NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
The waste guage on the turbo stalled and would not work while I was driving. Next the call stopped and the engine stopped working with no warning while I was driving. This could have been very serious if I was in traffic on the highway or in front of a truck at a high rate of speed.
The paint by the power heating seat buttom, is craking, peeling with the sun.
My engine blew on the highway almost killed me! It just stopped at 70 mph! No power nothing I had it towed and had to replace my engine! I heard I can file a complaint because of the problem with the engine! I paid $6187.31 for the replacement and took forever to get the engine due to Covid!
My car is making a rapid beeping noise it stops every time I break I am extremely scared. I believe it has something to do with my engine. I’ve recorded videos however the box below doesn’t allow videos.
Our 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe had a steering coupler failure at about 35,000 miles that resulted in a loud clunking sound in the steering wheel and less responsive steering, which is unsafe. Hyundai and Kia have extended warranties for many of their models for this exact same problem, but for some reason they have not offered extended service for the Santa Fe. I believe the defective coupler that very commonly falls apart is identical to the one in the vehicles that did receive extended coverage.
The problem related to the class action for the Theta II GSD engine happened to my engine (Rod Bearing Failure). This is causing the engine to knock. Will have to replace the entire engine with less than 100k on the vehicle. Ran the vehicle normally and then parked it. Once I got back in the vehicle, I tried to start it and it would not start. I brought it to the dealer, and they came back and said there is a Rod Bearing Failure causing the engine to knock.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HYUNDAI OF NORTH CHARLESTON (8485 RIVERS AVE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE ENGINE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN THE OIL PAN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND AGREED TO PAY A PARTIAL AMOUNT FOR THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,374.
We pulled off the highway to get gas and noticed smoke coming from the hood. We immediately parked at the gas station and my husband, our dog and I got out of the car and within minutes the entire front of the car was in flames. Several passersby stopped and sprayed the fire with their fire extinguishers. We called 911 and the fire department quickly arrived and put out the fire, but the entire front of the car was destroyed. The front of the car melted along with the windshield from the intense heat. The police inspector came and inspected the car and took photos. The car was then towed and our insurance company took possession of the car. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the failure. The only thing we noticed was a slight hesitation in power as we climbed a hill several times in the half hour preceding the failure. My husband, my dog and I would have been in mortal danger from the fire if we had not stopped immediately and gotten out of the car. The safety of other people nearby had also been at risk if the fire department had not arrived so quickly to put out the fire as the smoke began as we were entering the gas station and parked about 50 feet from the gas pumps to escape the vehicle. We have no idea what caused the fire. The engine had been replaced by Hyundai due to a defect that had caused it to fail about 2 years prior to the current failure.
ON A COMMON DAY TWO WEEKS AGO, I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 SANTA FE AND I ACCELERATED TO PASS A VEHICLE WHEN IT INSTANTLY TURNED OFF AND BEGAN TO EMIT SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE. I PARKED AND WAITED FOR THE SMOKE TO FINISH COMING OUT WITH THE SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC. I PROCEEDED TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND THEN A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC CHECKED IT AND TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS STUCK AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.
FIRST WE HEARD WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS MAKING A BELT LOOSE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN OUR LOCAL AREA OF DENVER, THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATION WAS NOT HAPPENING. GIVING IT GAS AND NOTHING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MADE IT HOME, THANK GOODNESS AS ACCELERATION WAS INTERMITTENT( AND NOTHING OVER 25MPH) BUT IMMEDIATELY HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC. MECHANIC FIXED ONE SENSOR AND MORE PROBLEMS AROSE. HE FELT IT SHOULD BE A WARRANTY ITEM BUT SURPRISINGLY ITS NOT. NOW HE THINKS THE RESOLVE WILL BE IN THE FORM OF REPLACING THE ENGINE AS HE'S RUN EVERY OTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST HE COULD.
