Hyundai Santa Fe Sport problems
188 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced.
- 5 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the engine
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Hyundai santa fe sport. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes activated independent of driver input without warning, and the tires locked up. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate…
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with engine failure. The engine needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact…
When driving on the high way, the speed at 60~65 MPH, check engine light came on 2~3 times, each time just lasted few seconds and acceleration probably could trigger check engine light on.
The door latch assembly. It continues to show warning lights that my doors are still open when they are not. As well as my key fob when pressed twice, my car will not make any audible sounds. It continues to drain my power and kill my batteries. Have had my engine replaced due…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. AQ23002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 188 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 5 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the engine; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 87 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 93,520 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 93,520 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Hyundai Santa Fe Sport has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 188 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.