VehicleVerdict

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport carries two red flags at once: 239 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Santa Fe Sport years to avoid.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 48% of all reports (115 of 239), far ahead of brakes at 41. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

239

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

5

Investigations · 1 open

1

Crash-involved

23

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Santa Fe Sport years?

Santa Fe Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted456 complaints2013: 239 complaints2014: 216 complaints2015: 104 complaints2016: 84 complaints2017: 456 complaints2018: 406 complaints
Santa Fe Sport NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Santa Fe Sport years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine11548%
Brakes4117%
Other188%
Electrical System167%
Transmission115%
Fuel System115%
Latches & Locks63%
Steering42%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Body & Structure31%
Suspension21%
Airbags21%
Speed Control21%
Seats21%
Lighting10%
Tires & Wheels10%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V651000BrakesSeptember 22, 2023 · 1,649,478 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

21V303000BrakesApril 28, 2021 · 151,205 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

20V520000BrakesAugust 27, 2020 · 151,205 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

18V934000EngineDecember 28, 2018 · 150,730 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.

Consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.

17V358000Latches & LocksJune 5, 2017 · 437,400 units

Defect

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.

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.

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.

17V226000EngineMarch 31, 2017 · 572,000 units

Defect

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.

Consequence

Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine, replacing the engine short block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 162.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WE WERE DRIVING IN AN INTERSTATE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL STOPPED WORKING AND WE WEREN'T ABLE TO GO FASTER THAN 65MPH. A FEW MINUTES LATER, WE HEARD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AND OTHER DRIVERS WERE SIGNALING US TO MOVE TO THE SHOULDER. WE FOUND OUT OUR CAR STARTED ON FIRE. ACCORDING TO THE TOW TRUCK…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 8, 2019 · fire

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 2, 2018

On June 6,2025 my car caught fire under the hood on the way home from work. I was then told my car has an ABS module recall and thats whats caused the fire, as well as, electrical shortage. Hyundai finally came to get car on June 27. They refuse to fix or communicate with me on my car that I am…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 6, 2025 · fire

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOOSE POWER, STARTED HAVING A VIBRATION AND COULD SEE SMOKE IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. I PULLED OVER AND THE ENGINE HAD CAUGHT FIRE. WITHIN MINUTES, THE WHOLE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 5, 2019 · fire

VEHICLE HAS SLIGHTLY OVER 78,000 MILES. ENGINE SEIZED WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. I AM NOT BEING TOLD THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP SOLD US THE WRONG WARRANTY, GAVE US AN OUTDATED CAR FAX REPORT, AND IS SAYING THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 22, 2018

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport — common questions

Is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 239 complaints put the 2013 model at #3 of 6 Santa Fe Sport years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Santa Fe Sport years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Santa Fe Sport problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (115 complaints), brakes (41 complaints), other (18 complaints).

Does the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Hyundai Santa Fe Sport years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Santa Fe Sport years to avoid are 2017, 2018, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016.

How safe is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.