RoadVitals

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Interior & seats Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the interior system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Interior & seats 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.
11
Latest May 16, 2022
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.
2%
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.
1
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 seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings. 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. 11 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 interior

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Interior & seats
Filed May 16, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the rear driver’s side door would not open from inside or outside the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 118,000.

NHTSA ID
11464853
Incident
May 14, 2022
Mileage
118,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed May 9, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE VEHICLE AND THE FUZES SHORTED MORE THAN ONCE. THE ELECTRICAL OUTLETS FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. IN ADDITION, THE POWER LOCKS RANDOMLY LOCKED AND UNLOCKED. WHEN THE CONTACT LOCKED THE DOORS, THE POWER LOCKS FAILED TO FUNCTION OCCASIONALLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V226000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS TO CHECK WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10984431
Incident
Mar 31, 2017
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Sep 11, 2016
Fire reported

THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF MY SANTA FE IS DAMAGED DUE TO A FIRE IN THE SEAT. MY CAR WAS LOCKED OVERNIGHT AND PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE DOORS WERE LOCKED AND THERE IS NO SIGN OF FORCED ENTRY. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT IS TOTALLY BURNED OUT AND DAMAGE TO THE DRIVERS DOOR IS MELTED. THERE IS SMOKE DAMAGE IN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR OVER 12 HOURS AND NOT DRIVEN. WE HAVE CALLED THE POLICE AND THY SAY THAT NO CRIME OCCURRED AND THAT THE FIRE STARTED IN THE SEAT. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IT MUST BE RELATED TO THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION IN THIS CAR.

NHTSA ID
10905594
Incident
Sep 11, 2016
Mileage
68,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 22, 2014

DRIVER'S SEAT WAS TILTING/ROCKING. THEN I REALIZED THE WHOLE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT HAD COME APART. I HAD NOTICED A FEW DAYS BEFORE THAT THE SEAT SEEMED TO ROCK A LITTLE GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE CAR, BUT I JUST ASSUMED IT WAS THE GIVE OF THE LEATHER SEATS UPON ENTERING AND EXITING THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10615227
Incident
Jun 13, 2014
Mileage
14,500 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT TRACK BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRACK ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

NHTSA ID
10575437
Incident
Mar 28, 2014
Mileage
20,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 10, 2014

PASSENGER SIDE BACK SEAT SQUEAKS VERY BADLY WHEN DRIVING ON A ROAD THAT ISN'T COMPLETELY SMOOTH. I HAVE TAKEN IT ONCE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIM TO HAVE FIXED IT, BUT THE SOUND PERSISTED. I HAD TO DROP THE CAR OFF AGAIN TONIGHT FOR THE SECOND TIME. THAT IS MY NUMBER ONE COMPLAINT. THE OTHER COMPLAINT IS THAT THE WHOLE DASH BOARD CREAKS WHEN I'M DRIVING. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BECAUSE IT'S COLD OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW, OR WHAT IS CAUSING THE CREAKING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10568317
Incident
Oct 1, 2013
Mileage
8,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 15, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, ALL OF THE SEATS VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT IT WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10535485
Incident
Apr 15, 2013
Interior & seatsExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Jul 12, 2013

HAVE BEEN NOTICING OCCASIONALLY THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT RETURN TO THEIR "PARKED" POSITION. THEY WILL OCCASIONALLY STAY TOO FAR UP BY 2 TO 3 INCHES. WHEN PARKED, THEY SHOULD BE BELOW THE HOOD LINE TUCKED NICELY TO THE WIPER COWL. I HAVE FOUND ON ABOUT 5 OCCASIONS SINCE OWNING THIS CAR THAT THE WIPERS ARE UP AS OPPOSED TO PARKED DOWN CORRECTLY. THE DRIVER SEAT ALSO ROCKED QUITE A BIT WHEN FIRST PURCHASED. TWO OF US DRIVE THE VEHICLE, NEITHER OF US ARE OVERWEIGHT AT ALL. WE GOT THE SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT REPLACED. THIS HELPED THE PROBLEM ALOT, BUT THE SEAT STILL WOBBLES ENOUGH TO BE ANNOYING. HAVE ALSO NOTICED ON OTHER SANTA FE'S THAT THE FOG LAMP BULB SHIELD (INSIDE THE LENS ASSEMBLY) APPEARS MELTED, AS IT DANGLES DOWN FAR TOO LOW AND CAUSES THE FOG LIGHT OUTPUT TO BE INCORRECTLY AIMED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10524589
Incident
Jul 6, 2013
Mileage
8,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistanceInterior & seats
Filed Mar 22, 2013

