RoadVitals

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
38
Latest Apr 9, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 604 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 38 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

The 25 most recent of 38, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 9, 2024
Fire reported

I was driving the vehicle on the left lane of the freeway and the acceleration suddenly gave out. The car began to slow even when I pushed on the gas. Heat gage was fine and no lights went on. I quickly got over 4 lanes of traffic to the next exit and was able to pull over to the side of the road. White smoke began to billow out of the hood on the offramp and all the emergency light indicators came on at once. I turned the car off and the smoke turned black. I popped the hood and flames leapt out from under the hood. I jump out of the car and ran, leaving everything behind. I got safety away from the car and called 911. All of this happened within 2 minutes of losing acceleration. I typically have my two children in car seats in the car for school drop off and, [XXX] , they weren't with me. The fire overtook the front quickly and spread to the main cabin. By the time the fire department arrived (appx. 5-7 min) the car was completely engulfed. Nothing was salvaged. There is a fire report with the fire department. The police were not called. The car had gone through a full inspection and oil change one month prior and had no warning signs or issues. I lost a number of things in the car, including my purse, work items, kid's items, car seats, etc. Just after the incident, I developed a cough and severe headache that lasted two days. I also twisted my knee while running away, exacerbating an old injury. I am also dealing with acute mental health symptoms and am seeing a psychologist. I have not yet returned to work due to brain fog and exhaustion. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11581902
Incident
Apr 4, 2024
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 19, 2024

The ABS sensor failed on my vehicle, causing it to no longer accelerate past 20 mph on the highway. This put my safety at risk, as well as my passengers and others on the road because it happened suddenly while I was on the highway. My car could no longer accelerate suddenly while all cars around me were traveling at high speeds. The ABS light came on my dash, as well as the traction control and incline warning. I can no longer drive my vehicle so it has not been inspected yet.

NHTSA ID
11566409
Incident
Aug 25, 2023
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 15, 2024

My wife and I are the owners of a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport VIN [XXX] . In September of 2023 we received a recall notice on this vehicle - NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 23V-651; HYUNDAI RECALL NUMBER 251 dated September 22, 2023. Since receiving this notice I have checked numerous times with our local dealership and online with Hyundai to see if there is any progress on this recall. As of January 15, 2024 there is no change in the status of this recall. I am disappointed that no remedy is available. Beyond the safety issues, we have been parking our car outside as directed and as a result, our vehicle, which has always been garaged, is now subject to weather risks as well as the very real risk (in our area) of pests damaging the wiring and other parts. If there is anything that NHTSA can do to spur some action on the resolution of this recall, I would greatly appreciate it INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11565523
Incident
Sep 22, 2023
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 2, 2024
Fire reported

Caught on fire while driving, total loss unknown reason nor any warning. I stopped because of rotational noise to check tires, then car burst intimate flames. State troopers assisted and report filed.

NHTSA ID
11563191
Incident
Jan 2, 2024
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Sep 19, 2023

I was driving on a highway going 65mph when my engine suddenly, and without warning, failed. My foot was on the gas pedal when it suddenly went to the floor, but my car stopped accelerating. My check engine light began blinking as well. I was in the far left lane and, without the ability to accelerate, had to merge over through 3 lanes of highway traffic in order to safely pull my car over on the side of the highway. This put not only my own safety at risk, but also that of every car around me while I tried to maneuver my car safely to the side of the highway without the ability to accelerate. There were no signs or lights illuminated prior to the incident that would of given me any warning to the impending failure. My car was towed to the closest mechanic then towed to my local Hyundai dealership. Both the mechanic and the Hyundai service department found the engine knocking and determined it was a total engine failure and my engine needed to be replaced. I discovered my engine was affected by the Hyundai engine recall 162.

NHTSA ID
11545351
Incident
Aug 14, 2023
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Mar 27, 2023

I was driving my Santa Fe into my garage and there was a misfire in the engine. And then it stopped running, I have had it parked there now for 1 month because I don’t have the money to put a engine in it ,

NHTSA ID
11513905
Incident
Nov 27, 2022
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Feb 25, 2023

It all started on Thursday, February 16 when I went into my garage and noticed a strange chemical smell and my car battery was dead. My husband replaced the battery that night, but we noticed the break lights stayed on. When took it to a Firestone Department on Friday, February 17, they replaced the battery terminal and ran diagnostics. We finally called and got an answer on Monday, February 20. The mechanic said it was the ABS Control Module and wiring harness. We transported the car that Monday afternoon to the local Hyundai dealership, which we really didn’t want to deal with since we haven’t had nice experiences with them in the past. They never called us and when we finally got ahold of the service department on Wednesday, February 22, they stated that they believe that it is the ABS Control Module, but they are unable to fix it locally. We would have to send it to another Hyundai dealership which is about 100 miles away. After speaking to the Hyundai Corporate Office, they suggested with previous recalls to place an incident report. The recall for the ABS Systems for Hyundai came out on May 16, 2018 and the recall number 218. The recall includes cars with the cruise control systems.

