDENLY MY CAR STOPS AND WE TRY TO GET IN NON TRAFFIC...WHEN WE GO TO CRANK IT...IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ENGINE IS FALLING APART...WE HAVE REGULAR OIL CHANGES! NOW THEY SAY MY ENGINE IS BLOWN? WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? RECALL
Steering, Oct 28, 2019
WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE I'M DRIVING, TURNING AND WHEN I HIT BUMPS. MY CAR WILL DRIFT LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.
Other or unspecified, Oct 21, 2019
THE VECHILE ONLY HAS 78000 MILES ON IT, AND THIS WAS FOUND IN THE PARKING LOT OF A GROCERY STORE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. APPEARS THAT INSULATION IN THE MUFFLER SYSTEM STARTS TO COME OUT. IT APPEARS THAT THERE IS A HAIR LIKE SUBSTANCE THAT COMES OUT OF THE MUFFLER, BUT IS IS FOUND TO BE THE INSULATION THAT LINES THE MUFFLER WHEN IT IS FAULTY/OR BAD.
Engine, Oct 15, 2019
WHILE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, AFTER OPERATING FOR APPROX. 10 MINUTES, I WAS DRIVING ON A STATE ROUTE WITH TRAFFIC AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. NO WARNING, NO DASH WARNING LIGHTS, NOT STALLING OF ENGINE, IT SIMPLY SHUT OFF. HAD TO PULL OFF SIDE OF ROAD, THRU TRAFFIC, AND LEAVE VEHICLE SITTING UNTIL IT COULD BE TOWED.