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.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 2, 2013
2013 SANTA FE 2.0 AWD- FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT READ CORRECTLY THEREFORE YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE IN THE CAR. FIRST TIME I PUMPED GAS IT STOPPED AT 3/4 AND MET CLICKING. 2ND TIME PUMPED IT NEVER STOPPED AND THE TANK OVER FLOWED. MY AVERAGE MPG DOES NOT GO HIGHER THEN 15 MILE PER GALLON! MY RANGE SHOWS ONLY 250 ON A FULL TANK. HYUNDAI KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUES AND I DON'T BELIEVE THEY KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. I RECOMMEND EVERYONE CONTACT THEIR LOCAL LEMON LAW ATTORNEY AND START THE PROCESS IF YOU HAVE TRIED 4 OR MORE TIME WITH HYUNDAI TO RESOLVE THIS. I STARTED MY PROCESS AND ITS LOOKING LIKE THEY HAVE TO GIVE ME 100%'OF MY MONEY BACK AND NO LESS. OH ALSO EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE ON DRIVER SIDE WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Visibility, Apr 27, 2013
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, 65MPH I HEARD A LOUD BANG AS IF SOMETHING HIT THE CAR. HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. I LOOK UP THAT BACK FIXED PANEL TO THE PANORAMIC MOONROOF, THE BACK PAIN OF GLASS HAD CRACKED INTO A "MILLION LITTLE PIECES" BUT STILL REMAINED INTACT. THE BACK SEAT WAS NOTED TO HAVE NUMEROUS GLASS SHAVINGS ALL OVER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION WHEN I PULLED OVER, THERE WAS A HOLE NO BIGGER THAN A DIME SHAPE. THIS HOLE, ASSUMING WAS THE POINT OF IMPACT, WAS LOCATED ON THE BACK OF THE SECOND PANEL, NEAR WHERE THE GLASS MEETS THE SHEET METAL. ASSUMING THAT A PIECE OF DEBRIS HIT IT, I HAD IT FIXED AS A GLASS CLAIM THROUGH MY INSURANCE. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THAT THIS WILL BE THE SECOND COMPLAINT FOR THIS MODEL YEAR, WITH ANOTHER HYUNDAI MODEL WITH AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *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
Suspension, Apr 18, 2013
WHILE WAITING TO PULL OUT OF MY SUBDIVISION, FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I HEAR A LOUD BANG UNDER THE CAR. DID NOT KNOW AT THE TIME WHAT IT WAS, SO AS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO TURN, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. TRIED GOING IN REVERSE, AND NO MOVEMENT. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. SAID MY AXLE CRACKED. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR!! WHEN I ASKED IF ANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, I WAS TOLD "NO", THAT I WAS THE FIRST PERSON THIS HAPPENED TO. I CALLED HYUNDAI CORP HDQTRS IN CA AND FILED A COMPLAINT. I WAS GIVEN A CASE #. THEY ALSO SAID NO OTHER COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED, AND NO RECALLS ISSUED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE! YES, THEY ARE FIXING IT, BUT I DID TELL THEM THAT I WILL BE LEARY DRIVING IT AGAIN. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!! THANK GOD I WAS NOT MOVING. *TR
Equipment adaptive/mobility, Apr 11, 2013
IN AN EMAILED RESPONSE, THE HYUNDAI MOTOR CORPORATION IS DEFLECTING A MALFUNCTION AND POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE WITH ITS REDESIGNED 2013 MODEL VEHICLES? BLUETOOTH FUNCTIONALITY TO WIRELESS CARRIERS AND/OR PHONE MANUFACTURES? EQUIPMENT WHEN IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE ISSUE IS WITH THEIR COMPONENT(S). ISSUE: - AT APPROXIMATELY THE 14:45 TO 15:00 MINUTE CALL DURATION, THE VEHICLE'S BLUETOOTH MUTES THE DRIVERS? COMMUNICATION. THIS CAUSES AN UNDUE NECESSITY FOR THE DRIVERS TO MANUALLY MANIPULATE THE VEHICLE?S COMPONENTS OR THE DRIVERS? PERSONAL HANDSET, TO CONTINUE THE COMMUNICATION. THE TYPE OF PHONE AND CARRIER DETERMINES THE EXTENT OF THE DRIVERS? UNNECESSARY ACTION. THIS DISTRACTION UNDERMINES THE SAFETY BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH BLUETOOTH HANDS-FREE MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATION. EVIDENCE: - VARIOUS PHONE MANUFACTURERS? HANDSETS (THRU MULTIPLE CARRIERS) EXHIBIT THE SAME ISSUE. FURTHERMORE, INTERNET RESEARCH FINDS THE SAME PROBLEM BEING REPORTED BY DIFFERENT 2013 HYUNDAI VEHICLE OWNERS. HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F202DB3 CONSIDERING THE CONSEQUENCES OF DISTRACTED MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATION THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY THE NHTSA FOR FURTHER REVIEW. *TR
