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2013 Hyundai Santa Fe: engine stalls while driving

64 of the 605 complaints about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe describe engine stalls while driving.

owner complaints
64
of this car's complaints
11%
typical mileage
80,000
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 25 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine stalls while driving by model year

What owners say

Filed Dec 10, 2024 · Engine · MS

All of a sudden, while driving the car it started to shake. When I slowed down to stop it was shaking more and idling so low I thought it was going to shut off. Went to the mechanic we use, mis firing on multiple cylinders. After replacing the plugs it was still doing the same thing. The oil was checked, only 2000 miles from my last oil change, I was nearly out of oil. I was told that these cars run a lot of oil, and run hot. Basically getting that low on oil the engine burned up. I never got a low oil light. Its only been 2000 miles into my recent oil change. The mechanic said this is a common problem with these cars, people shouldn't go more than 2000 without at least checking oil level and probably will need oil added. I was told not to drive it anymore, it could potentially over heat or stall out.

Filed Jul 11, 2024 · Engine · MI

Hyundai sent a notification a few years ago about a known manufacturing defect in the engine of the 2013 Santa Fe Sport. Stated that due to the manufacturing process of the engine, burs could be left inside that could disrupt oil flow causing it to stall. Stated a software patch would prevent this. The patch was completed. It didn't prevent this. While getting on the highway, during afternoon noon rush hour traffic, experienced total engine failure as soon as it reached highway speed. Got off the ramp onto the highway and immediately next ramp rolled to a stop at the bottom. Safety was put at risk because the vehicle lost it's engine getting on a freeway in heavy traffic. Hyundai dealers couldn't see the car for 2 to 3 months so had it towed to a non-dealership mechanic who stated the engine was a total loss with metal shavings in the oil drained from the pan. Pulled the head and found the oil at the top of the block to be in good maintenance shape but engine totally failed. No lights or warnings prior to the failure. As soon as the engine stopped there was alternator, oil pressure, and check engine light. Those came on after loss of engine Hyundai states they extended the warranty to cover this because it's a known issue but local dealerships state they have so many engine failures they won't be able to look at it until the end of September (we are at the beginning of July) and when they do get a chance to look at it there is a chance they could refuse to cover it. Contacted Hyundai customer support where they stated there's nothing they can do. Currently vehicle is being stored in my garage pending outcome of inspection that's months away.

Filed May 22, 2024 · Brakes · WY · fire

I was driving when it stalled out while driving and people helped me push my car out of turning lane to safety. The hood engulfed in flames. It was out the blue I had just bought the car a few months earlier. I was notified later that there was a recall on the car that caused fires but was unaware at the time

Filed Apr 7, 2024 · Engine · MO

My engine failed at an intersection exiting highway. Found out this is a recalled engine. Vehicle stalled, without any warning. Lights came on after the stall. Vehicle would not restart. Had to wait at intersection for tow truck. Vehicle currently at reed hyundai Missouri, under going a 6 month wait to be told crankshaft part of engine failed. Hyundai not wanting to cover their recalled engine.

Filed Oct 8, 2023 · Engine · TN

The car ran great when I bought it and did for about one month before it suddenly stalled and went into limp mode. The engine started making a loud knocking noise that kept getting worse. Only got to drive the car for a little over one month. It’s been at the Hyundai dealership for almost 3 months now still waiting on the rod bearing clearance test because there were 17 other Hyundais in front of mine. If for some reason they won’t replace it then it’s a total loss because I don’t feel safe getting back in it and especially my kids. I would rather just be reimbursed for the price of the car so I can buy a different brand all together. I don’t want the same issue to keep happening. The dealership I bought it at completely failed to mention anything about the theta II engine recall, they even told me it didn’t have any recalls and that it was a great reliable car. If I would’ve known the smallest thing about the recall I would’ve NEVER bought it, period! It’s ridiculous that a company would rather keep letting people die than fix the problem completely.

Filed Sep 15, 2023 · Engine · 144,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact attempted to steer the vehicle off the roadway, but the vehicle stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and after numerous attempts was able to restart and drove the vehicle to a nearby service station. A mechanic at the service station checked the vehicle and found metal shavings in the oil filter and determined that the engine had seized. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V226000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

Filed Sep 1, 2023 · Engine · 150,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Aug 11, 2023 · Engine · 144,904 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became inoperable, and the steering wheel seized. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to safely drive the vehicle into a parking lot before the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that she then called her husband, and her husband was able to restart the vehicle and drive it to the residence safely. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a faulty alternator. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving on the highway, the failure reoccurred with several unknown warning lights illuminated before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the alternator had been replaced twice and the battery had been replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,904.

