2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT Complaints

The engine shut down into Limp mode. I was on the interstate and this caused me to slow down and cause traffic problems. Yes, I have taken my car to McCarthy Olathe Hyundai and was told there was a recall for Knocking and would not be fixed because I needed a new engine. My engine light came on and the car slowed down. As soon as this happened I took the car to the dealership to be fixed. I did not drive the car anymore.

While driving the car, started to smell gas and saw smoke. Tried to pull over and ABS lights came on and lost brakes. Was able to stop using emergency break. Car was completely engulfed in seconds.

Check engine light came on at 100,400 mile while on the freeway and car went into limp mode. Mechanic found P1326 code and the engine knocking. Tried to drive it to the dealership and the engine seized up. Towed it to the dealership and waiting to hear if Hyundai will pay for a new engine under their extended warranty campaign.

On June 6,2025 my car caught fire under the hood on the way home from work. I was then told my car has an ABS module recall and thats whats caused the fire, as well as, electrical shortage. Hyundai finally came to get car on June 27. They refuse to fix or communicate with me on my car that I am still having to pay car note on. They refuse to give me an estimate of damages that results in total loss for insurance purposes

2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT TURBO. PAST/PRESENT SAFETY-SENSITIVE DEFECTS, NOTED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS: 1. One Confirmed Open Recall [CAMPAIGN #/NHTSA RECALL #—Recall 251 / 23V651000] (To Be Scheduled ASAP). 2. RPM/Propulsion Limp-mode Conditions: Vehicle periodically loses RPM READINGS on Dash and goes into the Propulsion sputtering/restricted-speed limp-mode hesitation condition. This condition may occasionally normalize by stopping, turning off engine and restarting. This intermittent RPM/Propulsion condition sometimes occurs, signified by a temporary sputtering/bucking while driving vehicle. ??CHECK STORED CODES ASAP...To Do. 3. Several times the car failed to accelerate predictably. For example, as when trying to accelerate up to highway speed from the on-ramp, leading to a fear of a near-miss, stalling and getting rear-ended. On such occasions, since attention is directed outside of the vehicle for safety, the state of the RPM READING on the dash has not been noted. ??CHECK STORED CODES ASAP...To Do.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.4L GDI engine failure due to known Theta II defect. Engine developed severe knocking and is unsafe to operate. The vehicle has experienced engine failure consistent with Hyundai’s recalled Theta II GDI defect (metal debris and bearing wear). Hyundai has refused to replace the engine, citing incomplete oil change records from a prior owner. This denial is unreasonable, as the defect is a manufacturer issue, not ordinary wear or maintenance neglect. The vehicle is unsafe to drive and at risk of stalling/fire. I request NHTSA investigate Hyundai’s refusal to honor its recall and extended warranty obligations.

Driving at about 80 mph the engine stalled. Check engine and oil light turned on Dealer said there were no lights and no codes present and simply changed oil. 18 miles later engine light was flashing and engine started making horrible noise. Towed back to dealer and vehicle failed bearing test

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the odor of gasoline was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. While driving approximately 25 MPH, flames were present coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was parked and quickly became engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the fire. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed along was personal items inside. A fire report was taken at the scene that indicated the fire had originated in the engine compartment of the vehicle. The cause of the fire was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the fire. The contact indicated that the vehicle was recently serviced at the local dealer for a manufacture's campaign P-1326. The failure mileage was 159,000.

On Aug 2, 2025, while traveling back from vacation with our family of 4, our engine failed and completely seized up on a very busy highway. The vehicle completely shut off in a lane of travel near an exit ramp, and we were unable to even pull off on a shoulder for safety. We were unable to restart the vehicle or reproduce the issue because the vehicle will not turn on. There were no warning lamps or other messages. However, the car has historically consumed an extraordinary amount of oil, even with routine oil changes and service. Two quarts of oil were added to the vehicle the day before this happened. The vehicle was towed to a Hyundai dealership and the incident was reported to Hyundai USA. We've been told the dealership can not run tests or inspect the vehicle until Aug. 21, nearly three weeks after it happened. We were told this is because they have numerous other vehicles with similar problems. This was an incredibly terrifying experience that put the safety of our family of 4, including two young children, at risk. A bystander called 911 and a state trooper arrived to set up flares and expedite a tow truck. We were told the spot we broke down is an incredibly busy part of an interstate where fatal accidents happen every other day.

While driving, my 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe suddenly began losing acceleration without warning. No check engine lights were on at the time. The RPMs surged to 5,000–6,000, but the vehicle failed to gain speed. Moments later, the car lost all power completely. The red engine warning light and battery light illuminated on the dashboard, and the vehicle became unresponsive and would not restart. I had the vehicle towed to a certified Hyundai dealership, where a diagnostic inspection confirmed a rod bearing failure — a well-documented issue associated with the Theta II engine. The dealership initially stated this type of failure should fall under Hyundai’s extended warranty related to the class action lawsuit regarding defective Theta II engines. I purchased the vehicle used in 2020 and have kept detailed maintenance records for every year of ownership, all of which I submitted to Hyundai in support of my engine replacement claim. Despite this, Hyundai denied coverage and declined to replace the engine. This type of sudden engine failure, without any prior warning indicators, is extremely dangerous and appears consistent with the known defects in Theta II engines previously investigated by NHTSA. I’m filing this complaint in the interest of safety, transparency, and accountability, especially as other drivers may be exposed to similar risks. I respectfully urge NHTSA to review this incident as part of its ongoing oversight of Hyundai’s Theta II engine defects and consider re-opening or expanding its investigation into these failures. I also request that NHTSA encourage Hyundai to reconsider its decision to deny my engine replacement claim, especially given the safety-critical nature of the failure and my full compliance with maintenance expectations.