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2013 Hyundai Santa Fe: stuck in gear or won't shift

7 of the 605 complaints about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe describe stuck in gear or won't shift.

owner complaints
7
of this car's complaints
1%
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 21 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Stuck in gear or won't shift by model year

What owners say

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 Feb 12, 2022 · Acceleration, Electrical · MS

When the cruise control shuts down, the tachometer cuts out and the vehicle seems to go into limp mode. Brightening or dimming the headlights causes an intermittent bright flash to the interior lights. This could be potentially dangerous seeing as you have no acceleration, which could cause very extensive damage to person and property. The intermittent bright flash could be a result of an unregulated power surge, which could cause damage to person and property.

Filed Dec 16, 2021 · Engine · IL

hyundia and darcy hyundia dealership (815) 725-5200 know of this excessive oil consumption problem with the engine and now this vehicles oil consumption has ruined the catalytic converters . vehicle is using 1 qt. a week driving about 150 miles estimated. My Daughter was driving home from work during rush hour and car lost power and went into limp mode . car was towed to dealership .12/3/2021 and had vehicle 7-10 days and said problem is plugged catalytic converters. root cause to much oil consumption.this problem started years ago with oil consumption . we took it to the dealership and they kept saying it was normal .I said that it was excessive .which it was .I could not get them to repair the motor and they new it was excessive oil consumption.My Daughters safety was put at risk.It was night time and rush hour .Now were getting nowhere with hyundia and Darcy hyundia of joliet IL.60436

Filed Jun 30, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · FL

In May 2020 the vehicle started experiencing an issue that would constantly put it in limp mode. Took it in at an automotive place and they replaced it with a brand new computer. A few days later, the issue happened again. Took it back. They could not determine the problem and said we should bring it to the local Hyundai dealership in Naples, FL. Hyundai dealership in Naples, FL swore up and down it was the brake pedal assembly. Trusted their judgment and replaced it. Not even a few days later, car goes back into limp mode. Take it back to the local Hyundai dealership. They swear up and down it is now the tracking device on the vehicle. So between the warranty company, the dealership we bought the car from and the local Hyundai dealership we get the tracking device reinstalled. We take the car not even a few days later car goes back into limp mode. We dealt with this issue since May 2020-September 2020 at the local Hyundai dealership. They finally disconnected the tracking device. Now mind you the limp mode issues with the vehicle only happen when it is raining. In our dry season we experience no issues. Fast forward to June 2021 limp mode issues have returned since we are now in our rainy season. Local Hyundai dealership swore up and down again it is the tracking device. I had advised them it is impossible since they unplugged it and this issue only happens in the rain. They still swore it was the tracking device. They finally got the vehicle really wet and they finally were able to see what we were talking about. So now they changed their professional opinion that it is the wiring harness. Apparently this vehicle has two different wiring harnesses. So they are suggesting we replace both, but they can't guarantee that will work. So it appears they really do not know what is wrong with the car. If it was truly wiring then why would it only malfunction in the rain and not when it is dry? How is rain getting getting under the hood and through the protective component

Filed Dec 22, 2020 · Engine · 120,000 miles · TX · fire

I was driving down a very busy highway on 12/21/20 and my engine completely seized, no warning and incredibly terrifying. The car came to a very sudden stop, and we were very lucky that we were not killed in an accident. My car began smoking and it smelled as if it were burning, we called the fire department immediately. I was unable to start the car again, and I was also unable to switch it to neutral so that I could get out of the busy traffic. Had to call 911 and pray that I was not hit while waiting for them. I tried continuously to start my car so that I could move out of the traffic, but engine completely seized, gear would not shift to neutral, and we were stranded in a very dangerous situation. Once cops came we had to have the car towed 40 miles away and it is now sitting uselessly in the driveway.

Filed Oct 29, 2020 · Engine · 160,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 hyundai santa fe. The contact stated that when he accelerated from a stopped position the vehicle would not engage in gears to accelerate and it would perform like a manual transmission vehicle stuck in neutral. The rpms would reeve up as a result before the vehicle would finally shift into gear to accelerate when the contact pressed on the fuel pedal. This condition would occur off and on while he drove his vehicle. The contact was able drive to his destination. He had the engine replaced before with a recall repair the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v226000 (engine and engine cooling) but the issue recurred again. The dealer fred beans hyundai 4465 west swamp road, doylestown, pa 18902 (215) 345-8200 stated that they would not replace the engine a second time. The manufacturer stated that same as the dealer. The replacement cost would be the contact's to pay. The vehicle was still not repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 823 miles · CO

I was coming off the highway on the off-ramp and coming to a stop at a stoplight. When the light turned green, the car wouldn't not accelerate pass 10 or 15 MPH. It seemed like it wouldn't shift to a higher gear but would be stuck on 1st gear to accelerate. I had to pull off the side of the road and get it towed back to the dealership. Before getting a tow truck, I attempted to turn it off and on several time. The check engine light would come on and any attempts to restart and accelerate the car would produce the same results; the car wouldn't accelerate. Also, after turning off the car, the car would not come on without a lot of engine cranks. The car only as 823 miles on it. I've only had it for 2 weeks. Extremely disappointed with the car and the company. Will try to return it. Not worth the risk of it causing inuring to my family.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Power train: axle assembly: axle shaftReported August 12, 2013 · 20,300 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2013 front wheel drive Santa Fe Sport vehicles manufactured July 13, 2012, through March 12, 2013; and equipped with 2.4 liter engines. Due to a manufacturing issue, the right front axle shaft may fracture.
Risk
A fractured front axle may result in a loss of power to the wheels. Additionally, if the vehicle is parked without the parking brake applied, it may roll away. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai Custom Care Center at 1‑800‑633‑5151. Hyundai's recall number is 112.

Recall number 13V355000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe won't shift

Is stuck in gear or won't shift a common problem on the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?

7 of 605 owner complaints about the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe (1%) mention stuck in gear or won't shift. 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 is 1 recall and 21 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 100Stalling 64Check 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 7Fuel gauge 6Adaptive cruise 5Fuel pump 5Misfire 5Slipping 5Warning lights 5Wipers 5

All model years of the Hyundai Santa Fe

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