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2013 Hyundai Santa Fe problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
57% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. That is a model-level pattern, not bad luck.
Worse than 76% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Does the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 444 of 804 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (57%), and the largest group is filed under engine (382). For comparison, the 2012 scores 74% and the 2014 scores 66%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2013 compares with other Hyundai Santa Fe years
Of the 14 Hyundai Santa Fe years with enough complaints to score, the 2013 is the 6th-best on engine and transmission share (57%). The worst is the 2017 (78%), the best the 2023 (42%). By volume, the 2013 drew 804 complaints (444 drivetrain), against 353 for the 2012 and 657 for the 2014.
Hyundai Santa Fe years to avoid and best years →
2010 Santa Fe problems · 2011 Santa Fe problems · 2012 Santa Fe problems · 2013 · 2014 Santa Fe problems · 2015 Santa Fe problems · 2016 Santa Fe problems · 2017 Santa Fe problems · 2018 Santa Fe problems · 2019 Santa Fe problems · 2020 Santa Fe problems · 2021 Santa Fe problems · 2022 Santa Fe problems · 2023 Santa Fe problems
The rest of the picture on the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 444 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe engine recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 7 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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…
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.
Risk: Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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…
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2013 front wheel drive Santa Fe Sport vehicles manufactured July 13, 2012, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture.
Risk: A fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, it may roll away. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Custom Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's…
4 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
Does the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, as a model-year pattern. 444 of 804 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (57%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is engine: 382 of 804 complaints (48%) name it, followed by service brakes (106) and steering (99). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.
Is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 57% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (high signal). That is worse than 76% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 14 Hyundai Santa Fe years we score, it ranks 6th-best. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 7 in total: 18V934000 (engine), 17V226000 (engine and engine cooling: engine), 13V355000 (power train: axle assembly: axle shaft). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Hyundai Santa Fe years are better?
Among the Hyundai Santa Fe years we track, the 2023 (42%), the 2021 (48%) and the 2019 (49%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2013 (57%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/hyundai-santa-fe
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Combined across 2 body styles NHTSA files separately.