2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Cooling system
  2

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  22%
• 25k–50k
  911%
• 50k–75k
  1620%
• 75k–100k
  2025%
• 100k–150k
  2430%
• 150k+
  1012%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the odor of gasoline was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. While driving approximately 25 MPH, flames were present coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was parked and quickly became engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the fire. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed along was personal items inside. A fire report was taken at the scene that indicated the fire had originated in the engine compartment of the vehicle. The cause of the fire was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the fire. The contact indicated that the vehicle was recently serviced at the local dealer for a manufacture's campaign P-1326. The failure mileage was 159,000.

The contact owned a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, he detected fumes inside the vehicle and saw black smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated he was able to coast to the side of the roadway; however, upon exiting the vehicle, the contact saw flames coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that the California Highway Patrol extinguished the fire. Neither a Fire nor a Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

I was driving on March 20, 2026 at about 12:00 PM when I suddenly noticed smoke, a strong gasoline smell, an oil smell, and a burning odor coming from the vehicle. I pulled over immediately because I believed the vehicle was unsafe and at risk of fire. The vehicle had to be towed. An independent repair shop later found a fuel leak at the high-pressure fuel line / fuel pump area, a loose ground wire on the right-hand side of the engine, a valve cover gasket leak, and engine timing chain noise. I was informed that gasoline had sprayed throughout the engine bay. This created an immediate fire hazard even though no actual fire occurred. This problem was especially concerning because the vehicle had been inspected and serviced by an authorized Hyundai dealer in December 2025, less than about 3,000 miles earlier. …

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking abnormally. Additionally, the contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle responded after several attempts and was significantly sluggish while responding. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the engine was replaced under an unknown recall; however, the contact stated that the vehicle had stalled several times while driving. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart within 45 minutes after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. Additionally, the contact stated that the air conditioning system was inoperable. …

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure and waste gauge. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the original engine was previously replaced under an unknown recall repair in 2021, however the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the mileage of the new engine was approximately 20,000. In addition, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the doors were independently unlatched. The contact stated that the driver's side rear door independently unlatched and independently opened. …

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The engine warning light, battery, and ABS warning lights illuminated, with another unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle returned to function as intended; however, the failure recurred a short distance afterwards. The contact was able to pull over to a rest area and the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who confirmed that the engine had seized, and metal shavings were found in the oil. The dealer declined to perform the repair. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The contact advised that the vehicle never passed inspection. …

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an unknown dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V226000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the dealer charged a fee for the diagnostic testing. The contact declined to pay the fee and towed the vehicle to her residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, who informed the contact that there was sludge in the engine and charged a fee for additional diagnostic tests. The contact declined to pay the fee. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds, an abnormal knocking sound was heard coming from under the hood while the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the steering wheel would shudder. The Check engine oil warning light illuminated. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHSTA Campaign: 17V226000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it remains for further investigation; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to a lack of maintenance records, and the recall repairs were rejected. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the recall repairs were performed under previous ownership; however, the recall repairs were not completed. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V226000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact was informed that the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the dealer and manufacturer stated that the engine would not be replaced for free. The approximate failure mileage was 166,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the failure was not determined. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall or special program. The contact stated that the dealer declined to diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact referenced an unstated recall with a similar failure; however, the contact was informed that the recall was closed. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased used, and had not receive a recall notification. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Santa Fe Sport years