2012 Hyundai Santa Fe problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (182) · Vehicle Speed Control (39) · Power Train (18)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Santa Fe model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
279 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Engine 2020-12-01 · campaign 20V746000 · 128,948 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (101)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DCS · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn), that have been identified in u.s. vehicles following prior
Engine 2026-03-26 · 26-01-033H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension
this tsb references the op codes to use for claim submission and the parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from tsb 22-01-023h-2 (dtc p1326 – engine bearing inspection/engine replacement) or the latest version.
Engine 2026-03-26 · 26-01-033H DN · Warranty Program/Extension
this tsb references the op codes to use for claim submission and the parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from tsb 22-01-023h (dtc p1326 – engine bearing inspection/engine replacement) or the latest version.
Showing the 6 most recent of 101 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-21 · Unknown Or Other“this car is made to have water go into the rear tail lights,then keeps shorting out my brake lights. i have to drive with 0 brake lights, except for the top bar one. when i replaced them, it shorted them out again and has been this way the entire time i have had this car. the car should not be made to have water go directly into the tail light when…”
2026-10-19 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights“the contact owns a 2012 hyundai santa fe. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear taillights failed to function as intended. the contact stated that while driving at night, law enforcement performed a traffic stop because the rear taillights were inoperable. the dealer was notified of the failure. the contact stated …”
2026-08-17 · Structure · 130,000 mi“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 contacted and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under hyundai service campaign …”
2026-06-22 · Engine“on june 16, 2025, i dropped my 2012 hyundai santa fe gls (vin: [xxx]) off at larry h. miller southwest in albuquerque, nm for nhtsa safety recall #20v746000 (theta ii engine connecting rod bearing failure). it has now been over one week with zero communication from the dealership regarding the status of my vehicle. when i attempted to follow up by…”
2026-05-11 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer“the contact purchased a 2012 hyundai santa fe. the contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 71,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage on the title 43,655 and t…”
2026-03-26 · Suspension“rear subframe suddenly collapsed and broke due to extreme corrosion. incident occurred while driving, allowing rear wheel to turn out causing loss of control. luckily i was traveling at a low rate of speed and nobody was hurt. found rear subframe was completely rotten out and collapsed on the driver side. vehicle is now completely undrivable an…”
2026-03-09 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“the engine rod broke creating a big whole in the engine which caused the engine and underneath of car to start on fire. there was a massive recall for this same issue in 2021-2023 for the year car! it is available for inspection! yes safety was at risk, the car was on fire on the highway in the middle of rush hour. the problem was confirmed by prog…”
2025-11-21 · Engine · 🔥 fire“ my 2012 hyundai santa fe caught fire on october 29, 2025. prior to this, the dealership completed one recall but left another open. hyundai denied my claim and refused to provide the inspection report. i am filing this complaint because i believe the incomplete recall may be related and i want nhtsa to review the issue.…”
2025-09-30 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 133,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 hyundai santa fe. the contact stated that while driving 80 mph, the vehicle made an abnormally loud banging sound, and there was smoke coming from underneath the hood and through the a/c vents, which blocked the visibility of the roadway. the contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. upon inspecting the vehicle,…”
2025-08-11 · Engine“the carrier bearing failed and caused the engine to lock up while driving, thankfully we weren't on a busy road and were able to coast off the road. there was no prior light that appeared. we are just thankful it wasn't our 16 year old, newly licensed driver for whom we purchased the vehicle, driving. it has not been looked over by the dealership y…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.