2012 Hyundai Santa FE: common problems

Owners of the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE filed 355 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 355
involving a crash: 25

What fails most often

1 Engine 64% of all complaints
2 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
3 Vehicle speed control 11% of all complaints
4 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
5 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
6 Steering 5% of all complaints
7 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints
8 Suspension 4% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Engine: 228 complaints (64% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Electrical system: 43 complaints (12% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Vehicle speed control: 40 complaints (11% of all), 11 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Service brakes: 29 complaints (8% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Powertrain: 24 complaints (7% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 2 complaints
3.5 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
automatic, 6-speed
manual, 6-speed

Drive: FWD, 4WD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 355 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

warning lights, check engine76 · 21%
stalls while driving65 · 18%
knocking, grinding or other noise58 · 16%
engine failure or replacement37 · 10%
smoke, burning smell, fire34 · 10%
loss of power / limp mode26 · 7%
steering or power steering problems23 · 6%
headlights and tail lights14 · 4%
jerking, harsh shifts11 · 3%
rust, corrosion9 · 3%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Engine	228	6
Electrical system	43	3
Vehicle speed control	40	11
Service brakes	29	7
Powertrain	24	2
Steering	16	1
Exterior lighting	14	0
Suspension	14	0
Fuel/propulsion system	8	1
Structure	8	3
Wheels	7	1
Air bags	6	5
Engine and cooling	6	0
Electronic stability control	4	1

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated as the vehicle began to shake. The vehicle merged to the shoulder of the roadway and suddenly another vehicle crashed into the entire driver's side of the vehicle while the contact was still in the vehicle.
Engine · crash · 2022-06-22 · NHTSA complaint #11470415
The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a fractured neck, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed destroyed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to determine the cause of the air bag failure.
Air bags · crash · 2018-04-02 · NHTSA complaint #11082503
While driving approximately 20 mph, the contact was alerted of flames under the vehicle as black smoke poured from the engine. The contact crashed into a pole. The air bags deployed. The contact received bruises on the face and chest and experienced trouble breathing. Medical attention was received.
Engine · crash · 2016-04-26 · NHTSA complaint #10861488
The car out of no where lurched and crashed into are washer, water heater , and caused the back windshield to shatter. An we have had this car for 3 years and its always the same routine, so were very shook up on how this could happen.
Vehicle speed control · crash · 2015-04-28 · NHTSA complaint #10713354
Power steering went manual along with other power assist devices like power steering. On dirt shoulder of freeway attempting with manual brakes and steering to bring vehicle off roadway. Vehicle restarted during maneuver.
Engine · crash · 2015-04-05 · NHTSA complaint #10703815
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 to report the accident. The car in front had some gate crack.
Vehicle speed control · crash · 2015-02-21 · NHTSA complaint #10689747
Vehicle inexplicably lurched ahead when foot on brake, went over a curb, through some grass and into and over a fire hydrant. Was unable to stop/control the vehicle,. Vehicle is currently undriveable and at the body shop for repairs.
Electrical system · crash · 2015-02-16 · NHTSA complaint #10683622
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, with my foot on the brake, the car propelled forward, going…
Electrical system · crash · 2015-02-07 · NHTSA complaint #10681890

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

20112
201224
201335
201442
201510
20169
201733
201833
201937
202032
202143
202214
202317
20249
20258
20267

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 1,131 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 3% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Santa FE has 276 complaints (28 years in the data). This year has 355, above average.

What to check before buying

Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, vehicle speed control. Total complaints: 355. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (21%), stalls while driving (18%), knocking, grinding or other noise (16%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2012 Hyundai Santa FE from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2012 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.