The Hyundai Santa Fe marked the South Korean brand’s entry into the SUV space and the vehicle became a massive hit in the US, a testament to the restructuring of the company. Moreover, the dependable nature of the SUV has helped it stay hooked among the most preferable offerings in its class as well. Hyundai made things even more interesting by redesigning the Santa Fe completely for the 2013 model year but there hasn’t been any change in its reliability aspect, unlike a lot of other modern automobiles. The current model has been under investigation by the NHTSA for several issues which include front axle shaft failures, vehicle fires, and throttle control system malfunctions. Among the 2 recalls, one covers the front axle shaft failure issue while the other one is regarding the hood latch failures. A majority of the official 450 complaints are against the powertrain and steering system issues of the Santa Fe followed by other miscellaneous issues. In the segment, the Hyundai Santa Fe competes with the Chevrolet Equinox, the Kia Sorento, and the Honda CR-V.
Hyundai Santa Fe user complaints and problems
Engine problems
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Engine knocking and failure: A significant number of complainants report these problems in their 2013 Santa Fe. According to the complaints, the owners faced sudden knocking from the engine with hesitant acceleration. In several cases, the knocking was followed by engine seizure, and a lot of seized engines required replacement due to complete failure.
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Excessive engine oil consumption: Apart from the engine failures, many buyers complain about excessive oil consumption. The affected vehicles’ engines consumed abnormally high amounts of engine oil which also resulted in engine seizures and power loss. A handful of owners further reported oil leaks too which also resulted in critically low oil levels.
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Unresponsive engine: Apart from the engine failures and excessive oil consumption issues, some owners have faced unresponsive engine issues while driving. While in traffic, the engines failed to respond for more than a couple of seconds and then the rpm rose rapidly. Due to the abrupt loss in power and acceleration, the complainants were concerned about safety risks as well.
Safety problems
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Excessive wearing of brakes: Several complaints mentioning this issue have been reported by owners. As per the reports, the brakes of the affected vehicles saw excessive and premature wear. As a result, the brake rotors and the brake pads required replacement frequently and sometimes the excessive warping caused the emission of a burning smell too.
Miscellaneous problems
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Clicking sound and excessive play on the steering wheel: The steering system of the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe has been a major problem area for owners. The owners report that the steering in their vehicles suddenly developed a clicking or clunking sound while driving, and there was excessive play or a “loose” feeling from the wheel. The excessive play caused the steering system to lose its ability to keep the vehicles straight.
2013 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls
|
S.No. |
Recall Date |
NHTSA Campaign ID |
Issues noticed |
Additional remarks |
Remedy |
|
1 |
August 12, 2013 |
13V355000 |
Right Front Axle Shaft Can Fracture |
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. |
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2013. |
|
2 |
June 5, 2017 |
17V358000 |
Secondary Hood Latch may Bind and not Latch |
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. |
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. |
Should you buy a used Hyundai Santa Fe?
The Hyundai Santa Fe has been, and is, a promising utility vehicle in the market and the 2013 redesign makes it even more appealing as well. The SUV has a fair share of run-ins with problems in the current model year with its powertrain and steering system but the brand is yet to issue recalls to address those concerns. While going for a used model, we would recommend last year’s model for hassle-free ownership. However, do carry out a thorough inspection since the 2012 Santa Fe also has several complaints regarding engine failures.
