10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,322 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #30

Mar 312019

Santa Fe

  • 131,000 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 they would hear a knocking coming from the engine of the vehicle and the check 20V1442th smoke beng seen due to a fuel injector failure. The contact stated that excessive smoke would come out from the exhaust of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the alternator and fuel injector failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failures continued. The contact took the vehicle to the dealership (huntington beach Hyundai address: 16751 beach blvd, huntington beach, ca 92647 phone: (714) 594-5604) who diagnosed the vehicle with the diagnostic code failure: P0299, which, states that the vehicle's under boost turbocharger had failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle had not ben repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case regarding the matter. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000.

- Murrieta, CA, USA

problem #29

Feb 062020

Santa Fe

  • 111,000 miles
My car keeps turning on and off. As of recently the lights came on and off inside the car( radio, lights, ) then the steering wheel locked up but the gas was still able to be used. The ABS, steering wheel, and SUV indicators were red on the dashboard

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #28

Nov 062019

Santa Fe

  • 90,000 miles
Hyundai continues to have ongoing major issues with the fwd transmission all types and largely most of its model brands. The point is that even under 100kmiles they refuse to assist in the cost for repairs...

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #27

Apr 012019

Santa Fe

  • 5 miles

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

My car has been stalling every time I start it. It's been happening since April and I just bought it in September.

- Springfield, MO, USA

problem #26

Aug 062019

Santa Fe

  • 87,000 miles
Recall 112 for Hyundai Santa Fe SUV. My car has had its front axel pop out of the transmission twice in less than 2 years and there are also metal shavings in the transmission. The recall 112 would address these issues, however Hyundai has taken the position that my VIN is not covered by the recall. The axel popped out both times while driving with my wife and kids in the car leaving them stranded. This is a huge safety concern as we are fortunate that they have not been hurt do to this issue yet. If safety is a concern for Hyundai the NHTSA should looking into expanding the recall to account for all cars that have this defect in the axel and transmission. I am looking for help or council to keep Hyundai accountable for manufacturing defects.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

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problem #25

Jun 142019

Santa Fe

  • 166,000 miles
On several occasions the car, while in motion, feels like it downshifts causing driver and occupants to be pushed forward in the vehicle. The car has also failed to respond when accelerator depressed while car was already in motion. After coming to a stop, vehicle completely shut off.

- Wetumpka, AL, USA

problem #24

Dec 242018

Santa Fe

  • 106,000 miles

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

Takata recall - on 12/24/18 I was driving with my young kids in the car and we heard a loud boom and crazy sounds. We pulled over and had the car towed after my dad said the rear differential was completely blown apart. The dealership said theyve never seen such a thing and thought for sure Hyundai would repair with a good will repair but Hyundai declined it. Upon googling I found out this is a common problem and ive ever brought the car to Hyundai four times for the sounds and was told it was the ac.

- Sussex, NJ, USA

problem #23

Apr 192018

Santa Fe

  • miles
Tires wore premature and it was determined to be the front left hub bearing at 41696 miles.we had been hearing a thumping noise and it slowly worsened over time. Took it back for another noise in the rear end. Hyundai determined it to be the coupler and axles that had failed. Service person said it could have locked up and caused further damage. Also the upper and lower ac lines went bad and needed to be replaced. Service person said we have been getting three to five a week.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

problem #22

Jun 302017

Santa Fe

  • 63,701 miles
Takata recall. Religiously in for routine oil change and maintenance, not due for an oil change for 1200 more miles. The vehicle sat for 7 days while I was on vacation, ran fine before it sat. Drove the vehicle for 4 days after returning from vacation. About 6pm coming home from work, opposite from rush hour traffic. I suddenly heard slight ticking sound when I pressed on the gas to accelerate quickly getting on to the highway, I also noticed the rpms were high and not much power behind accelerating. Drove about 10-15 miles, ticking got louder when accelerating until there was a constant ticking and rattle in the front end. Parked the car let it sit for a night. Went to take it to the garage, upon starting the car there was ticking from under the hood, rattleling, and shaking, turned the vehicle right off. No check engine light, no low oil light, no dash notification lights light up indicating anything was wrong, temperature seemed normal. Popped the hood to check fliuds. Checked oil dipstick, dry as dry could be. No coolant, no oil. Have to have it towed to the dealership, afraid engine is shot! if I was to continue to drive the vehicle it could have seized up in the middle of the highway, causing an accident or loss of control. I am thankful my 17 year old was not behind the wheel. I am sure a heafty engine replacement bill is coming my way.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #21

