2012 Hyundai Santa FE
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 353 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 25 Santa FE model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 25 involved a crash and 17 involved a fire. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EngineDec 1, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 198.
Campaign 20V746000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
353 reports, newest first.
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 11, 2013, crash
IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO COAST TOWARDS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS PATTERN HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MILES. I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR AND IN FACT, MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE EITHER, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FULL THROTTLE. I HAD JUST A COUPLE OF SECONDS TO TRY TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, TOWARDS THE SHOULDER, BUT I HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS BRAKING THE ENTIRE TIME, BUT IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO STOP THE SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. MY LEFT BUMPER HIT HIS TRUCK ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF HIS BUMPER. MY RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED AND LEAKED ALL THE FLUID OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE BECAUSE OF THE RADIATOR. *TR
Power train, Jan 1, 2013
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. THE CAR THEN ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO TRAFFIC. BY SHEER LUCK AND ADRENALINE, I MANAGED TO RUN AFTER THE CAR, GET THE DOOR OPEN, DIVE IN, AND STOP THE CAR BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MY HAND BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AFTER THIS EVENT, I WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE SHIFT-FROM-PARK-TO-NEUTRAL-WITHOUT-KEY-OR-BRAKE BEHAVIOR 100% OF THE TIME. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.... MY KID COULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR WORSE. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 31, 2012
I WAS AT A MAJOR INTERSTATE INTERCHANGE, OVER 6 HOURS FROM HOME WHEN I HEARD A SLIGHT NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR DECELERATED, BUT I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AS I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, I HEARD THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVING, AS IF I WERE PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT SAT FOR A WEEK, WAITING FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE (I WAS TOLD) THE PART COULD NOT BE LOCATED ANYWHERE IN THE U.S. ON MONDAY MORNING, I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO INQUIRE ABOUT MY CAR AND I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE FIXED BY TUESDAY AFTERNOON AT THE LATEST. ON TUESDAY, I CALLED TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF MY CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY EXPECTED THE PART TO BE IN ON THE NEXT TRUCK. THIS SCENARIO WAS REPEATED TWICE MORE. AT THE END OF THE 3RD DAY, I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART COULD NOT BE LOCATED AND THAT MY CAR WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED.THE WARRANTY COVERS UP TO 3 DAYS OF TRIP INTERRUPTION SERVICE, SO I ASKED WHAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO TO GET HOME FOR WORK AND HOW TO GET BACK TO MY CAR. HYUNDAI CONSUMER AFFAIRS TOLD ME MY SITUATION WAS A UNIQUE CASE AND THEY SET UP ANOTHER CASE # AND TOLD ME TO KEEP THE RENTAL AND FILE THE REMAINDER OF THE COST TO THE SECOND CASE AFTER THE TRIP INTERRUPTION CASE WAS SETTLED. I DROVE THE RENTAL CAR HOME AND BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AGAIN THE NEXT SATURDAY, WHEN MY CAR WAS FINALLY REPAIRED. I WAS OUT OVER $600, HAD A BOTCHED VACATION, LOST MY TRUST IN THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE AND, AS THE ICING ON THE CAKE, HYUNDAI HAS REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE SECOND CLAIM. IT SCARES ME TO KNOW, NOW, THAT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE THE 2007 MODEL OF THE SANTA FE, CAUSING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND SUDDEN DECELERATION, PUTTING INNOCENT PEOPLE AT RISK. IT ALSO SCARES ME THAT THIS COMPANY CONDUCTS THEMSELVES IN SUCH A DECEPTIVE MANNER WHEN DEALING WITH VULNERABLE PEOPLE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 27, 2012
WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE (MILEAGE APPROX. 13366) ON THE HIGHWAY IN FAIRLY HEAVY TRAFFIC AT AROUND 70 MPH AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR, SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. I HEARD A LITTLE "BLIP" NOISE AND FELT A VERY SLIGHT JERK, KIND OF LIKE A SUDDEN GEAR CHANGE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED DECELERATING. I BARELY MISSED GETTING REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND MANAGED TO COAST ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WITHOUT GETTING HIT. I STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED IT OFF AND CALLED THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND ASKED THEM WHAT I SHOULD DO. I TOLD THEM THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT WAS ON. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF A VEHICLE DOING THIS BEFORE. THEY SAID IF THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT WASN'T BLINKING, THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND TO BRING IT IN AT MY EARLIEST CONVENIENCE. ON THE WAY HOME, THE DECELERATION ISSUE HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 3 OR 4 MORE TIMES.THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THE PAPERWORK SAID THEY FOUND ISSUE VIA TSB. THEY DID AN ECM UPGRADE. VEHICLE WORKED JUST FINE FOR A MONTH AND A HALF AND THEN THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. THIS TIME I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME, FORTUNATELY WITHOUT GETTING INTO A MAJOR ACCIDENT. HAD TO STOP AND START THE CAR ABOUT 3 TIMES TO GET HOME. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD IT TOWED TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIND THE REAL PROBLEM THIS TIME. AT THIS POINT, I'M NOT SURE IF I WILL EVER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AGAIN. HOW WILL I KNOW IF THE ISSUE HAS REALLY BEEN FIXED? THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS, DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A TRAGIC ACCIDENT. IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ISSUED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Dec 4, 2012
WHILE DRIVING ON AN OVERPASS AND TURNING TO THE LEFT, I HAD JUST APPLIED THE BRAKES AND WAS APPLYING THE GAS AS I HAD TO GET ONTO THE INTERSTATE. I NOTICED THE CAR DECELERATED, I HAD NO BRAKING POWER AND IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR SO I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY SEVERAL CARS BEHIND ME. ALL THE LIGHTS WERE ON THE CAR BUT IT SEEMED DEAD. I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. WHILE TALKING TO MY HUSBAND, I TURNED THE CAR ON AND IT STARTED AND OFF I DROVE OFF WITH NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. WHAT'S WORSE IS THAT DAY I HAD MY TWO LITTLE GIRLS AND MY MOTHER IN THE CAR. I HAD TO CONTINUE TO DRIVING SINCE WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO AN IMPORTANT DOCTORS APPOINTMENT. I CAN'T IMAGINE IF I WERE ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MILES AN HOUR. WHEN I CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH HYUNDAI SERVICE THEY ACTED LIKE IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. *TR
Service brakes, Nov 26, 2012, crash
I WAS STOPPED IN A LEFT TURN LANE AND I BELIEVE I WAS THE 8TH OR 9TH VEHICLE IN LINE. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR! I TURNED MY STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AS FAR AS I COULD, BUT I TAPPED THE BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND VERY MINOR DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, AND VERY MINOR DAMAGE TO MY FRONT BUMPER. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED. I CALLED THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THAT MY BRAKES HAD FAILED AND HAD CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS PROBABLY NOT THE BRAKES, BUT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (CARL GREGORY HYUNDAI, AT NORTHLAKE, COLUMBUS, GA) THIS MORNING I CALLED TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE FOR 200 MILES AND COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. I HAD ALREADY TOLD THEM THAT I WAS STOPPED IN A TURN LANE WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED!! I WAS TOLD THAT THE HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE TOLD THEM TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER. *TR
Engine, Nov 21, 2012
WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME SINCE THE PURCHASE, AND PLEASE ADVISE ANY WAY TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. I JUST KNOW THAT THE DEALER WILL JUST SAY THAT THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT, AND THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FIX THIS. DO I HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THE VISITS TO THE DEALER AND BUILD A CASE FOR A LEMON? WHERE CAN I GET HELP? *TR
Engine, Nov 5, 2012
WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT, ENGINE DIED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE ENGINE HAS DIED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. WHEN THE ENGINE DIES, THE CAR LOSES STEERING AND BRAKES AND IS VERY UNSAFE. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 1, 2012