UPON DRIVING THE ENGINE STARTING RATTLING THERE WERE NO LIGHTS OR CHECK ENGINE CODES THAT CAME ON. AFTER THAT THE ENGINE LOCKED UP
MY VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP REPAIRING A BLOWN ENGINE, WHICH FELL UNDER RECALL 162. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIR, THE ONLY INOPERABLE AND/OR PROBABLE ISSUE WAS THE ENGINE. WHILE BEING REPAIRED, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT RUST ON THE INPUT SPLINES BECAME LOOSE AND UPON RETURN TO ME, THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT REPLACED, THE VEHICLE WILL NO LONGER HAVE AWD. RESEARCH ON YOUR WEBSITE SHOWS THAT RECALLS 112 (RELATED TO POWER TRAIN | CAMPAIGN #13V355000) AND 102 (RELATED TO SPLINES | NHTSA #11V261000), AS WELL AS CAMPAIGN #947 (RELATED TO RUST) ARE ALL RELATED TO THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO MY VIN, THESE CAMPAIGNS/RECALLS ARE NOT INCLUDED. I AM SUBMITTING THIS REQUEST TO ASK THAT MY VEHICLE CONSIDER BEING INCLUDED IN THESE RECALLS/CAMPAIGNS.
After I get into my vehicle I push the Lock Button to secure all my doors but it will Click back OPEN for an Unknown reason. This prevents me from protecting myself from someone entering my vehicle immediately after I do.
FEELS LIKE THE ACCELERATION SLIPS & CAN QUIT SUPPLYING GAS TO ENGINE FOR FEW SECONDS, ENGINE IS KNOCKING, AND TURBO REVS BUT DOESN'T ENGAGE. CAR CAN LOSE POWER AT FULL SPEED RANDOMLY. BROUGHT TO MECHANIC AND THEY READ KNOCK SENSOR ISSUE, ECT NEEDS REPROGRAMMING, & ADD'L ISSUES SO RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE IT MAY FALL UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. NO RECALLS ON VIN. NEXT MORNING MECHANIC SAW FLASHING ENGINE LIGHT. I HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME IT NEEDED A CPU UPDATE / RESET & BATTERY (WHICH WAS RECENTLY TESTED AT MECHANICS TO SHOW GOOD). I PICKED IT UP & IT WAS STILL IN THE BAY. I DROVE IT ABOUT A QUARTER OF A MILE & HEARD RATTLING. ROADS AREN'T GREAT IN THE AREA SO THOUGHT I SHOULD GET IT ON THE MAIN ROAD. IMMEDIATE HAD SLIPPING WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. DROVE ABOUT HALF A MILE & IMMEDIATELY KNEW THE ENGINE WAS IN DISTRESS SO TURNED AROUND. GOT BACK TO DEALERSHIP, TURNED IT OFF. STAFF GOT IN THE CAR AT MY REQUEST OF A TEST DRIVE & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING. NO REPORT SINCE.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. MY LUCK AFTER LOOKING INTO THIS MY VIN DOES NOT MEET THE RECALL FOR THE 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 2.0T. BUT THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE CAR WILL GLADLY TAKE MY MONEY FOR AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACTS WIFE STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND POWER OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (MAJOR HYUNDAI 1534 N 9TH ST, STROUDSBURG, PA 18360 (570) 972-2578) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V226000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.
STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO HAVE PLAY IN MOVEMENT. LATER DEVELOPED THUMPING AND KNOCKING WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING ON BUMPY ROADS. ATTENDANT AT DEALERSHIP MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR TWO WEEKS LATER STATING IT COULD BE THE STEERING COUPLER AND THERE MAY BE A RECALL. SHE DID NOT CONFIRM THE CAR MAY BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FROM HYUNDAI. PROBLEM BEGAN IN MARCH 2021 AND CONTINUES. REPAIR IS DUE TODAY AT DEALERSHIP.
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that as he pulled into his workplace, he saw smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he parked the vehicle and left. The contact also stated that the vehicle was burning a significant amount of oil. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact became aware of the recall for NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V226000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that no issues were found upon inspecting the engine. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was still awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
MY ENGINE IS BURNING OIL I KNOW IT'S NORMAL BUT IT BURNS A LOT I JUST CHANGED MY OIL A WEEK AGO AND IT'S NOW BELOW THE LOW LEVEL I WONDER WHERE THE OIL IS AND I CHECK IF THERE IS A LEAK I REMOVED THE ENGINE COVER UNDER TO SEE THE OIL PAN ETC I FOUND NOTHING
THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER DOORS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. THE DRIVER DOOR LOCKS WORK WITHOUT ISSUES. THIS HAPPENS WHEN USING THE KEY FOB AND THE LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON INSIDE THE CAR.
