2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    engine stall or no start

    21 stranded, 78 unsafe

    99
    incidents
    Typical range: 16,000–105,000 mi

    Median 40,000 mi, based on 123 reports (21% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO…"~1,100 mi, complaint #978065
    • "I WAS ON A FREEWAY ON RAMP THAT GOES DOWNHILL AND INVOLVES A CURVE TO THE RIGHT. ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN THE ON RAMP MY ENGINE STALLED. I HAD TO TURN MY WHEEL AS FAR RIGHT AS I COULD TO AVOID GOING OFF EMBANKMENT AND COULD NOT ACCELERATE TO TRY TO MOVE AWAY FROM TH…"~12,800 mi, complaint #1035839
    • "WHEN MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AT SLOW SPEED THE CARS STALLS OUT. TODAY 7/16 IS THE 3RD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE SAME EVENT HAPPENED TWICE IN THE SAME WEEK ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO THEN NOT AGAIN. THIS SOUNDS TOO SIMILAR TO THE PROBLEMS W/ GM CARS. *TR"~44,332 mi, complaint #1087061
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT…"~112,000 mi, complaint #1712113
    • "THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT AT A DOCTOR'S OFFICE. I TRIED MANY TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WOULD KICK OVER BUT DID NOT. I THEN HEARD A KIND OF WHIRRING SOUND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE AND NOTICED SMO…"~194,000 mi, complaint #1559187
  2. #2

    engine internal

    13 stranded, 80 unsafe, 1 broken

    94
    incidents
    Typical range: 81,000–124,000 mi

    Median 105,000 mi, based on 85 reports (23% had no usable mileage)

    • "ENGINE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY RUN ROUGH, SPUTTER AND CHOKE WHILE DRIVING. *TR"~2,600 mi, complaint #940812
    • "I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH. I WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND PROCEEDED TO PASS THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. UPON ARRIVING TO THE UPCOMING TOWN I NOTICED A DISTINCT LOUD KNOCK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND LOSS OF POWER, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED I…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1714902
    • "AFTER 104,000 MILES, MY SANTA FE [REDACTED ADDRESS]. HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND, AND THEN THE GEARS LOCKED, AND I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET. THE SANTA FE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND TOLD THERE WAS A HUGE HOLE IN THE ENGINE. TOLD I WOULD NEED A…"~104,000 mi, complaint #1374965
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, LIFTED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED FLAMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. T…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1479142
    • "The contact's sister-in-law owns a 2012 HYUNDAI Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact also stated that the vehicle would shut-off intermittently while driving at v…"~202,000 mi, complaint #1755954
  3. #3

    brake hydraulics

    14 unsafe

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=19, median 5,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "MY CAR DOES NOT EVER STOP WHEN I TRY TO STOP. I CAN BE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE AND THE CAR WILL ROLL OUT IN THE MAIN ROAD AND WILL NOT GO IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THEN ALL AT ONCE IT WILL TAKE OFF AT A FAST SPEED AND I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT MANY TIMES BY ONCO…"~1,500 mi, complaint #1030270
    • "I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, IN FRONT OF A BAKERY, AND STOPPED TO ALLOW A CAR TO LEAVE A PARKING SPOT. I THEN PROCEEDED TO PULL INTO THE VACANT PARKING SPOT AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS ACTUALLY GUNNING INTO A HIGHER GEAR, AND…"~3,323 mi, complaint #930405
    • "TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND COMING UPON A RED LIGHT, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT WHILE PRESSING THE BREAK PEDAL TH…"~15,000 mi, complaint #1037799
    • "FEBRUARY 20,2015 ABOUT 7:30 IN THE EVENING AS I WAS GOING UP A GRADE TOWARDS A RED LIGHT , MY CAR SURGED FORWARD WHEN I WAS BRAKING. I APPLIED MORE PRESSURE BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP UNTIL I THREW IT INTO PARK AND HAD HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I CALLED 911…"~26,967 mi, complaint #1159266
    • "RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY LEAKS WATER SHORTING OUT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT, THIS SHOULD BE A PRODUCT RECALL"~60,000 mi, complaint #1577500
  4. #4

