Hyundai Santa Fe 2013–2018
3rd generation (DM/NC) — 'Santa Fe Sport' SWB and long-wheelbase 'Santa Fe' / 'Santa Fe XL'
NHTSA data through 13 August 20263,509 complaints, 1,460 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
- Reports with mileage
- 1,460
- Median of reported failures
- 43,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Engine (44.0%)
- Recalls
- 10
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, 30% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 9 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000.
Figure 1 · Hyundai Santa Fe 2013–2018 · 1,460 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 306 complaints.
- First 12,000 miles — 30% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 9 complaints (0.6%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 825
- 25%
- 8,000
- Median
- 43,174
- 75%
- 86,000
- 90%
- 120,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 306 | 21.0% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 83 | 5.7% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 72 | 4.9% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 54 | 3.7% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 56 | 3.8% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 39 | 2.7% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 57 | 3.9% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 39 | 2.7% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 32 | 2.2% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 28 | 1.9% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 33 | 2.3% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 45 | 3.1% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 63 | 4.3% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 36 | 2.5% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 50 | 3.4% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 47 | 3.2% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 36 | 2.5% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 42 | 2.9% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 34 | 2.3% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 38 | 2.6% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 35 | 2.4% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 21 | 1.4% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 35 | 2.4% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 26 | 1.8% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 33 | 2.3% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 16 | 1.1% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 25 | 1.7% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 8 | 0.5% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 23 | 1.6% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 10 | 0.7% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 6 | 0.4% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 5 | 0.3% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 3 | 0.2% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 9 | 0.6% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 3,509 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013–2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, and 1,460 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
30% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 9 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
The most-reported areas are the engine (44.0% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (8.5% of complaints, typically around 12,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (7.0% of complaints, typically around 38,000 miles).
10 recall campaigns cover this generation. 2 of them carry a severe NHTSA advisory.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2013–2018 Hyundai Santa Fe last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2013–2018 Hyundai Santa Fe were filed by 43,000 miles and 90% by 120,000 miles — figures drawn from 1,460 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
9 reports (0.6%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Santa Fe reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2013–2018 Santa Fe: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,460 mileage-tagged complaints, 10 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 10 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Ask for transmission and driveline repair records. This area fails at a median of 12,000 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Ask for throttle and speed control repair records. This area fails at a median of 12,000 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Check engine — theta ii gdi connecting rod bearings on 2013–2018 Santa Fe Sport (2.0T and 2.4 GDI). Does NOT affect the 3.3L V6 long–wheelbase models. cars. Machining debris left in the crankshaft oil passages during manufacturing restricts oil flow to the connecting rod bearings; the bearings wear, the engine develops a knock, then seizes — producing stalling while driving…
- Check brakes — ABS/hecu module on 2013–2015 and 2018 Santa Fe Sport cars. The anti-lock brake control module can suffer an internal electrical short, causing an engine compartment fire whether the vehicle is parked or driving. Owners were told to park outside and away from structures pending…
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 30% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, the engine and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 12,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Hyundai Santa Fe 2013–2018
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Transmission and driveline297 reports12,0001,000–60,000Transmission and driveline: 297 reports, median 12,000 miles, middle half 1,000 to 60,000 miles.
- Steering192 reports13,000600–58,000Steering: 192 reports, median 13,000 miles, middle half 600 to 58,000 miles.
- Fuel and propulsion system143 reports31,0009,000–59,000Fuel and propulsion system: 143 reports, median 31,000 miles, middle half 9,000 to 59,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise246 reports38,00011,000–78,000Problems owners could not categorise: 246 reports, median 38,000 miles, middle half 11,000 to 78,000 miles.
- Electrical system207 reports43,00010,000–80,000Electrical system: 207 reports, median 43,000 miles, middle half 10,000 to 80,000 miles.
- Brakes147 reports59,00028,000–95,000Brakes: 147 reports, median 59,000 miles, middle half 28,000 to 95,000 miles.
