Notable Issues

2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. This model year has 604 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Engine Problems.

604
Complaints
14
Crashes
41
Fires
13
Injuries
β€”
Deaths
3
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
279
complaints

Engine Problems

Crash-related:2
Fires:27
Injuries:3
#2
95
complaints

Steering Defects

Crash-related:3
Fires:1
Injuries:3
#3
64
complaints

Brake System

Crash-related:3
Fires:8
Injuries:1

Considering a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Engine Problems279227β€”
Steering Defects9531β€”
Brake System6438β€”
Uncategorized Issues5617β€”
Electrical Faults5317β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain5211β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System32β€”8β€”
Suspension Failures233β€”β€”
Structural Problems2241β€”
Unintended Acceleration2111β€”
Hydraulic1814β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures16β€”β€”β€”
Wheel Issues1431β€”
Visibility11β€”β€”β€”
Fuel System10β€”β€”β€”
Gasoline10β€”β€”β€”
Visibility/Wiper10β€”β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)10β€”β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues9β€”1β€”
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB5β€”1β€”
Airbag Malfunctions53β€”β€”
Tire Issues4β€”1β€”
Seat Belt Issues3β€”β€”β€”
Door Lock Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Back Over Prevention2β€”β€”β€”
Equipment2β€”β€”β€”
Firerelated1β€”1β€”
Air1β€”β€”β€”
Traction Control System1β€”β€”β€”
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

πŸ”

Showing 400 most recent complaints of 604 total. View all on NHTSA β†—

Engine ProblemsJul 29, 2025

Burning oil fast has been confirmed. I always go get frequently oil changes and top off Because it burns a lot. I never get a warning lamp When I go toc get my oil service representative tells me my oil is completely gone.

Engine ProblemsJun 30, 2025

While I acknowledge that my vehicle is no longer under warranty, I remain extremely concerned about the excessive oil consumption issue. My vehicle is equipped with the Theta II engine, which has been the subject of multiple class action lawsuits and recalls due to serious engine…

Engine ProblemsJun 4, 2025

While driving to work the gas pedal suddenly would not make the vehicle Excellerate and i was barely able to get the car on the side of the road, when i stopped and turned it off it would not start again. I had it towed to the mechanic and they have let us know it was total engin…

Engine ProblemsMay 30, 2025

2013 Santa Fe burning oil, current with regular maintenance and oil changes. At times will have to top off weekly. Between full oil changes. Doesn’t seem like I should have to do that. My engine could blow if I don’t keep oil in it. Cost me tons of money Have documented all of my…

Engine ProblemsMar 21, 2025

The engine completely failed while I was driving. This is the second engine failure I’ve experienced with this vehicle. My first engine blew at 100,000 miles, and despite having a warranty, Hyundai refused to cover it. In a panic, I had to deplete my savings to buy a replacement …

Electrical FaultsMar 8, 2025

O don’t appreciate someone activating my vin the same day the remedy comes out on compaign , this had been ongoing battle since 2018 when it states on the website they will replace the engine , when it had a theta engine settlement but thanks to the bearus exposures if info n los…

Suspension FailuresMar 2, 2025

Rear subframe is rotted out prematurely, other vins had this issue recalled but my vin was not included in the recall even though I have all the same issues as the vehicles that were recalled

Engine ProblemsJan 29, 2025

Unknown car was purchased in september started having engine problem in december

Steering DefectsJan 24, 2025

car will drift under acceleration to the left really hard then go straight when let off the accelerator scary feeling and all suspension parts look ok no one can figure it out and is scary

Suspension FailuresJan 8, 2025

Engine has always burned oil and vehicle only has 72,000 miles on it.leaking black liquid/oil out exhaust pipe, blowing out Black clouds of smoke and have to keep adding oil. Whole rear end had to be replaced, timing chain and cover replaced, AC unit replaced, rear camera replace…

Engine ProblemsDec 10, 2024

All of a sudden, while driving the car it started to shake. When I slowed down to stop it was shaking more and idling so low I thought it was going to shut off. Went to the mechanic we use, mis firing on multiple cylinders. After replacing the plugs it was still doing the same th…

Brake SystemDec 3, 2024

abs module making noise abs light turn on, parking brake stay on, traction light stay on, odometer does not work, speedometer does not work, steering effort decrease, car also stop all of sudden. Car need it to be tow to my house. I took it to dealership they recommended to repla…

Engine ProblemsNov 26, 2024

My 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is consuming a quart of oil and more within a 7-10 day time period. I took it to my local Hyundai dealership but it's not covered by a recall for this and there are No open recalls.

FirerelatedπŸ”₯ FireNov 4, 2024

The contact's mother owned a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact's mother received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). An unknown dealer was made aware of the issue but informed the contact's mother that the recall was not urgent and…

Engine ProblemsπŸ”₯ FireOct 28, 2024

The engine went on fire and smoke’s up. I had to remove the battery and get out of the car before it burn. Luckily I am okay but the engine seized

Engine ProblemsOct 24, 2024

The car has class action repair due to faulty engine crank shaft. The oil passages in the crankshaft causing rapid wear to the connecting rod bearings. The car stopped and broke down in the middle of the highway and engine broke down. The engine completely seized. I contacted Hy…

Engine ProblemsAug 16, 2024

I purchased a used 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe from a Dealership in January and the engine locked up in July. I originally had the vehicle towed to my ASE Certified Mechanic and they advised me the engine was locked up and also that there was a RECALL on this model year's engine. I…

Engine ProblemsAug 11, 2024

My wife was driving the vehicle and it was operating perfectly fine. As she was making a turn and accelerating the check engine light and other lights turned on. She started to experience loss of acceleration and was fortunate to get out of traffic where she turned off the vehi…

Engine ProblemsAug 5, 2024

I was stopped at a red light and proceeded to turn right when my car shut down. I was able to pull over and turned my car off. It wouldn’t turn back on. I had it towed and they found the engine is locked up.

Engine ProblemsJul 31, 2024

The engine component that failed was the connecting rod. The situation was that the engine seized randomly in the middle of an airport tunnel as I was attempting to pick up my parents and leave. There were no warning lights, no abnormal engine sounds, and no unusual activity be…

Page 1 of 20

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Recalls for 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

3 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

17V358000May 6, 2017
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

13V355000Dec 8, 2013
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT

23V651000Invalid Date
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?β–Ύ

Notable Issues. The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe has 604 NHTSA owner complaints, 14 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (279 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?β–Ύ

#1: Engine Problems (279 complaints). #2: Steering Defects (95 complaints). #3: Brake System (64 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?β–Ύ

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe has 14 crash-related complaints and 41 fire reports out of 604 total NHTSA complaints. 13 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The largest issue: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?β–Ύ

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe has notable issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Hyundai Santa Fe reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.