    throttle and pedal

    12 unsafe

    12
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=22, median 16,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN SANTA FE SUDDENLY SURGED OR LUNGED FORWARD AND TO THE RIGHT CAUSING CAR TO JUMP OVER A CONCRETE BUMPER AND INTO ANOTHER CAR PARKED AT A 90-DEGREE ANGLE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION WAS CLEARED DRIVER PROCEEDED…"~1,320 mi, complaint #888596
    • "ON FEB. 2, 2013 AFTER PULLING OUT AFTER A STOP LIGHT THE CAR RAN NORMALLY FOR A VERY SHORT TIME AND THEN ALL POWER LEFT. IT WOULD GO ONLY IN IDLE SPEED. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTING IT THE CAR WOULD RUN NORMALLY FOR A WHILE AND THEN DO THE S…"~8,000 mi, complaint #1058456
    • "OUR 2012 HYUNDAI SANTE FE HAS SUDDENLY LOST POWER ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TWO TIMES WE WERE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, LOST POWER AND MANAGED TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. THE DEALER INITIALLY DID AN ECM UPGRADE AND AFTER…"~19,697 mi, complaint #1054621
    • "2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HAD COMPLETE POWER LOSS ON INTERSTATE WHILE MOVING AT 65MPH IN THE LEFT MOST LANE. ENGINE SHUTTERED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE POWER WENT TO IDLE RPM. THERE WAS NO THROTTLE RESPONCE AND STEERING BECAME HEAVY. MANAGED TO CRO…"~29,827 mi, complaint #977081
    • "ACCELERATING AWAY FROM STOP LIGHT, ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED FROM FIREWALL. THE VEHICLE WAS 15-[REDACTED ADDRESS] INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE IDLED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION SAFELY INTO A PARKING LOT. FORTUNATELY THIS HAPPENED AT 0610 ON 26 JUNE 2016 WHEN TRA…"~51,000 mi, complaint #1292930
  5. #5

    suspension struts shocks

    9 unsafe, 1 broken

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "HAD MY 2012 SANTA FE TOWED IN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR A HORRIBLE NOISE, AND WAS ADVISED NOT ONLY DID I NEED NEW BRAKES AT ONLY 43,159 MILES (SEEMS EARLY FOR THIS TOO) BUT THAT BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND STRUT MOUNTS WERE EXTREMELY RUSTY AND COMPLETELY BROK…"~43,159 mi, complaint #1484124
    • "I WAS DRIVING HOME ON A RURAL STREET AND HEARD A LONG CLANKING SOUND AND THEN STARTING TO SMELL RUBBER. I DROVE ABOUT 1.5 MILES LIKE THIS AND WHEN I GOT HOME, THE STRUT/COIL SPRING ON THE RIGHT FRONT WAS BROKEN OFF AND SCRAPING MY TIRE ON THE INSIDE. HAD I B…"~96,000 mi, complaint #1660953
    • "BROKEN RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING FOIUND DURING ROUTINE AUOT INSPECTION BY SERVICE MECHANIC"~103,387 mi, complaint #1731017
    • "LOUD CLANKING NOISE ON RIGHT FRONT SIDE. STRUT IS BROKEN. POPPING COVER OFF UNDER HOOD. LOT OF MOVEMENT. I READ THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES WITH RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION ON 2012 SANTA FE. IF THIS IS TRUE WHERE IS THE RECALL. PARTS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE"~110,600 mi, complaint #1579953
    • "MY CAR IS SHAKING WHEN THE VEHICLE GETS UP TO AROUND 60 MILES AN HOUR."~115,492 mi, complaint #1536652
  6. #6

    unintended acceleration

    10 unsafe

    10
    incidents
    Typical range: 6,500–24,000 mi

    Median 10,000 mi, based on 30 reports (3% had no usable mileage)

