2013 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 279 of 605 complaints (46%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more reported injuries (4) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 353 in 2012 to 605 in 2013.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | vs. 2013 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–2,950 | 2,700–2,950 | 2,600–3,100 | 2,700–3,300 | 2,700–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–23 | 21–23 | 20–24 | 19–23 | 19–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–20 / 25–27 | 19–20 / 25–27 | 18–21 / 24–29 | 17–20 / 22–27 | 17–20 / 22–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–423 | 386–423 | 375–443 | 387–478 | 387–476 | |
| Complaints filed | 181 | 353 | 605 | 493 | 254 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 12 | 25 | 14 | 16 | 9 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 17 | 41 | 30 | 13 | |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 10 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Engine: 279 of 605 NHTSA complaints (46%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
EPA rates it 20–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?
EPA estimates $2,600–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 21 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 375 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 396 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 406 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 426 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 18 mpg (low) | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 432 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.3L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 443 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 279 | 2 | 27 | 3 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 52 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 42 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 53 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 72 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 95 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 40 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 28 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 32 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 35 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 60 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · Campaign 23V651000 · Sep 25, 2023
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH · Campaign 17V358000 · Jun 6, 2017
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT · Campaign 13V355000 · Aug 15, 2013
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, it may roll away. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
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.