VEHICLE STALLED AS TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY OF SHOPPING COMPLEX. THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE AS I WAS TRYING TO TURN LEFT. IN THE DASHBOARD, NO LIGHTS ON EXCEPT "MALFUNCTION INDICATOR" LIGHT WAS LIT. RESTARTED CAR AND DROVE ON, THE "MALFUNCTION LIGHT" GOT TURNED OFF, CAME HOME AND THEN CALLED DEALER. DROVE TO DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE SINCE THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON AND SO NO CODE CAN BE FOUND. CAR IS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD AND NOT EVEN 3000 MILES ON THE CAR. I FEEL THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE UNLESS HYUNDAI TAKES CARE OF THE PROBLEM. NOT DIAGNOSING AND ADDRESSING THE ISSUE MAKES ME CONCERNED. IF CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING THEN THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SUCH AS CAR HITTING FROM BEHIND. I AM VERY MUCH CONCERN WITH SUCH A PROBLEM FOR CAR AS NEW AS MINE. *TR
Engine, Oct 27, 2012
WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITH THE GEAR IN D - DRIVING ON A FLAT ROAD NORMALLY. THIS ALSO HAPPENED AROUND 3500 MILES AROUND JULY 20, 2012. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Oct 25, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE WITH BOTH THE ACCELERATOR AND BREAK PEDAL ENGAGED THE VEHICLE LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING UP TO STANDARDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000. UPDATED 12/20/12 *CN
Vehicle speed control, Oct 25, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND THERE WERE NOT INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO THAT THERE WAS STATIC ELECTRICITY BUILT UP CAUSINGTHE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,210.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 24, 2012
ENGINE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY RUN ROUGH, SPUTTER AND CHOKE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 24, 2012
STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK. *TR
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 24, 2012, fire
WHILE DRIVING I SMELLED ELECTRICAL SMOKE, PARKED CAR SHUT OFF ENGINE, OPENED HOOD AND FOUND AN ELECTRICAL MOTOR OF SORTS ON FIRE. *TR
Engine, Sep 17, 2012
THIS IS THE 6TH ENGINE STALLING DURING DRIVING. THE ENGINE LIGHT, ENGINE OIL PRESSURE AND CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHTS WERE ON. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE OR FIX IT. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 17, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A BUSH AND WENT THROUGH A FENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
Vehicle speed control, Sep 14, 2012, crash
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 WAS ON THE SIDE WALK. I COULD HAVE HIT A PEDESTRIAN! IT WAS VERY FRIGHTENING. *TR
Engine, Aug 27, 2012
THE ENGINE STALLED THE 5TH TIME DURING DRIVING! ALMOST CAUSED ANOTHER ACCIDENT! *TR
Engine, Aug 13, 2012
THE ENGINE STALLED THE 4TH TIME. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT REACH A DIAGNOSIS AND UNABLE TO FIX IT.. *TR
Engine, Aug 9, 2012
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AND NOTICED A TICKING SOUND. OVER 2 MILES IT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE UNTIL IT WAS A LOUD KNOCKING. I HAD TO EXIT ONE FREEWAY, AND MERGE TO ANOTHER, BEFORE I COULD GET TO AN ACTUAL EXIT. UPON TRYING TO ACCELERATE TO SPEED TO MERGE, THE KNOCK BECAME SEVERE, I LOST COMPRESSION, AND THE SUV DIED. THERE WAS A PUFF OF SMOKE OUT OF THE EXHAUST AND I ROLLED TO THE SHOULDER. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP I FOUND OUT THAT THE #4 ROCKER ARM HAD SHOT THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK CAUSING A HOLE IN THE ENGINE. *TR
Engine, Aug 7, 2012
THE VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED RANDOMLY DURING DRIVING, TOTAL 4 TIMES, ALMOST CAUSING 4 ACCIDENTS. THE DEALER MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEREFORE WAS UNABLE TO FIX IT, LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN A STATUS WITH TREMENDOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jul 26, 2012
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 AS I WAS PUSHING HARDER DOWN ON THE BRAKE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE BAKERY. I PROCEEDED TO APPLY BOTH MY FEET TO THE BRAKES IN HOPES THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP, AND IT DID. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED BEFORE ENTERING THE BAKERY WINDOW. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND ARRANGED FOR THEM TO TOW IT TO THEIR MECHANICS DEPARTMENT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jun 26, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITY. WHEN THE CONTACT DROVE DOWN A HILL, SHE STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS PROVIDED LIMITED VIEW. THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS HAD TO BE ILLUMINATED IN ORDER TO SEE THE ROAD CLEARLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO SPECIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5. UPDATED 08/23/12*LJ UPDATED 08/23/12
Vehicle speed control, Jun 7, 2012
WHILE CHANGING LANES, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LACK OF RESPONSE WHILE I WAS PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THIS ONLY LASTED A MILLISECOND BUT WAS ENOUGH THAT I STARTED TO PRESS DOWN TO COMPLETE THE CHANGE WHEN THROTTLE RESPONSE RETURNED. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES IN THE 3 MONTHS SINCE PURCHASING THIS AUTO. *JS