    • "MY SANTA FE HYUNDAI 2012 ACCELERATED UNINTENTIONALLY WHEN I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT. I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO THE PARKING SPOT WHEN IT LURCHED FULL THROTTLE OVER TWO BUSHES AND KNOCKED DOWN A BLACK IRON FENCE AND I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND I W…"~5,500 mi, complaint #939501
    • "ON 2/4/15, MY 2012 SANTA FE HAD AN UNEXPECTED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND ME, THE DRIVER. I HAD BACKED INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT WORK FACING A BUSY ROAD AND WHILE RE-POSITIONING VEHICLE, GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, WI…"~9,200 mi, complaint #1155236
    • "I WAS STOPPED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE RACED TO MAXIMUM AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. FORTUNATELY, I HAD LEFT ENOUGH SPACE BACK FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I HAD TO PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND ATTEMPTED TO SHUT OFF…"~22,392 mi, complaint #1004730
    • "STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. STEPPED ON GAS TO MOVE AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND IT JUST TOOK OFF. HAD TO USE BOTH FEET ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE CAR. GOING ABOUT 1 MPH AFTER THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. THE ENGINE ACCELERATED AND WOULDN'T STOP. NEARLY HIT THE CAR I…"~29,600 mi, complaint #1683672
    • "I WAS TURNING RIGHT INTO A PARKING SPACE, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE SURGED/ACCELERATED. IT WENT OVER A CURB AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHEN IT STOPPED I LOOKED DOWN AND MY FOOT WAS INDEED ON THE BRAKES, TO THE FLOOR. A SIMILAR THING HAPPENED TWICE BEF…"~65,000 mi, complaint #1070880
  7. #7

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 17,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WE EXPERIENCE A FEELING OF LOSS OF POWER AND ALMOST STALLS WHILE TRYING TO MAKE LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURNS FROM A COMPLETE STOP. IT HAS HAPPENED SINCE WE PURCHASED CAR IN 2012 BUT SO INTERMEDIATELY THAT WE WOULD JUST TRY AND EXPLAIN IT AWAY (WE CAME UP WITH OH…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1095302
    • "VEHICLE PICKED UP AFTER INSPECTION AT DEALER AND DRIVEN APPROX. 1 MILE WHEN VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. TOOK BACK TO DEALER, MILLER HYUNDAI, AND THEY ADVISED NOTHING WRONG. THEN ON 11/11/13 SAME THING OCCURRED. MILLER HYUNDAI ADVISED THEY COMP…"~14,095 mi, complaint #1027795
    • "THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED BUT BY FAR, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED 9/8/13 - DRIVING DOWN NYS INTERSTATE AND WAS PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH AND BEFORE I KNEW IT WAS DOWN T…"~16,000 mi, complaint #1009227
    • "AS I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER ON A HIGHWAY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. AGAIN THIS HAS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME NOW WITH 17000 MILES. DEALERSHIP SAID COMPUTER UPDATE THE FIRST TIME NOW THROTTLE BODY I DON'T THINK THERE IS AN ANSWER VERY DANGEROUS. *TR"~16,800 mi, complaint #961401
    • "WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON AN INCLINE, VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE WHEN GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR HAD STALLED OUT BUT THE RPM'S WERE STILL BETWEEN 1 AND 2. WHEN I PRESSED HARDER ON THE GAS THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL T…"~56,500 mi, complaint #1159589
  8. #8

    lighting exterior

    4 unsafe, 1 broken, 2 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, IT GOT DARK, SO I TURNED ON THE LIGHTS ( THE LOW BEAMS) I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, THEY SEEMED FINE BUT WHEN I EXITED THE FREEWAY ONTO A DARK SURFACE ROAD, I WAS UNABLE TO SEE MORE THAN 30 FEET AHEAD OF ME . THERE WAS TOTAL BLACKNESS A…"~16,130 mi, complaint #1185044
    • "REAR DRIVERS TAIL LIGHT FILLING UP WITH WATER."~38,000 mi, complaint #1366873
    • "DRIVER TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS COLLECTING CONDENSATION IN IT, CAUSING TAIL LIGHT BULBS TO CRACK AND BLOW OUT. SEVERAL YOUTUBE VIDEOS SHOW FIXES, SO THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE. "~45,000 mi, complaint #1438308
    • "DRIVER TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS COLLECTING CONDENSATION IN IT."~100,000 mi, complaint #1425449
    • "MOISTURE INSIDE BOTH TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES"~140,000 mi, complaint #1381682
  9. #9