Engine, Apr 10, 2013
I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 SANTA FE ON THE HIGHWAY ON APRIL 6, 2013 AND I WAS COMING TO A FOUR WAY STOP. I HEARD MY ENGINE START MAKING A TICKING SOUND. WHEN I WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION THE NOISE WAS EVEN LOUDER. AT THAT POINT I PULLED OFF ALONG SIDE THE ROAD AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ON APRIL 8, 2013, THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME AND SAID THAT THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN UP. HOW DOES AN ENGINE BLOW UP ON A BRAND NEW CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENCE I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR. LAST MONTH THE AXLE BROKE ON THE VEHICLE. FOR ME I DON'T FEEL IT IS SAVE TO DRIVE ANYMORE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2013
I JUST GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND COMING INTO TOWN APPROACHING A FOUR WAY STOP. I STOPPED AND WHEN I STARTED TO GO THE CAR MADE A HORRIBLE LOUD NOISE AND WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. I MADE IT HALF WAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND IT COMPLETELY DIED. THE CAR WOULDN'T GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD. I CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY PICKED UP MY CAR AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SHIP AND THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD ME I HAD A BROKEN AXLE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE. I BOUGHT THE 2013 SANTA FE IN SEPTEMBER AND THIS HAPPENED ON MARCH 2013 ONLY ABOUT 6 MONTHS OLD. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE PROVIDED INACCURATE READINGS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. *TR UPDATED 05/23/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON MAY 6, 2013. THE GAS TANK ASSEMBLY UNIT AND FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 05/28/2013 *JS
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 31, 2013
GAS GAUGE DOES NOT READ CORRECTLY AND CAUSES TRIP CALCULATION AND DRIVING RANGE TO BE DISPLAYED INCORRECTLY. THIS COULD CAUSE CAR TO UNEXPECTEDLY RUN OUT OF FUEL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR ## VIN FAILED ##
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
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 23, 2013
WE PURCHASED THE 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT (2WD) ON 2/23/13. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO FILL UP THE GAS TANK FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE GAS PUMP CONTINUOUSLY SHUT OFF AUTOMATICALLY AS IF THE TANK WAS FULL. IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MINUTES TO FILL UP 3/4 OF THE TANK. I INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS THE GAS PUMP THAT WAS BAD. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO FILL UP AGAIN, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED ON A DIFFERENT PUMP. I TRIED A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS, AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP FOR A CHECK UP. AFTER A PRELIMINARY CHECK, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO ERROR CODE. HOWEVER, IN ORDER FOR THEM TO REMOVE THE TANK AND CHECK THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY, THE GAS TANK WAS TOO FULL, SO I NEEDED TO DRIVE IT AROUND AND USE UP SOME GAS UNTIL IT WAS LESS THAN 1/2 TANK FULL. SO AFTER A FEW DAYS, I TOOK IT IN AGAIN. AFTER A FEW DAYS, THEY ADVISED THAT THE AFTER REMOVING THE TANK, THEY OBSERVED THE FUEL TANK NECK END HAD BEEN MELTED. THEY WERE NOT SURE WHAT THE CAUSE WAS. SO THEY REPLACED THE FUEL TANK, AND FILLED THE GAS TANK WITHOUT ANY ISSUES. WE JUST GOT THE CAR BACK, SO WE'LL SEE IT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED, OR IF IT'LL BE A RECURRING PROBLEM. WE THOUGHT IT WAS VERY ODD THAT A BRAND NEW CAR WOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM, AND WE'RE MORE CONCERNED WHAT CAUSED IT TO "MELT". IF THERE IS A MAJOR HEAT ISSUE THAT WOULD CAUSE SOMETHING TO MELT NEAR THE GAS TANK, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS CONCERN. THE DEALER ADVISED US THAT AN ENGINEER FROM HYUNDAI CAME OUT TO INSPECT IT UPON LEARNING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. WE'VE FOUND NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINT ONLINE, AND NOT ONLY WITH THE SANTA FE BUT WITH MANY OTHER HYUNDAI MODELS. IN FACT, THE 2012 HYUNDAI SONATA RENTAL THEY PROVIDED US WITH HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM WHERE IT WOULD SHUT OFF EVERY 2 1/2 GALLONS. THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR NOW, BUT WE'LL HAVE TO MONITOR IT. *TR
