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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 14, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Electrical system, Service brakes, Mar 12, 2024
Please reference NHTSA recall number 23V651000. I am registering a complaint because the manufacturer has failed to remedy this safety issue in a timely manner. It is a fire hazard. Our vehicle is among the affected. This needs to be rectified immediately.
Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2024
The driver door doesn't latch correctly and vehicle says door is open.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Mar 8, 2024
There is a very serious recall (fire danger when parked due to brake fluid leak) and Hyundai has not made efforts on next steps.
Structure, Mar 5, 2024
Interior lights will not turn off when car is turned off and door is opened. Open door warning stays on dash while driving. Doors will not stay locked. Car does not make beep noise when locking with fob. Radio stays on when car is off and door has been opened and then closed.
Engine, Feb 23, 2024
Hampton Hyundai in Fort Walton Beach, FL is refusing to do an inspection for Recall Campaign 162 (NHTSA #17V226000). Per the safety recall campaign, if the engine is experiencing issues as described by the campaign, the dealership must perform an inspection and do repairs as necessary under the safety recall. Hampton Hyundai is refusing to do such an inspection. Instead they are quoting $16.9k for a new engine but refusing to provide any diagnostic results or answer questions on the status of the engine or recall. For a dealership to ignore a safety recall campaign is not simply an unethical business practice, it is a danger to the public and to Hyundai customers. The NHTSA must address a dealership that refuses to acknowledge safety recalls or do the necessary inspections and repairs to ensure the safety of those on the road.
Service brakes, Feb 10, 2024
Recall on below since September 2023 and they still have no remedy/fix available. Due to fire hazard I'm unable to park my car in my garage or near the house & says could cause fire while driving. How long is deemed unacceptable for no fix provided? Recall: THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ("ABS") MODULES THAT COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID INTERNALLY AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OVER TIME. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT OVERCURRENT IN THE ABS MODULE INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE PARKED OR DRIVING. NHTSA Recall #23V651000. Hyundai campaign recall #251
Engine, Feb 7, 2024
After reading through many complaints on this site for the engines seizing up and burning excessive oil, I decided to add my complaint in hopes that Hyundai will issue a recall and fix the problem. My problem: 1. My car is burning excessive oil. 2. Low oil warning lights are not displaying on dash. I'm sure the lack of oil is the root cause of the engine seizures other Santa Fe owners reported. Oil does not register on my dipstick less than 3000 miles after an oil change and the oil pressure warning light does not illuminate. There is no visible leak on my garage floor where the car is parked overnight. I've started adding oil between oil changes. I added 2 quarts this month and still registered low on the dip stick.
Service brakes, Feb 6, 2024
recall 251 I feel Hyundia is dragging their feet with a fix for this recall.. It was been way too long. It can cause a fire and can not park my Santa Fe in my garage. The problem has hbeen confirmed with Hyundai.
Service brakes, Feb 5, 2024
Brakes locked up on me driving
Engine, Feb 5, 2024
its been three mos now with no waiting for ABS module overheat. recall came 2mos after purchasing car. Modules that could leak brake fluid causing electrical sort over-time. i do care giving for senior. That's not safe for me or them. There should be urgency for concern. Tks for your quick concern and fix. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] or cell [XXX] . tks INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 28, 2024
Burning smell and smoke. No oil leak. Car will not start. I do not have another vehicle to use. I have 2 young children
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 26, 2024, fire
The contact owned a 2013 Hyundai Santa. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at 72 MPH, there was a strong smell coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over but did not see anything and continued driving. No warning lights illuminated. However, the smell became stronger so the contact drove the vehicle to a soccer field where there were no other vehicles to leave and return with a mechanic. As the contact walked away, while the vehicle was parked, a passerby informed the contact the vehicle was on fire. Per the contact, smoke, and flames were coming from underneath the vehicle. No one was injured during the fire and the vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was towed to CoPart. The fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. A fire department and police report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however stated there was no fix. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jan 19, 2024
The ABS sensor failed on my vehicle, causing it to no longer accelerate past 20 mph on the highway. This put my safety at risk, as well as my passengers and others on the road because it happened suddenly while I was on the highway. My car could no longer accelerate suddenly while all cars around me were traveling at high speeds. The ABS light came on my dash, as well as the traction control and incline warning. I can no longer drive my vehicle so it has not been inspected yet.
Other or unspecified, Jan 17, 2024
The Key Fob and Door Touch Sensors will not operate when outside temperatures are cold. I have to use the Manual Key to unlock & lock my doors.