NHTSA ID
11509048
Incident
Feb 16, 2023
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 2, 2023

On January 20, 2023 I was on my way home from work and was stopped at a traffic light. The light turned green. As I tried to accelerate forward the engine light started blinking and the vehicle moved slow and lost a lot of power and a knocking sound began. As I tried to accelerate more the knocking sound became louder. I found an engine issue after entering my vin# on the Hyundai site. It was found that for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport there was an engine issue. I have attached this issue pertaining to my vin#. I printed this information and took these to my nearest Hyundai dealer, who stated to me that these were not official recall papers and they can't use them. I am the 3rd owner of this vehicle so I never would have received an official recall paper. I proceeded to email consumer affairs at Hyundai and sent these same attachments showing the vehicle issue with my vin#. Hyundai has emailed me back stating and I quote "We have determined your vehicle is not currently affected by any campaigns." I do not see how they determined there isn't a campaign that affects my vehicle when I have proof on paper there is an issue with these engines. My vehicle is a 2013 and under 10 years old. I found a local independent auto garage to look at my Hyundai and they have stated I need a new engine. I am at this time stuck paying out of pocket for a new engine that has clearly an issue Hyundai has had with this particular engine. Thank you for you time. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11505179
Incident
Jan 20, 2023
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 22, 2022

While driving abs light, stability control light, and hill decent light came on. ABS and stability control are important safety features to prevent loss off control and potential collisions. Seems to be a common problem for hyundai.

NHTSA ID
11470457
Incident
Jun 21, 2022
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 12, 2022

When the cruise control shuts down, the tachometer cuts out and the vehicle seems to go into limp mode. Brightening or dimming the headlights causes an intermittent bright flash to the interior lights. This could be potentially dangerous seeing as you have no acceleration, which could cause very extensive damage to person and property. The intermittent bright flash could be a result of an unregulated power surge, which could cause damage to person and property.

NHTSA ID
11451712
Incident
Oct 30, 2021
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 10, 2022

When I engaged the Cruise Control it caused the vehicle RPM's to quickly jump from about 3 up to over 5 RPM's and the gear would slip not accelerating but slowed down in traffic.

NHTSA ID
11451452
Incident
Feb 8, 2022
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jan 26, 2021

AFTER STARTING THE CAR, THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR DEFECTIVE ABS,ESC AND DBS (MAY) STAY ON. SOMETIMES AFTER STARTING THE CAR, THESE LIGHT GO OFF. HYUNDAI HAD PREVIOUSLY REPLACED ABS SENSORS ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11390107
Incident
Jan 1, 2021
Mileage
47,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteeringVisibility
Filed Sep 21, 2020

1. SPEED SENSOR- REPLACED BY RECALL AND CONTINUE TO FAIL. 2. REAR GLASS IN HATCHBACK, JUST BROKE ORIGINATION FROM WIPER HOLE IN GLASS WHILE THE CAR WAS OCCUPIED SITTING NOT MOVING A A PARKING LOT. 3. STEERING RATTLES BECAUSE A SHOCK DAMPER WEARS OUT PREMATURELY. 4. SEATS- ELECTRIC CONTROL BUTTON CONTACTS TARNISH WITH USE AND QUIT WORKING.

NHTSA ID
11360143
Incident
Apr 1, 2020
Mileage
85,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Aug 27, 2020

ABS,ESC, BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ON, INCLINE WARNING LIGHT ON WHEEL BEARING SPEED SENSORS BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED CODES INDICATED PROBLEM WITH WIRES, REPLACED BUT NO SOLUTION

NHTSA ID
11351675
Incident
Nov 1, 2019
Mileage
70,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Aug 23, 2020

WHILE DRIVING AT VARYING SPEEDS, WHILE GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS, TURNING CORNER, MORE NOTICEABLE AT SLOWER SPEEDS, IS A CLICKING NOISE & ALMOST FEELS LIKE A MOMENTARY LOSE OF CONTROL OF THE STEERING. NOT SURE IF IT HAS TO DO WITH ADAPTABLE STEERING (SPORT, COMFORT, NORMAL) CONTROL'S, OR THE MAIN CONTROLS OF THE STEERING.

