10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 24
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
47,015 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 3 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #208

Dec 132022

Santa Fe

  • 128,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. An unknown dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Burlington, NJ, USA

problem #207

Dec 192022

Santa Fe

  • miles
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited FWD bought 6/1/22. We bought the car used at 89,000 miles and drove it to 100,000 miles. On 12/19/22 this incident occurred. On the freeway, at speed, I experienced a sudden engine failure/loss. No warning lights prior to this loss and the car had no previous mechanical issues. Acceleration was lost with no warning, no light or indication that something was (going) wrong. I was able to coast to a stop on the side of the road. Once safely off the road I inspected the vehicle for damage, found none and opened the hood. I found no oil on the dipstick, Oil changed 3000 miles before, no interior dash warning about low/no oil. Luckily this was not during rush hour traffic or bumper to bumper where it could have completely died on me in a traveling lane and been a hazard to other drivers. Waited 3 hours for a tow and it is currently sitting at the repair shop where they provided a confirmation that the engine is seized and will need to be completely replaced. Insurance Appraiser was out Friday (12/23) at the Repair shop to look at the vehicle. Repair cost is more than the car is worth and Hyundai Warranty/Recalls are not applicable to the 3.3L V6 Engines which is what our model car has.

- Carmichael, CA, USA

problem #206

Nov 102022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Hernstine Hyundai of chillicothe Ohio refused to replace my engine after it failed the inspection when I took it to have the recalls repaired and a week later my engine blew up going 65 on the highway on my way home almost causing me to get into an accident

- Chillicothe , OH, USA

problem #205

Sep 232022

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • miles

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

Driving at approx. 55 mph on busy 2-way road when the engine stopped completely. There were vehicles all around me when I lost power brakes, power steering and nearly lost control. There was no prior warning. I managed to get off the road into a field. Towed to service station. They thought engine had failed but it was too big a job for them. Then had it towed to the nearest Hyundai dealer in Augusta, ME. They checked it and agreed the engine had simply frozen. According to the dealer 2 days later, Hyundai agreed that the engine had to be replaced and was covered under warranty. They have offered a rental car until the car is repaired. Dealer estimated to be 10/14/22. The dealer has been a pleasure to deal with but my problem is that this seems to be a very common issue with 2013 Hyundai Sports vehicles. After checking several websites there seem to be dozens of these incidents reported and probably many more unreported. We were very fortunate to not be in a severe accident. It seems just a matter of time before someone is killed because of this vehicle malfunction. Hyundai should have a complete recall.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #204

Jul 182022

Santa Fe

  • miles
* Vehicle started blowing smoke out of the tailpipe, was losing power and began to stall out, the vehicle is available for inspection and is located at my local dealership * Vehicle began to lose power and started stalling out as I was driving which could have caused an accident * The problem was reproduced by both an independent service center and the Hyundai dealership; both indicated the engine needs to be replaced * Vehicle has been inspected and tested by an independent service center and the Hyundai dealership; both indicated the engine needs to be replaced * There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the problem occurring * There is a safety recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V-226) for this very issue * The dealership claims they ran the diagnostics and the vehicle is considered to be operating at a functional level and is outside of the parameters set by Hyundai for an engine replacement even though they agreed the vehicle can not be driven in its current condition and that the engine needs to be replaced * Hyundai is refusing to replace the engine * It is questionable as to whether or not the dealership conducted a proper inspection according to Hyundai's "Recall 162 Dealer Best Practices Guide" (which required testing to be conducted and results to be uploaded to HMA via utilization of the GDS mobile tablet) and Technical Service Bulleting (TSB) #17-01-047 for this recall which was published on 6/23/17 as they are is unwilling or unable to supply any testing results or parameters and did not replace the dipstick, oil or oil filter as the recall service requires *Vehicle has been at the dealership since it was towed there on 8/11/22 and we have not had use of it since 7/18/22

- Rio Rancho, NM, USA

problem #203

Sep 142022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Engine light blinking and engine knocking

- Orlando , FL, USA

problem #202

Sep 092022

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • miles

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

The engine won-€™t start. The car just shut down. While drive there was a sluggish feel in the car engine. The battery in the car is good. There power everywhere in car except for the engine. The engine shutdown with no warning lights or signals at all. Had the car towed back to Family Hyundai Dealer in Tinley Park Illinois on Friday 9/19/22. Received no results as of yet from the service department. Still waiting on results of why the engine shutdown suddenly.

- River Forest , IL, USA

problem #201

Jul 042022

Santa Fe

  • miles
A knocking noise from the engine that increases in frequency as the engine rpm increases. Reduced power and/or hesitation and vibration. Illumination of the -€œcheck engine-€ light in the instrument cluster. Illumination of the -€œengine oil pressure-€ warning lamp.

- Olive Branch, MS, USA

problem #200

May 252022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Every time u start my car if knocks don-€™t matter if the engine is hot or cold and even after u change the oil

- Hulen, KY, USA

problem #199

Aug 052022

Santa Fe

  • miles
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 #198

Jul 282022

Santa Fe

  • miles

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

While driving for approximately 4 hours I heard a loud pop and the car shut off with no warning. Smoke began to come from under the hood and as I opened the hood you can see a small fire coming from underneath the engine. Luckily I was able to put out the fire and had the car towed to a mechanic who informed me that I had a hole in my engine block. Had vehicle towed to dealership and contacted Hyundai about issue. I-€™m told their was a recall but I never received notice. There-€™s a case being investigated by Hyundai but as of now no details. Vehicle remains at dealership until further notice.