    wiring harness

    5 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "WHILE DRIVING I SMELLED ELECTRICAL SMOKE, PARKED CAR SHUT OFF ENGINE, OPENED HOOD AND FOUND AN ELECTRICAL MOTOR OF SORTS ON FIRE. *TR"~2,700 mi, complaint #940807
    • "WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING IDLE OR DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE AC IS MANUALLY TURNED OFF WITHIN 30 TO 60 SECONDS THE AC WILL TURN ON BY ITSELF. THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE, PROPERTY DAMAGE, A CRASH, OR FATALITY AND SHOULD BE ADDRESS B…"~69,500 mi, complaint #1134360
    • "CAME HOME 8 PM. SON CAME HOME SHORTLY AFTER 10 PM. JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT MY CAR ALARM STARTED GOING OFF (CAR LOCKED AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY), I GOT OUT OF BED LOOKED THROUGH BLINDS AND SAW MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I RAN TO KITCHEN GRABBED FIRE EXTINGUISHER ATTEMPTE…"~107,500 mi, complaint #1552341
  10. #10

    abs module

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 104,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "MY ABS LIGHTS ARE ON AND WON'T GO OFF. I HAD IT CHECKED FOR 80$ TO GET TOLD IT IS A SENSOR IN THE REAR HUB OF TIRE THAT IS NOT READING THE TIRE SPEED. THEY WANT 500$ TO REPAIR IT."~16,000 mi, complaint #1515547
    • "MY ESC, DBC, AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME THIS MORNING. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING ON NUMEROUS HYUNDAI FORMS. FOLKS HAVE BEEN TOLD TO REPLACE HUBS, SENSORS AND ASSORTED OTHER PIECES. MOST DO NOT WORK COSTING HUND…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1710442
    • "STARTED CAR, NOTICED THE FOLLOWING DASH LIGHTS WERE ON: ABS ESC DOWNHILL BRAKING CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT HYUNDAI RECALLED 1.7 MILLION VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM (DEFECTIVE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH) UP TO 2011. I'M CONCERNED THAT MY 2012 CAR HAS THE SAME ISS…"~128,000 mi, complaint #1411839
    • "ALL THREE LIGHTS ABS, ESC, AND DBC ON DASH CAME ON SAME TIME AFTER REPLACING DRIVERS SIDE HEAD LIGHT BULB. WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND TRACTION CONTROL IMPACTING THE DRIVEABILITY."~130,000 mi, complaint #1713335
  11. #11

    airbag system

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK. A POLICE REPORT WAS NO…"~37,347 mi, complaint #1023331
    • "THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN AFTER IT WAS RESET BY THE DEALERSHIP. "~107,000 mi, complaint #1494147
    • "THE 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WAS INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT WHERE THE FRONT END HIT A GUARDRAIL ON A RURAL HIGHWAY. THE GUARDRAIL WAS CRUSH, AND THE IMPACT SPUN THE CAR AROUND 180 DEGREES. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT, BUT THE ENTIRE FRONT END…"~184,000 mi, complaint #1697596
  12. #12

    other

    2 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 7500 MILES I NOTICE AN UNPLEASANT ODOR THAT SMELLS LIKE MELTED PLASTIC. IT'S NOT THE NEW CAR SMELL AND AT TIMES IT CAN MAKE ONE NAUSEOUS. IT IS INTENSIFIED WHEN ACCELERATED. AUGUST 2012 (PURCHASED THE VEHICLE JUNE…"~8,000 mi, complaint #1078935
    • "WATER KEEP GETTING INTO MY REAR LIGHT CASING. I HAD THEM REPLACED ONCE BUT THERE IS WATER IN THEM AGAIN AND I UNDERSTAND THIS MIGHT SHORT OUT MY REAR LIGHTS. WE ARE GETTI G A LOT OF RAIN THIS SEASON"~74,000 mi, complaint #1572962
  13. #13

