There are 12 owner-reported suspension complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Rear subframe is rotted out prematurely, other vins had this issue recalled but my vin was not included in the recall even though I have all the same issues as the vehicles that were recalled
Engine has always burned oil and vehicle only has 72,000 miles on it.leaking black liquid/oil out exhaust pipe, blowing out Black clouds of smoke and have to keep adding oil. Whole rear end had to be replaced, timing chain and cover replaced, AC unit replaced, rear camera replaced, climate controls change settings by them selves, leaking gaskets, all this and more has been going on with this vehicle when it only had 35,000 Miles on it. Front suspension creaks for years. No way a vehicle should have all these issues with low mileage and has been very well cared for!
We brought our vehicle into the dealer for a recall for undercoating on [XXX]. The work was completed by Tarbox Hyundai in north kingstown ri. We noticed our car started drifting to the right and our tire was out of align. We brought the car to our local mechanic and were told that the entire under carriage is rotting away and needs to be replaced. I feel Hyundai should be responsible for this because they knew about it and didn't tell us. Instead they just did the undercoating trying to hide the fact that is was completely rotted. thank you INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I bought the vehicle 2 months ago, and 2 weeks ago, I noticed the car was shaking when I applied the brakes. The engine light came on and I took it to the shop, and was told I needed a new engine.
WHEN STARTING AND STOPPING THE SUSPENSION MAKES NOISES.
I CAN HEAR LOUD CLUNKING SOUNDS FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS FASTER THAN 25 MPH.
AS I WAS TRAVELING EAST ON A MAIN ROAD, I TURNED LEFT ON TO A SECONDARY ROAD AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED. I WAS COMPLETELY SHOCKED BY THE IMPACT OF MY VEHICLE WITH A VEHICLE THAT WAS IN THE OPPOSITE LANE, HEADED IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION. PRIOR TO THE COLLISION I HAD NO AWARENESS OF THE PRESENCE OF A VEHICLE STOPPED IN THAT LOCATION, AS THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY OBLITERATED FROM MY VIEW BY THE LEFT SIDE VIEW MIRROR. I BELIEVE THAT THE EXAGGERATED SIZE OF THE MIRROR, AND THE LOCATION OF ITS POSITION MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO HAVE A CLEAR, UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW IN THAT SITUATION. I FEEL THE DESIGN/PLACEMENT OF THE MIRROR WAS DEFINITELY A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT.
PASSED OUT WHILE DRIVING. STRUCK THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER CAR WITH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF SANTA FE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SANTA FE WAS TOTALED. I SUFFERED A BROKEN NECK IN TWO PLACES AND DISLODGED TWO CERVICAL DISC. NOW HAVING TO GO FOR SURGERY TO REPAIR DISC DAMAGE. HOPEFULLY I WILL REGAIN USE OF LEFT HAND DO TO NERVE DAMAGE. *TR
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND HIT A BUMP AND THE WHOLE CAR SHIFTED LIKE INTO THE OTHER LANE. I HAVE ASKED LOCAL DEALER BEFORE TO CHECK SUSPENSION AND THEY SAID ITS "OK". " THAT'S HOW IT IS". SINCE MY PURCHASE EVERY BUMP I HIT THE CAR IS NOT STUCK TO THE GROUND AND MOVES EITHER TO LEFT OR RIGHT. MIGHT BE A FACTOR IN THE HUGE STEERING PROBLEM THIS CAR HAS AS WELL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC STOP, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE EMITTED FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH A NEWLY MANUFACTURED AXLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,200. UPDATED 10-21-13 *BF
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE SUSPENSION. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND ONLY WHEN THERE WAS AT LEAST FOUR PASSENGERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500. UPDATED 04/06/15*LJ UPDATED 9/21/2017*CN
WHILE WAITING TO PULL OUT OF MY SUBDIVISION, FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I HEAR A LOUD BANG UNDER THE CAR. DID NOT KNOW AT THE TIME WHAT IT WAS, SO AS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO TURN, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. TRIED GOING IN REVERSE, AND NO MOVEMENT. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. SAID MY AXLE CRACKED. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR!! WHEN I ASKED IF ANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE, I WAS TOLD "NO", THAT I WAS THE FIRST PERSON THIS HAPPENED TO. I CALLED HYUNDAI CORP HDQTRS IN CA AND FILED A COMPLAINT. I WAS GIVEN A CASE #. THEY ALSO SAID NO OTHER COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED, AND NO RECALLS ISSUED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE! YES, THEY ARE FIXING IT, BUT I DID TELL THEM THAT I WILL BE LEARY DRIVING IT AGAIN. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!! THANK GOD I WAS NOT MOVING. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026