1) RADIO STOPPED WORKING ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO. 2) ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO, THE DOOR AND TRUCK OPEN LIGHT ON THE DASH APPEARED AND NEVER WENT OFF. 3) ON 1/14/21, THE CAR STARTED MAKING A RATTLING SOUND, AND STOPPED ACCELARATING; AUTO SHOP DETERMINED THE ENGINE WAS RUINED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WITH THE 1ST 2 ISSUES, I WAS STILL ABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, NOW THAT THE ENGINE IS RUINED, I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO USE THE VEHICLE.
I DROVE TO WORK AND PULLED IN THE PARKING LOT THE SANTE FE ACTED LIKE IT WAS HESITATING. I CHECKED EVERYTHING AND IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT 1 MINUTE ACROSS THE STREET TO FIRESTONE. THEY SAID IT WAS COMPRESSION IN THE 4TH CYLINDER AND CHANGED THE OIL INCASE I NEEDED TO DRIVE IT TO A DEALER. I CHOSE TO TOW. THEY UNCOVERED THE SIMILAR PROBLEM. THEY SENT IT UP TO WARRANTY AND IT WAS DENIED TWICE. THEY DEALER AND THE HYUNDAI SPOKESPERSON FOR THE DEALER WERE SHOCKED. I THEN SPOKE WITH A LESSON TO THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND THEY REFUSED AGAIN AS IT WASN'T THE "BEARING". HOWEVER THE CAR ENGINE WAS NOT TORN APART TO KNOW, THE CYLINDER IS CONNECTED TO THE BEARINGS, AND THE ENGINES ARE PROVEN JUNK OVER AND OVER. A FEW YEARS AGO I HAD A RECALL FOR THE OIL HAD IT FIXED AND WAS GIVEN A ENGINE WARRANTY TO 120000 MILES. I HAVE 96000. BUT BECAUSE NOW THEY HAVE A "NEW" ISSUE THEY ARE ONLY COVERING IF IT'S SPECIFICALLY THE "BEARING". WHICH THEY DOMT KNOW FOR SURE AS THEY HAVE TAKEN THE ENGINE APART. AND THE DEALER INFORMED THAT IF I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT IN THE CAR A FEW DAYS PRIOR IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. THEY HAD REPLACED ENGINES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. HOWEVER MY CAR WAS DENIED 1 DAY BEFORE THE "NEW" RULE WENT OUT TO DEALERS. HOW SHADY IS THIS. NOW I HAVE A 15000.00 PIECE OF JUNK THAT HYUNDAI WON'T EVEN ATTEMPT TO MAKE RIGHT.
The latch of the driver door doesn’t lock. It remains open . There was a recall for it but not sure if it ever got done before I bought the car.
