KnownCarProblemsHome › Hyundai › Santa FE Sport › 2013
2013 Hyundai Santa FE Sport Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 200 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Santa FE Sport, most often about the engine (60% of complaints, typically around 92,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Santa FE Sport model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory3 recalls for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2013 Hyundai Santa FE Sport problems
Engine
119 complaints · 60%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system.
My husband was driving and car shut off on him, while in motion, and wasnt able to be restarted. It had to be towed to an auto shop where they told US the engine needs to be replaced. No warning light ever came on to indicate engine problems.
Going approximately 70 miles an hour on the highway and the car just shuts down. After coasting to the side of the road I tried to restart the car to which it turned over but was knocking so I immediately shut down the car and called a towing company but I was 300 miles away from home on the highway when the incident…
Brakes
41 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 84,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock.
Reset brake light assembly shorts out every year. This has been an on going issue since I have owned the car and the dealer always seems to be reluctant to repair it. This needs a recall urgentlet!
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa FE Sport. 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…
Other or unspecified
23 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 71,000 miles.
The camera backup stopped working. I've seen on youtube that these cameras were poorly made. It's very difficult to see when backing up. I've check with Hyundai they are very expensive to replace.
Suv stalled out on expressway at 50mph. The engine made a loud tapping noise then engline and oil light appeared on dashboard. I coasted down the exit ramp nearly being hit by merging traffic. The brakes became hard and costed to stop sign. I was able to get to next block to my home by placing car in park and…
Electrical
15 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles.
On july 26, 2018 vehicle lost all power and engine began smoking and emitting flames. Car was in motion at approximately 70 mps in the middle of a tunnel on colorado interstate 70 with no pull off space. Cars behind reported flames from under the vehicle. We were able to exit without being harmed but inhaled horrible…
I was driving northbound on a freeway to pick up my 3 year old daughter. My car engine completely died/stalled while driving 65mph. As soon as I tried to get into the emergency lane, I noticed smoke coming from the engine. I grabbed my purse which was on the passenger seat next to me, and I exited the vehicle…
Transmission
11 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 69,500 miles.
On several occasions, the vehicle lost all power while in motion. It happened while driving 55mph, it has happened while driving 20 MPH, as well as just sitting at a stop light. Every other time the vehicle is started, the check engine light comes then goes off, on/off, on/off etc... And just as often as the lights…
This car was included in the recall of over 1.5 million hyujdai and kia vehicles due to a factory defect that can lead to premature engine failure. This car broke down on april 28th, 2019. I am having it towed to the Hyundai dealership for diagnosis. The "what to look for" section on Hyundai's websites lists a number…
Fuel system
11 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
Check engine light comes on, OBD-II trouble code p0087: fuel rail/system pressure - too low. High-pressure fuel pump failure and needs to be replaced. I experienced the symptoms of p0087: rough running, poor acceleration on the high way, and hard starting.
While driving down the highway, the vehicle started to loose power, started having a vibration and could see smoke in the rear view mirror. I pulled over and the engine had caught fire. Within minutes, the whole vehicle burst into flames.
Doors and locks
7 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 130,000 miles. Parts named most often: doors, hood.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa FE Sport. The contact stated that when the lock button was depressed, the locks engaged for less than a minute before unlocking. Additionally, the front passengerâs side door was shown to be unlocked even though the doors were all securely locked. The vehicle was not diagnosed…
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa FE Sport. The contact stated that the doors were locked using the door lock button on the driverâs side front door; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the doors unlocked unintendedly. The failure occurred without warning. There were no warning lights illuminated.…
Body and structure
4 complaints · 2%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The paint is flaking/peeling on hood, roof and back bumper. Ranging from tiny spots al the way to large areas (approx. 6 inches x 3 inches) ias well as the trim down the sides on the paint in peeling off as well. I have checked and seen that this has been reported by several owners of this same make and model…
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa FE Sport. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the rear control arms and subframe were rusted and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the vehicle had previously been repaired under service…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Hyundai Santa FE Sport recalls
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An electrical short in the ABS module can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, and inspect and replace the ABS module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on august 25, 2021. Note: this recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 20v-520. Owners may contact hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 205.
Full defect summary
Hyundai motor america (hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 santa fe sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the anti-lock brake system (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began december 22, 2020. Note: this recall has been superseded by NHTSA recall 21v-303 and all affected vehicles will now be repaired under 21v-303. Owners may contact hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 194.
Full defect summary
Hyundai motor america (hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 santa fe sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the anti-lock brake system (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Engine
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began march 1, 2019. Owners may contact hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.
Full defect summary
Hyundai motor america (hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 sonata and 2013-2014 santa fe sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15v-568 and 17v-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine, replacing the engine short block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began june 2017. Owners may contact hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 162.
Full defect summary
Hyundai motor america (hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 sonata and santa fe sport vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Hyundai and kia ABS module fires
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received eight hyundai motor america (hyundai) and eight kia america, inc. (kia) part 573 recall reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or hydraulic electronic control units (hecu) manufactured by the equipment supplier mando. The part 573 recall reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by mando. Safety recalls included in this audit query (aq) review include: hyundai recalls 20v-520, 20v-543, 21v-161, 21v-160, 21v-303, 22v-056, 22v-810, and 23v-651. Kia recalls 16v-815, 20v-518, 20v-519, 21v
Loss of motive power
Summary
The national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated july 13, 2022, petitioning the agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain hyundai motor america, inc. And kia america, inc. Vehicles spanning model years (my) 2005-2021. The petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are
Engine fires
Summary
On march 29, 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened two preliminary evaluations (pe19-003 on hyundai and pe19-004 on kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year hyundai and kia vehicles.â during the pe investigations, hyundai and kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.â the remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement.â additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modif
Non-crash vehicle fires
Summary
During this preliminary evaluation (pe), the office of defects investigation (odi) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (my) 2011-2014 hyundai sonata and santa fe vehicles equipped with theta II and lambda II engines (approximately 1.3 million vehicles). Odi also reviewed field data of other hyundai vehicles equipped with theta II, gamma, nu and lambda engines (approximately 4.8 million). As a result of this pe, hyundai has issued NHTSA recalls 20v-746 and 21v-727 to address potential engine failures and fires in certain hyundai vehicles
Non-crash vehicle fires
Summary
In a letter dated june 11, 2018, the center for auto safety (cas) petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (my) 2011-2014 kia optima and sorento, and hyundai sonata and santa fe vehicles. In a letter dated july 24, 2018, cas requested that my 2010-2015 kia soul vehicles be added to the petition. Cas stated that there is a higher number of complaints to NHTSA regarding non-crash fires on these vehicles compared to other similar vehicles. The office of defects investigation (odi) had already opened recall queries (rq17-003 and rq17-004) on all kia and hyundai vehicles equipped
Questions about the 2013 Hyundai Santa FE Sport
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Santa FE Sport?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (119 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles); brakes (41 complaints, typically around 84,500 miles); other or unspecified (23 complaints, typically around 71,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Hyundai Santa FE Sport have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 22, 2023 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Hyundai Santa FE Sport?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Santa FE Sport model year since 2000, with 200 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.