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2013 hyundai Santa Fe engine problems

severe 208 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100

Complaints
208
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$3,100

What owners are reporting 8 most recent

engine · filed 12/30/2021

The back of the engine is smoking and has a burning smell

engine · filed 12/30/2020

ON 11/02/2020 MY HYUNDAI SANTAFE SPORT BROKE DOWN. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC AT UNIVERSAL HYUNDAI THAT THE 4TH CYLINDER WAS MISSFIRING AND THAT GASOLINE WAS SPRAYING INTERNALLY. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN CARE OF MY CAR AND HAVE CHANGED OIL REGULARLY AND HAVE NEVER HAD A SINGLE ISSUE WITH THE CAR. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION I GOUND THAT HYUNDAI HAD TWO RECALLS ( 164 AND 194) I WAS TOLD BY THE REP AT UNI…

engine · filed 12/30/2019

MANY TIME MY HYUNDAI ENGINE HESITATES WHEN STARTING OFF. ONLY DOES THIS OCCASIONALLY. MY 2013 SANTE FE HAS DONE THIS HESITATION SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I DO NOT EXPECT IT TO BE DONE. THE DEALER HAS CHECK IT AND ADJUSTED IT BUT STILL HESITATES, BUT NOT OFTEN.DEALER INDICATES THAT THERE IS NO RECALL. HAPPENS WHEN I AM STARTING OFF.

engine · filed 12/27/2022

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. An unknown dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128…

engine · filed 12/27/2021

This is my daughter car and she is getting no where with Hyundai. The middle of November I was driving her car from Raleigh nc , we stopped to get gas , then I got to my house and then she drive to her house. After 20 minutes later she called and her car had stopped on the side of the road. She waited for triple a but no luck so she had to leave on the side of the road. The next day car was towed…

engine · filed 12/24/2022

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited FWD bought 6/1/22. We bought the car used at 89,000 miles and drove it to 100,000 miles. On 12/19/22 this incident occurred. On the freeway, at speed, I experienced a sudden engine failure/loss. No warning lights prior to this loss and the car had no previous mechanical issues. Acceleration was lost with no warning, no light or indication that something was (going) wr…

engine · filed 12/22/2020

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY ON 12/21/20 AND MY ENGINE COMPLETELY SEIZED, NO WARNING AND INCREDIBLY TERRIFYING. THE CAR CAME TO A VERY SUDDEN STOP, AND WE WERE VERY LUCKY THAT WE WERE NOT KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT. MY CAR BEGAN SMOKING AND IT SMELLED AS IF IT WERE BURNING, WE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR AGAIN, AND I WAS ALSO UNABLE TO SWITCH IT TO …

engine · filed 12/21/2016

WHILE ACCELERATING TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A RATTLING SOUND. AS I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO JOIN THE TRAFFIC FLOW THE ENGINE NOISE STOPPED. IT CAME BACK A FEW MORE TIMES BEFORE WE MADE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY WHILE DESCENDING A HILL THE ENGINE QUIT. SINCE IT WAS DOWN HILL MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO A EXIT RAMP AND PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE ENGINE …

Common questions

How serious is the engine problem on the 2013 hyundai Santa Fe?

It's a meaningful issue. 208 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.

At what mileage does the engine typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to engine?

No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.

Other problem areas on this vehicle

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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