Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe problems

Owners filed 605 complaints about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe with NHTSA between Aug 2012 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is engine (273).

Complaints
605
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
14
Reported by owners
Fires
41
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine273
  2. Steering95
  3. Electrical system53
  4. Power train52
  5. Service brakes45
  6. Fuel/propulsion system32
  7. Structure23
  8. Suspension23
  9. Vehicle speed control21
  10. Service brakes, hydraulic18
  11. Exterior lighting16
  12. Wheels14
  13. Visibility11
  14. Fuel system, gasoline10

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20124
201372
201447
201531
201622
201741
201829
201950
202057
202163
202259
202358
202461
202510
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

273 reports2 crashes26 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2025EngineODI 11676869

Steering

95 reports3 crashes1 fire
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2025SteeringODI 11638217

Electrical system

53 reports1 crash7 fires
“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 loss of employee, employment data missing ti why I get denials the Chinese that infiltrated Equifax this vehicle was manufactured out of Georgia issues with dealer m notifying corporate when violation of the fair credit reporting act , off cc reports tampering with my insurance policy n these POs place there names in my policy in 2018 loss of years off n on of employment , medical n o gotta stew L pay to detain a pos car I absolutely love until they destroyed my life , nice to find a pos male in my medical records when it’s fraud , n I gotta fight every aspect of everything when I’ve been deprived hacked n comprised no data available on this vehicle hmmm , fishy to me , whew Did I spent most my time at work, home , or the dam Library this is a violation of the law privacy , national public data exposure of brokers my social , not only that my primary email was connected to blue link…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2025Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11647177

Power train

52 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 31, 2023Power train, EngineODI 11562789

Service brakes

45 reports2 crashes4 fires
“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 replace abs module because of a short. I found a recall for ABS MODULE INSPECTION AND MULTI-FUSE INSTALLATION for my santa fe sport 2013 (RECALL CAMPAIGN 205) but my vin #[XXX] does not appear when enter into system to look for recalls. JUNE, 2021 SANTA FE SPORT (AN). The part number in my car is the same as the one in the recall. Module Part #58920-4Z000QQH.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2024Service brakesODI 11628691

Fuel/propulsion system

32 reports8 fires
“The engine on our 2013 Santa Fe Limited has seized. We have maintained this vehicle with regular oil changes, breaks, tires, and anything else our trusted mechanic has recommended. While driving, the car slowed down considerably and was not accelerating. No dashboard lights appeared. This was during evening rush hour and became very dangerous. I pulled over to the shoulder and called for help. Once the tow arrived, we started the car and the check engine light came on. I checked the oil, it looked good. Tow truck driver took it to the dealership. Dealership said the car had no oil and that the engine has seized. I saw that there was oil before the driver took the car. So, that's not possible. The dealership said they added oil and that we would need a new engine. After discussing with the dealership my very expensive option, I have been researching the recalls and problems others have been having with the exact same thing happening. If there was no oil, why wasn't the oil light coming on? Why am I not due for an oil change for 1000+ mile? Putting my family at risk in a well maintained car that should last 75k-100k more miles is a huge problem. I will continue…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2024Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11605683
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.