    transmission automatic

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "SINCE PURCHASE (NEW), THE VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENTLY EXHIBITED A ISSUE WITH ITS TRANSMISSION. WHEN COLD (ORIGINALLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS BUT NOW IN THE WARMER MONTHS AS WELL), BACKING THE CAR UP AND PLACING IT IN DRIVE CAUSES A 'HARD DROP OR LOCK INTO FORWARD…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1292931
    • "WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND THEN STOPPED ON ITS OWN, I PRESSED THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENED, I THEN SHIFTED TO FORWARD AND THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO GEAR VIOLENTLY, BUT APPEARED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. I DID NOTICE AFTERWARD…"~34,100 mi, complaint #1084190
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR ON ITS OWN AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT IT WAS STILL UNDER THE 100,000 MILE WARRANTY AND REFER…"~79,000 mi, complaint #1550256
    • "I HAVE BEEN HAVING CONTINUOUS ISSUES WITH A LOUD "CLUNK" WHEN MY CAR IS PLACED IN REVERSE, TURNING, SHIFTING GEARS. IT'S INTERMITTENT, BUT LOUD AND HARD ENOUGH THAT IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN HIT. THE CAR DOES NOT KICK OFF ANY CODES, HOWEVER A N…"~84,000 mi, complaint #1430636
  14. #14

    battery and charging

    3 stranded, 1 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The contact stated that the 12 Volts battery was replaced several times. Additionally, the contact stated the battery terminals were corroded o…"~45,000 mi, complaint #2029877
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1655323
    • "WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ALL THE GAGES STARTED TO FLICKER ON AND OFF. THE RADIO STARTED TO COME ON AND OFF AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT JUST STOPPED. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND EVERYTHING."~73,371 mi, complaint #1599110
    • "THE VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING IN THE ROAD WITHOUT WARNING AND IS UNABLE BE RESTARTED. ATTEMPTS TO CHARGE THE BATTERY FAIL. WHEN TAKEN TO BE EVALUATED BY THE BRAND DEALERSHIP, THEY ONLY CHANGE THE BATTERY AND SAY THAT IT HAS BEEN FIXED. WITHIN 3-4 WEEKS, IT WILL SH…"~77,500 mi, complaint #1656737
  15. #15

    corrosion and rust

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the underbody of the vehicle was rusted from living in an area where anti-icing agents were heavily used. The contact associated the failure with Hyundai Service Campaign 947. The dealer was con…"~130,000 mi, complaint #2236246
  16. #16

    engine oil consumption

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "CAR WITH LESS THAN 39,000 MILES AND PROPER OIL CHECKS AND CHANGES: OIL LEAKING FROM THE OIL PRESSURE SENSING UNIT. PER AUTO BODY SHOP- MULTIPLE HOURS OF LABOR FOR FIX WITH HEFTY COST. HOW IS IT THAT A COMPONENT TO THE POWERTRAIN WITH THIS LOW OF MILEAGE IS BRE…"~36,995 mi, complaint #1606258
    • "FOR THE SECOND TIME OIL PRESSURE SWITCH HAS FAILED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED CAR ONLY HAS 58456 MILES ON IT ANOTHER 420 BUCKS"~58,400 mi, complaint #1553270
    • "WHILE DRIVING UP HILL YESTERDAY MY CAR JUST DIED. THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND THE CAR STOPPED. I AM NOW LEARNING THAT HYUNDAI ENGINES HAVE A DEFAULT. THEY DO NOT LET ENOUGH OIL IN THE ENGINE REGARDLESS OF OIL LEVELS AND THUS AS YOU DRIVE, THE ENGINE IS DIS…"~116,000 mi, complaint #1473836
  17. #17

    tire failure

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "HI, I AM SENDING THIS PAPER DUE TO THE UNEXPECTED FLATTENED TIRE ACCIDENT ON [REDACTED ADDRESS] IN MAY 26, 2013 2 PM. THE TIRE WAS SUDDENLY FLATTENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN 65~75 MPH, SO IT WAS A LIFE THREATENING ACCIDENT. I REALLY DIDN'T EXPECT THIS TO HAPPEN…"~14,900 mi, complaint #982687
    • "KUMHO SOLUS KL21 TIRES SIZE 235/65 R17 SHOWING SIDEWALL CRACKING AT 23,000 MILES. I HAVE PROPERLY MAINTAINED (ROTATED, INFLATED, BALANCED, ALIGNMENT) THE TIRES. ALL 4 ARE SHOWING SIDEWALL CRACKING. I HAVE 2 OTHER CARS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE SAME CONDITI…"~23,000 mi, complaint #1033851
    • "I WAS AT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP IN STATEN ISLAND THE DAY AFTER MY TIRE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THEY SAID THAT I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR OVERNIGHT TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. WHEN I RETURNED THE NEXT DAY THEY SAID THAT THE TIRE NEEDED…"~190,000 mi, complaint #1184015
  18. #18