- Danville, VA, USA

problem #197

Jul 302022

Santa Fe

  • miles
My car shut completely off while turning at the traffic light.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #196

Jun 262022

Santa Fe

  • miles
my car is burning oil i change the oil often and after a oil change it burns about 1 to 2 quarts every 2000 miles. at 108,000 mile i had a tune up plugs coil packs and fuel injectors my car was putting a code for misfire in 3 and it was cleared after the tune up. then 4 weeks later #4 was misfiring the car is burning more oil and smoking and the knocking and ticking nosie is coming from the car the car doesnt want to start and it vibrates. if you goto drive it feels terrible and unsafe the engine light is on steady i called the hyundai dealer they said there was a engine recall on certian motels my car is in that recall. i have no use of my car and the engine needs to be replaced and the dealer said they have to try to appove it. im out the use of my only car and still have payments to make on it and insurence i have no public transportation in the poconos and im stuck no help from the 3 dealers no loaner car avaible even after the manufacture said they should supply a loaner car. no one is helpng me expidite this issue they are selling cars with dangours engines risking being stuck and blowing up the motor. numoruos people have been gong to the local news channels for help and some are waiting months to get approved for new engines i need my car im spending $400 per month for a car i can't use.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #195

Jul 172022

Santa Fe

  • miles
This car has 81K miles on it and the engine started knocking, no engine light nor oil light came on. The car stalled a couple of times at a red light. I dropped the car off at my local repair shop and they said it had very little oil in it and advised me to take it to a Hyundai dealer. I have video of the dash showing no lights ever came on. The dealership confirmed it had very little oil in it and no dash lights were on and advised me to call Hyundai to see about getting a replacement motor. I had the oil changed at the dealership and drove the car home. The engine was still knocking very badly and the engine ended up seizing up and the car shut down and isn't working now. I'm waiting on Hyundai to call me back. This is evidently a known problem with these cars/engines and they've had numerous class action lawsuits but haven't done an official recall. This is unacceptable. I realize the government has fined them as well but more needs to be done.

- Maumee, OH, USA

problem #194

Jul 062022

Santa Fe

  • miles
I bought the vehicle 2 months ago, and 2 weeks ago, I noticed the car was shaking when I applied the brakes. The engine light came on and I took it to the shop, and was told I needed a new engine.

- Oakland , CA, USA

problem #193

Feb 262022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Car is consuming oil extensively between oil changes. Car was not accelerating properly and check engine went on. Car had very little oil and was not scheduled for an oil change for another 1k miles.

- Mundelein, IL, USA

problem #192

Mar 222022

Santa Fe

  • miles
The engine stopped on me in a traffic lane. The check engine light came on and the oil light. I had to sit in the traffic lane until a tow truck arrived. I had it towed to my mechanic, they said there was an issue in cylinder 1. I had it towed to Auto Nation Hyundai in Savannah, a month later they told me the car had carbon build up from using ethanol gas. They said it is regular maintenance and would cost $1600. This car only has 117,000 miles. I have had cars I drove up to 250,000 miles and did not have this issue. I had the car towed to Auto Nation in South Carolina, they said I need a new intake manifold and a new exhaust manifold. The only thing both places said were the spark plugs. I told them I could not afford $13,000 to replace the spark plugs. They called me back and stated that changing the spark plugs will do no good the car has no compression. I said, oh I did not know you did the compression test. I have spoken to a case manager at Hyundai, they are refusing to pay, saying the car is not under the extended warranty and that these are not the parts covered. I guess they are trying to say it is normal wear and tear and 117,000 miles are high miles. But in reality, the spark plug had no gap so it is likely pieces of metal in the engine component and Hyundai is not repairing cars that are a hazard. I would venture to guess that I am not the only one.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #191

Jun 292022

Santa Fe

  • miles
The engine light came on, a loud sound is coming from the engine. I took my car to the mechanic and they mentioned there are metal shaving in the oil from the engine. I know of one other person who has the same issue and numerous others on google with the problem.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #190

Jun 132022

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • miles
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. Consumer writes in regard to engine issues. The consumer stated the engine light illuminated after having been replaced under recall. The consumer was informed that the vehicle was not under warranty, but the consumer believed the engine should have been covered.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #189

Feb 222022

Santa Fe

  • miles
While driving my kids to school, I was attempting to speed up on highway and could not. I was less than a mile away when I could feel the car dying. Luckily it was just as I coasted into the school drop off line, but engine failed and would not start. First of course we attempted to charge battery but eventually realized it was not the the battery. I have contacted my local Hyundai dealer and am getting it towed to service department. I wanted to report this because what if I and my kids were on the interstate at 70mph and my engine seized with no warning lights or indications there was a problem. We could-€™ve very easily been inured or killed. Scary stuff!

- Branch, LA, USA

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