2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#3 most-complained of 6 Santa Fe Sport years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has 198 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls, with a complaint index of 60, ranking it 3rd worst of 6 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 60% of complaints, including fire reports and stalling.
- Complaints
- 198
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 14
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 20 city / 26.5 hwy
Top 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine118 (60%)
- Brakes42 (21%)
- Other21 (11%)
- Electrical System15 (8%)
- Structure & Body13 (7%)
- Fuel System11 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain11 (6%)
- Steering4 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden engine stalling and rpm drops while driving at highway speed, sometimes causing rear-end contact from following traffic.
- Multiple owners describe engine compartment smoke and fire starting after a popping noise or vibration, often preceded by loss of power.
- Some vehicles lost all power on the freeway right before smoke and flames appeared from under the hood.
- One owner reported a fuel leak near the high-pressure fuel line and pump area with a strong gasoline smell before the vehicle was towed.
- A separate complaint describes the hood flying open while driving and cracking the windshield, tied to a hood latch recall.
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V651000Sep 22, 2023Brakes1,649,478 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
- NHTSA 21V303000Apr 28, 2021Brakes151,205 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short in the ABS module can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, and inspect and replace the ABS module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 25, 2021. Note: This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under NHTSA recall number 20V-520. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 205.
- NHTSA 20V520000Aug 27, 2020Brakes151,205 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Risk: If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS module and replace it if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began December 22, 2020. Note: This recall has been superseded by NHTSA Recall 21V-303 and all affected vehicles will now be repaired under 21V-303. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 194.
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,875
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Santa Fe Sport years
Frequently asked questions
- How many complaints does the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport have?
- NHTSA lists 198 complaints for the 2013 Santa Fe Sport, with Engine problems making up 60% of them (118 complaints).
- Is the 2013 Santa Fe Sport worse than other Santa Fe Sport years?
- It has a complaint index of 60 and ranks 3rd worst out of 6 model years with data, earning a Caution verdict relative to other years.
- Does the 2013 Santa Fe Sport have engine fire recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 17V226000 covers premature engine bearing wear from machining errors, and 18V934000 covers a high-pressure fuel pipe issue, both tied to engine complaints that include 14 reported fires.
- What is the typical mileage for reported failures?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints for this year is 85,060 miles, with the Engine category showing a median of 92,000 miles.
- How does the 2013 compare to the 2017 and 2018 Santa Fe Sport?
- The 2017 and 2018 model years are worse, with complaint indexes of 80 and 100 and Avoid verdicts, compared to the 2013's index of 60 and Caution verdict.