    power windows and locks

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A SLOPING DRIVEWAY. THE KEYS WERE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WAS SHIFTED TO PARK. A 2 YEAR OLD CHILD ALONE IN THE CAR MANAGED TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION OR APPLYING ANY BRAKE PRESSURE. T…"~15,415 mi, complaint #955776
    • "DOOR LOCKS KEEP LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. HAS NOT STOP DOING THIS"~80,000 mi, complaint #1525063
  19. #19

    software or update

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR SPUTTERED AND THEN LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THE CAR DID NOT SHUT DOWN,BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CAR, EVEN AFTER BEING SHUT DOWN AN…"~18,900 mi, complaint #996903
    • "ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. HAS HAPPENED THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS. WITHIN INITIAL 10-MINUTES OF DRIVING, CAR BUCKED/SURGED AND ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IN ONE INSTANCE. PRESSING GAS PEDAL HAD NO EFFECT. COULD ONLY COAST TO DEALERSHIP MAINTA…"~26,400 mi, complaint #1060070
    • "THANKFULLY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY... WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SO I DID WHAT APPEARS EVERYONE ELSE HAS DONE - PULLED OVER SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR WITH POWER TO THE ACCELERATOR (LIGHT…"~31,000 mi, complaint #983932
  20. #20

    timing belt or chain

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE PURCHASED AT 89,000 MILES FROM THE DEALER WITH CLEAN CARFAC. MAINTAINED WITH OIL CHANGES REGULARLY, EVERY 2-3K MILES. NO ISSUES. WENT TO START THE CAR 90 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING IT AND THE ENGINE FAILED, RUMBLED LOUDLY AND SHUT OFF. ENGINE…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1544432
    • "MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHILE TURNING DOWN A CITY STREET AT SLOW SPEED. NO SAFETY/WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I CRANKED IT BACK UP AND IT RAN FINE FOR A FEW WEEKS. IT SEEMS TO RUN FINE ON OPEN HIGHWAY BUT AT A STOP OR SLOWER SPEED IT WILL CUT OFF LEAVING ME…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1555653
    • "MY ISSUE IS THAT MY 2012 SANTA FE DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO MUSCLE THE STEERING WHEEL A BIT TO THE RIGHT TO GET OUT OF HEAVY TRAFFIC AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS TOOK PLACE ON SATURDAY, MAY 5TH, 2018.…"~170,000 mi, complaint #1467253
  21. #21

    control module

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHILE DRIVING A/C TURNED ITSELF ON, WOULD NOT TURN OFF WITH THE OFF BUTTON, HAD TO SELECT HEAD/FOOT AIRFLOW BUTTON TO GET SYSTEM TO TURN OFF. SECOND INCIDENT ON MARCH 30TH A/C WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK PRIOR TO ENGINE SHUT OFF, HAD TO SELEC…"~68,523 mi, complaint #1171148
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and was diagnosed with needing the throttle body module to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The…"~113,000 mi, complaint #1763834
  22. #22

    driveshaft axle cv

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "BOTH CV AXLE BOOTS TORN DUE TO FAILED LOWER CONTROL ARMS."~83,000 mi, complaint #1691212
    • "LOUD NOISE, FRONT RIGHT, RIGHT FRONT AXLE BOX. ALSO 3 WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON INCLUDING ABS,"~104,000 mi, complaint #1644682
  23. #23

    hv system fault reduced power

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Car went into limp mode. Would not go over 60mph, accelerates slowly, and rpm is low. Does not shift properly and is throwing code P1326."complaint #1796437
    • "I was contacted by Auffenberg Hyundai in OFallon IL in October of 2024 to schedule recall work. On 10/23/24, the car was dropped off in working condition to the dealership for that recall (engine software update). The day after the vehicle was returned, the ch…"complaint #2074476
  24. #24