NHTSA ID
11350801
Incident
Aug 23, 2020
Mileage
25 mi
Driver assistanceEngineSeat belts
Filed Jul 28, 2020

DRIVING TO WORK MY ENGINE STARTED HEATING UP AND ALL ELECTRONICS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND I LOST SPEED CONTROL WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY THERE IT STARTS TO MISSFIRE ALSO SEATBELT IS INSIDE OUT NOT WORKING PROPERLY ON DRIVER'S SIDE

NHTSA ID
11341752
Incident
Jul 20, 2020
Mileage
99,999 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 21, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK-UP CAMERA WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OXMOOR HYUNDAI (8107 SHELBYVILLE RD, LOUISVILLE, KY 40222, 502-894-3400) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED HEADLIGHTS WERE REPLACED 5 TIMES BUT NOT THE WIRING.*JB

NHTSA ID
11340563
Incident
Jul 1, 2015
Mileage
60,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed May 28, 2020

EL PROBLEMA DE MI SANTA FE ES EL SIGUIENTE,ARANQUE NO SUBE SU NIVEL DE ACELERAR Y SE QUEDA BAGA NO QUIERE ACELERAR,EN OCASIONES ESTA CORRIENDO Y LUEGO BAJA LA VELOCIDAD Y SI MOVIMIENTOS ESTA MUY LENTO,,SI VAS A ENTRAR A UNA INTERSECTION TIENES QUE TENER SUMAMENTE EL CONTROL QUE NO VENGA NINGUN VEHICULO POR QUE ELLA NO QUIERE CORRER LO SUFICIENTE SE AHOGA EN EL ARRANQUE Y APARTE EN UNA SUBIDA NO QUIERE CORRER ELLA BAJA VELOCIDAD Y SE AHOGA SUBE LA REVOLUTION MAS DE 5,000 Y NO CORRE ESTO ME SUCEDE DESDE QUE LA COMPRE DESDE LA MISMA SEMANA Y APARTE ELLA NO TIENE BIEN SUS DIRRECCION SIEMPRE CORRE MUY INESTABLE...*DT ..*JB *TR

NHTSA ID
11326267
Incident
Dec 15, 2019
Mileage
40 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 27, 2020

THE CAMERA HAS A TENDENCY TO JUST GO BLACK, LOSING ALL REAR VISIBILITY. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR INPUT IN REVERSE AND LASTS A FEW SECONDS OR MORE. *TR

NHTSA ID
11326244
Incident
May 12, 2020
Mileage
61,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Mar 13, 2020

FOR THE PAST 12-14 MOS I'VE HAD TO ADD ADDITIONAL 1-4 QUARTS OF OIL AFTER VERIFYING LOW OIL ON DIP STICK IN BETWEEN REGULARLY SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES AT FIRESTONE. THEY NOTED DEC 2019 INTERNAL OIL LEAKAGE. OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. MOST RECENTLY FEB 14, 2020 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON CHECKED DIP STICK TWICE IT ONLY HAD OIL ON TIP, ADDED 2 QUARTS OIL, LIGHT WENT OFF. CHECK ENG LIGHT CAME ON FEW DAYS LATER, REPEATED DIP STICK CHECK =ADDED 3 MORE QUARTS OIL FEW DAYS LATER. REPEATED SEVERAL XS THROUGHOUT FEB 2020. PAID 3 SEPARATE MECHANICS ALL STATED INTERNAL OIL LEAK. 1 MECHANIC STATED HAD SEVERAL CUSTOMERS WITH SAME COMPLAINT. HE INFORMED ME CHECK WITH DEALER FOR 1 RECALL OR 2 EXTENDED WARRANTY & DUE TO OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. HE ESTIMATED APPROX $5K + TO REBUILD ENGINE, PISTON RINGS ISSUE. I CALLED DEALER ASKED COST FOR THEM TO CHECK WAS QUOTED MINI $139 TO START. WHEN THEY EMAILED APPOINTMENT CONFIRMATION, I CONFIRMED APPMT MAR 14, 2020 & ASKED 1. IF A RECALL EXISTED 2. IF EXTENDED WARRANTED COVERED IT. WHEN I GOT THERE TODAY I ASKED SAME 2 QUESTIONS & WAS TOLD TO PAY $42 FOR OIL CHANGE #1 TODAY & BRING CAR EVERY 1000 MILES 3 MORE TIMES FREE OF CHARGE SO THEY CAN TRACK INTERNAL OIL LEAK. WAS TOLD EXTENDED WARRANTY ONLY WENT TO 120,000, MY CAR'S @ 125,600. I ASKED WHY I WASNT INFORMED OF THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY AS I RECEIVED LETTER LAST YEAR WHEN I BROUGHT CAR IN FOR COURTESY SOFTWARE UPDATE & 2018 ANOTHER COURTESY CHECK, THEY COULDNT EXPLAIN. I FEEL IF I DIDNT USE BUZZ WORDS 4TH MECHANIC TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED MORE $. A MECHANIC 3 DAYS AGO SAID I NEEDED EXHAUST MANIFOLD CATALYTIC CONVTR $1244 & NEW SPARK PLUGS & COILS $703. INFOMED THIS MECHANIC I PD $600 APPROX 6 MOS AGO FOR SPARK PLUGS DUE TO HESITATION IN ACCELERATION & JERKY & SPUTTERY MOTION. I FEEL LIKE HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM & I READ SIMILAR ISSUES RESULTING IN FIRES. I'M STILL PAYIN ON CAR.

