2013 Hyundai Santa FE Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year report two dominant themes: engine trouble — sudden stalling, knocking, heavy oil consumption and, in some cases, engine replacement — and a loose, clicking steering wheel traced to a coupler in the steering column. Engine complaints appear across a wide mileage range, while many steering complaints come in at relatively low mileage. Smaller clusters cover brake/ABS warning lights and intermittent loss of power or acceleration.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine stalling, knocking and failure

   • 275 complaints (45%)
   • median 89,206 mi at 6.5 yrs old (154 state mileage)
   • 33 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,600 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2025

   Complaints describe the vehicle losing power or stalling while driving, sometimes with a check engine light and sometimes with no warning at all. Owners frequently mention a knocking or rattling noise from the engine, a dry dipstick or very low oil, and being told by a dealer or independent mechanic that the engine needed replacement. Several owners say they were referred to or asked about an engine-related recall or warranty extension and that coverage was disputed. Mostly reported between roughly 55,000 and 150,000 miles, often on the highway at speed.

   8 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for oil change records and check the dipstick for level and smell; have a mechanic listen for knocking and, if the 3.3L V6 is fitted, ask whether the engine inspection or warranty extension bulletins have been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11413584, filed 2021-04, 124,606 miles

   “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”

   NHTSA complaint #11386724, filed 2021-01, 61,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Loose, clicking steering wheel (column coupler)

   • 53 complaints (9%)
   • median 29,687 mi at 5.3 yrs old (44 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2023

   Complaints describe play in the steering wheel, a mechanical click when turning either direction, and in some cases vibration or wandering at highway speed that owners say takes constant correction. Several owners were told the cause was a plastic or rubber coupler inside the steering column and had it replaced; others mention an insulator pad repair. Reported from as low as 25,000 miles up to about 110,000 miles, often noticed on turns or at highway speeds.

   What to check: With the car stationary, rock the wheel gently and listen for a click, then drive at highway speed to check for wander; ask whether the steering column coupler has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving to work from my residence, I began hearing a clicking sound when turning my steering wheel, as well as experiencing extensive play in it as well. This made it difficult to maintain my lane on the highway, which has very close traffic, and made response to my steering actions seem delayed because of said play. Even on normal city, surface streets, it was not handling correctly, and took effort to maintain my designated lane, as well as making turns and response to other traffic where my steering was pertinent. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11341680, filed 2020-07, 54,239 miles

   “Started out with the steering wheel having a lot of play and small clicking noises with sharp turns, this has gotten progressively worse. If I go over a speed bump or even slightly adjust the wheel in street traffic there is a clicking sound in the steering column. On a small highway when I accelerate to 65mph the steering wheel shakes and jerks back and forth to the point of nearly losing control and there is a constant clicking noise.I took the vehicle in to be serviced and was told the problem is a plastic coupler within the steering column. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11319287, filed 2020-03, 69,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Excessive engine oil consumption

   • 134 complaints (22%)
   • median 95,000 mi at 6.7 yrs old (69 state mileage)
   • 35 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $4,263 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2025

   Owners report topping up oil frequently between changes — several quarts a week or every couple of weeks in some accounts — without visible leaks. Some mention the oil warning light never coming on before the engine was found low or damaged, and dealers performing oil consumption tests before recommending engine replacement. Reported from around 70,000 to 160,000 miles, often noted during routine servicing.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and ask the seller how often oil is added between changes; a consumption test at a dealer is the usual way to confirm the condition.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11510525, filed 2023-03, 98,005 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11364063, filed 2020-10, 160,032 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   ABS and brake warning lights on

   • 58 complaints (10%)
   • median 86,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2024

   Owners report ABS, ESC and brake warning lights staying on after startup, in some cases intermittently. Complaints mention sensors, wheel bearing speed sensors and ABS modules being replaced without a lasting fix, and one owner describes a brake pedal going to the floor with longer stopping distance. Typically reported between about 45,000 and 120,000 miles.

   Recall 23V651000

   What to check: Confirm all dashboard warning lights go out after startup on a test drive, and ask whether the ABS module recall work has been completed for the VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Abs & brake warning lights are on. Even after replacing brakes. This is current recall but my VIN does not show up under this recall. The radio & GPS works but there is no sound coming out. I was able to reset before but not anymore.”

   NHTSA complaint #11385572, filed 2020-12, 120,000 miles

   “Abs,ESC, brake warning lights on, incline warning light on wheel bearing speed sensors both had to be replaced codes indicated problem with wires, replaced but no solution”

   NHTSA complaint #11351675, filed 2020-08, 70,000 miles
5. 5
   Fuel system

   Intermittent loss of power or hesitation

   • 137 complaints (23%)
   • median 69,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (89 state mileage)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,072 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2024

   Complaints describe the car refusing to accelerate when the pedal is pressed, bucking or jerking at various speeds, and revs climbing without matching speed. Some owners say the condition cleared after restarting; others were told a sensor, throttle or computer update was needed, and some were referred to fuel-system recalls. Reported from near-new to about 175,000 miles, both on highways and local roads.

   What to check: Test acceleration from a stop and at cruising speed, and ask whether any fuel-system or throttle-related recall or software update has been completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11413581, filed 2021-04, 92,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11386053, filed 2021-01, 139,749 miles

Buying note. This model year draws frequent reports of engine oil use, stalling and knocking, so a pre-purchase inspection that includes an oil consumption check and a listen for engine noise is worthwhile. Also check the steering column for play or clicking and confirm any open recalls or warranty extensions for the VIN.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.