Filed Jun 9, 2023 · Brakes, Engine · OH

I was driving down the highway when the car suddenly just jolted stalled and misfired. I put on my hazards and jerked to get a read since the engine light came on. After 4 diagnostic tests and 3 different mechanics the codes read misfire in cylinder 2. Spark plugs were installed new, but after further inspection and 3 pressure tests the problem was scoring to the cylinder wall, not the cylinder coil itself. The final test was by a Hyundai dealer, but he did not tear down the engine further to find exact cause. He initially suggested an oil change, but I have been getting oil changes every month before service is due as oil is burning off and not lubricating essential mechanical parts. I have records of monthly changes. I also had several issues with brake fluid leaks regardless of tube installation per another recall for ABS system. I visited dealer under the advise of Hyundai customer service telling me I was under an extended warranty up to 150,000. After visiting dealer I was told the warranty does not cover my power train issue but only pertaining to rods and bearings. However, according to best practice guide 162 and class action I am still eligible for free inspection as a returning customer which was denied. I had no notice or knowledge of a bad engine when purchasing vehicle. I was told of ABS system recall and a no cost inspection. The previous owner serviced the recall 162 so it’s showing as closed, but as a returning customer I believe it to still be active and deserves further review. A tow would be required to inspect the vehicle at any dealership or repair shop.

Filed Jan 25, 2023 · Engine · AZ

I was driving to work January 12th and I turned on my left blinker and touched my breaks to slow down and make a stop at a red light in a turning lane. After touching my break my car stalled for the first time since I owned the vehicle in the middle of the road. I put it in park and tried to turn it over twice. The hood of my vehicle started smoking and my engine seized up. I dropped my vehicle off at Horne Hyundai on January 18th after Pep Boys did an engine diagnostics confirming it fell under a recall I was never notified about. There were no engine lights on previous to my car breaking down and I have not heard back from Horne Hyundai since I dropped off my vehicle. Prior to the breakdown, there were not engine malfunctions. Ever since I got the car it didn't accelerate well, but thought it was the specific model of the vehicle.

Filed Sep 26, 2022 · Engine · NM

* Vehicle started blowing smoke out of the tailpipe, was losing power and began to stall out, the vehicle is available for inspection and is located at my local dealership * Vehicle began to lose power and started stalling out as I was driving which could have caused an accident * The problem was reproduced by both an independent service center and the Hyundai dealership; both indicated the engine needs to be replaced * Vehicle has been inspected and tested by an independent service center and the Hyundai dealership; both indicated the engine needs to be replaced * There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the problem occurring * There is a safety recall (the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V‑226) for this very issue * The dealership claims they ran the diagnostics and the vehicle is considered to be operating at a functional level and is outside of the parameters set by Hyundai for an engine replacement even though they agreed the vehicle can not be driven in its current condition and that the engine needs to be replaced * Hyundai is refusing to replace the engine * It is questionable as to whether or not the dealership conducted a proper inspection according to Hyundai's "Recall 162 Dealer Best Practices Guide" (which required testing to be conducted and results to be uploaded to HMA via utilization of the GDS mobile tablet) and Technical Service Bulleting (TSB) #17-01-047 for this recall which was published on 6/23/17 as they are is unwilling or unable to supply any testing results or parameters and did not replace the dipstick, oil or oil filter as the recall service requires *Vehicle has been at the dealership since it was towed there on 8/11/22 and we have not had use of it since 7/18/22

Filed Aug 6, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · OR

While driving vehicle on freeway car stalled and would not accelerate. Car was then pulled over to side of road .Turned vehicle off now it will not turn back on . This almost cause accident on freeway .

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe stalling

Is engine stalls while driving a common problem on the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?

64 of 605 owner complaints about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe (11%) mention engine stalls while driving. The model year with the most reports is 2017.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?

There are 0 recalls and 25 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

Engine failure 100Check engine light 62Knocking 47Fire or smoke 40Oil consumption 34Loss of power 29ABS 28Sunroof shattered 21Pulling 19Hesitation 18Won't start 17Steering noise 15Harsh shifting 10Headlights 10Jerking 8Door locks 7Won't shift 7Fuel gauge 6Adaptive cruise 5Fuel pump 5Misfire 5Slipping 5Warning lights 5Wipers 5

All model years of the Hyundai Santa Fe

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