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AROUND JUNE 3 2012, 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 WHY THE VEHICLE PERFORMED THE WAY IT DID WAS BECAUSE IT WAS A VERY WINDY. TO THIS DATE THE VEHICLE STILL SWAYS LEFT TO RIGHT WHEN DRIVING OVER 55 MPH AND THE CABIN NOISE IS DRIVING ME CRAZY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT HYUNDAI WILL NEED TO FIX QUICKLY. WHEN SPEAKING WITH THE SHOP MANAGER HE MADE IT SOUND LIKED NO ONE ELSE WAS HAVING THESE PROBLEMS, MAYBE THEY NEED TO READ THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE. SEATS:I TOO HAVE EXPERIENCE THE DRIVER SEAT BEING VERY LOSE AND ROCKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY TIGHTENED THE BOLTS BUT IT DIDN'T TAKE BUT A DAY TO REALIZE THAT THIS WASN?T A TOTAL FIX. EACH TIME I TAKE IT BACK THEY JUST SAY THEY LOCKED THE BOLTS DOWN BUT WILL NOT DO ANY PAPERWORK ON IT AND. SUNROOF: MY SUNROOF MAKES A WHISTLING NOISE WHEN I DRIVE DURING WINDY CONDITIONS. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOO HEARD THE NOISE. BUT TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT AND THAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR A TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN) IN ORDER TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE. THREE MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE MY BACK PASSENGER REAR WINDOW BLEW OUT AT 60 MPH AND THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THEY DIDN?T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE WINDOW TO BLOW. I'VE NOW HAD THE CARE FOR 10 MONTHS NOW AND STILL THEY HAVE NOT FIXED THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN A SUPER SUPPORTER OF HYUNDAI BUT HOW CAN I CONTINUE TO RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY IF THEY ADVERTISE THEY HAVE THE BEST WARRANTY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT WONT FOLLOW THROUGH? HYUNDAI NEEDS TO FIX THIS AND MAKE IT RIGHT WITH US OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10504082
Incident
Jun 28, 2012
Mileage
700 mi
Driver assistanceInterior & seatsSteering
Filed Mar 21, 2013

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 WHY THE VEHICLE PERFORMED THE WAY IT DID WAS BECAUSE IT WAS A VERY WINDY. THE NEXT DAY I CONTACTED THE SALES PERSON AND ADVISED HIM THAT I WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. HE HAD ME BRING THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP AND THEY CHECKED THE TIRES AIR PRESSURE AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THEY MADE UP SOME STORY THAT THE VEHICLES ARE TRANSPORTED WITH 50 PSI ON THE TIRES AND THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. TO THIS DATE THE VEHICLE STILL SWAYS LEFT TO RIGHT WHEN DRIVING OVER 55 MPH AND THE CABIN NOISE IS DRIVING ME CRAZY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT HYUNDAI WILL NEED TO FIX QUICKLY. I HAVE NOW MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH THE SHOP BECAUSE THE DRIVER SEAT STARTED TO FEEL LOOSE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES OR SLOWING DOWN. THIS VEHICLE HAS TOO MANY SAFETY ISSUES AND NOW WITH ONLY 1500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE I AM FORCED TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP. WHEN SPEAKING WITH THE SHOP MANAGER HE MADE IT SOUND LIKED NO ONE ELSE WAS HAVING THESE PROBLEMS, MAYBE THEY NEED TO READ THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10503948
Incident
Jan 30, 2013
Mileage
5 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Mar 13, 2013

WE PURCHASED THIS 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT IN OCTOBER 2012. IMMEDIATELY ON THE DRIVE HOME, I NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FELT LIKE IT WAS LOOSE OR ROCKED. I WAS ABLE TO MITIGATE THE PROBLEM BY USING THE POWER ADJUSTMENT TO RAISE THE SEAT TO THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE POSITION. WHILE NOT A SOLUTION, IT MINIMIZED THE PROBLEM AND ALLOWED ME TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR. AFTER PERUSING A NUMBER OF ONLINE HYUNDAI FORUMS, I DISCOVERED THAT A NUMBER OF 2013 SF OWNER'S WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BY EITHER REPLACING THE SEAT/SEAT RAILS OR BY USING A SPECIALLY-DESIGNED TOOL TO CORRECT TOO MUCH CLEARANCE/PLAY IN THE SLIDING SEAT TRACKS. I BROUGHT THIS INFO TO THE ATTENTION OF MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHEN IT WAS RECENTLY TIME FOR THE FIRST SERVICE. AFTER SHARING INFO WITH THEM AND EVEN GIVING THEM A COPY OF A COMPLETED SERVICE ORDER FROM A FRIEND ON ONE OF THE ONLINE FORUMS, TO MY ASTONISHMENT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIX MY SEAT. THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO AUTHORIZE THIS REPAIR BECAUSE AS HE PUT IT. "I SAT IN A FEW 2013 SF'S AND THEY ALL DID IT". THE EXCUSE OF SOMEONE THAT WANTS TO AVOID ADMITTING THERE IS A PROBLEM. JUST BECAUSE THEY ALL DO IT DOES NOT MEAN THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM AS EVIDENCED BY THE INFO I EASILY DISCOVERED ON THE INTERNET. HYUNDAI HAS ALREADY AUTHORIZED OTHER REPAIRS FOR OTHER OWNERS. I THINK THAT NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AND FORCE HYUNDAI TO COME CLEAN AND AUTHORIZE THESE REPAIRS FOR ALL OWNERS REGARDLESS OF LOCATION OR DEALER/DISTRICT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10502704
Incident
Oct 6, 2012
Mileage
200 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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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .