10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
66,288 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #12

Jan 282019

Santa Fe Sport

  • 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.

- Hobart, IN, USA

problem #11

Nov 272018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 117,000 miles
On multiple occasions over last month my vehicle RPM shoot way up and the engine revs up when excellerating from a stopped position. Could be a stop light, to make a turn or from backing up and going into drive. Lasts about 15-30 seconds. When this happens the vehicle jerks forward. There are no check engine or any other lights that come on. I have taken to two separate shops and they say they can not find anything wrong, especially because the engine light doesn't come on. I carry small children in my vehicle and I am concerned of our safety. I have seen multiple reports of people's vehicles accelerating on their own and causing crashes.

- Suffolk, VA, USA

problem #10

Nov 022018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 74,500 miles
Nothing has happened yet but ABS, ESC, dbc and parking brake light all on. I have looked this up and it seems this is happening to many of these vehicles. I'm just wondering why a recall has not been approved, for all these systems are serious safety issues. I'm bringing mine to the dealership Monday but was told I would more than likely be responsible for payment of this problem.

- Loranger, LA, USA

problem #9

Oct 072018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 81,000 miles
On October 7th 2018 while driving at highway speed on a four lane highway my Hyundai Santa Fe sport turbo began to make noises in the engine (no warning lights came on) then suddenly there was a popping sound coming from the engine compartment, the check engine light came on and the car completely shut off. I coasted to the shoulder and found smoke coming out from under the hood. When I opened the hood I found the whole engine compartment fully engulfed in flames. The car completely burned out while awaiting the fire department.

- Colimbia, MD, USA

problem #8

Jul 232018

Santa Fe Sport

  • miles
Hyundai is unable to transfer ownership when you buy a used vehicle in reference to the blue link controls. The original owner will maintain remote control of the door lock/unlock features as well as remote start and stop functions. You will be unable to purchase the safety features and unable to contact emergency services should the need arise. I am able to provide full email conversations with Hyundai blue link where they have been completely unhelpful up to the point they stopped communications with me by ignoring my repeated inquiries. I do not know who to file a vehicle complaint with. I have been trying to get this fixed since I bought the vehicle 9 months ago.

- Carrollton, GA, USA

problem #7

Jun 282018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 100,000 miles
Santafe won't start. Everything comes on dash and radio and ac but car won't even turn over. I talked to a mechanic who said this has been a reacuring problem. Just wondering why no recall if it keeps happening. I came home and when I tried to leave it wouldn't start. Waited and it started. Then I got up the next day and again won't start.

- Crestview, FL, USA

problem #6

Jun 072018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 69,000 miles
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 restarting. The engine at this point sounds like a woodpecker tapping on wood. My vehicle has been towed to dealership and awaiting warranty repair.authorization. This event mirror the recall issued by Hyundai and NHTSA#17V-226. I took the car in for this recall and was told 30min later that my engine was affected. I found out that they should have taken my crankcase off not just do an oil change. I am still waiting on world Hyundai to inspect my vehicle.

- Dolton, IL, USA

problem #5

Jun 082018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 45,000 miles
While vehicle parked, the sunroof spontaneously exploded. There was nothing contributed to the explosion, nothing hit the sunroof it just looks like it bulged out and shattered. Glass fell inside the vehicle on driver

- Rohnert Park, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 022018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 68,000 miles
Purchased 2013 Santa Fe sport in Jan 2018, with 60K miles. 7K miles added, to date. May 2018, drove through a car wash, water entered the cab through a seal above the dashboard. Hyundai service investigated, replaced moon roof seal, and then reported that the moon roof seal was not the cause, further investigation needed, at a cost, to us, of $400. We respectfully declined. Water entering the vehicle, during a heavy rain, could prove to be very dangerous. 6/02/18, merged onto highway, speed of 75 mph, 9:45 am, clear skies, fairly moderate traffic. Without warning, engine lost all power, attempted to accelerate, negative results, non-responsive. Vehicle began to slow, turned hazard warning lights on, and coasted to the next exit. There were approximately 4 cars behind me when I lost engine power. Fortunately, I was able to safely exit, the freeway, and coast downhill, to a nearby chevron station, without causing a major accident. (would my wife or children have been as fortunate?) turned the vehicle off and then on again. The vehicle had electrical power and initiated a self check, results unknown. The check engine warning light/battery light/oil light were all visible on the dash board. While the vehicle was performing a self diagnostic test...a cloud of smoke/burning smell emitted from the ac vent located near the radio. Vehicle was towed to the Hyundai dealer, where purchased. A diagnostic check and visual inspection revealed that the engine had seized and was related to previous engine recall. Problem: Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine, this could result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine and replace the engine short block, as necessary, for free. Dangerous, busy highways, high speed.... fatalities probable.

- Folsom, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 242018

Santa Fe Sport

  • 97,000 miles
There is a rumbling noise after completing a turn, generally left hand turns. Also, during the turn, the engine oil light comes on and goes off

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

problem #2

Aug 182017

Santa Fe Sport

  • 35,000 miles
Hood latch recall. I began the process of getting the hood latch cable replaced in August after learning of the recall. I feel that Hyundai made it purposefully difficult for me to get a replacement part. I was originally requested to drive over 3 hours to get to a dealer, and my reimbursement request went unanswered for several months. I was asked multiple times for identical identifying information and receipts, and was given information in a timely manner. At this date, I still have not received reimbursement for replacing this part. Due to my interactions, I believe Hyundai is purposefully making the replacement of this part a burden on consumers.

- Chelan, WA, USA

problem #1

Oct 222017

Santa Fe Sport

  • 37,950 miles
My 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe sport 2.0T is on the rexalll list for engine problems; it was at dealer last week wher they changed out fuel pump & supposedly corrected an issue w metal debris in oil going to engine. Had problems less than 48 hours later; was told I could bring it in or take to get battery tested. Now, 48 hours after that check engine light is on. I believe the engine needs to be replaced as this is part of the recall on this model. It doesn't sound or feel right compared to you how it was driving a month ago when I purchased used with 36K miles.

- Wilmington, NC, USA