NHTSA ID
11317944
Incident
Oct 1, 2019
Mileage
120,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Nov 4, 2019

ON SEPTEMBER 20TH 2018 AFTER HAVING THE CAR A WEEK, THE CAR MADE A NOISE WOULD NOT START ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE BLINKING ON AND OFF THEN NEVER CAME ON AGAIN. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO SAY IT WAS A BATTERY, WHICH THEY NEVER GAVE A SERVICE RECEIPT FOR NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I ASKED. THEN AGAIN ON AUGUST 7 2019 MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STOP WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR. THANKFULLY WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF THE EXPRESSWAY WHICH WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION. AFTER ABOUT 30 MIN THAT DID RESTART BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OF 60 MPH. AS WE COASTED THE REMAINDER OF OUR TRIP. THEN AGAIN ON OCTOBER 7 THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AFTER RECEIVING AN OIL CHANGE AND TUNE UP. THIS TIME SMOKING AND STALLING AND NEVER COMING BACK ON AGAIN. THE BRAKE WOULD BE PRESSED WHEN THE PUSH TO START BETTON NEVER WENT TO THE ON POSITION.

NHTSA ID
11278151
Incident
Oct 7, 2019
Mileage
129,600 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 14, 2019

MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING EVERY TIME I START IT . IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE APRIL AND I JUST BOUGHT IT IN SEPTEMBER.

NHTSA ID
11243903
Incident
Apr 1, 2019
Mileage
5 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jul 29, 2019

USING THE CAR IN ECO WHEN ENTERING THE INTERSTATE I'M SPEEDING UP MY CAR GOES HIGHER IN RPMS AND IS NOT SHIFTING TO CORRECT THE CHANGE AND I'LL HAVE TO FLIP IT INTO MANUAL AND SHIFT INTO A HIGHER GEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 TIMES AND DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME BUT THE FIRST TIME ALMOST GOT ME HIT BY A CAR BECAUSE I COULDN'T SLOW DOWN DUE TO TIMING AND ALSO WAS NOT SPEEDING UP CORRECTLY DUE TO THE CAR NOT AUTO CORRECTING.

NHTSA ID
11240258
Incident
Jul 29, 2019
Mileage
84,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 14, 2019

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE CAR, WHILE IN MOTION, FEELS LIKE IT DOWNSHIFTS CAUSING DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS TO BE PUSHED FORWARD IN THE VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS ALSO FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN ACCELERATOR DEPRESSED WHILE CAR WAS ALREADY IN MOTION. AFTER COMING TO A STOP, VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF.

NHTSA ID
11219990
Incident
Jun 14, 2019
Mileage
166,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jun 9, 2019

AFTER DRIVING CAR FOR OVER 1 1/2 HRS, LOSING ACCELERATION AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO PAY TOLLS. IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I HAVE GAS PEDAL TO FLOOR WILL NOT GO PAST 50 MPH ON HIGHWAY THAT IS 65 MPH. HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES AND IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. TWO OTHER TIMES HAPPENED AFTER DRIVING 2 HOURS ON TURNPIKE. CAR LOST TURBO BOOST AND WOULDN'T GO VERY FAST.. NO LIGHTS ON DASH. GAS PEDAL TO FLOOR AND RPMS WERE READING A LOT HIGHER. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHO RAN DIAGNOSTIC. WANTED THEM TO CHECK THE TURBO ACTUATOR. WAS CHARGED $120.00 AND TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING.

NHTSA ID
11218733
Incident
Jun 8, 2019
Mileage
76,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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