I bought my Santa Fe from a used auto dealer in September 2021 with 102,000 mi. November 2021 I had to have rear brakes done including rotors and calipers that were stuck. In January 2022 it stalled and wouldn’t start. Towed to my mechanic since closest Hyundai shop is an hour away. My mechanic replaced starter first then realized the engine had seized. Also replaced air filter. When I entered my VIN on the Hyundai site it didn’t show the engine recall. So, I read through the court case and found out my engine was supposed to be included. When I called Hyundai they agreed that it is part of the recall. Good thing I read the court case info. Next I have my 2013 Santa Fe Sport AWD towed to the Hyundai shop. When they were checking to make sure it was a seized engine, they burnt out the brand new starter. No loaner cars available and they said I would need to pay for a rental and get reimbursed after which I couldn’t afford. When my car was ready, I got a ride to the the one hour away Hyundai shop. Also they charged me for an air filter, saying there wasn’t one in my “bad” engine. As soon as I got on the highway in my Santa Fe there were multiple issues. It wouldn’t shift right and steering was messed up so I had to take it back to Hyundai shop and have my ride turn around to come get me. The next time I picked it up there weren’t the prior issues. However, Hyundai refused to reimburse me for the starter my mechanic replaced. I had no prior starter issues and it was obviously caused from trying to start a seized engine. After a month I finally signed off on being reimbursed for the tow charges which they called a “courtesy”. By February my sunroof was having issues closing and eventually got stuck open. After applying white lithium grease and having it tarped for 3 days I finally got it closed. However I don’t dare open it again. In the same month rear wiper stopped working and I developed an exhaust leak at the converter in front of the front muffler and burning odor
TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO RIGHT SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. THE CONTACT PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO PARKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. . THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART, HOWEVER IT LOST POWER AGAIN AND SMOKE APPEARED COMING FROM THE HOOD AND INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. AND SMELT BURN WIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO RESIDENCE BY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
THE MOTOR STATED TO ACT UP. IT WAS DRIVING REGULAR THEN ALL AT ONCE THE MOTOR STARTED TO MAKE A GRINING NOISE THEN THE CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 20 MPA. I GOT SCARED THEN CAME HOME IT WAS SMOKING TOO. I PUT MY FOOT TO THE FLOOR AND NOTHING HAPPENED STILL GOING 20 MPA
MY CAR WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL EVEN THOUGH I JUST BOUGHT IT 4 MONTHS AGO AT CARMAX WHERE THEY PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE. MY CAR STALLED WHILE GETTING OFF THE FREEWAY AND STARTED TAPPING. THE FIRST SHOP COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND NOW HYUNDAI IS INVESTIGATING.
AFTER STARTING THE CAR, THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR DEFECTIVE ABS,ESC AND DBS (MAY) STAY ON. SOMETIMES AFTER STARTING THE CAR, THESE LIGHT GO OFF. HYUNDAI HAD PREVIOUSLY REPLACED ABS SENSORS ON THE VEHICLE.
Right before the Christmas Holidays our vehicle began leaking oil profusely and running hot. We quickly took to a local mechanic who told us there were major issues with our vehicle. At his urging, we promptly called your service department to look over the vehicle. We were told it would need a new motor and radiator at a cost of $10-$13K. The vehicle was 6 years old and we have maintained the vehicle regularly. Early on, we were told that an oil consumption test needs to be completed, which was a complete waste of time. The car would not go 50 miles without losing 100% of it’s oil. We took it back to Hyundai and they stated there was nothing they could do.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY ON 12/21/20 AND MY ENGINE COMPLETELY SEIZED, NO WARNING AND INCREDIBLY TERRIFYING. THE CAR CAME TO A VERY SUDDEN STOP, AND WE WERE VERY LUCKY THAT WE WERE NOT KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY CAR BEGAN SMOKING AND IT SMELLED AS IF IT WERE BURNING, WE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR AGAIN, AND I WAS ALSO UNABLE TO SWITCH IT TO NEUTRAL SO THAT I COULD GET OUT OF THE BUSY TRAFFIC. HAD TO CALL 911 AND PRAY THAT I WAS NOT HIT WHILE WAITING FOR THEM. I TRIED CONTINUOUSLY TO START MY CAR SO THAT I COULD MOVE OUT OF THE TRAFFIC, BUT ENGINE COMPLETELY SEIZED, GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT TO NEUTRAL, AND WE WERE STRANDED IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. ONCE COPS CAME WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED 40 MILES AWAY AND IT IS NOW SITTING USELESSLY IN THE DRIVEWAY.
