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.
Steering, Feb 20, 2015
STEERING NEEDS CONSTANT CORRECTIONS. *TR
Steering, Feb 12, 2015
HAVE OPERATED THIS VEHICLE FOR 20 MONTHS WITH QUESTIONABLE STEERING CONTROL. AT FIRST, THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A BREAK-IN OR TIRE ISSUE BUT HIGHWAY STEERING DRIFTING TENDENCY HAS PERSISTED. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW. I HAVE MANAGED TO SURVIVE THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE I AM A PRETTY GOOD DRIVER WITH DECADES OF ACCIDENT-FREE DRIVING BUT WOULD NOT WANT TO EXPOSE A LESS-EXPERIENCED DRIVER TO THIS SITUATION WITH THIS VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY IN A TIGHT/ NARROW TRAFFIC LANE SITUATION AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GET HYUNDAI TO ADDRESS THIS MATTER. *TR
Suspension, Feb 9, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE SUSPENSION. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND ONLY WHEN THERE WAS AT LEAST FOUR PASSENGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500. UPDATED 04/06/15*LJ UPDATED 9/21/2017*CN
Vehicle speed control, Feb 5, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, IT ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEN INTO A SNOW BANK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
Engine, Jan 31, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 75 MILES AN HOUR, MY ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND AND WAS LOSING ACCELERATION. I TRIED ACCELERATING BUT THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE THEN SEIZED UP AND I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE SECOND CYLINDER BROKE UP INSIDE THE ENGINE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THEY ARE REPLACING THE ENGINE. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jan 18, 2015
THE VEHICLE DRIFTS FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM "ITS PROBABLY JUST THE DIFFERENT DRIVING MODES ON THE STEERING WHEEL." THEY SUGGESTED TO DRIVE IN "SPORT" MODE WHICH DOESN'T HELP.THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN BECAUSE ITS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUES AND IT MUST BE ADDRESSED. THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE IGNORED. *TR
Steering, Power train, Jan 14, 2015
THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE IN EVERY CONDITION OF ROAD AND THE VEHICLE SOME TIMES TAKE TO THE LEFT SIDE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Dec 13, 2014
I HAVE CONTACTED HYUNDAI AND HAVE BEEN GETTING THE RUN AROUND ABOUT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE WIPER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT CLEAN THE WINDOW PROPERLY - THERE IS A PIE SHAPED AREA ON THE BOTTOM OF THE WIPER, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ONLY, THAT DOES NOT HIT THE WINDOW. AFTER MANY DISCUSSIONS WITH HYUNDAI AND GOING TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALS, THEY HAVE SAID THAT IT IS A DEFECT AND THAT ALL OR MOST HYUNDAI'S HAVE THIS DEFECT. I FEEL THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE WHEN IT IS RAINING HARD, THE WIPER SPLASHES BACK ONTO THE WINDOW DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE WIPER IS NOT HITTING THE ENTIRE WINDOW PROPERLY. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SINCE MOST OF THE HYUNDAI'S HAVE THIS PROBLEM, IT IS A DEFECT THAT THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS ABOUT, BUT DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE CARE OF. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 10, 2014
2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2.4 IS HAVING MAJOR STEERING ISSUES. AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45MPH THE SUV SWAYS ALL OVER THE ROAD AND IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF. IF YOU HAVE ANY TYPE OF WIND THE SUV WILL CHANGE LANES AND IF YOU SLIGHTLY CORRECT IT OVER CORRECTS. I HAVE CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE AND THE TIRES SHOW NO SIGNS A WEAR. ALSO THE FUEL TANK WILL ONLY FILL 3/4 FULL THEN YOU HAVE TO WAIT AND EVER SO SLOWLY PUT THE REMAINING 1.5-2 GALLONS IN. THE MPG IS HORRIBLE ONLY GETTING 20MPG AT BEST ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ECO MODE DROPS THE FUEL ECONOMY DOWN TO 18MPG WHEN ACTIVATED. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER SHIP DUE TO WORK AND CANNOT GO WITHOUT A VEHICLE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT NIGHT ON DARK MOUNTAIN ROADS THE HEADLIGHTS PREVENTS YOU FROM SEEING THE SIDE AND CROSS ROADS. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Air bags, Structure, Nov 19, 2014, crash
