2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 89,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026

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.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Windows issues multiple times. The first time the driver side front window would occasionally go up then automatically down when I tried to raise the window. Likewise when I tried to open the window it would go up and down. Dealer couldn’t identify a problem since it was occasionally an issue. Then when it finally no longer worked at all…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

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 [VIN] and wouldn't stop. Nearly hit the car in front of us. May be computer or throttle positioning sensor. And it happened again…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 29,600 miles

The contact owns a 2012 hyundai santa fe. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently [VIN] without warning. The vehicle was taken to capitol hyundai (1050 capitol expressway auto mall, san jose, ca 95136, (408)-340-7321), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The [VIN] was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,429.…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 61,429 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 25,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

"takata recall" my ABS lights are on and will not go off as well as the downhill light moving and stationary. The mechanic said it is a sensor in the left rear hub that needs to be replaced.Owner complaint, filed 2018

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 issue, even though my VIN is not included in the recall. These lights stay on no matter…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 128,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 22,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

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 breaking down?Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 36,995 miles

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 referred the contact to the dealer. Pohanka hyundai (1770 ritchie station court, capitol…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 79,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 44,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

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. My wife and I own a second vehicle that is the exact same make and model and it…Owner complaint, filed 2016

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.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 130,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 100,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

When my daughter returned home from college this summer I took her Santa Fe to a local shop for an oil change and other preventive maintenance. During the vehicle safety inspection, the mechanic noted the subframe and front suspension components were failing due to excessive corrosion and the Santa Fe was not safe to drive. My question…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Front coil spring rotted and broke while driving vehicle. 2007-2011 vehicles had recall for this but the 2012 did not. Broke after 115K miles which is not excessive.Owner complaint, filed 2022

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 45,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Brake lights keep failing. Have replaced wiring harness, bulbs and brake switch twice now. Super unsafe to not have brake lights on your vehicalOwner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

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).Owner complaint, filed 2024

After driving for a short time, the engine stalls while driving. We have taken the car to 4 different mechanics, including the Hyundai dealer and the issue has not been fixed. The car stalls every time it is driven.Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (7).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 130,000 miles

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 [VIN]. August 2012 (purchased the vehicle june 2012) reported the smell to the hyundai service department at sport durst. I was…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 8,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 24,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

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 vehicle. The contact was able to drive to the dealer. The vehicle had not been…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 160,250 miles

Lights appeared on dashboard on my vehicle on morning of 8/21/2019, on my way to work. After work, I stopped by bachman hyundai in jeffersonville, in to get diagnostic of what was going on with my vehicle. I met with the service person I would normally see. I was told me that my wheel speed sensor rear lh open/short, part #c1206 and…Owner complaint, filed 2019

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

Airbags for the ENTIRE car did not deploy in a car accident that rendered the car inoperable. Vehicle was going 40mph and nothing. There were NO service lights on or any issues prior to the accident. This resulted in contusions and a sprained neck.Owner complaint, filed 2021

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 of the car was affected during the wreck. Pending notification if car is totaled.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 184,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

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.Owner complaint, filed 2016

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 plate just slide right off of the belt. There was nothing securing the shoulder strap. It just came apart. I went to the…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 6,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

Driving on highway and car engine light came on then car engine kicked down like it was going to stall then drove normally then kicked down again . Kept kicking down , drove it home and shut it off. The car starts but is knocking and the engine light comes on and blinks constantly .Owner complaint, filed 2023