- Engine1,543 reports78,00035,000–109,000Engine: 1,543 reports, median 78,000 miles, middle half 35,000 to 109,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,543 | 44.0% | 78,000 | 35,000–109,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 297 | 8.5% | 12,000 | 1,000–60,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 246 | 7.0% | 38,000 | 11,000–78,000 |
| Electrical system | 207 | 5.9% | 43,000 | 10,000–80,000 |
| Steering | 192 | 5.5% | 13,000 | 600–58,000 |
| Brakes | 147 | 4.2% | 59,000 | 28,000–95,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 143 | 4.1% | 31,000 | 9,000–59,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 117 | 3.3% | 12,000 | 2,500–41,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 94 | 2.7% | 108,000 | 75,000–126,000 |
| Body structure | 67 | 1.9% | 36,000 | 21,000–68,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Hyundai Santa Fe 2013–2018 · 1,460 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 58% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 77% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 90% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 0.6% of reports (9) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
58% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Transmission and driveline — median 12,000 mi
- Steering — median 13,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 31,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 35,000–109,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 11,000–78,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 10,000–80,000 mi
- Brakes — middle half 28,000–95,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
77% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Transmission and driveline — median 12,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 38,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 43,000 mi
- Steering — median 13,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 31,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 35,000–109,000 mi
- Brakes — middle half 28,000–95,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
90% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 78,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 12,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 38,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 43,000 mi
- Steering — median 13,000 mi
- Brakes — median 59,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 31,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 43,174 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 44.0% of complaints (1,543 reports, 439 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 78,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 35,000 and 109,000 miles.
A single system taking 44.0% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 8.5% of complaints (297 reports, 147 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 12,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 1,000 and 60,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 7.0% of complaints (246 reports, 73 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 38,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 11,000 and 78,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 5.9% of complaints (207 reports, 97 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 43,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 10,000 and 80,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 5.5% of complaints (192 reports, 145 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 13,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 600 and 58,000 miles.
The brakes account for 4.2% of complaints (147 reports, 46 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 59,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 28,000 and 95,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2017 model year drew the most — 1,260 complaints — while 2018 drew the fewest at 143. The median year sits at 506.
That makes 2017 an outlier: roughly 2.5 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 10 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
2 of these carry a severe advisory — NHTSA's do not drive or park outside warnings, which the agency applies only when it considers the risk immediate. If you own one of these vehicles, that is the first thing to check by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the hydraulic brake circuit (2), the tyres (2), the steering (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 3,509 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 103 (2.9%)
- Fires
- 177
- Injury reports
- 82
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Engine — Theta Ii Gdi Connecting Rod Bearings 2013–2018 Santa Fe Sport (2.0T and 2.4 GDI). Does NOT affect the 3.3L V6 long–wheelbase models.
Machining debris left in the crankshaft oil passages during manufacturing restricts oil flow to the connecting rod bearings; the bearings wear, the engine develops a knock, then seizes — producing stalling while driving and, in some cases, engine compartment fires. Remedies included engine inspection/replacement and installation of the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, which detects the onset of bearing wear and puts the vehicle into limp mode. NHTSA campaign 17V-226 covered MY2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport, with later expansions.
Brakes — ABS/Hecu Module 2013–2015 and 2018 Santa Fe Sport
The anti-lock brake control module can suffer an internal electrical short, causing an engine compartment fire whether the vehicle is parked or driving. Owners were told to park outside and away from structures pending repair. One campaign covered 151,205 Santa Fe Sports built 17 June 2013 to 13 May 2015; a later separate campaign covered roughly 44,000 MY2018 Santa Fe Sports. Remedies involved module inspection plus multi-fuse installation.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 806 | 476 |
| 2014 | 680 | 351 |
| 2015 | 332 | 121 |
| 2016 | 288 | 83 |
| 2017 | 1,260 | 382 |
| 2018 | 143 | 47 |
Recalls (10) — is your car included?