I WAS COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN,DRIVER ON CROSS STREET CUT TURN REAL TIGHT DOING ABOUT 35 OR 40 MILES AN HOUR AND HIT MY CAR HEADON. MY STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEPLOYED DEFLATED I WENT OVER THE STEERING WHEEL AND CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD WITH MY HEAD. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Oct 30, 2014
WHILE DRIVING OVER A BRIDGE - THE SUNROOF PART OF MY MOON ROOF EXPLODED. THE WEATHER WASN'T EVEN HOT / HUMID - ABOUT 85 DEGREES OUTSIDE AT THE TIME. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED - MY SUNROOF WAS COMPLETED SHATTERED WITH THE EDGES STILL ATTACHED - BUT A HOLE OVER 12-INCHES IN DIAMETER WAS BLOWN OUT AND GLASS PARTIALS WERE DROPPED INTO THE SHADE COVER THAT COVERS THE MOON ROOF AS MY CEILING. THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP HAS ONLY CONCLUDED THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THE GLASS WITH THE SAME PART AND WAS NOT ABLE TO SAY IF THIS ISSUE WOULD / COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Steering, Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2014
YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY FIGHT THE STEERING TO KEEP THE CAR FROM SWAYING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. *TR
Power train, Engine, Sep 17, 2014
I'VE HAD A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE GLS FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS (PURCHASED NEW ON 3/3/14). SEVERAL WEEKS AGO AROUND 8/22/14), WHEN I TRIED TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE ON TO THE INTERSTATE FROM THE ON RAMP, THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO 8-9K RPM BUT IT FELT LIKE THE CLUTCH/TRANSMISSION NEVER ENGAGED AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. AFTER LETTING MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND RETRYING, THE CAR 'BUCKED' AND EVENTUALLY, I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE AT A SLOWER RATE. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE NEXT WEEK. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND WAS ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THE PROBLEM TO THE MECHANIC. I WAS INITIALLY TOLD IT WAS THE HIGH RESISTANCE FUEL PUMP WHICH WAS REPLACED BUT AS SOON AS I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP AND TESTED THE CAR, THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK AND A WEEK LATER, THEY'VE TOLD ME IT IS THE LOW-RESISTANCE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL LINE. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THEY KEEP REPLACING PARTS WITHOUT ANY IMPROVEMENT IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE NOT MADE ANY CHANGES TO THE WAY I DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND THIS WAS DEFINITELY NOT HAPPENING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS THAT WE OWNED THE VEHICLE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 12, 2014
HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT 2013 PURCHASED NEW, SINGLE OWNER VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ISSUES. 1.FAILED TO ENGAGE 2.FAILED TO DISENGAGE 3.MADE THE CAR ACCELERATE WHEN TRYING TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN CONSISTENTLY BUT IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES FOR ME AND THE OTHER DRIVER WITHIN MY HOME. MOST RECENT INCIDENT TOOK PLACE 9.10.2014. I?M FILING THIS COMPLAINT DUE TO THE SAFETY CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CAR ACCELERATING WHEN I?M INTENDING FOR IT TO SLOW DOWN BY TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. I INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP OF THIS ISSUE WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND SINCE IT DID NOT HAPPEN DURING A TEST DRIVE THEY DID NOT PURSUE THE ISSUE ANY FURTHER. THE INABILITY TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE DURING A TEST DRIVE DOES NOT REDUCE THE SAFETY IMPACT OF THIS SOFTWARE ISSUE WHEN THE ERROR OCCURS. *TR
Steering, Sep 5, 2014
CAR WANDERS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, CONSTANTLY HAVING TO CORRECT STEERING. *TR
Visibility, Sep 3, 2014
I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 IN RICHMOND VIRGINIA AND MY SUNROOF SHATTERED. *TR
Engine, Aug 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,137.
