2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport electrical problems

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · GA

Vehicle: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T Limited, VIN [XXX]. Registered and titled in Georgia, USA since July 2022. Built in the USA (VIN begins with 5); originally retailed in Canada. The vehicle has an unremedied ABS module defect that can cause an engine-compartment fire even when parked and turned off. Hyundai Canada lists it as open safety recall R0246-1 (41D013, Transport Canada 2024-080), remedy available since 2024-05-27. The same defect and the same remedy (ABS fuse replacement) are covered in the US by the federal safety agency recall 23V651 / Hyundai Recall 251, which includes 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles produced 7/12/2012 to 6/15/2013. A second Canadian fire-risk recall is also open: R0212 (21DG01, TC 2022-659, rear park-assist sensors). the federal safety agency recall lookup for my VIN shows 0 open recalls (checked 10/26/2026), apparently because the vehicle was first sold in Canada. Georgia Hyundai dealers refuse to perform the recalls, telling me they do not do recalls on Canadian vehicles. As a result, a US-registered vehicle with a known fire defect that Hyundai Motor America has recalled in the US cannot get the remedy anywhere in the US. I have asked Hyundai Auto Canada (10/26/2026) to authorize a US dealer. I ask the federal safety agency to ask Hyundai Motor America (1) why US-registered vehicles that are the same as those in recall 23V651 are excluded from the remedy because of their original market, and (2) to authorize its dealers to perform the remedy on my vehicle. I am parking outdoors away from structures in the meantime. My family, including three young children, rides in this vehicle. No fire, crash or injury has occurred. Documents available: Hyundai Canada recall lookup and the federal safety agency lookup for this VIN, both dated 10/26/2026. [XXX], [XXX], [XXX], [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 17, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · TN

In October/November of 2023, while Hyundai was actively initiating Safety Recall 251 (the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency regarding this submission.

Filed Mar 23, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IL · fire

I was driving on March 20, 2026 at about 12:00 PM when I suddenly noticed smoke, a strong gasoline smell, an oil smell, and a burning odor coming from the vehicle. I pulled over immediately because I believed the vehicle was unsafe and at risk of fire. The vehicle had to be towed. An independent repair shop later found a fuel leak at the high-pressure fuel line / fuel pump area, a loose ground wire on the right-hand side of the engine, a valve cover gasket leak, and engine timing chain noise. I was informed that gasoline had sprayed throughout the engine bay. This created an immediate fire hazard even though no actual fire occurred. This problem was especially concerning because the vehicle had been inspected and serviced by an authorized Hyundai dealer in December 2025, less than about 3,000 miles earlier. The loose engine ground wire and fuel leak raise serious concerns about vehicle safety and the adequacy of the prior inspection. I contacted Hyundai the same day and reported this as a fire-risk safety issue, but I did not receive timely assistance. Because immediate dealer service was not available, I had to authorize emergency repairs at a local shop for safety reasons. No warning lights were noted before the incident. The failure was confirmed by the repair shop.

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Official Dealer Refusal to Perform Critical Safety Recall (VIN: [XXX] ) Description: I am reporting a formal refusal by the official Hyundai distributor in the Dominican Republic (Magna Motors) to perform critical safety recalls on my US-spec vehicle. Pending Recalls: Recall #251 (the federal safety agency 23V651000): ABS module fire risk. Campaign #953: KSDS software update. The dealer (Magna Motors) refuses to perform the service, claiming a "lack of tools," and has declined to provide a written explanation for this denial. This is a severe violation of safety regulations regarding life-threatening defects (Fire Risk). As the vehicle is a US-spec unit, I request the federal safety agency’s intervention to ensure the manufacturer (Hyundai) compels its local representative to complete these repairs immediately at no cost. PLEASE NOTE: I am using a US mailing address only to complete this form. The vehicle and I are physically located in the Dominican Republic. The local official distributor, Magna Motors, is failing to honor these the federal safety agency safety recalls." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 11, 2025 · Electrical · CA

The door latch assembly. It continues to show warning lights that my doors are still open when they are not. As well as my key fob when pressed twice, my car will not make any audible sounds. It continues to drain my power and kill my batteries. Have had my engine replaced due to engine recall. I have also had my hood latch replaced from a recall. My car sound be eligible for the door lock assembly recall. I have two children under 6 years old and safety of the door being shut properly is of the utmost importance to me. I have already taken the vehicle to the dealership and they have quoted me the problem as stated above. I can provide the quote! There is also a TSB 14-01-004-1. Which my car should be able to qualify for. Thank you.

Filed Oct 14, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 192,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle intermittently lost automotive power. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, and the starter was replaced. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to an unknown the federal safety agency Campaign. The local dealer was contacted; however, it was unclear if the vehicle had been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the same local independent mechanic, where the alternator was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 192,000

Filed Jul 10, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 108,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side door failed to register as closed when locked. The back over prevention camera failed to display the rear-view image while in the vehicle was in reverse. The contact stated that during the failure with the back over prevention camera the radio also became inoperable. The contact stated that the TPMS warning light erroneously illuminated with the tires properly inflated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed. The contact became aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the other failures. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000.

Filed Oct 2, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 172,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, several warning lights illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact stated that after restarting the vehicle several times, the warning lights turned off. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 172,000.

Filed Dec 4, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 23,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 hyundai santa fe sport. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle jerked, lost power, and accelerated without warning. The contact veered to the shoulder of the road, turned off the vehicle, and waited for a few minutes. The vehicle was restarted and failed to resume normal operation. The vehicle was towed by roadside assistance to hyundai of long island city (34-54 44th st, long island city, ny, (718) 819-6160) where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred multiple times. The contact mentioned that the battery was replaced two additional times. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000. The VIN was unknown.

Filed May 9, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 72,400 miles · AZ · fire

While driving down the highway, the vehicle started to loose power, started having a vibration and could see smoke in the rear view mirror. I pulled over and the engine had caught fire. Within minutes, the whole vehicle burst into flames.