Feb 142016

Santa Fe

  • 32,000 miles
After accelerating from a stop light, turning left onto a two lane 35mph road, the car seemed to downshift and would not respond to the accelerator. It continued to move forward at no more than 10-15mph jerking and lunging up a hill, causing a hazard for approaching cars. The AWD light came on along with another light pertaining to the drivetrain/axle. We were able to continue a few hundred yards until a safe spot to pull over was found. The roadside assist tech suspected there may be water in the fuel system, however when loading the car onto the truck, noticed the jerking motion and insisted it should be brought in for inspection. In our first conversation with the mechanic he mentioned recalls on the vehicle. We said that we had just purchased the car after lease, 2 months prior, and during that process we asked about recalls and were told there were none.

- Mount Kisco, NY, USA

problem #20

Aug 092015

Santa Fe

  • 59,000 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 the vehicle rolled down the driveway without being prompted. The vehicle rolled over the contact's arm and caused second degree burns. Medical attention was required. The issue recurred, but the contact was able to depress the brake pedal and stop the vehicle the second time. In addition, the contact stated that a passenger became trapped in the vehicle while it rolled down the driveway into the yard of another person's residence the first time. The vehicle was diagnosed, but the dealer could not repair the vehicle without it being inspected. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 59,000.

- Marlboro, NJ, USA

problem #19

Jan 132015

Santa Fe

  • 37,854 miles
The steering wheel vibrate in every condition of road and the vehicle some times take to the left side.

- Aguada, PR, USA

problem #18

Aug 222014

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • 6,000 miles
I've had a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe gls for about six months (purchased new on 3/3/14). Several weeks ago around 8/22/14), when I tried to rapidly accelerate on to the interstate from the on ramp, the engine revved up to 8-9K RPM but it felt like the clutch/transmission never engaged and I could not accelerate. After letting my foot off the gas and retrying, the car 'bucked' and eventually, I was able to accelerate at a slower rate. This continued to happen several times over the next week. I took the car in for service and was able to demonstrate the problem to the mechanic. I was initially told it was the high resistance fuel pump which was replaced but as soon as I left the dealership and tested the car, the same issue happened. I brought the car back and a week later, they've told me it is the low-resistance fuel pump and fuel line. I am very concerned that they keep replacing parts without any improvement in the vehicle. I have not made any changes to the way I drive the vehicle and this was definitely not happening the first five months that we owned the vehicle.

- Avondale Estates, GA, USA

problem #17

Jun 012014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 7,500 miles
Santa Fe V6 limited AWD. Intermittent clunking noise from transaxle when turning left or right. Mostly occurs on warm days. Concerned tranny might fail at high speed and cause accident.

