2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. Part of Generation 3 — 2013–2018.

20122014
Complaints
806
per 10K Sold
90.7
US Sales
88,844
Crashes
25
Fires
66
Injuries
20
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems

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

#1273 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:81,768 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:26
#295 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:29,346 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:1
#351 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:50,554 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Engine Problems
273
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
26
Avg Miles
81,768
Steering Defects
95
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
29,346
Transmission / Drivetrain
51
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
50,554
Electrical Faults
50
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
7
Avg Miles
57,113
Brakes
45
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
4
Avg Miles
82,825
Fuel System
32
complaints
Crashes
Fires
8
Avg Miles
55,405
Suspension Failures
23
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
25,513
Unintended Acceleration
20
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
39,300
Body Structure
19
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
28,202
Headlight/Taillight Failures
16
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
50,839
Hydraulic Brakes
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Avg Miles
98,605
Wheel Issues
14
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
33,398
Electronic Stability Control
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
46,467
Wipers & Visibility
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
36,420
Sunroof/Moonroof
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
20,481
Seat-Related Issues
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
14,926
Gasoline Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
11,262
Airbags
5
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
20,379
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
105,850
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches / Locks
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Tires:Tread/Belt
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,107,178 vehicles.

23V651000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
~1,649,478 affected

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.

17V358000Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
~437,400 affected

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.

13V355000Power Train:axle Assembly:axle Shaft
~20,300 affected

Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2013 front wheel drive Santa Fe Sport vehicles manufactured July 13, 2012, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture.

Other Hyundai Santa Fe Years

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe — FAQ

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

Is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe has 806 NHTSA complaints, 25 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 273 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (273 complaints, avg 81,768 mi); Steering Defects (95 complaints, avg 29,346 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (51 complaints, avg 50,554 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 60,058 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe include 25 crash-related reports, 66 fire reports, 20 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,107,178 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (engine problems) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

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

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

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