AT ONLY 78,754 MILES THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND THAT INCREASED IN FREQUENCY AS THE ENGINE RPMS AND DECREASED IN FREQUENCY AS ENGINE RPMS DECREASED. HYUNDAI SAID THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACEMENT. IT SOUNDS JUST LIKE THE PROBLEM REPORTED IN THE 2012 SANTA FE RECALL. SINCE I'M CONSIDERED THE SECOND OWNER (VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY LEASED BY SOMEONE ELSE), THE WARRANTY WAS NOT HONORED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANT FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, BRAKING, TURNING, OR STOPPING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PINEHURST TOYOTA (10760 US 15 501 HWY, SOUTHERN PINES, NC 28387, (833)267-2310) AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEALER FOR HYUNDAI, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING COUPLER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINATED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE FLUID MODULE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. HYUNDAI OF CHARLESTON LOCATED AT 8485 RIVERS AVE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
THE MDPS (MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS A FLEXIBLE RUBBER COUPLING THAT WEARS OUT OVER TIME RESULTING IN A 'CLICKING' OR 'THUD' TYPE NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IT FEELS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR WEATHER AND DRY ROADS WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WESTBOUND ON INTERSTATE 4, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON. FORTUNATELY, WAS ABLE TO COAST ACROSS TRAFFIC TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR AND ALL THE INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON BUT THE CAR DIDN'T START. EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WALKED TOWARDS THE FRONT TO SEE SMOKE, AT FIRST, THEN SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. TRIED TO DIAL 911, BUT HAD WEAK CELL SIGNAL. APPARENTLY 911 WAS NOTIFIED. HIGHWAY PATROL ARRIVED, THE FLAMES WERE SPREADING AND GETTING LARGER. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES, WHICH REACHED ALMOST 10 FEET HIGH. THE FIRE FIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO CONTAIN THE FIRE BEFORE IT REACHED THE FUEL TANK, BUT THE VEHICLE AND ITS CONTENTS WERE TOTALLY BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS A SHELL OF METAL AND ASH WHEN IT WAS TOWED AWAY.
ON 11/02/2020 MY HYUNDAI SANTAFE SPORT BROKE DOWN. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC AT UNIVERSAL HYUNDAI THAT THE 4TH CYLINDER WAS MISSFIRING AND THAT GASOLINE WAS SPRAYING INTERNALLY. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN CARE OF MY CAR AND HAVE CHANGED OIL REGULARLY AND HAVE NEVER HAD A SINGLE ISSUE WITH THE CAR. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION I GOUND THAT HYUNDAI HAD TWO RECALLS ( 164 AND 194) I WAS TOLD BY THE REP AT UNIVERSAL HYUNDAI THAT MY CAR WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE AND THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. HOWEVER HYUNDAI ENDED UP GOING BACK ON THEIR WORD AND SAID MY EGINE WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND THEY WOULDN'T PAY FOR ANYTHING.
ORIGINALLY I DROVE THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS MOSTLY DRIVEN BY MY WIFE ON THE WEEK OF 27OCT20. I NOTICED A FEW TIMES SOMETHING SMELT LIKE IT WAS BURNING, I COULDN'T DECIPHER IF IT WAS A BURNT OIL OR ELECTRICAL SMELL. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY KIDS IN THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF, I WAS ABLE TO THROW IT INTO NEUTRAL AND PRESS THE START BUTTON AND IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP AS I WAS ROLLING DOWN THE STREET. IT DID THIS TWO MORE TIMES BEFORE I GOT TO MY DESTINATION. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT FRIDAY, 30OCT20 FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND FOR THEM TO LOOK INTO IT. IT WAS AT THE END OF THE DAY SO THEY HAD NO UPPER TECHNICIANS TO CHECK IT OUT BUT THEY DID PERFORM AN OIL AND CABIN AIR FILTER CHANGE AND ASKED THAT I BRING IT BACK. 3 WEEKS LATER ON 19NOV20 I WAS DRIVING MY KIDS AGAIN WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO KNOCK AND SHUT OFF AGAIN. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER ON 28NOV20 AFTER LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE AND READING A BUNCH OF ARTICLES ABOUT HYUNDAI & KIA BEING FINED FOR NOT RESPONDING TO A RECALL WHICH STATED DEBRIS FROM MANUFACTURING COULD RESTRICT OIL FLOW TO CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THE KNOCKING IN MY ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINES TO STALL OR CATCH FIRE. I HAVE HAD ALL OF THIS MINUS THE FIRE THANK GOD! BUT, NOW THE IT MAKES SENSE ABOUT THE BURNING SMELL I WAS SMELLING. I BELIEVE ALL THESE ISSUES ARE TIED INTO CAMPAIGN#/RECALL 162. FOR THIS RECALL A SENSOR SHOULD'VE BEEN INSTALLED IN MY VEHICLE BACK IN 2017 ACCORDING TO SERVICE RECORDS THAT SHOULD'VE INDICATED THIS ISSUE AND ALERTED ME. EVEN TO THE DAY IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THE ENGINE WOULD RUN, KNOCK BUT NOT ONE SERVICE LIGHT WOULD LIGHT UP ON MY DASHBOARD. I'M STILL WAITING FOR A HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE TO COME AND INSPECT MY VEHICLE AS IT HAS NOT MOVED SINCE IT WAS DROPPED OFF WITH THE DEALER.
