10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 25
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,114 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments (Page 10 of 14)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #81

Mar 072019

Santa Fe

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Short version- this car stalled in the middle of highway traffic and would not start again, creating a traffic hazard and required towing and Hyundai dealer said there was nothing wrong with it. Later it also caught on fire while moving in a parking lot. There was smoke inside the car and smoking coming out the front grill. It has several known factory manufacture known issues that are well documented nationwide to create engine fires, stalling, seized engines, just like ours.. Hyundai refuses to remedy. Hyundai also did a software update to prevent engine seizure on an already dead motor, that is not performing its safety features as designed and they will not remedy. They are charging us for the motor that is still defective, and a safety issue, and they will not fix their factory defect lemon car.

- Chehalis, WA, USA

problem #80

Sep 142018

Santa Fe

  • 98,600 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. When the contact attempted to start the engine, it turned over and took more than one attempt to start. Also, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the check engine light illuminated because the vehicle may not have an authentic fuel cap. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,600.

- Bryans Road, MD, USA

problem #79

Jan 132019

Santa Fe

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 10 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact called mac haik Hyundai at 361-576-1221 (located at 4404 N navarro St, victoria, tx 77904) and was informed that the vehicle could not be inspected right away. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

- Inez, TX, USA

problem #78

Jan 112019

Santa Fe

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving on a two line highway in the country and as I went to accelerate the car engine quit. I could not restart the car. As I was pulling off to the side I saw smoke coming out of the engine or hood. I got my daughter and myself out of the car safely and once we stepped away from the car I saw an orange glow in the engine and then that glow burst into flames. I was in motion and I was driving straight without turning. I believe I was going approximately 45 miles an hour and accelerated when the car engine died. We did smell gas as I was pulling off to the side of the country road. I did not have a collision, an accident or hit anything in the road. Again, I started to accelerate and the engine died. I had control to get the car over to the side of the country road. I was surrounded primarily by farm fields and no sidewalks. I was on route 47 and I was on the straight part of the highway without any bends. I called nine-one-one immediately and they dispatched the fire department and the police department.. the fire was extinguished and the car towed to my preferred auto shop. This happened on Friday, January 11th, 2019 at approximately 5:15 P.M. the temperature outside was approximately 16 degrees. I have called my insurance company and they are sending out someone to look at it.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #77

Dec 012018

Santa Fe

  • 85,000 miles
While driving down a 4 lane divided state highway I started to hear a clicking noise coming from front of car; but car was still running. Got worse and started hesitating a little as I pressed the gas pedal. I got stopped at a red light. When I started off from being stopped it would barely go, then it died. Within a few minutes I noticed smoke coming from the engine, got out and saw flames coming out of grill area and underneath the engine area. Called 911, car was on fire! I have many videos of the incident. I had no previous problems with the car before now.

- Sharpsburg, GA, USA

problem #76

Nov 092018

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
I OWN A 2013 SANTA FE AND I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH IT, THE ENGINE BEING REPLACED DUE TO FAILING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WAS SERVICED WITH A FEW OTHER ITEMS DEALER FOUND TO BE NEEDED FOR SOME RECALLS. BUT NONE I CAN RECALL FOR SURE WAS REGARDING THE ENGINE ITSELF, WILL NEED TO CHECK SERVICE RECORDS. THEN LATER IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP(INJECTOR) NEED TO VERIFY SPECIFICS, BUT GAS FUMES AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THIS WAS REPLACED, THEN LATER AGAIN HAD TO TAKE IN AGAIN FOR REPAIR DUE TO SERVICE ERROR OF TUBING BEING BENT ECT WHEN INSTALLED, NOTICED THE HIGH AMOUNT OF GAS FUMES AND SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE AND INTO THE CABIN. THIS WAS A FEW MONTHS AGO, THEN NOV 9 2018 MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS DESTROYED BY FLAMES. I HAD JUST SECONDS TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND PUT IN PARK, GRAB MY 6 YEAR OLD SON AND GET OUT BEFORE FLAMES COVERED THE ENTIRE ENGINE THEN THE ENTIRE CAR. I WAS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET. I WOULD LIKE TO START AN INVESTIGATION REGARDING THIS MATTER, I FEAR I AND MY SON COULD HAVE DIED DUE TO THIS KNOWN AND NEGLECTED ISSUE THESE SANTA FE'S HAVE BEEN HAVING. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SERVICED AT THE DEALERSHIP SO I WILL BE ABLE TO SUPPLY THE SERVICE REPORTS AND THE CASE NUMBER FOR THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY SHERIFF REPORT OF THE FIRE AND OTHER DOCUMENTS NEEDED. MY CELL [XXX] PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE IF I MISS YOUR CALL AND EMAIL INSTRUCTIONS AND OR INFORMATION NEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Georgetown, TX, USA

problem #75

Jun 292018

Santa Fe

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving on the interstate on Friday, June 29, 2018 in my 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe limited 3.3L V6 and all of a sudden I hear something similar to a shotgun going off & my car began to stall and I noticed smoke & flames from the sideview mirrors as I couldn't see out of the rearview mirror. Luckily no one behind me was injured behind me since engine parts & smoke from the oil pouring out on the side of the block. Once I was able to pull over on the exit ramp I noticed my vehicle was on fire & luckily I was able to extinguish the flames. I called a wrecker service & upon further inspection I noticed a big gaping hole in the engine block. My car was taken to the local dealership crenshaw Hyundai on July 3, where it has remained & no one has contacted me since. I have contacted them on several occasions & have met with the service manager who advised me that Hyundai instructed his team to inspect the vehicle for negligence on my behalf which they did not find and was backed up by all service records.

- Gibsonville, NC, USA

problem #74

Oct 132018

Santa Fe

  • 58,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 55 mph, the contact noticed smoke coming through the air vents. He then observed flames under the hood. A police report was filed. The local fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an auto shop where the contact was informed that the vehicle was a total loss. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #73

Oct 022018

Santa Fe

  • 12,000 miles
I purchased my vehicle 2 weeks ago from Hyundai of columbia in Tennessee when the engine blew I was driving down the highway in Alabama about 65 mph then all of a sudden I hear a sound simular to a fan gaurd pressed up against the blade then what sounded like a cinder block hitting my car the engine stopped and I coasted to the shoulder on the 565. I checked the dipstick the once honey colored oil was black with mettalic and brass colored shavings everywere, I was able to get it towed back to Tennessee. I let the dealership know what happened mike the car salesman said to bring it in so the next day my wife, toddler, and I went to the dealership to have it dropped off originally they didn't help of put in any effort to help us and the salesman was off that day the service advisor brian he said there wasnt any past recalls on this vehicle at least what showed up on their system. My wife looked up VIN history and found that it supposedly had engine work for a recall. The guy still didn't help me even after I told him I will pay to have it diegnosed. Well a few days later corporate called me after I posted this story on thier advertisement they had for a Hyundai sonata fe. Corporate must have called the dealership and this time they were apologetic and friendly they said bring your vehicle back back to us and we'll help you unload it and get it diagnosed. It's almost two weeks and still haven't heard from the dealership nether has Hyundai corporate about the diagnosis. I just hope they fix this issue because my family and I needed a dependable vehicle.

- Shelbyville, TN, USA

problem #72

Aug 302018

Santa Fe

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving approximately 65 mph, a popping noise was heard underneath the hood without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine needed to be inspected by the dealer. The vehicle was taken to lester glenn Hyundai (732-240-8833, located at 386 rte 37 E, toms river, NJ 08753) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall and the warranty was expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

- Point Pleasant Beach, NJ, USA

problem #71

Sep 022018

Santa Fe

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving my 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe had sudden loss of power and noise coming from the engine. Vehicle was pulled off the road and towed to the local Hyundai dealership (clermont, fl). There was no oil spill or leaks on the exterior of the engine. No warning lights came on inside dashboard. How does it go from running fine, to just going up hill and having loss of power, making noise and when towed to the garage engine is blown. 5 years old car with 105000 miles is unacceptable. I hope Hyundai do the correct thing and fix it. The is more than 233 complains about the same problem and I dont see then taking action.

