2013 Hyundai Santa Fe problems and complaints

Owners have filed 605 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The most-reported areas: Engine (273), Steering (95), Service Brakes (64).

Key takeaways

  • 605 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 14 involve a crash, 41 a fire, 13 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine27345%
Steering9516%
Service Brakes6411%
Unknown Or Other569%
Electrical System539%
Power Train529%
Fuel/Propulsion System325%
Structure234%
Suspension234%
Vehicle Speed Control213%
Hydraulic183%
Exterior Lighting163%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Structure - filed 2026-08-16

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 unlatched but wouldn’t o...

Engine - filed 2025-07-29

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.

Engine - filed 2025-06-30

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 excessive oil consum...

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More for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.