WHILE DRIVING I TURNED THE CORNER GOING ROUGHLY 7 MPH AND MY CAR JUST COMPLETELY STALLED OUT. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT BACK STARTED BUT DROVE IT HOME AND DIDN'T WANT TO RISK TAKING IT OUT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY OR STREET.
THE ENGINE JUST SEIZED UP WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING. CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED WITH ONLY 95 THOUSAND MILES. THEY HAVE A RECALL ON THE OTHER ENGINES BUT NOT THE 3.3 ENGINE. THE SHOULD RECALL ALL OF THE ENGINES
engine failed driving down the road. was told by hyundai mechanic said to report matter possibly was missed by manufacturer metal debris that caused lock up no recall for my vin as of yet
Since I bought this vehicle it has done nothing but burn oil. I do regular oil changes on a regular basis. In between these oil changes I have to add 3 to 5 quarts of oil every 2 weeks. I have only had the vehicle for 2 yrs and 6 months. I am constantly checking the oil I believe there needs to be a recall on this vehicle engine.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED AN ARTICLE REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V520000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) FOR WHICH THE VIN WAS INCLUDED HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. FITZGERALD HYUNDAI GAITHERSBURG (905 N. FREDERICK AVE, GAITHERSBURG, MD 20879) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT (FWD). HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING INTERMITTENTLY 3 TIMES, HAPPENED ON 10-15-2020 (ON HIGH WAY), 12-28-2020 (ON HIGH WAY) AND 12-31-2020 (ON LOCAL), CAR CAN NOT BE ACCELERATED WHEN GAS PEDAL STEPPED, TACHOMETER SHOWS ZERO, SPEEDOMETER LESS THAN 40 MPH. CAR WAS BACK TO NORMAL AFTER RESTART.
There has been a recall on vehicles like this one with the smaller engines. But, not for the 3.3 engines like I have. Everything the small engines were recalled for, this one is doing too. When you get up to high speeds on the highway the engine starts to knock/stall. I almost was in a car accident with my children because of this. Hyundai is refusing to help pay because they are saying the 3.3 engines weren't affected. But, clearly they were. I took it to a mechanic and he confirmed it was the engine and he has seen dozens just like mine going through the same issues. The check engine light came on last September. It only blinks when at high speeds on the interstate. We had tried fixing other things on it, not thinking it was the engine itself. Until when we took it in yesterday and they ran a test and said that this has been reported multiple times on the tsb mechanic website of these 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles, the engines going out. My car only has 94k miles and they are still refusing to help us. I am floored with how we are being treated. This is a known problem and I have four children who need a vehicle to get around for school, doctors appointments, activities. This has been some the worst stress of my life dealing with this SUV. I have kept up so well on my vehicle, only for something that is not my fault to go wrong and now my kids/family is having to suffer because of it.
