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EnginePart report

2013 Hyundai Santa FE Engine Problems

Complaints
273about this part
Share
45%of 605 total for the year
Median mileage
89,163miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 273 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Hyundai Santa FE, 45% of the 605 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,163 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 26 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11415218, filed 2021-05, 54,400 miles

“Many time my Hyundai engine hesitates when starting off. Only does this occasionally. My 2013 sante fe has done this hesitation several times when I do not expect it to be done. The dealer has check it and adjusted it but still hesitates, but not often.dealer indicates that there is no recall. Happens when I am starting off.”

NHTSA complaint #11292133, filed 2019-12, 20,000 miles

“Engine seized, thankfully I was barely leaving my home. Engine totally failed with no warning. No check engine lights went on until after the engine failed. Engine also began smoking. Hyundai concluded the car had total engine failure. The car received regular maintenance/ oil changes and taken care of. Being a 2013 should not have had engine failure.”

NHTSA complaint #10979310, filed 2017-04, 71,000 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11388425, filed 2021-01, 130,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202625%
20251410%
2024138%
20233516%
20225427%
20213722%
20208137%
20197336%
20185449%
201765067%
201615164%
201516163%
201427456%
201327345%
201222864%
20116435%
20103714%
20096017%
20086011%
2007548%
200633%
2005115%
2004165%
200383%
2002106%
200173%

Other parts of the 2013 Hyundai Santa FE

Steering
95 complaintsBrakes
63 complaintsOther or unknown
58 complaintsElectrical system
53 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
52 complaintsFuel system
42 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsSuspension
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsExterior lighting
16 complaintsWheels
14 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Hyundai Santa FE

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology