Is the 2013 Hyundai SANTA FE reliable?

The 2013 Hyundai SANTA FE has 806 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Hyundai SANTA FE?

Top problems: ENGINE (279 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (96 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (64 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Hyundai SANTA FE?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH, POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. Contact any Hyundai dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Hyundai SANTA FE?

The 2013 Hyundai SANTA FE gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2013 Hyundai SANTA FE often stolen?

The Hyundai SANTA FE was the #22 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 4,500 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: high. Pre-2022 models are affected by the Kia Boys challenge — verify your VIN has the manufacturer security update.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Hyundai SANTA FE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Hyundai SANTA FE is approximately $1,860/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Hyundai SANTA FE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Hyundai SANTA FE has 806 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.8x the segment average of 289. The most common issue is engine problems (35% of all complaints), specifically: 2013 hyundai santa fe. consumer states issues with hesitation and stalling when accelerating. *tgw the dealer informed the consumer the problem was caused by electronic fuel injection, which was common among several brands of automobiles and there was no fix for the problem. the hesitation at acc. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 62 fire reports filed.

62 fire reports 12 crash reports 9 injuries

806

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

279 complaints

35%

• 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER STATES ISSUES WITH HESITATION AND STALLING WHEN ACCELERATING. *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION, WHICH WAS COMMON AMONG SEVERAL BRANDS OF AUTOMOBILES AND THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THE HESITATION AT ACC
• VEHICLE WILL NOT FILL PAST 3/4 TANK. IF YOU STAY AT PUMP AND KEEP CLICKING IT WILL OVERFLOW AND EVENTUALLY FILL BUT, THEN ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS AND MUST TO RETURN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. MANY PARTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIX BUT NOTHING WORKS. ELECTRONIC STEERING EXCEPTIONALLY VAGUE IN A
• WHAT I AM ABOUT TO DESCRIBE HAPPENS RANDOMLY. THE ONLY DISCERNIBLE PATTERN IS THAT IT HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM REST OR FROM SLOW SPEED. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 15 TIMES IN THE FIRST 800 MILES OF DRIVING. WHEN I BEGIN TO ACCELERATE SLOWLY FORWARD FROM REST OR FROM A SLOW FORWARD ROLL THERE IS NO

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 27 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER STATES ISSUES WITH HESITATION AND STALLING WHEN ACCELERATING. *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION, WHICH WAS COMMON AMONG SEVERAL BRANDS OF AUTOMOBILES AND THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THE HESITATION AT ACC”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Hyundai SANTA FE

Based on 476 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 52K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

194

30-60K

60-100K

127

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 2K mi · 81 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 60K mi · 31 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 27K mi · 31 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 48K mi · 30 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 60K mi · 23 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 21K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH05/06/2017

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.

Risk: 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.

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.

High theft risk

#22 most stolen in 2025

The Hyundai SANTA FE was the #22 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 4,500 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Kia Boys / TikTok theft vulnerabilityModel years 2010-2021 Hyundai and Kia vehicles without engine immobilizers were widely targeted starting in 2022 after a viral TikTok exploit. If you own this vehicle, verify it has an ignition immobilizer or install a security upgrade. Hyundai and Kia both offered free software updates and steering-wheel-lock programs for affected models.

Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Hyundai SANTA FE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Hyundai SANTA FE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,860

Full coverage / month

$155

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

+11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.15x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1860

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Hyundai SANTA FE Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (1.6T, 2.0T) need premium fuel and more frequent oil (some owners service at 5,000 miles).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Hyundai New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / unlimited mi

10 years/100K powertrain warranty is transferable only to first purchaser after initial owner

These are the terms for a new Hyundai. If you're buying a used 2013 SANTA FE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Hyundai dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 806 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER STATES ISSUES WITH HESITATION AND STALLING WHEN ACCELERATING. *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY ELECTRONIC FUEL INJECTION, WHICH WAS COMMON AMONG SEVERAL BRANDS OF AUTOMOBILES AND THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THE HESITATION AT ACC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: THE CAR WANTS TO GO ANYWHERE BUT STRAIGHT. ANY UNEVEN PAVEMENT, WIND GUSTS OR CARS PASSING BY CAUSE THE CAR TO REQUIRE A STEERING CORRECTION. AT SPEEDS OVER FIFTY MILES PER HOUR STEERING INPUT IS REQUIRED NINETY PERCENT OF THE TIME TO KEEP THE CAR WITHIN THE DRIVING LANE. THE DEALER CHECKED THE A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: I HAD JUST PICKED MY VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER FROM HAVING A 30,000 MILE SERVICE COMPLETED. I LEFT THE DEALERSHIP COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP LEAVING THE PARKING LOT. PROCEEDED TO THE NEXT STOP LIGHT AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE NEXT STOP LIGHT TURNED YELLOW AND I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES. I FELT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I JUST GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND COMING INTO TOWN APPROACHING A FOUR WAY STOP. I STOPPED AND WHEN I STARTED TO GO THE CAR MADE A HORRIBLE LOUD NOISE AND WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. I MADE IT HALF WAY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND IT COMPLETELY DIED. THE CAR WOULDN'T GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD. I CALLED ROADS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Hyundai dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)