Reliable Auto DB

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe has 605 complaints with NHTSA after 14 years, or 51 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Santa Fe years here — over the median of the other years, which is 28. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Latch, and Axle shaft.

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
Photo by Elise240SX, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

605

Per year

51

Recalls

3

Years on the road

14

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (273 of 605), then Steering (95) and Electrical system (53). Those filings include 14 that report a crash, 41 that report a fire, and 10 that report an injury.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 Santa Fe has 353 complaints, 34 per year, and the 2014 has 493 complaints, 24 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (3)

Recall Brake control module 2023-09-22 · NHTSA campaign 23V651000
Summary 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 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Remedy Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Recall latches, locks, and linkages, hood, latch 2017-06-05 · NHTSA campaign 17V358000
Summary 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 closed.
Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
Recall powertrain, axle assembly, axle shaft 2013-08-12 · NHTSA campaign 13V355000
Summary 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.
Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Custom Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 112.

Complaints by component (605 total)

Engine
273
Steering
95
Electrical system
53
Powertrain
52
Service brakes
45
Fuel and propulsion system
32
Structure
23
Suspension
23
Speed control
21
Hydraulic brakes
18
Exterior lighting
16
Wheels
14
Visibility
11
Electronic stability control (ESC)
10
Fuel system, gasoline
10
Visibility and wipers
10
Seats
9
Engine and engine cooling
6
Air bags
5
Forward collision avoidance
5
Tires
4
Seat belts
3
Back-over prevention
2
Equipment
2
Latches, locks, and linkages
2
Adaptive and mobility equipment
1
Air brakes
1
Fire-related
1
Traction control
1
Show 21 more Show less
Crash-flagged

14

Fire-flagged

41

Injury reports

10

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

4201272201347201431201522201641201729201850201957202063202159202258202361202410202512026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "I was driving my car and my “open” door light came on out of nowhere. When I stopped I got out and closed my door the light turned off. When I was driving again the light came on and when I tried to open my door, it got…"
    Structure · filed 2026-08-16
  • "Burning oil fast has been confirmed. I always go get frequently oil changes and top off Because it burns a lot. I never get a warning lamp When I go toc get my oil service representative tells me my oil is completely…"
    Engine · filed 2025-07-29
  • "While I acknowledge that my vehicle is no longer under warranty, I remain extremely concerned about the excessive oil consumption issue. My vehicle is equipped with the Theta II engine, which has been the subject of…"
    Engine · filed 2025-06-30
  • "While driving to work the gas pedal suddenly would not make the vehicle Excellerate and i was barely able to get the car on the side of the road, when i stopped and turned it off it would not start again. I had it towed…"
    Engine · filed 2025-06-04
  • "2013 Santa Fe burning oil, current with regular maintenance and oil changes. At times will have to top off weekly. Between full oil changes. Doesn’t seem like I should have to do that. My engine could blow if I don’t…"
    Engine · filed 2025-05-30

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Santa Fe two-wheel drive 3.3L, 6-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 18 25 21 MPG $3100
Santa Fe four-wheel drive 3.3L, 6-cyl Automatic 6-speed Four-wheel drive 18 24 20 MPG $3250
Santa Fe Sport two-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 21 29 24 MPG $2700
Santa Fe Sport two-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 20 27 23 MPG $2800
Santa Fe Sport four-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Four-wheel drive 19 24 21 MPG $3100
Santa Fe Sport four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Four-wheel drive 20 26 22 MPG $2950

Specs and fitment

3rd generation (DM), 2012–2018
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-20 or 5W-30 (2.4L and 3.3L V6 per manual) , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 235/60R18 to 235/55R19 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 5,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 17V358000. 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 closed. If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.

Compare

Previous year 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Next year 2014 Hyundai Santa Fe See every Hyundai Santa Fe model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe has 605 complaints with NHTSA after 14 years, or 51 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Santa Fe years here — over the median of the other years, which is 28. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Latch, and Axle shaft.

What are common problems with a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (273 of 605), then Steering (95) and Electrical system (53). Those filings include 14 that report a crash, 41 that report a fire, and 10 that report an injury.

Is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 Santa Fe has 353 complaints, 34 per year, and the 2014 has 493 complaints, 24 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe been recalled?

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Owners have filed 605 complaints about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is 21.8 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Santa Fe take?

5W-20 or 5W-30 (2.4L and 3.3L V6 per manual)

What does NHTSA recall 17V-358 cover on the Hyundai Santa Fe?

NHTSA campaign 17V358000.

What generation is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?

3rd generation (DM) (2012-2018).