2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT Complaints

In October/November of 2023, while Hyundai was actively initiating Safety Recall 251 (NHTSA Campaign 23V-651), my vehicle's ABS Control Unit suffered an internal fluid leak that resulted in an electrical short-circuit. The failure caused major electronic communication errors, illuminated dashboard warning lights, and placed the vehicle into Limp Mode, rendering it unsafe to drive. Because the failure occurred prior to receiving a formal owner notification in the mail and the vehicle was un-drivable, I paid $1,300.54 out-of-pocket on November 17th 2023 to replace the failed ABS module. Hyundai Corporate has twice denied reimbursement, arguing that Recall 251 only covers a multi-fuse replacement and claiming internal fluid leaks are not covered. This contradicts NHTSA 23V-651 documentation, which explicitly identifies internal ABS module fluid leaks and electrical shorts as the core safety defect. Installing a fuse current-limiter cannot repair an already-ruined ABS circuit board or resolve a safety-mandated Limp Mode. I am reporting this to document on the official public record that Hyundai is actively denying reimbursement for the exact root-cause failure identified in NHTSA Campaign 23V-651. PLEASE NOTE: This report is submitted solely to document Hyundai Motor America's non-compliance and improper reimbursement denial for official record-keeping under Campaign 23V-651. I do not require follow-up contact from NHTSA regarding this submission.

I was driving down a highway and was slowing down as motorcycle in front of me was turning. I than proceeded to drive, I heard a loud noise which everyone in the vehicle thought it was the motorcycle (it wasn't) we pulled over into the nearest gas station and saw that my oil light was barely blinking (it was barely noticeable) was fading in and out) we got out checked the dipstick and it was low. Was not due for an oil change for another 1500miles. We put oil in and waited checked the dip stick it was then reading between the two lines of L and F. We waited another 5-10 minutes before leaving. We pulled out and the vehicle acted as if it had no power. I pushed on the gas to get up to speed and the car died out; I got pulled over to the side of the road. The car gave me no indication of anything. No oil light. I drove the days before with no issues I was 38miles from home.

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that after a routine oil change, while driving back to the residence, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there were metal shavings inside the engine. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not eligible for a recall repair because the engine software update was not performed. The failure mileage was approximately 136,434.

While driving a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport on a city street, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled and shut off while idling at a red light. The vehicle completely failed to restart. No dashboard warning lights, check engine lights, or fault messages illuminated prior to or during the stalling event. Immediately following the engine shutdown, a fire erupted under the engine hood. The fire rapidly escalated and completely engulfed the entire vehicle, resulting in a total loss. The local fire department responded to the scene to extinguish the blaze

My 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is subject to Hyundai Recall 162 / NHTSA Recall 17V-226, concerning premature connecting-rod-bearing wear that can cause engine knocking, engine failure, and loss of motive power. My vehicle developed engine knocking and a flashing check-engine light while I was driving. The vehicle is now at an authorized Hyundai dealership. Hyundai initially denied an engine replacement based on mileage. I escalated the matter to Hyundai Motor America Corporate Consumer Affairs. Hyundai has now confirmed in writing that, because my vehicle is more than eight years old and has more than 150,000 miles, Hyundai is applying the high-mileage provision of the Theta II settlement and will not replace the engine. Instead, Hyundai is offering either a repurchase or $2,000 in lieu of engine replacement. I understand that Hyundai is relying on the court-approved settlement. My concern is specifically whether Hyundai’s application of that settlement to my vehicle is consistent with the administration of Recall 162 and the federal safety-recall remedy, given that my vehicle is experiencing the engine failure that Recall 162 was designed to address. I am requesting NHTSA’s review of Hyundai’s handling of this safety-related recall matter.

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the rear control arms and subframe were rusted and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the vehicle had previously been repaired under Service Campaign Number: 996 (Underbody Corrosion Preventive Service); however, the contact stated that the protective spray was only applied to the unibody and not the rear underbody. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,483.

Vehicle is a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport with the 2.4L Theta II GDI engine. A Hyundai dealer documented excessive oil consumption in December 2025 (3 quarts consumed over 1,703 miles during a dealer-administered oil consumption test; repair orders on file and available for inspection). On April 19, 2026, at 160,913 miles, following a highway drive, the engine developed a pronounced knock and vibration at low RPM and began stalling within seconds of idling in Park, with check engine and charging warning lamps illuminated. An engine that stalls at idle presents a safety hazard in traffic due to loss of power braking and steering assist. The vehicle was removed from service the same day, has not been driven since, and remains available for inspection. Knock Sensor Detection System software (Campaign 953) was installed and did not prevent the failure. Manufacturer has been notified in writing and consumer affairs cases are on file.

Issue was first identified in September 2024 when a rattling noise prompted inspection, and the engine was found to be significantly low on oil. Excessive engine oil consumption was confirmed with failure during manufacturer testing. Vehicle emits occasional burning oil smell when idling after 10 miles+ driving. Vehicle failed a 1,000-mile oil consumption test following a “Dynamic Engine Clean” performed by a certified independent mechanic, with documented oil loss of approximately 2 quarts. Vehicle subsequently failed a dealer-administered oil consumption test, with documented oil loss of approximately 2.3 quarts within 1,000 miles. Engine oil levels have dropped to critically low levels between checks despite active monitoring and maintenance. This condition presents a risk of engine seizure, sudden loss of power while driving, and potential engine compartment fire due to oil consumption or leakage. The issue has been reproduced and documented by both an independent mechanic and a Hyundai dealership. Despite confirmed excessive oil consumption, the manufacturer has delayed corrective action and has required repeated oil consumption testing and engine cleaning procedures rather than proceeding with repair. This condition appears consistent with known defects associated with Hyundai Theta II engines.

I have great concern that certain vehicles of Hyundai are getting a little bit of extended warranty occupant classification system forward slash occupant detection system known issues. OCS/ODS I will try to attach a picture of the letter. As a nurse manager I find this once again appalling on Hyundai behalf, after these years pass we won't know if our air big warning lights or trouble codes or even a a passenger is detected when driving. They offered to pay if you had issues with this problem or in my case in the next four and a half years they would cover it but after that do I feel that this is my problem because they're having defect sensors and warning lights or maybe lack thereof altogether after speaking to them when I called and made a case number XXX with Hyundai Motor America. I strongly believe this should be a recall. I would never trust anybody sitting in my passenger seat, and I don't think you would either. They always try and find some way to get around doing the right thing and obviously they have problems with intermittent airbags warning lights trouble codes and this needs to be looked into if there are any risk/issues detecting or possibly never detecting a grandchild sitting in that front seat! After 5 years I will worry if anybody sits in the front seat now. I have started the process and will wait for your reply, of communicating with [XXX] our Minnesota State Attorney General's office on this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I noticed a Check Engine Light flashing on my dashboard while driving on May 27, 2026. The vehicle suddenly losing power is extremely unsafe for me and my family, and also others on the road. This is a repeated P1326 code which happened before in 2021 and 2024. Based on the receipts I have from the previous inspections from the dealer, the Bearing Clearance Test (BCT) was not done in 2024, but was performed in 2021. The knock sensor was replaced in 2024 and I was denied engine replacement. This is a repeat failure of the same condition under Hyundai Motors TSB T3G Theta II. Once again, my safety was at extreme risk as the engine lost its power suddenly. It could have easily lead to a crash. In 2024, Hyundai and the dealer declined an engine replacement despite me showing the safety concerns and my possible eligibility for an engine replacement for the underlying condition.