HyundaiSanta Fe2013Overview/hyundai/santa-fe/2013/base/

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Santa Fe.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe is an SUV that utilizes a 6‑qt engine oil capacity with a 5W‑30/10W‑30 API viscosity rating and is mated to a 6‑speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA fuel‑economy figures of 18/25/21 mpg. In terms of ownership experience, the model year logged 604 total complaints, with the engine being the leading problem area and three recalls issued. Placed within the Santa Fe’s broader complaint history from 2001‑2026, the 2013 figure sits below the 2017 peak of 941 complaints but well above the 2026 low of 28, indicating a moderate reliability standing for this generation.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/25/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnINDOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Thermostat255003C150

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.6 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3772 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 25 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Santa Fe of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2013 Limited 3.3L V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2013Limited 3.3L V67.10 sec15.80 sec290 hpFWD
2013GLS 3.3L V67.40 sec16.00 sec290 hpFWD
2013Limited 3.3L V67.50 sec15.90 sec290 hpAWD
2014Limited 3.3L V67.30 sec15.80 sec290 hpAWD
2017Limited Ultimate 3.3L V67.30 sec15.80 sec290 hpAWD
2017Limited Ultimate 3.3L V67.30 sec15.80 sec290 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 / 10W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.3-32.5 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidHyundai SP-IV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · 10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7-9 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts210-224 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts56 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36-40 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.3-32.5 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub177-199 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub177-199 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.56-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Timing5, Not adjustable degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test12-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief12-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature190 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)284.5-2133.5 High pressure fuel line. psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)69.6-75.4 Low pressure fuel line. psi
Engine Compression128

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs / 47-54 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.001 in / 0.0012 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.43 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.43 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
123 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7223 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs., step 2: 19.5-23.1 ft. lbs., step 3: repeat step 2 twice.2.9–4.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 37,500 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 2013 the Santa Fe generated 604 complaints, the highest of the three‑year window, with 3 recalls, 8 investigations and 158 TSBs, surpassing the 352 complaints of 2012 and the 493 of 2014. The complaint distribution is led by power‑train issues (193) and steering problems (70), together accounting for more than half of the reported concerns. Compared with the surrounding years, investigations and TSB counts are elevated, indicating more frequent dealer‑service actions than in 2012 or 2014. Fire‑related complaints number 41 and crash‑related complaints 14, figures that sit above the 2012‑2014 range but remain modest relative to the total complaint volume. Given the spike in overall complaints and the concentration in engine and steering categories, the 2013 model is not the safest or most reliable choice for a used purchase.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
158
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
8
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
604
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 41 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 604 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine193
Steering70
Unknown Or Other34
Power Train20
Service Brakes19
Service Brakes, Hydraulic15
Power Train,Engine14
Electrical System13

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V358000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:LatchReported 05/06/2017

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at…

13V355000Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle ShaftReported 12/08/2013

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 158 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
Z01 Letter2026-05-22Electrical SystemCertain 2012 – 2017 model year Accent, 2012 – 2017 model year Azera, 2013 – 2018 model…
26-BE-011H DN2026-04-25Electrical SystemSome vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s)…
26-BE-011H TSB2026-04-25Electrical SystemSome vehicles listed below may exhibit an intermittent airbag warning light and DTC(s)…
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Santa Fe. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Santa Fe take?

6.0 qt of 5W-30 OR 10W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Santa Fe have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Santa Fe get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg.