Problems · by component

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe fuel/propulsion system problems

32 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe cite fuel/propulsion system, 5% of all 605 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
32
5% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the fuel/propulsion system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“I was driving the vehicle on the left lane of the freeway and the acceleration suddenly gave out. The car began to slow even when I pushed on the gas. Heat gage was fine and no lights went on. I quickly got over 4 lanes of traffic to the next exit and was able to pull over to the side of the road. White smoke began to billow out of the hood on the offramp and all the emergency light indicators came on at once. I turned the car off and the smoke turned black. I popped the hood and flames leapt out from under the hood. I jump out of the car and ran, leaving everything behind. I got safety away from the car and called 911. All of this happened within 2 minutes of losing acceleration. I typically have my two children in car seats in the car for school drop off and, [XXX] , they weren't with me. The fire overtook the front quickly and spread to the main cabin. By the time the fire department arrived (appx. 5-7 min) the car was completely engulfed. Nothing was salvaged. There is a fire report with the fire department. The police were not called. The car had gone through a full inspection and oil change one month prior and had no warning signs or issues. I lost a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2024Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11581902
“Our family 2013 Santa Fe was leaking fuel in June 2023. Hyundai of Chantilly failed to check on Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) that were related to our 2013 Santa Fe. TSBs are circulated to “General Manager, Service Manager, Parts Manager, Warranty Manager, Service Advisors, Technicians, Body Shop Manager, Fleet Repair”. Per Recall 180: Hyundai is conducting a safety recall in the United States to confirm the high pressure fuel pipe was properly connected by Hyundai dealers to the fuel pump outlet during prior engine replacement. What is the safety recall? Certain model year 2011-2018 Hyundai Sonata, model year 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, and model year 2014-2015 and 2018 Tucson vehicles had engines replaced. In some cases, during engine replacements, the high pressure fuel pipe may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak. What will Hyundai do? Hyundai dealers will inspect the connections of the high pressure fuel pipe to the fuel pump outlet for fuel leaking. If leaking fuel is detected, the fuel pipe will be replaced and properly installed with a new one. This procedure will…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2023Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11530755
“The vehicle started to stall and smoke started to come from the engine compartment. People started yelling the vehicle was fire. Vehicle stopped in the road and burst into flames. Fire department and police were called to scene. Vehicle was a total loss.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 5, 2022Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11463549
“We pulled off the highway to get gas and noticed smoke coming from the hood. We immediately parked at the gas station and my husband, our dog and I got out of the car and within minutes the entire front of the car was in flames. Several passersby stopped and sprayed the fire with their fire extinguishers. We called 911 and the fire department quickly arrived and put out the fire, but the entire front of the car was destroyed. The front of the car melted along with the windshield from the intense heat. The police inspector came and inspected the car and took photos. The car was then towed and our insurance company took possession of the car. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the failure. The only thing we noticed was a slight hesitation in power as we climbed a hill several times in the half hour preceding the failure. My husband, my dog and I would have been in mortal danger from the fire if we had not stopped immediately and gotten out of the car. The safety of other people nearby had also been at risk if the fire department had not arrived so quickly to put out the fire as the smoke began as we were entering the gas station and parked about 50…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 12, 2021Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11420699
“The problem related to the class action for the Theta II GSD engine happened to my engine (Rod Bearing Failure). This is causing the engine to knock. Will have to replace the entire engine with less than 100k on the vehicle. Ran the vehicle normally and then parked it. Once I got back in the vehicle, I tried to start it and it would not start. I brought it to the dealer, and they came back and said there is a Rod Bearing Failure causing the engine to knock.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 26, 2021Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11418603

Showing 6 of 32 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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