- Winter Garden, FL, USA

problem #70

May 072018

Santa Fe

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to ideal Buick GMC (5871 urbana pike, frederick, md 21704, (240) 575-1847) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V226000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

- Monrovia, MD, USA

problem #69

Jul 202018

Santa Fe

  • 55,950 miles
Vehicle started to shake and a loud rattling noise coming from under the hood just before it died right in traffic, 2013 Hyundai sport 2.0 turbo towed to the dealer whereas the service rep knew immediately what the issue was, hopefully a recall will be issued and problem fixed by Hyundai as there were only 55K miles on the vehicle.

- Berlin, MD, USA

problem #68

May 032018

Santa Fe

  • 102,404 miles
Vehicle cuts off while driving. I was driving 34 mph in the city and vehicle started shaking and then it cut off. This issue almost caused me major accident

- Douglas, GA, USA

problem #67

Apr 042018

Santa Fe

  • 73,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. While the contact's son was driving 5 mph, several warning indicators illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The driver was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to lia Hyundai of enfield (40 palomba dr., enfield, ct 06082, (860) 265-4496) where the contact was informed that the ignition switch and the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. After the repairs, it was discovered that metal shavings were in the oil pan. The contact was informed by Hyundai customer care that the vehicle would be covered per NHTSA campaign number: 17V226000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer provided case number: 11192092. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.

- East Granby, CT, USA

problem #66

Mar 012018

Santa Fe

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 25 mph, the engine seized. The contact had to wait two minutes before it was able to start again. In addition, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle approximately six months ago. The contact called millennium Hyundai at 516-282-3800 and the manufacturer and was informed that the failure was not due to a recall and could not be diagnosed or repaired for free. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 95,000.

- Hempstead, NY, USA

problem #65

Mar 162017

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • miles
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. Consumer writes in regards to metal debris generated from machining operations recall interim notice.

- Carlsbad, CA, USA

problem #64

Jan 032018

Santa Fe

  • 104,000 miles
I was driving the vehicle to work and the engine stops and all the dash lights are on. The vehicle will not even turn over let alone start. I had aaa tow the vehicle to my house and after putting a wrench on the crankshaft pulley bolt and physically trying to turn the motor over I realized the motor is seized. I had noticed after draining my oil during all the prior oil changes, the vehicle was losing oil. There is no signs of the engine leaking oil externally so it has to be an internal malfunction on the engine. Knowing this I would check and add oil as needed between Y oil changes. The engine had plenty of oil before and after the engine failed. Something was wrong with my engine from day one from the factory. I guarantee this engine failed because of the factory that assembled the engine.

- Flint, MI, USA

problem #63

Feb 112018

Santa Fe

  • 159,000 miles
I was driving my 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe had sudden loss of power and noise coming from the engine. Vehicle was pulled off the road and towed to the local Hyundai dealership where all of the service work has been done. They informed me that the engine had blown do to a sudden loss of oil pressure. There was no oil spill or leaks on the exterior of the engine. No warning lights came on inside dashboard. How does it go from running fine, to just going up hill and having loss of power, making noise and when towed to the garage engine is blown.

- Loganton, PA, USA

problem #62

Feb 122017

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • miles
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. Consumer writes in regards to engine shutting off while driving. The consumer stated metal shavings were found in the oil pan and cylinder head. The engine needed to be repaired. The consumer sold the vehicle due to not being able to pay for the repair cost. The manufacturer was notified, but did not offer any assistance. The consumer requested to be reimbursed $14,674.27 for damages and losses.

- Sunrise, FL, USA

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