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE MIDDLE SEAT (PASSENGER) DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER SEAT BELT CAME APART WHEN A PASSENGER TRIED TO BUCKLE UP. THE PASSENGER PULLED THE SHOULDER STRAP OUT TO PULL AROUND AND BUCKLE TO THE SEAT LATCH WHEN THE LATCH [REDACTED PLATE] SLIDE RIGHT OFF OF THE BELT.…"~6,000 mi, complaint #1100380
  25. #25

    fuel injector

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "HAD JUST LEFT THE HOUSE AND WAS A FEW BLOCKS DOWN THE ROAD WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE LOST ACCELERATION POWER. ENGINE HAD IDLE SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT BACK HOME UNDER IDLE SPEED. TURNED ENGINE OFF AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE ENGINE IT SEEMED…"~19,200 mi, complaint #1006344
  26. #26

    fuel tank and lines

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Getting occasional knocking sound while vehicle is running and immediately even when the vehicle is turned off. Sound is emanating from the rear of the vehicle (gas tank)."complaint #2010149
  27. #27

    infotainment head unit

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WE WERE ON A AN EXTENDED TRIP AND HAD PROGRAMMED THE GPS TO TAKE US TO A REMOTE POINT WE HAD NEVER BEEN TO BEFORE. SUDDENLY THE GPS SCREEN WENT BLANK, EXCEPT FOR THE VEHICLE MARKER ICON - THIS LASTED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. IT THEN FLASHED MULTIPLE DIRECTIONS F…"~22,000 mi, complaint #1004735
  28. #28

    key fob and immobilizer

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that upon exiting the vehicle, all four doors and tailgate would lock independently. The contact stated that over some time, all four doors failed to unlock while outside the vehicle with the key fob…"~84,000 mi, complaint #1869272
  29. #29

    lighting interior

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "A SAFETY ACCIDENT HAS NOT HAPPEN WITH MY VEHICLE BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING SOMEWHERE AT NIGHT SINCE MY FRONT DOME LIGHTS HAVE QUIT WORKING WHEN I OPEN MY DOOR. I DON'T HAVE ANY WARRANTY BECAUSE Y'ALL TOOK AWAY THE GOOD WARRANTY SINCE THE CAR WAS ORIGINALL…"~28,699 mi, complaint #1395495
  30. #30

    seat mechanism

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "IMPOSSIBLE TO SIT WITH BACK FULLY UP AGAINST THE SEAT BACK BECAUSE THE HEADREST PUSHES MY HEAD FORWARD SO THAT I AM LOOKING DOWN AT MY LAP INSTEAD OF STRAIGHT AHEAD. PAINFUL AND UNSAFE. I HAVE REMOVED THE HEADRESTS AND TURNED THEM AROUND."complaint #1277047
  31. #31

    starter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CHAPMAN SCOTTSDALE HYUNDAI ([REDACTED ADDRESS] #3, SCO…"~48,143 mi, complaint #1483469
  32. #32

    steering column

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A "SCRAPING" NOISE WHEN TURNED. HYUNDAI SAYS THIS IS "NORMAL"; HOWEVER, UP UNTIL A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE CAR NEVER MADE THIS NOISE. MY WIFE AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR ANYMORE; HOWEVER, HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM…"complaint #1268412
  33. #33

    steering electric assist

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I WAS AT A FOUR WAY-YEAR-OLD AND STOP WHERE I HAD TO YIELD AS I WAS DOING THE SANTA FE CUT OFF AND I LOST ALL POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T CONTROL VEHICLE TURN THE KEY OFF AND THEN TURN THE KEY BACK ON THE TRUCK STARTED 20 MINUTES LATER THE TR…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1436820
  34. #34

    steering rack mechanical

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TWICE AS I WAS DRIVING IT MID TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON THE REGULAR STREET."~116,000 mi, complaint #1706234
  35. #35

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS INCIDENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. IS INTERMITTENT - CAN HAPPEN 2 DAYS IN A ROW OR WEEKS APART. SYMPTOMS WHEN MOVING FORWARD AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED (STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON EXPRESSWAY) STOP TO 10 MILES PER HOUR…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1455434
  36. #36

    trunk or liftgate

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Per the mandated law in September of 2001 all vehicles sold in the United States are required to have a trunk release on the inside. The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe does not. The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe small SUV are very known for the lights to go out due to condensa…"complaint #1936474
  37. #37

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. No warning light was illuminated. The contact looked in the rear-view mirror and became aware that the spare tire had detached from the…"~160,250 mi, complaint #1917486

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for HYUNDAI SANTA FE directly.