Structure, Seats, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 22, 2013
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AROUND JUNE 3 2012, 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. 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. 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. SEATS:I TOO HAVE EXPERIENCE THE DRIVER SEAT BEING VERY LOSE AND ROCKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY TIGHTENED THE BOLTS BUT IT DIDN'T TAKE BUT A DAY TO REALIZE THAT THIS WASN?T A TOTAL FIX. EACH TIME I TAKE IT BACK THEY JUST SAY THEY LOCKED THE BOLTS DOWN BUT WILL NOT DO ANY PAPERWORK ON IT AND. SUNROOF: MY SUNROOF MAKES A WHISTLING NOISE WHEN I DRIVE DURING WINDY CONDITIONS. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOO HEARD THE NOISE. BUT TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT AND THAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR A TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN) IN ORDER TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. THREE MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE MY BACK PASSENGER REAR WINDOW BLEW OUT AT 60 MPH AND THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THEY DIDN?T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE WINDOW TO BLOW. I'VE NOW HAD THE CARE FOR 10 MONTHS NOW AND STILL THEY HAVE NOT FIXED THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN A SUPER SUPPORTER OF HYUNDAI BUT HOW CAN I CONTINUE TO RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY IF THEY ADVERTISE THEY HAVE THE BEST WARRANTY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT WONT FOLLOW THROUGH? HYUNDAI NEEDS TO FIX THIS AND MAKE IT RIGHT WITH US OWNERS. *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
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 14, 2013
CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE INPUT FOR AS LONG AS 5 OR 6 SECONDS THIS HAPPENING SEVERAL TIMES EARLY ON. THE CAR NOW HAS 2300 MILES AND THE SYMPTOMS HAVE EVOLVED TO THE CAR STARTING TO MOVE TO APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES PER HOUR THEN FALLING ON ITS FACE FOR 2 TO 3 SECONDS BEFORE RESUMING SPEED ALMOST CAUSING A REAR COLLISION. THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE ONE TIME FOR FIVE DAYS WITH THE DEALER UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS ISSUE COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A REAR COLLISION OR AN ACCIDENT PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. *TR
Seats, Mar 13, 2013
WE PURCHASED THIS 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT IN OCTOBER 2012. IMMEDIATELY ON THE DRIVE HOME, I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FELT LIKE IT WAS LOOSE OR ROCKED. I WAS ABLE TO MITIGATE THE PROBLEM BY USING THE POWER ADJUSTMENT TO RAISE THE SEAT TO THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE POSITION. WHILE NOT A SOLUTION, IT MINIMIZED THE PROBLEM AND ALLOWED ME TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR. AFTER PERUSING A NUMBER OF ONLINE HYUNDAI FORUMS, I DISCOVERED THAT A NUMBER OF 2013 SF OWNER'S WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BY EITHER REPLACING THE SEAT/SEAT RAILS OR BY USING A SPECIALLY-DESIGNED TOOL TO CORRECT TOO MUCH CLEARANCE/PLAY IN THE SLIDING SEAT TRACKS. I BROUGHT THIS INFO TO THE ATTENTION OF MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHEN IT WAS RECENTLY TIME FOR THE FIRST SERVICE. AFTER SHARING INFO WITH THEM AND EVEN GIVING THEM A COPY OF A COMPLETED SERVICE ORDER FROM A FRIEND ON ONE OF THE ONLINE FORUMS, TO MY ASTONISHMENT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIX MY SEAT. THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO AUTHORIZE THIS REPAIR BECAUSE AS HE PUT IT. "I SAT IN A FEW 2013 SF'S AND THEY ALL DID IT". THE EXCUSE OF SOMEONE THAT WANTS TO AVOID ADMITTING THERE IS A PROBLEM. JUST BECAUSE THEY ALL DO IT DOES NOT MEAN THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM AS EVIDENCED BY THE INFO I EASILY DISCOVERED ON THE INTERNET. HYUNDAI HAS ALREADY AUTHORIZED OTHER REPAIRS FOR OTHER OWNERS. I THINK THAT NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AND FORCE HYUNDAI TO COME CLEAN AND AUTHORIZE THESE REPAIRS FOR ALL OWNERS REGARDLESS OF LOCATION OR DEALER/DISTRICT. *TR