Tires, Aug 21, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH KUHMO SOLUS KL21 TIRES, SIZE P235/65 R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DEFLATED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT WOULD ADD AIR TO THE TIRE, BUT IT WOULD CONTINUE TO DEFLATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE FOR THE TIRE AND VEHICLE WAS 19,481.
Engine, Aug 21, 2014
AT 7606 MILES I TOOK MY 2013 SANTA FE SPORT 2.0T IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE MANAGER AND LINE TECH CONFIRMED THE KNOCKING AND INDICATED TO ME THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. I WAS TRAVELING AND HAD A 13 HOUR DRIVE AHEAD OF ME TO GET BACK HOME. HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT THIS EVERY TIME I TRAVEL IS A CONCERN. I DO NOT WANT TO END UP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 20, 2014
THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE WELL DOCUMENTED BY OTHERS ON THE INTERNET. WHEN PUMPING GAS, THE FUEL TANK ACTS LIKE IT IS FULL CAUSING THE GAS PUMP TO SHUT OFF. HOWEVER, THE TANK IS ONLY ABOUT 3/4 FULL. IF YOU ARE PATIENT ENOUGH, YOU CAN EVENTUALLY FILL UP THE TANK BY TRICKLING IN GAS, WAITING A COUPLE OF SECONDS, TRICKLING IN SOME MORE GAS, ETC. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT HUYNDAI SERVICE CENTERS FAIL TO RECOGNIZE THIS AS AN ISSUE. IT APPEARS THAT SOME INDIVIDUALS HAVE HAD THEIR TANKS REPLACE. 1 COMPLAINT INDICATES THAT THE SERVICE CENTER INDICATED THAT A PIECE CLOSE TO THE FILLER HOSE HAD "MELTED". SOUNDS LIKE IT MAY BE TIME FOR NHTSA TO STEP UP AND DO SOME FURTHER INVESTIGATION. *TR
Power train, Aug 20, 2014
SANTA FE V6 LIMITED AWD. INTERMITTENT CLUNKING NOISE FROM TRANSAXLE WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT. MOSTLY OCCURS ON WARM DAYS. CONCERNED TRANNY MIGHT FAIL AT HIGH SPEED AND CAUSE ACCIDENT. *TR
Service brakes, Aug 13, 2014
I HAD JUST PICKED MY VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER FROM HAVING A 30,000 MILE SERVICE COMPLETED. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP LEAVING THE PARKING LOT. PROCEEDED TO THE NEXT STOP LIGHT AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE NEXT STOP LIGHT TURNED YELLOW AND I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES. I FELT A POP IN THE BRAKES AND THE PEDDLE WENT DIRECTLY TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. I COASTED TO THE NEXT AVAILABLE PLACE THAT I COULD PULL OFF, AND LET THE VEHICLE COAST TO A STOP. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY CAME TO GET THE VEHICLE. I FOLLOWED THE DEALER DRIVER AS HE DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. ON THE WAY THE COURTESY DRIVER CAME BACK WITH THE MECHANIC. THEY POPPED THE HOOD AND HE CHECKED IT OUT. WHEN WE GOT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP I ASKED WHAT THE MECHANIC WAS DOING. HE SAID HE THOUGHT SOMETHING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN CONNECTED FROM THE SERVICE, WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE. THEY INFORMED ME THEY WOULD CALL ME IN THE MORNING WITH WHAT THEY FIND. I HAD MY DAUGHTER IN THE VEHICLE AND WE WERE LUCKY THAT IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. MY MAIN CONCERN IS KNOWING MY RIGHTS WHEN I DO GET THE VEHICLE AND MY CONCERN THAT AFTER A 30,000 MILE TUNE UP AND A FULL VEHICLE INSPECTION THAT THIS HAPPENED. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF MYSELF, FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Visibility, Aug 11, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE GLASS FROM THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF SHATTERED. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CIRCULAR HOLE NEAR THE FRONT CENTER SECTION OF THE SUN ROOF. THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE GLASS CREATED A SPIDER WEB IMPRESSION. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,740.
Electrical system, Aug 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CABLE CONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY TO THE FUSE BOX WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,500. UPDATED 10/02/14*LJ UPDATED 03/9/15 *JS