AI Damage2013 Hyundai Santa FE Sport: common problems
Owners of the 2013 Hyundai Santa FE Sport filed 202 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 202
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 54% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 21% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 5% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 4% of all complaints
- 7 Latches, locks, linkages 3% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 2% of all complaints
- Engine: 110 complaints (54% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 42 complaints (21% of all).
- Electrical system: 16 complaints (8% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 11 complaints (5% of all).
- Powertrain: 11 complaints (5% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 202 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 110 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 42 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving my engine seized up and my car completely stopped. I was luckily able to coast it to the side of the highway without getting into an accident. I had it towed to Go Hyundai in [XXX]. The did the diagnostic, found it was covered by the recall and allegedly ordered the engine.
The vehicle has an unremedied ABS module defect that can cause an engine-compartment fire even when parked and turned off. Hyundai Canada lists it as open safety recall R0246-1 (41D013, Transport Canada 2024-080), remedy available since 2024-05-27.
The vehicle suddenly stopped and suddenly smoke appear in the front part of vehicle. Firemen appeared and when the front of the car was opened the flames of the fire were all over the engine of the car. The front glass broke and the hood has visible signs of the fire.
The contact stated that the front driverâs side door failed to unlatch as intended using either the interior or exterior door handles or the locking mechanism. In addition, the contact exited the vehicle using the front passengerâs side door to exit the vehicle. An appointment was scheduled with the local dealer.
The failure caused major electronic communication errors, illuminated dashboard warning lights, and placed the vehicle into Limp Mode, rendering it unsafe to drive.
The contact stated that after a routine oil change, while driving back to the residence, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there were metal shavings inside the engine. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired.
The contact stated that the subframe was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the rear control arms and subframe were rusted and needed to be replaced.
As a nurse manager I find this once again appalling on Hyundai behalf, after these years pass we won't know if our air big warning lights or trouble codes or even a a passenger is detected when driving.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 2,021 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 6% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Santa FE Sport has 201 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 202, about average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Santa FE Sport?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, service brakes, electrical system. Total complaints: 202. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (33%), engine failure or replacement (18%), stalls while driving (15%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2013 Hyundai Santa FE Sport?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2013 Hyundai Santa FE Sport from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2013 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.