2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport fuel system problems

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 Mar 17, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · CO

Circuit board inside the fuse box stopped working and there was no speed indicator, no cruise control, no odometer registering while driving. Also the mechanical fuel pump started leaking fuel at 148,000 miles and now at 156,000 miles it is burning through oil and no oil light came on and the engine went into limp mode and is also now going through coolant too.

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

While traveling at approximately 80 mph on the highway, my vehicle suddenly lost all response to the accelerator pedal. Despite continued pressure on the gas, the vehicle rapidly decelerated to approximately 40 mph on its own. There were no warning lights, unusual noises, or physical indicators of a problem before, during, or after the event. I was able to safely navigate the vehicle off the highway. The vehicle appeared to operate normally afterward. The following day, I brought the vehicle to a mechanic who was unable to replicate the issue and found no stored fault codes. No repairs were made. Given the known concerns surrounding the Theta II engine in this model year, I am submitting this incident for documentation purposes and to contribute to any ongoing or future investigation into sudden acceleration loss in 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles.

Filed Aug 20, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

2013 HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT TURBO. PAST/PRESENT SAFETY-SENSITIVE DEFECTS, NOTED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS: 1. One Confirmed Open Recall [CAMPAIGN #/the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Nov 20, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · 161,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact observed a gasoline odor. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence and inspected. The contact's husband observed gas around the fuel pump and condensation underneath the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pressure pump line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 161,000.

Filed Aug 19, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · 114,964 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. The contact stated that fuel was leaking from the fuel line. The contact also stated that the vehicle hesitated at start-up due to the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V934000 (Engine, Fuel System, Gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 114,964.

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.

Filed May 6, 2019 · Fuel system · 59,800 miles · NJ

Obd fuel system sensor has failed nj inspection 4 times since march 2019.

Filed Mar 21, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 97,000 miles · VA

Husband was driving my santa fe sport 2013 on the highway when the car just died, 97,000 miles on the car, no warning at all. No engine lights or anything. Took to a mechanic, said the engine seized and will need to be replaced. Also said there was no oil in the vehicle, even though it was not due for an oil change yet. He said they couldn't find a reason for there to be no oil, proper maintenance has been completed on this vehicle. Had it towed to the dealership, waiting to see if it is under warranty, but I am sure they will try to find a reason not to pay to have it fixed. Second problem with this car in the last 3 months. The fuel pump went out less than three months ago and had to be replaced. Will not buy hyundai again.

Filed Dec 26, 2017 · Fuel system · 83,120 miles · OH

Check engine light comes on, obd-ii trouble code p0087: fuel rail/system pressure - too low. High-pressure fuel pump failure and needs to be replaced. I experienced the symptoms of p0087: rough running, poor acceleration on the high way, and hard starting.