Electrical system, Jan 17, 2024
Hyundai has not yet come up with a remedy. There is conflicting information about whether car is drivable considering fire can occur while in operation. I have read some information to suggest it can be driven until ABS warning light comes on however that information is not included in recall notice. Would NHTSA be able to confirm we can drive the vehicle if ABS light is not on? Have contacted Hyundai and there is still no remedy. No offer of compensation, buy back or loaner. Note while we can park our vehicle outside, it is not at all reasonable to suggest it be parked away from buildings. That suggests we could be held liable if the car catches fire and nearby structures catch fire. Cars would have to be parked in a field or vacant lot somewhere far and away from any home or business, rendering the vehicle not usable. I noticed there was a recall issued in 2022 for THE SAME DEFECT but affecting a smaller number of vehicles. So this ABS electrical issue has been in effect in actuality, since 2022. How long does a manufacturer have to find the remedy and repair a vehicle once a recall is issued? I do not feel safe driving my vehicle nor having parked in front of my home and in my neighborhood. The local dealership and Hyundai customer service has told me it’s OK to drive the car but again, I don’t find that information anywhere in the notice. If that were the case, wouldn’t the notice say so? Oh - I was going to sell my car to replace it and no one wants to buy it in light of this recall. Help? Thank you!
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 16, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Forward collision avoidance, Jan 15, 2024
My wife and I are the owners of a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport VIN [XXX] . In September of 2023 we received a recall notice on this vehicle - NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 23V-651; HYUNDAI RECALL NUMBER 251 dated September 22, 2023. Since receiving this notice I have checked numerous times with our local dealership and online with Hyundai to see if there is any progress on this recall. As of January 15, 2024 there is no change in the status of this recall. I am disappointed that no remedy is available. Beyond the safety issues, we have been parking our car outside as directed and as a result, our vehicle, which has always been garaged, is now subject to weather risks as well as the very real risk (in our area) of pests damaging the wiring and other parts. If there is anything that NHTSA can do to spur some action on the resolution of this recall, I would greatly appreciate it INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Engine, Jan 12, 2024
Please see attached document for detailed description of a Hyundai dealership refusing to fix a hazardous to drive 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe.
Service brakes, Jan 8, 2024
NHTSA Recall Number23V651000 - I was told this issue would be fixed by November 2024. To date "no remedy has been identified" per Hyundai, however, the same thing happened in other vehicles with this manufacturer and a remedy has been implemented, the ABS brake module has been replaced. Hyundai is not following through with this. I am unable to drive my vehicle as it my spontaneously combust. I cannot drive my grandchildren in a vehicle that may catch on fire at any time. There is a remedy, replace the ABS break module. Hyundai is not doing this in a timely fashion.
Engine, Jan 7, 2024
We have a 2013 hyundai santa fe and it has done the same thing that is described in the engine recall for the 2012 the bearings have worn out and now our engine is blown up at 120000 miles and every one that I have talked to has said the same thing they should be held responsible for this its the same engine same problem
Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 2, 2024, fire
Caught on fire while driving, total loss unknown reason nor any warning. I stopped because of rotational noise to check tires, then car burst intimate flames. State troopers assisted and report filed.
Power train, Engine, Dec 31, 2023
While driving on the interstate the vehicle suddenly shuddered and immediately died, dash lights were still on but all power was cut off. Cars around me were swerving to avoid hitting me from behind as well as avoiding cars in the inside lane. Thankfully able to coast to the narrow edge of the road without a grave incident. Restarted the car with a terrible metallic screetching noise and limp along the side of the interstate to the nearest off ramp.
Structure, Dec 28, 2023
The paint is peeling off, started a couple of years ago, but its getting worse and worse. I jsut read about this recall that was issued. Needed to know what can be done. The front is peeled, so i added a hood front end bra, and have peeling spots all around. I try to wash only with soft water so it will not peel as much. I added a picture of the front with the bra, but if needed i will send one without. This picture was sent to my insurance. "Hyundai Paint Peeling Recall Explained The Hyundai Paint Peeling Recall was issued in 2016 due to a defect in the exterior paint finish of certain Hyundai models. This defect caused the paint to peel or bubble on the affected vehicles, leaving them with an unsightly appearance. Affected models and years include the Santa Fe Sport (2013-2016), Sonata (2015-2016), Tucson (2011-2016), Elantra GT (2013-2016), and Azera (2012-2016)."
Power train, Engine, Dec 19, 2023
I had lightly let off my gas pedal since I was driving down a slight decline/hill. Upon reaching the bottom of the decline, I pressed the gas pedal to maintain my speed, when I heard a loud noise from my engine; all the lights on the dash lit up; and my car lost all power. These items happened simultaneously and it was very sudden and unexpected as there were no prior warnings, indications, noises, or lights. The steering wheel locked up and I was unable to control the direction of my car. The brakes locked up and were unresponsive despite depressing them with both feet. I had no control of my car and I was completely at the mercy of my car and the road. The electrical system also failed. When my vehicle came to rest, nothing in the car worked. If a child, another vehicle, or animal was stopped in front of me or had pulled out in front of me, my car would have ran right into them. If I was on the hill and this happened, my car could have verved into the ditch and I could have been ejected. My car was towed to a local auto repair shop. The repair shop owner told me that Hyundai/Kai had issued a recall and he felt my engine failed for the same reason. I had my car towed to my Hyundai dealership where it sat for 4 months before they were able to assess it. I bought this car brand new in 2013 and maintained it for 9 years without a prior incident, problem or concern. It was a great vehicle that I was planning on giving to my daughter. My neighbor bought a Santa Fe because I raved about mine all the time. The vehicle is available for inspection, along with the auto shop repair owner.