Power train, Engine, Feb 28, 2013
WHAT I AM ABOUT TO DESCRIBE HAPPENS RANDOMLY. THE ONLY DISCERNIBLE PATTERN IS THAT IT HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM REST OR FROM SLOW SPEED. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 15 TIMES IN THE FIRST 800 MILES OF DRIVING. WHEN I BEGIN TO ACCELERATE SLOWLY FORWARD FROM REST OR FROM A SLOW FORWARD ROLL THERE IS NO RESPONSE. IT FEELS LIKE THE ENGINE HAS STALLED, BUT HASN'T. CONTINUING TO PUSH DOWN BRINGS NO RESULT. AFTER APPROXIMATELY A 2 TO 5 SECOND DELAY, THE RPMS BEGIN TO BUILD UP RAPIDLY. THE FIRST TWO OR THREE TIMES IT HAPPENED I SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD IN A VERY DANGEROUS MANNER. THE REAL PROBLEM, HOWEVER, IS THAT WITH FOLLOWING TRAFFIC EXPECTING ME TO ACCELERATE AND CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE AND I SUDDENLY STOP ACCELERATING WITHOUT HAVING APPLIED BRAKES, THUS ACTIVATING BRAKE LIGHTS, THERE IS A REAR END COLLISION WAITING TO HAPPEN. HERE IS AN EXAMPLE FROM LAST NIGHT. I WAS ROLLING SLOWLY IN A LEFT TURN LANE, FOOT OFF THE GAS, WAITING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO CLEAR. IT DID AND I BEGIN THE TURN SIMULTANEOUSLY PRESSING DOWN ON THE PEDAL--NO RESPONSE. LET UP AND PRESSED DOWN AGAIN--NO RESPONSE. I LET UP AGAIN, RPMS CAME UP, I PRESSED DOWN AGAIN AND PROCEED NORMALLY INTO A PARKING LOT. I WAS PERPENDICULAR TO 3 LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND DEAD IN THE WATER FOR MAYBE 3 TO 5 SECONDS. ESSENTIALLY THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED WHILE ACCELERATING OUT OF A U TURN AND ALSO COMING OUT OF A SLOW RIGHT TURN. IT HAPPENED WHILE ACCELERATING SLOWLY THROUGH AN OPENING SECURITY GATE. I HAVE LEFT THE CAR WITH THE DEALER OVERNIGHT SO THEY COULD DRIVE IT AND HOOK IT UP TO THEIR ERROR CODE MACHINES. THEY COULD NOT OBSERVE THE ISSUE OR DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. NONETHELESS, IT IS REAL AND VERY DANGEROUS. IT HAS BEEN A MATTER OF PURE LUCK THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN CLOSE BEHIND ME DURING ANY OF THESE POWER LOSSES. I HOPE THIS REPORT IS USEFUL. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO TALK TO ANYONE WHO MIGHT WANT MORE INFORMATION. *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.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 14, 2013
VEHICLE WILL NOT FILL PAST 3/4 TANK. IF YOU STAY AT PUMP AND KEEP CLICKING IT WILL OVERFLOW AND EVENTUALLY FILL BUT, THEN ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS AND MUST TO RETURN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. MANY PARTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX BUT NOTHING WORKS. ELECTRONIC STEERING EXCEPTIONALLY VAGUE IN ANY OF THREE SETTINGS, TRAILER CONNECTOR NOT FUNCTIONING. VEHICLE ENGINE ALMOST CUTS OFF AT TIMES. *TR
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
Vehicle speed control, Jan 30, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE RPMS INCREASED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT REGAIN ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY. THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,086 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,088.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Engine, Jan 7, 2013
2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER STATES ISSUES WITH HESITATION AND STALLING WHEN ACCELERATING. *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION, WHICH WAS COMMON AMONG SEVERAL BRANDS OF AUTOMOBILES AND THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THE HESITATION AT ACCELERATION OCCURRED AT SLOW SPEEDS WHILE TURNING AND THE ENGINE WOULD MOMENTARILY STALL. *JB