The Lemon Index2013 Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is worse than average by owner complaints: 176 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 163, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 20 to 24 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Santa Fe year is 2016.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2013–2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, 21.9M views. The 2013 is the same generation.
- Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
How to Replace Headlight Bulbs - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)Virar Automotive · 354K views · 6 videos - Transmission & shifter501K views
How to change the transmission fluid on a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2WDVlad S · 281K views · 3 videos - Driveshaft, axles & 4x4480K views
2016 Hyundai Santa Fe 4x4 - Offroad Demo RunAutoXan · 480K views - Brakes & ABS397K views
Replace Brake Light Bulb - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)Virar Automotive · 196K views · 4 videos
Show 4 more
- Infotainment, battery & electrical190K views
![How to [EASILY] Replace the Battery - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bohu2M2cwkE/mqdefault.jpg)
How to [EASILY] Replace the Battery - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)Virar Automotive · 112K views · 2 videos - Windows, doors & mirrors157K views
REPAIRING broken lower door molding garnish 2014 hyundai santa fe 877222W000CALive Free · 157K views - Oil changes & service75K views
How to Change Engine Oil 2013-2018 Hyundai Santa FeTRQ · 75K views - Timing chain & engine75K views
![How to Check and Fill Fluids [COMPLETE GUIDE] - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q0OkNUpu1gw/mqdefault.jpg)
How to Check and Fill Fluids [COMPLETE GUIDE] - Hyundai Santa Fe (2013-2018)Virar Automotive · 75K views
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Hyundai Santa Fe SUV 3rd Generation 2013-181A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 1.0M views
2016 Kia Sorento vs. Hyundai Santa Fe Mashup Drag Race ReviewThe Fast Lane Car · 1.2M views
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD on & off-road ReviewThe Fast Lane Car · 612K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 805 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Santa Fe year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 17K to 100K miles on the car (478 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 56K–115K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 0K–69K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 22K–98K miles
Recalls 7
- brakes 2023
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.
- brakes 2021
Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
- brakes 2020
Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short.
Show all 7 recalls
- engine 2018
The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
- latches/locks/linkages 2017
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.
- engine 2017
Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
- transmission & drivetrain 2013
Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 219 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Due to restriction of internal fuel feed tube, check engine light will illuminate with fuel
- The shift lever on some 6-speed vehicles may intermittently not shift out of park
- The MDPS (motor driven power steering) assembly contains a flexible rubber coupling which may…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
- ClosedEngine fires2021–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2700–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Car wanders from left to right, constantly having to correct steering.
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe owner · NHTSA complaint 10597856
More owner reports
Vehicle drifts side to side while driving above 50 mph. Requires constant steering wheel correction which becomes very annoying & mentally & physically exhausting for trips exceeding 20 miles.
NHTSA complaint 10548599
Steering is very problematic. The cars drifts and it is a constant challenge to keep in a straight line.
NHTSA complaint 10498189
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 163; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Santa Fe year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (30%), engine (19%) and transmission & drivetrain (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
7 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
20 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 17,900 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 65,100 miles, from 478 complaints.
Does the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe cost in fuel a year?
About $2700 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Santa Fe year is better than the 2013?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works