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.
Power train, Jan 1, 2013
WE BOUGHT IT 10/5/2012. WITHIN SEVERAL DAYS OF BUYING IT MY HUSBAND TOLD ME IT HAD BEEN STALLING OUT AFTER STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. WE ALSO NOTED IT HESITATES SEVERELY AT TIMES DURING ACCELERATION, INCLUDING ON THE HIGHWAY. WE HAVE THEIR BLUE LINK WITH A MONTHLY VEHICLE REPORT AND IT HAS BEEN REGISTERING SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CHASSIS AND POWER TRAIN IN THE REPORTS FROM NOV. AND DEC. 2012. WE HAD IT IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND THEY RESET THE BLUE LINK. I CHANGED THE DATE FOR THE REPORT FOR AFTER IT HAD BEEN RESET AND NOW IT SHOWS THAT IT LOGGED 4 ISSUES WITH THE POWER TRAIN. APPARENTLY THOUGH THEY CAN NOT SEE AT THE DEALERSHIP WHAT IT LOGS? THEY DID SHOW ME THAT THEY CAN'T SEE THIS. WE HAVE ALSO HAD THE MESSAGE "FUEL CAP NOT ON" BUT IT IS. ON 12/30/2012 WE HAD IT OUT AND IT HESITATED SO BADLY WHEN GETTING OFF AND ON THE HIGHWAY IT LASTED ALMOST A FULL MINUTE EACH TIME FOLLOWED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHING ON AND OFF. WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. DID WE JUST GET THE LEMON? I UNDERSTAND "WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS IT'S DOING IT FOR US", BUT REALLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE? WE HAVE ALSO NOTICE IT DOES THIS STUFF EVERY OTHER TANK OF GAS, SOMETIMES MORE FREQUENTLY. IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE WE BUY THE GAS AT EITHER AS WE HAVE TRIED ROTATING STATIONS EVERY 5 OR SO FILL UPS. *TR
Visibility, Dec 26, 2012
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM VACATION, 600 MILES INTO THE DRIVE AND 200 MILES FROM HOME, I HEAR A LOUD BANG. I LOOK UP TO FIND THAT THE SUNROOF OF MY CAR HAS EXPLODED. NOTHING HIT THE CAR AND NO DEBRIS AT THE INSTANT OF THE EXPLOSION FELL INTO THE CAR. IT SEEMED TO HAVE EXPLODED OUTWARD BUT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF WHAT CAUSED THE EXPLOSION. SMALL SHARDS OF GLASS FROM AROUND THE EDGE OF THE GAPING HOLE BEGAN TO FALL INTO THE CAR, THOUGH THE MAJORITY OF THE GLASS HAD FLOWN OUT BECAUSE I WAS GOING 65MPH. I PULLED OVER, PATCHED THE SUNROOF WITH DUCT TAPE AND TRASH BAGS AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME. I WILL TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW TO GET IT FIXED. AFTER A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH, I TURNED UP THAT HYUNDAI IS RECALLING OTHER CARS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS A PANORAMIC SUNROOF, JUST LIKE THE VELOSTERS. NHTSA, PLEASE BROADEN YOUR INVESTIGATION OF HYUNDAIS' SUNROOFS TO INCLUDE SANTA FE SPORTS TOO!! *TR
Steering, Nov 27, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, SHE BEGAN TO TURN THE WHEEL AND NOTICED THAT SHE HAD TO CONSTANTLY STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT DID NOT COME UP WITH A DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150.
Exterior lighting, Nov 21, 2012
I RECENTLY BOUGHT MY WIFE A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT 2.0T. AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS I NOTICED THAT IT DID NOT HAVE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL AND IT SAID THAT SOME MODELS HAD THEM. THE CAR I BOUGHT WAS THE TOP OF THE LINE MODEL SO I FELT THAT THE CAR SHOULD HAVE THEM. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY CHECKED THEIR INVENTORY AND SAID THAT THIS MODEL DOES NOT HAVE THEM. I THOUGHT THAT ALL CARS HAD THEM. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR ## VIN FAILED
Steering, Suspension, Aug 28, 2012
THE CAR WANTS TO GO ANYWHERE BUT STRAIGHT. ANY UNEVEN PAVEMENT, WIND GUSTS OR CARS PASSING BY CAUSE THE CAR TO REQUIRE A STEERING CORRECTION. AT SPEEDS OVER FIFTY MILES PER HOUR STEERING INPUT IS REQUIRED NINETY PERCENT OF THE TIME TO KEEP THE CAR WITHIN THE DRIVING LANE. THE DEALER CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS TO SPECIFICATION AND NORMAL. THIS IS THE WORST VEHICLE I'VE EVER DRIVEN INCLUDING SEVERAL MOTOR HOMES. *TR *JS