MERGED INTO I-95/THRUWAY FROM DUNKIN DONUTS AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE HAVING DIFFICULTY GOING UP SLIGHT HILL. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T ACCELERATE AND HAD A LIGHT NEW NOISE. I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER AND NOTICED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, OPEN THE HOOD NOTICED HEAT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD BUT NOTHING NOTICEABLE. TRIED TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON AND IT WOULDN'T TURN ON. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST MECHANIC WHO SAID THEY WOULDN'T TOUCH IT BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE AN ENGINE ISSUE AND TAKE IT TO HYUNDAI. ALL THE HYUNDAIS NEARBY WERE CLOSING AND COULDN'T HELP FOR 2 DAYS. HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO MY BOROUGH ALMOST 2 HOURS AWAY. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY SITTING THE HYUNDAI SERVICE TO BE LOOKED AT IN 2 DAYS AND NO GUIDANCE ON WHAT TO DO IN THE MEANTIME BESIDES CALL YOUR INSURANCE. THANKFUL WE CAUGHT THE ISSUE AND PULLED OVER BEFORE IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. OTHERWISE 5 PEOPLE INCLUDING A 4 YEAR OLD WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER/OTHER VEHICLES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR TURN ON AFTER I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE HAS 42,000 MILES ON IT, PURCHASED CPO 4 YEARS AGO AT HYUNDAI ALONG WITH TLP AND FULL COVERAGE. FIRST TIME THIS CAR EVER GAVE US ANY ISSUE. NO WARNING SIGNS BETWEEN THE DUNKIN AND THE INCIDENT 4 MILES OF GUT FEELING SAYING PULL OVER SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT.
WHILE DRIVING AT VARYING SPEEDS, WHILE GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS, TURNING CORNER, MORE NOTICEABLE AT SLOWER SPEEDS, IS A CLICKING NOISE & ALMOST FEELS LIKE A MOMENTARY LOSE OF CONTROL OF THE STEERING. NOT SURE IF IT HAS TO DO WITH ADAPTABLE STEERING (SPORT, COMFORT, NORMAL) CONTROL'S, OR THE MAIN CONTROLS OF THE STEERING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL MADE AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING SOUND WHILE DEPRESSED WITH THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V520000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. PATRIOT HYUNDAI OF EL MONTE (3462 PECK RD, EL MONTE, CA 91731) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE SAME DEALER DUE TO AN ABNORMAL OIL ODOR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF AN OIL LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
CAR BURNED OIL PUTTING 2 QUARTS BACK IN IT EVERY WEEK/ TOPPING IT OFF. OIL LIGHT DOESN'T INDICATE OIL IS GETTING LOW AND OR DOES IT COME ON. LEFT SIDE OF STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS DON'T WORK AT ALL. WHAT'S THE POINT OF THE BLUETOOTH IF YOU CANT USE THE IMPORTANT PART OF THE FUNCTION THAT'S SUPPOSED TO HELP. BOTH IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.
MY HYUNDAI SANTA FE GLS RECENTLY SEIZED MID DRIVE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING, NO LIGHTS INCLUDING OIL LIGHT OR ENGINE LIGHT. THE CAR, WHICH HAS BEEN SERVICED THROUGH THIS DEALERSHIP AND PURCHASED THROUGH THIS DEALERSHIP IS UNDRIVEABLE AND ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY AND HYUNDAI IS "NOW TIGHT IN THE PURSE" AND WON'T FIX ISSUES WITH THEIR CARS SINCE COVID. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS TYPE OF CIRCUMSTANCE WAS SEEN WITH THE ELANTRA, BUT NOT THE SANTA FE BEFORE. I AM ADVISED THAT THIS VEHICLE, WHICH IS THE THIRD HYUNDAI I HAVE PURCHASED AND STILL MAKE LOAN PAYMENTS ON IS NOW A LEMON AND I WOULD BE BETTER SUITED TO GET A NEW MOTOR FROM A JUNK YARD. I AM A FAMILY OF SIX PEOPLE AND JUST RECENTLY MOVED INTO A NEW HOME, SO HAVING AN UNUSABLE VEHICLE AND BEING ABLE TO FUND A NEW MOTOR IN WHAT WAS TOLD TO ME IS A QUALITY CAR IS NOT OK. DESPITE THIS, IT IS STILL UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES OK THAT A VEHICLE LIKE THIS SHOULD HAVE A MOTOR JUST QUIT. ACCORDING TO ARTICLES ONLINE, I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR/MAKE/MODEL. THE MAN AT THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT DISCUSS ANY FURTHER AND WILL OFFER VERY LITTLE INFORMATION. I AM AT AN UTTER LOSS. I HAVE BEEN A GOOD CUSTOMER. I HAVE A FAMILY. PLEASE, PLEASE HELP. PLEASE.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026