10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,006 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #46

Sep 222023

Santa Fe

  • miles

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

Please reference NHTSA recall number 23V651000. I am registering a complaint because the manufacturer has failed to remedy this safety issue in a timely manner. It is a fire hazard. Our vehicle is among the affected. This needs to be rectified immediately.

- Akron, OH, USA

problem #45

Jan 282024

Santa Fe

  • miles
Burning smell and smoke. No oil leak. Car will not start. I do not have another vehicle to use. I have 2 young children

- Lake Mary, FL, USA

problem #44

Aug 252023

Santa Fe

  • miles
The ABS sensor failed on my vehicle, causing it to no longer accelerate past 20 mph on the highway. This put my safety at risk, as well as my passengers and others on the road because it happened suddenly while I was on the highway. My car could no longer accelerate suddenly while all cars around me were traveling at high speeds. The ABS light came on my dash, as well as the traction control and incline warning. I can no longer drive my vehicle so it has not been inspected yet.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #43

Sep 302023

Santa Fe

  • miles

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

Hyundai has not yet come up with a remedy. There is conflicting information about whether car is drivable considering fire can occur while in operation. I have read some information to suggest it can be driven until ABS warning light comes on however that information is not included in recall notice. Would NHTSA be able to confirm we can drive the vehicle if ABS light is not on" Have contacted Hyundai and there is still no remedy. No offer of compensation, buy back or loaner. Note while we can park our vehicle outside, it is not at all reasonable to suggest it be parked away from buildings. That suggests we could be held liable if the car catches fire and nearby structures catch fire. Cars would have to be parked in a field or vacant lot somewhere far and away from any home or business, rendering the vehicle not usable. I noticed there was a recall issued in 2022 for THE SAME DEFECT but affecting a smaller number of vehicles. So this ABS electrical issue has been in effect in actuality, since 2022. How long does a manufacturer have to find the remedy and repair a vehicle once a recall is issued? I do not feel safe driving my vehicle nor having parked in front of my home and in my neighborhood. The local dealership and Hyundai customer service has told me it-??s OK to drive the car but again, I don-??t find that information anywhere in the notice. If that were the case, wouldn-??t the notice say so? Oh - I was going to sell my car to replace it and no one wants to buy it in light of this recall. Help" Thank you!

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #42

Oct 202023

Santa Fe

  • miles
My car engine compartment fire while parked in front of my condo

- Coral Spring, FL, USA

problem #41

Apr 202023

Santa Fe

  • miles
Issue # 1 - Door open light flashing on instrumental panel. I checked out the door and it was closed tightly. It continues to flash today (09/13/2023). During the end of April 2023, I could not lock my doors and the interior dome light stayed on. I was not aware of this and it drained my battery a couple of times in which my vehicle would not start. I now keep my interior dome light in the "Off' position. Now, when I drive at night, it get in and out of a dark vehicle. This is a safety concern since I am a female and I care for my disabled mother. I also cannot keep my doors locked when I am driving due to this issue. For safety reasons, I prefer to drive with my doors locked and I am unable to due this. I took it to the dealer and they believe the door actuator is the root cause. They gave me an estimate of $850 for parts and labor. I declined the repair, I thought it is too costly. Issue # 2 - Air Conditioner stops blowing cold and starts blowing nothing but hot air. This started in July of 2022. The AC works intermittently. I believe the blower needs to be replaced.

- Diamondhead, MS, USA

problem #40

Aug 052022

Santa Fe

  • miles

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

While driving vehicle on freeway car stalled and would not accelerate. Car was then pulled over to side of road.Turned vehicle off now it will not turn back on. This almost cause accident on freeway.

- Aurora , OR, USA

problem #39

Jul 292022

Santa Fe

  • miles
The light will indicate that the driver door is opened when it is closed. Which is causing the alarm to go off randomly and it-€™s draining my battery completely. I just bought a new battery in June 2022 and when I went to start my car today it wouldn-€™t start. Something is not connected properly but I don-€™t know what it is.

