2013 Hyundai Santa Fe: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 604 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 3 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
604
Complaints
3
Recalls
14
Crash reports
41
Fire reports
13
Injuries
67.2
Severity index
Severity index 67.2 - Medium. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 145 2013 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe ranks 70 of 145 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 52% of its model-year peers. See the full 2013 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 273 | 45.2% |
| STEERING | 95 | 15.7% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 64 | 10.6% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 56 | 9.3% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 53 | 8.8% |
| POWER TRAIN | 52 | 8.6% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 32 | 5.3% |
| SUSPENSION | 23 | 3.8% |
The single most-reported system is ENGINE, cited in 273 of 604 complaints (45.2%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 72 |
| 2014 | 47 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2017 | 41 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 50 |
| 2020 | 57 |
| 2021 | 63 |
| 2022 | 59 |
| 2023 | 58 |
| 2024 | 61 |
| 2025 | 10 |
Complaint volume is broadly steady year over year.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17V358000 | 05/06/2017 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is clo |
| 13V355000 | 12/08/2013 | POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT | Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2013 front wheel drive Santa Fe Sport vehicles manufactured July 13, 2012, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture. |
| 23V651000 | 22/09/2023 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicl |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.