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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Hyundai Santa FE Recalls & Complaints

The 2013 Hyundai Santa FE has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 605 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Hyundai dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Hyundai Santa FE. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2013 Hyundai Santa FE owner complaints

Owners have filed 605 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Santa FE, describing incidents dated June 28, 2012 to August 16, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 279 complaints
  • Steering 95 complaints
  • Service Brakes 63 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 56 complaints
  • Electrical System 53 complaints
  • Power Train 52 complaints

Of the 605 complaints on file, 14 report a crash and 41 a fire; across all 605 complaints, owners report 13 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11757304 · Filed

    I was driving my car and my “open” door light came on out of nowhere. When I stopped I got out and closed my door the light turned off. When I was driving again the light came on and when I tried to open my door, it got stuck. I had someone try to open it from the outside and it sounded like it…

  • ODI #11676869 · Filed

    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.

  • ODI #11670300 · Filed

    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 defects, including…

Read all 605 complaints

Owner-reported

2013 Hyundai Santa FE mileage at failure

346 of the 605 complaints on file for the 2013 Hyundai Santa FE give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
SteeringMedian 10,000 milesMiddle half 500–65,000 milesBased on 74 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2013 Hyundai Santa FE in 8 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

3 more NHTSA investigations
Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

ABS Unit May Cause Engine Compartment Fire

NHTSA #23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice

Reported September 22, 2023 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 1,649,478 vehicles

Repair completion: 31.69% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 251 · Owners notified April 10, 2024

Recall group: Hyundai and Kia ABS module fires

Park outside only — fire risk while parked indoors or near structures.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Secondary Hood Latch may Bind and not Latch

NHTSA #17V358000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Hood — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported June 5, 2017 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 437,400 vehicles

Repair completion: 80.76% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 163 · Owners notified August 4, 2017 · Vehicles built July 17, 2012 – July 2, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Right Front Axle Shaft Can Fracture

NHTSA #13V355000 · Power Train — Axle Assembly — Axle Shaft · NHTSA notice

Reported August 12, 2013 · Hyundai Motor Company

Potentially affected: 20,300 vehicles

Hyundai campaign 112 · Owners notified September 19, 2013 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, it may roll away. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Custom Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 112.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Hyundai Santa FE model years

Check your 2013 Hyundai Santa FE VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Hyundai Santa FE at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Hyundai VIN