- Gallatin , TN, USA

problem #38

Oct 302021

Santa Fe

  • miles
When the cruise control shuts down, the tachometer cuts out and the vehicle seems to go into limp mode. Brightening or dimming the headlights causes an intermittent bright flash to the interior lights. This could be potentially dangerous seeing as you have no acceleration, which could cause very extensive damage to person and property. The intermittent bright flash could be a result of an unregulated power surge, which could cause damage to person and property.

- Pinola, MS, USA

problem #37

Feb 082022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Have had a recurring issue with the airbag light illuminating. This has been ongoing since 2 years post purchase. Have had airbag replaced, multiple fuses, wiring harness replacement. All repairs end with the light returning. Am unsure of the reliability of the airbag in the event of a crash.

- Missouri City, TX, USA

problem #36

Jun 292021

Santa Fe

  • miles

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

My vehicle had been stalling on I assign for a couple of months until one day in June 2021 it wouldn-€™t start at all. I got a new battery installed and assumed that all was well. Weeks later, I was in route to visit family when my ABS, traction, and down hill break lights all came on. I pulled over and tried cutting my car off and on a few times to see if that would resolve the issue and it did not. My car also seemed to slow down a bit and struggled slightly accelerating up hills. In 2019 my turbo engine was replaced after my vehicle stopped accelerating while I was on the interstate. There is currently a recall on 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe-€™s that reads: -€œ Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short-€¦ If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.-€œ unfortunately my VIN is not included in the recall and I fear my car may catch fire any day now as a result of this failure.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #35

May 012020

Santa Fe

  • miles
In May 2020 the vehicle started experiencing an issue that would constantly put it in limp mode. Took it in at an automotive place and they replaced it with a brand new computer. A few days later, the issue happened again. Took it back. They could not determine the problem and said we should bring it to the local Hyundai dealership in Naples, FL. Hyundai dealership in Naples, FL swore up and down it was the brake pedal assembly. Trusted their judgment and replaced it. Not even a few days later, car goes back into limp mode. Take it back to the local Hyundai dealership. They swear up and down it is now the tracking device on the vehicle. So between the warranty company, the dealership we bought the car from and the local Hyundai dealership we get the tracking device reinstalled. We take the car not even a few days later car goes back into limp mode. We dealt with this issue since May 2020-September 2020 at the local Hyundai dealership. They finally disconnected the tracking device. Now mind you the limp mode issues with the vehicle only happen when it is raining. In our dry season we experience no issues. Fast forward to June 2021 limp mode issues have returned since we are now in our rainy season. Local Hyundai dealership swore up and down again it is the tracking device. I had advised them it is impossible since they unplugged it and this issue only happens in the rain. They still swore it was the tracking device. They finally got the vehicle really wet and they finally were able to see what we were talking about. So now they changed their professional opinion that it is the wiring harness. Apparently this vehicle has two different wiring harnesses. So they are suggesting we replace both, but they can't guarantee that will work. So it appears they really do not know what is wrong with the car. If it was truly wiring then why would it only malfunction in the rain and not when it is dry? How is rain getting getting under the hood and through the protective component

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #34

Apr 212021

Santa Fe

  • miles
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.

- Boulder, CO, USA

problem #33

Jun 022021

Santa Fe

  • miles
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.

- Holt, MI, USA

problem #32

Jan 302021

Santa Fe

  • 68,900 miles
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.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #31

Jan 142021

Santa Fe

  • 130,000 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.

- Mechanicsvlle, VA, USA

problem #30

Jan 052021

Santa Fe

  • 115,000 miles
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.

- Sunland Park,, NM, USA

problem #29

Dec 012020

Santa Fe

  • 130,000 miles
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.

- Ladson, SC, USA

problem #28

Nov 232020

Santa Fe

  • 95,600 miles
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.

- Winter Springs, FL, USA

problem #27

Aug 232020

Santa Fe

  • 25 miles
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.

- Rex, GA, USA

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