- East Northport, NY, USA

problem #16

Sep 032013

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 3,500 miles
When taking off from stop or traffic signal, making left turn, vehicle rear end ( sounds like rear end or AWD) makes thumping, slipping, bumping noise which can be felt through out vehicle. First noticed about 3000 miles. Thought it may be a normal condition for an AWD vehicle, but the condition has progressively gotten worse! taken to dealer 2 time now, they state they can not find any problem, they replaced the trans fluid, the rear diff fluid, but it is still getting worse! service manager went for ride with me after stating he could not feel the condition on vehicle, but he only drove vehicle in parking lot of dealership. I told him it happens when turning at lights or stop signs...he was driving straight. On our test drive together, he definitely felt what I was talking about, asked his shop foreman to get in vehicle with us, he felt the condition as well, but said he did not know what it could be. They kept vehicle for 2 days, replaced transmission fluid, read differential fluid and a few other items, gave vehicle back, and asked me to see if doing this helped rectify the problem.....it has not, contacted Hyundai, got a claim #, and was told to take vehicle to another dealership to have them look at vehicle.... vehicle currently has 9000 miles and just turned 1 year old since new. We bought this Santa Fe to replace a 2008 that had similar trans/AWD issues, that left us stranded 3 times on the side of I-95 (trans & AWD blew up on us driving to Florida keys on I-95 at 70 mph) in fall of 2012.....after dealer in jacksonville attempted repairs from first breakdown. Unfortunately, Florida does not sell AWD vehicles, and apparently they do not know how to fix these things.

- Arbutus, MD, USA

problem #15

Sep 232013

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • miles
My father received a recall letter 9/23/13 from Hyundai on his new 2013 Santa Fe sport regarding the right front axle shaft and that it could fracture. Camp112. He called his dealer on 9/24/13 to schedule the replacement work. They were out of the part. He followed up again 10/17/13. My father got ill after the holidays. I found the recall paperwork and tried to schedule the repair, in March 2014. They still did not have the part. My mom called again in April. They still do not have the part. My mom opened a case number with huyndai at that time. I have just called to schedule the repair and they still do not have a part. They say it is a national back order. My complaint is how can something that is recalled with a significant safety issue associated with it, be allowed to continue with no replacement part for 8+ months" this is not a window that will not roll down. Based on the information I can find there are 20,000 vehicles that have this issue and in 8 months they can't seem to supply adequate replacement parts. While the recall has not indicated any deaths, I am concerned because of how the issue is explained. It occurs suddenly, and the driver will lose ability to steer. My mother is not someone, who while driving on the highway will be able to control this car if this occurs. I would be happy if this would just get taken care of but the service manager at red hoagland and the case worker at Hyundai just say sorry but there is nothing they can do. At this point my mom doesn't feel like she can drive the car any distance for fear that this issue will arise. Is Hyundai not accountable to get these parts and keep their customers informed and safe. 8 months of back order is not acceptable. What will it take for this issue to be addressed"

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #14

Sep 302013

Santa Fe

  • miles
My 1 year old Hyundai Santa Fe started making faint knocking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle about 6 months ago, which has now become more noticeable and persistent when cornering at slow speeds (parking lots and winding roads), or going over a dip in the road at higher speeds. It sounds like a single clunk with slight feedback in the steering wheel, when turning the steering wheel, and I have recently discovered that right front axle can be moved side to side by hand with wheels on the ground which also produces knocking sound. Car taken to two different dealership on three separate occasions, but each time unable to locate the source of the problem even after duplicating the knocking for technicians. Vehicle looked over each time with front suspension and steering found to be in good condition with no apparent damage, and tightening both front axle bolts, but the knocking still persists. Dealership advisors and mechanics are always very helpful, and assured me that vehicle is safe to drive and axle side to side movement is normal, but since knocking is becoming very apparent even when cornering on level roads, I am very concerned about vehicle safety. I have driven number of different vehicles and have never experienced issue like this, which makes me feel uneasy when driving the vehicle in fear that something may go terribly wrong, and at this point I am simply not sure which action to take.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #13

Feb 032014

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • 10,000 miles
Car seemed to buck while driving in low gear. Took it to dealer and they replaced the differential. 4 days later the symptoms have reappeared. Concerned about recalls and bad transmission. Car purchased Aug 19, 2013.

- South Charleston, WV, USA

problem #12

Sep 152013

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated the recall under NHTSA campaign number: 13V355000 (power train) had surpassed the reasonable time for repair. The manufacturer and dealer were contacted and stated the parts were not available for repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- The Villages, FL, USA

problem #11

Sep 102013

Santa Fe

  • miles
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13V355000 (power train) however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The dealer was unable to provide an expected date for the part to become available. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Winter Haven , FL, USA

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