2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Problems
The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has 188 NHTSA complaints, mostly about engine problems, but with only one model year analyzed, confidence is low. Based on 188 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Engine Problems the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has 188 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
Free preview · Full report from $12.95.
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 4 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 4 trims analysed.
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
14.3% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
14.3% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT 2013 has 188 NHTSA complaints, with engine problems accounting for 114 and brake system issues for 41. There are no recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Hyundai
- Model
- Santa Fe Sport
- Model year
- 2013
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 188
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Safety recall campaigns
- 0
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Minor Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 23
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 20 / 27
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Brake System
Hydraulic
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Brake System, Hydraulic. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
The 2013 Santa Fe Sport shows a high number of engine complaints relative to its single model year, making it a risky choice. Buyers should proceed with caution and prioritize a thorough inspection.
Engine problems are the top complaint, which can lead to costly repairs. Brake system issues also appear frequently, affecting safety and ownership costs.
May Suit
This year may suit a buyer willing to accept higher risk for a lower purchase price and who can budget for potential repairs.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers seeking a reliable used SUV with minimal repair history should avoid this year due to the high engine complaint count.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
Inspection Focus
- Inspect engine for unusual noises, stalling, or check engine light.
- Check brake system for leaks, pulsation, or reduced performance.
- Verify all electrical systems function properly, including lights and infotainment.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine for signs of failure or prior repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for brake system and electrical repairs.
- Test drive to check for transmission or drivetrain issues.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has 188 complaints, with engine problems accounting for 114 (61%) and brake system issues for 41 (22%). There are no recalls, but the high engine complaint count suggests potential reliability concerns. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
Year context: With only one model year analyzed, comparison to other years is not possible from the provided data.
Recall context: Zero recalls mean no open safety campaigns, but the high complaint volume still warrants pre-purchase inspection.
- Engine problems account for 114 of 188 total complaints (61%).
- Brake system issues total 41 complaints (22%).
- There are 0 recalls for this model year.
- Engine Problems: 114 complaints, the most frequent issue.
- Brake System: 41 complaints, including hydraulic component failures.
- Electrical Faults: 14 complaints, potentially affecting multiple systems.
Full breakdown
All 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 114 | 1 | 12 | — | |
| Brake System | 41 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 32 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 18 | — | 3 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 14 | — | 5 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 | — | 2 | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
I have great concern that certain vehicles of Hyundai are getting a little bit of extended warranty occupant classification system forward slash occupant detection system known issues. OCS/ODS I will try to attach a picture of the letter. As a nurse manager I find this once again…
I noticed a Check Engine Light flashing on my dashboard while driving on May 27, 2026. The vehicle suddenly losing power is extremely unsafe for me and my family, and also others on the road. This is a repeated P1326 code which happened before in 2021 and 2024. Based on the rece…
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds, an abnormal knocking sound was heard coming from under the hood while the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the steering wheel would shudder. The Check engine…
Passengers are stuck in vehicle due to failure of doors opening from either inside, outside or both.