Apr 2024 · 2013–2015 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideAn engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. 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.
What can happen. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
May 2022 · 2016–2018 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideAn engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
What can happen. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.
Mar 2018 · 2018 · SteeringA steering wheel separation while driving can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The steering wheel assembly may break, possibly resulting in the steering wheel separating from the steering column while driving.
What can happen. A steering wheel separation while driving can cause a loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will check the production lot number of the steering wheel assembly, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 26, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 173.
Nov 2017 · 2017 · Engine and Engine CoolingThe engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe vehicles equipped with 3.3L engines. The crankshaft assemblies may have been produced with surface irregularities in the crankshaft pin, causing engine bearing wear.
What can happen. The engine bearing wear may cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify all owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 168.
Aug 2017 · 2013–2017 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesIf the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. 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.
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.
Mar 2017 · 2017 · TiresAn underinflated inflated tire can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that may not have been set in the correct mode during vehicle assembly, and therefore will not provide an appropriate warning in the event of an underinflated tire. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
What can happen. An underinflated inflated tire can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the TPMS sensors, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for the recall is 159.
Jan 2017 · 2017 · Trailer HitchesIf the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equip
What can happen. If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.
Apr 2016 · 2016–2017 · Seat BeltsWithout a warning to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured September 1, 2015 to February 12, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses may be damaged by the seat's height adjuster mechanism, resulting in a failure to provide an audible warning when front seat occupants do not fasten their seat belts. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
What can happen. Without a warning to remind the front seat occupants that their seat belts are not buckled, they may forget to buckle their seat belt, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reroute the wires in the front seat belt buckle harnesses to their proper locations, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 141.
Dec 2013 · 2014 · TiresThe damaged sidewall may result in a separation between the belt edges which could cause tread detachment or…
The defect. Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2014 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 5, 2013, through November 15, 2013, and equipped with P235/65R17 103T Continental Crosscontact LX tires. The tires may have a damaged sidewall.
What can happen. The damaged sidewall may result in a separation between the belt edges which could cause tread detachment or rapid air loss, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai notified dealers to suspend sales of affected Santa Fe Sport vehicles equipped with the P235/65R17 103T tires, and replace them with alternative tires. All affected vehicles were remedied prior to retail sale. Owners may contact Hyundai Customer Care Center at 1-800-633-5151.
Sep 2013 · 2013 · Power TrainA fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels.
The defect. Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2013 front wheel drive Santa Fe Sport vehicles manufactured July 13, 2012, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture.
What can happen. A fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, it may roll away. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Custom Care Center at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall number is 112.
What owners reported
Trying to pull over at parking lot, the engine was suddenly stopped at about 16:00 on the day of may 15, 2016. Tried several times for restart, but in vain. Battery status was good. Called service dealer and they couldnt get the cause of the malfunction, they sent my car to the upper leveled service workshop. The shop…
2013 · Fuel and propulsion system
2013 Hyundai sante fe sport 'steering began a "hesitation", "lag", "play" when turning the steering wheel even slightly in either direction.' The problem will increased as 3 diferente certified mechanics already informed me. It appears all these problems are attributable to Hyundai's election to use a cheap rubber…
2013 · 3 miles · Steering
Vehicle was purchased around january 30th, 2013, at the time of the test drive i noticed a lot of wind noise in the cabin and the vehicle would not stay in a straight line at 55 MPH, it would sway left to right. Against my better judgment i still purchased this vehicle. The sales person informed me that the reasons…
2013 · 5 miles · Steering
Have operated this vehicle for 20 months with questionable steering control. At first, thought it might have been a break-in or tire issue but highway steering drifting tendency has persisted. Vehicle was purchased new. I have managed to survive this problem because i am a pretty good driver with decades of…
2013 · 20 miles · Steering
Built from 1,460 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page