2013 Hyundai Santa Fe: won't start

Filed Jun 4, 2025 · Engine · OK

While driving to work the gas pedal suddenly would not make the vehicle Excellerate and i was barely able to get the car on the side of the road, when i stopped and turned it off it would not start again. I had it towed to the mechanic and they have let us know it was total engine failure, and they would be attempting to get ahold of the manufacture.

Filed Aug 11, 2024 · Engine · MO

My wife was driving the vehicle and it was operating perfectly fine. As she was making a turn and accelerating the check engine light and other lights turned on. She started to experience loss of acceleration and was fortunate to get out of traffic where she turned off the vehicle. She let it sit for a little bit and then attempted to start it. It would not start so I came to try to help and when I attempted to start it, the engine would not turn over. We had it towed to our mechanic and he indicated that the engine was seized up. This vehicle is always serviced and babied by my wife. As I mentioned there was no warning, I.e. no rough idle, no loud noises, no leaking fluids,etc.. Prior to the catastrophic failure it was a very smooth and great driving vehicle. After searching this issue it appears that the 3.3 liter V6 that was in our vehicle has several recalls and accounts of similar failures. Had this happened on the highway it could have caused a serious accident. Given the number of complaints online and allegations, it is reasonable to assume that Hyundai was aware of an issue and they either failed to investigate it, or failed to communicate it. Had there been some sort of recall to address this issue we would’ve had it resolved, but there wasn’t anything tied to our VIN despite us having one of the plagued engines. Please help ensure that they are held responsible for this known liability so that the consumers aren’t. It is not only a financial matter, it is causing risk to safety for any owners that have this engine on the road.

Filed May 15, 2024 · Engine · PA

I was driving along and without any notification the engine stopped running causing me to have to try to get the car off of the road. It would not start back up and I had to have it towed to my house.

Filed Jan 28, 2024 · Electrical · FL

Burning smell and smoke. No oil leak. Car will not start. I do not have another vehicle to use. I have 2 young children

Filed Sep 13, 2023 · Electrical · MS

Issue # 1 - Door open light flashing on instrumental panel. I checked out the door and it was closed tightly. It continues to flash today (09/13/2023). During the end of April 2023, I could not lock my doors and the interior dome light stayed on. I was not aware of this and it drained my battery a couple of times in which my vehicle would not start. I now keep my interior dome light in the "Off' position. Now, when I drive at night, it get in and out of a dark vehicle. This is a safety concern since I am a female and I care for my disabled mother. I also cannot keep my doors locked when I am driving due to this issue. For safety reasons, I prefer to drive with my doors locked and I am unable to due this. I took it to the dealer and they believe the door actuator is the root cause. They gave me an estimate of $850 for parts and labor. I declined the repair, I thought it is too costly. Issue # 2 - Air Conditioner stops blowing cold and starts blowing nothing but hot air. This started in July of 2022. The AC works intermittently. I believe the blower needs to be replaced.

Filed Jun 10, 2022 · Engine · LA

While driving my kids to school, I was attempting to speed up on highway and could not. I was less than a mile away when I could feel the car dying. Luckily it was just as I coasted into the school drop off line, but engine failed and would not start. First of course we attempted to charge battery but eventually realized it was not the the battery. I have contacted my local Hyundai dealer and am getting it towed to service department. I wanted to report this because what if I and my kids were on the interstate at 70mph and my engine seized with no warning lights or indications there was a problem. We could’ve very easily been inured or killed. Scary stuff!

Filed May 10, 2022 · Engine · CA

While driving on the freeway, without warning the driver was unable to accelerate to change lanes and suddenly multiple warning lights illuminated. Car was able to coast and driver slowly made way to exit and left the freeway to off ramp. Steering and brakes were still operable. No signs of smoke, odors or noises during incident. Once stopped car was placed in park and turned off and engine would not turn over. Slight smell was noticed a few minutes later. Before driving no indicator lights were illuminated warning of possible issues with car. This was a dangerous situation as the driver and family was on a freeway at high speeds. Automobile is currently at Dealer who has confirmed that the engine has seized and is no longer operable. Dealer is in contact with Manufacturer on next steps. Automobile is up to date on all recall repairs. Last service maintenance was conducted 2 months prior.