I am reporting a serious safety defect involving my 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport equipped with a Theta II engine While driving and exiting the freeway with my wife as a passenger, the engine suddenly failed after knocking symptoms and completely seized/locked while the vehicle wa…
On [XXX] while entering the parking lot of my office, I noticed a blinking check engine light on the car's dashboard. I've never experienced this before so I called my husband. He asked me to use a diagnositic tool he kept in the car. I did and there was a code "P1326" when I …
While my vehicle was at an authorized Hyundai dealership for engine warranty repair, I reported a suspension grinding noise and requested that it be inspected. This concern was raised while the vehicle was in the dealership’s possession and was communicated as a safety concern. …
After having the ABS recall fixed a while back all of the lights came back on about a week ago. There has been a loss of oil meaning i have been adding oil in between oil changes at least once a week, there has been smoke coming from under the hood and if you run the heat or air …
I was driving on March 20, 2026 at about 12:00 PM when I suddenly noticed smoke, a strong gasoline smell, an oil smell, and a burning odor coming from the vehicle. I pulled over immediately because I believed the vehicle was unsafe and at risk of fire. The vehicle had to be towed…
Circuit board inside the fuse box stopped working and there was no speed indicator, no cruise control, no odometer registering while driving. Also the mechanical fuel pump started leaking fuel at 148,000 miles and now at 156,000 miles it is burning through oil and no oil light ca…
While traveling at approximately 80 mph on the highway, my vehicle suddenly lost all response to the accelerator pedal. Despite continued pressure on the gas, the vehicle rapidly decelerated to approximately 40 mph on its own. There were no warning lights, unusual noises, or phys…
Day 1 – Feb 11 at 4pm incident occurred my daughter was driving the vehicle on [XXX] , she was in the far right hand lane preparing to take an upcoming exit. Suddenly and unexpectedly the hood opened obstructing her view of the roadway and smashed the front windshield. Because…
Engine seizure. Driving 80mph on i90, pop sound from under the hood happens & check engine light came on; immediately pulled over & the oil and battery light came on; turned car off & it would not start again. Smoke then came from engine while trying to restart. Code 1326
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where…
Official Dealer Refusal to Perform Critical Safety Recall (VIN: [XXX] ) Description: I am reporting a formal refusal by the official Hyundai distributor in the Dominican Republic (Magna Motors) to perform critical safety recalls on my US-spec vehicle. Pending Recalls: Recall #…
The knock sensor recall was done. Currently engine started knocking and became undrivable. This vehicle qualifies for the Hyundai engine replacement recall, but they denied my claim
I requested Engine oil consumption tests on November 12, 2020 and March 27,2021 at Vandergriff Huyndai, Arlington, Tx. Nothing was resolved,. I have been adding oil myself and getting oil changes regularly since. At 146,000 miles it's been worse. After just 2,000 miles after an…
As driving, the passenger side rear wheel disconnected from the subframe. A lot of suspension parts (e.g. rear suspension mounting bolt is absent from the subframe; rear control arm toe link detached from its mounting point; severe corrosion present on subframe control arm And bu…
The door latch assembly. It continues to show warning lights that my doors are still open when they are not. As well as my key fob when pressed twice, my car will not make any audible sounds. It continues to drain my power and kill my batteries. Have had my engine replaced due to…
The engine in my 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe 2.0T shut off suddenly while driving and would not restart. The dealership confirmed the engine is seized, has bottom-end knocking, and FAILED the BCT (bearing clearance test). Hyundai denied assistance claiming ‘maintenance neglect,’ but th…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport.
Safety recalls
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport recalls
0 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Zero recalls mean no open safety campaigns, but the high complaint volume still warrants pre-purchase inspection. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
No NHTSA recalls were found for this model year. Recalls can be added at any time — confirm open-recall status on the exact VIN or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport reliable?▾
Minor Issues. NHTSA currently shows 188 owner complaints, 1 crash-related complaints, and 0 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2013 Santa Fe Sport shows a high number of engine complaints relative to its single model year, making it a risky choice. Buyers should proceed with caution and prioritize a thorough inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?▾
#1: Engine Problems (114 complaints). #2: Brake System (41 complaints). #3: Hydraulic (32 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, NHTSA complaints include 1 crash-related reports and 13 fire reports out of 188 total complaints. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport have any recalls?▾
No NHTSA recall campaigns were found for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport in the current data. Always verify with a VIN check as recalls can be added at any time.
Should I buy a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?▾
The 2013 Santa Fe Sport shows a high number of engine complaints relative to its single model year, making it a risky choice. Buyers should proceed with caution and prioritize a thorough inspection. Engine problems are the top complaint, which can lead to costly repairs. Brake system issues also appear frequently, affecting safety and ownership costs. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.
Wider context: See the full Hyundai Santa Fe Sport reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.