Is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport a bad year?
203 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 121, 2.5× a quiet Santa Fe Sport year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport were filed between 67k and 116k miles. You're at 92,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 Santa Fe Sport owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 92,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 119 (59%) | 67k–116k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 42 (21%) | 50k–100k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 16 (8%) | 44k–110k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 11 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 11 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 92,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 203 complaints: 1 mentions a crash · 15 mention a fire · 1 reports an injury · 29 say the car was towed.
35 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My husband was driving and car shut off on him, while in motion, and wasnt able to be restarted. It had to be towed to an auto shop where they told us the engine needs to be replaced.
To whom it may concern, two weeks ago my 2013 Hyundai santafe sport turbo (Which I purchased new in 2013) experienced an engine stall as I was driving on the freeway.
Purchased 2013 santa fe sport in jan 2018, with 60k miles. 7k miles added, to date. May 2018, drove through a car wash, water entered the cab through a seal above the dashboard.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 92,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: 6
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. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short. An electrical short in the ABS module can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Brake fluid may leak inside the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) module, possibly resulting in an electrical short. If the ABS module short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
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. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
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. 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.
Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine. Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Hyundai: 113
Repair instructions Hyundai sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2
Applicable vehicles with 2.0L T-GDI and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit…
Hyundai has launched a Service Campaign for applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L GDI engines that may experience the Check Engine warning lamp…
Applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326
NHTSA defect investigations: 5
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Loss of Motive Power
Engine Fires
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Neighbouring years
2014 Santa Fe Sport: 163 complaints, consider selling.
Every Hyundai Santa Fe Sport year
2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · All Santa Fe Sport years side by side
Other Hyundai models: Hyundai Accent · Hyundai Azera · Hyundai Elantra · Hyundai Elantra Touring · Hyundai Entourage · Hyundai Genesis · Hyundai Genesis Coupe · Hyundai Ioniq 5 · Hyundai Kona · Hyundai Kona Electric · Hyundai Palisade · Hyundai Santa Cruz · Hyundai Santa Fe · Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid · Hyundai Sonata · Hyundai Sonata Hybrid · Hyundai Tiburon · Hyundai Tucson · Hyundai Tucson Hybrid · Hyundai Veloster · Hyundai Veracruz · Hyundai XG350. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport a bad year?
203 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 121, 2.5× a quiet Santa Fe Sport year. At 92,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport were filed between 67k and 116k miles. You're at 92,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (119), brakes (42), electrical system (16), fuel system (11), transmission and drivetrain (11). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 67k–116k miles.
How many recalls does the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 23V-651), Brakes (NHTSA 21V-303), Brakes (NHTSA 20V-520), Fuel system (NHTSA 18V-934) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.