Filed May 26, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · ND

The problem related to the class action for the Theta II GSD engine happened to my engine (Rod Bearing Failure). This is causing the engine to knock. Will have to replace the entire engine with less than 100k on the vehicle. Ran the vehicle normally and then parked it. Once I got back in the vehicle, I tried to start it and it would not start. I brought it to the dealer, and they came back and said there is a Rod Bearing Failure causing the engine to knock.

Filed Nov 30, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 95,600 miles · FL · fire

Driving conditions were clear weather and dry roads with heavy traffic. While traveling approximately 65 MPH westbound on interstate 4, the vehicle lost all power and all the warning indicator lights came on. Fortunately, was able to coast across traffic to the emergency lane. Tried to restart the car and all the indicator lights came on but the car didn't start. Exited the vehicle and walked towards the front to see smoke, at first, then saw flames coming from under the engine compartment. Tried to dial 911, but had weak cell signal. Apparently 911 was notified. Highway patrol arrived, the flames were spreading and getting larger. By the time the fire department arrived, the vehicle was totally engulfed in flames, which reached almost 10 feet high. The fire fighters were able to contain the fire before it reached the fuel tank, but the vehicle and its contents were totally burned. The vehicle was a shell of metal and ash when it was towed away.

Filed Sep 21, 2020 · Engine · 89,163 miles · CA

My car was stalling, at a stop light, wouldn't start up at home and wouldn't start at work. Called triple aaa and purchased a battery from them, however I had the old battery tested and it was still good. Took my car to the dealership because my car was leaking oil after 2 months back and forth in their shop they could not find the issue. I called corporate to file a complaint a few times and was always told that there was nothing they can do because warranty had expired. I took my car to an outside mechanic within 30mins they found the issue. When the tech removed the cylinder head 6 of the rear head bolts were loose and the threads had pulled out of the block and 4 from the front head. Tech drilled out all rear block head bolt holes and installed time serts and the 4 in the front head. After repair no more oil leaks. I called hyundai corporate because of there design failure it was their responsibility to pay for it $4526.02. Again hyundai said they were not liable. I want to be reimburse for all my out of pocket expenses.

Filed Nov 4, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 129,600 miles · GA

On september 20th 2018 after having the car a week, the car made a noise would not start all the dashboard lights were blinking on and off then never came on again. The car was taken to the dealer for them to say it was a battery, which they never gave a service receipt for no matter how many times I asked. Then again on august 7 2019 my engine light came on and car stop while driving on the expressway with my kids in the car. Thankfully we were able to get off the expressway which was a very scary situation. After about 30 min that did restart but would not accelerate of 60 MPH. As we coasted the remainder of our trip. Then again on october 7 the light came on again after receiving an oil change and tune up. This time smoking and stalling and never coming back on again. The brake would be pressed when the push to start betton never went to the on position.

Filed Mar 20, 2019 · Engine · 110,000 miles · WA · fire

Short version- this car stalled in the middle of highway traffic and would not start again, creating a traffic hazard and required towing and hyundai dealer said there was nothing wrong with it. Later it also caught on fire while moving in a parking lot. There was smoke inside the car and smoking coming out the front grill. It has several known factory manufacture known issues that are well documented nationwide to create engine fires, stalling, seized engines, just like ours. . Hyundai refuses to remedy. Hyundai also did a software update to prevent engine seizure on an already dead motor, that is not performing its safety features as designed and they will not remedy. They are charging us for the motor that is still defective, and a safety issue, and they will not fix their factory defect lemon car.