2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems

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 phone I was unable to reach anyone in the service department. Upon calling Hyundai corporate customer service I was informed that the dealership had a name discrepancy in my paperwork and my owner profile was not linked to my VIN in their system. The recall work has not begun. I was given a corporate case number but was told to call back the following day to check in rather than receiving a callback. The burden of all follow up has been entirely on me. This is my only vehicle. I have been without transportation for over a week affecting my ability to get to work. No loaner or rental vehicle has been offered or provided. My vehicle was brought in specifically for a federal safety recall involving a known engine defect that can cause fire or engine stall. The dealer’s handling of this recall has been completely unacceptable and I am requesting NHTSA intervention to ensure compliance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 Progressive and I contact Hyundai. The car was inspected by the police and insurance company. No lights, messages and the car was running fine before the fire!

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 the DMV informed her after their research was tempered with and they stated the mileage should be 143,655.

In November 2024, my car engine failed. I came out of a store, turned key, all the dash lights lit up, and loud clanging but unable to drive. Car towed several times and told by 2-3 places the engine was “out” and there was a Hyundai recall aon 2012 Santa Fe. A Hyundai dealer had my vehicle, contacted Hyundai and was told it “wasn’t in recall.” Had to pay repair entirely myself on disability income. The vehicle subsequent to this had electrical problems and the car shut off while driving countless times, even highway doing 65-70. Paid for alternator twice and new battery, two battery jump boxes, and car continues to have severe electrical issues and highly unsafe to drive. I am broke and facing losing the car altogether and suffered lack of housing for 2 months and inability to pay my bills. All invoices are not included with this complaint.

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 .

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 IN FRONT OF US. MAY BE COMPUTER OR THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR. AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN LATER. SAME DAY. GOING STRAIGHT, UP A HILL ABOUT 2MPH AND ONCE AGAIN THE ENGINE SPED UP AND THE CAR TOOK OFF. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP.

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.

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 HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAD THE LIGHTS COME ON MAYBE 6 OR 8 MONTHS AGO. GO OFF AND COME ON AGAIN AND OFF AGAIN. I'VE IGNORED THEM NOT NOTICING ANY DRIVING IMPACT. BUT THE CAR IS WARNING ME THAT IT ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR. THIS IS NOT A ONE OF OR TWO OR THREE ISSUE. THIS FROM ANOTHER OWNER;ALL THREE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON MY 2011 SANTA FE SO I CHANGED MY FRONT RIGHT ABS SPEED SENSOR WHICH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE LIGHTS, BUT THE DASH LIGHTS ARE STILL ILLUMINATED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS A SHORT IN THE ABS SYSTEM WIRING HARNESS. WHAT'S THE COST TO FIX? $4500.00 REALLY! I THINK A RECALL IS DUE FOR THIS PROBLEM.

MY 2012 HYUNDI SANTA FE STALLED ON ME AS I WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT 3 WEEKS AGO.. LAST WEEK MY CHECK ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON MY DASHBOARD. I TOOK IT TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE PROBLEM WAS A REAR CRANKSHAFT MAIN BEARING SEAL. HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE REGARDING HYUNDAI ENGINE PROBLEMS AS WELL AS WITH THE KIA BRAND. I LEARNED THAT THERE WILL BE A RECALL FOR MY CAR BUT IT WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL 1/22/21. MY VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED WITH THIS RECALL, YET I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I NEED HYUNDAI TO AD MY VIN NUMBER TO THIS RECALL LIST.

BOTH CV AXLE BOOTS TORN DUE TO FAILED LOWER CONTROL ARMS.

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.

TWICE AS I WAS DRIVING IT MID TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON THE REGULAR STREET.

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 and has to be towed. Found that there was a recall/service program from Hyundai (campaign #947) and my vehicle was affected. I called my local dealership to schedule an inspection appointment regarding the recall. Dealership told me I had to call Hyundai customer care. I called customer care on Tuesday and my claim was escalated. The representative told me that I would be contacted by Hyundai within two days. I have not received any correspondence from the case manager. Called Hyundai Customer Care once more and the representative told me that they can't contact claims representatives directly and I would have to wait until they decide to call me.

Engine will RANDOMLY CUT OFF AND IT WOULD DO THAT EVEN WHEN IN DRIVE LIKE IT WASNT GETTING GAS. The dash board would light then continue going WOULD START RIGHT BACK AWAY AND HAS DONE THAT EVER SINCE.i purchased it I ALSO HAD THE O2 CENSOR REPLACED AS WELL. THE TIRES ARE AWFUL THE SUSPENSION. Electrical Problems I have to hit my headlight to come on before I leave when it's dark. Sometimes when I first start driving it pulls me to the right not like wheel balancing . But pulld then back to driving . One last thing I went in for recall update or something. The mechanic say hell do the update and drive the car if it has a problem going in drive they had to replace a sensor or something my car wouldn't move they were going to fix it and give me a loaner car . The guy said let me try something he did then the car started to drive. They were supposed to replace something and didn't. My engine light came on and stayed on I complained to him he just cleared the code it came back on and has been on every since. I told him it want on before I got here he said well it wasn't from anything they did. But it was.

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).

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.

I have complained about this previously to recall, and it's doing it again. My engine shut off while driving its happened on the Fred harrman bridge twice now. All the dashboard lights come on and the engine shuts off I had to put it in neutral and restart it. It very dangerous and scarey experience. Also one of my passerger head light doesn't come on sometimes and the back driver side tail light. I can get out and hit it then it will come on. I have been pulled over by the police for it once before I told them it works just hit it. He did told me to get that fixed and gave me a warning. I can't afford to eletbeledtrical done little alone an engine please help. Call should have the first report as well.

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 condensation in the tail lights. So needless to say it was built poorly as an owner like myself has to constantly change the tail lights or be rear-ended because I have NO brake lights. To me this is a serious issue. One that Hyundai has failed to correct. However, I recently took my vehicle in to be serviced and to have the tails lights changed. The dealership Lithia Hyundai of Alaska informed me they could not do them because I had to much water in the tail light cover and that they couldn't get into the trunk due to my junction box having failure. Well I suggested they fix the light cover and change the bulbs so I wouldn't get hit from the back. Service advise there was NO way to open the trunk from the inside. That I had to pay 5000.00 to fix one part to be able to open the trunk. I advised that was illegal per NHTSA and they stated they never heard of that. I would like to make this complaint because even though I cannot get one thing fix I should still be able to get my trunk open from the inside, to fix my brake light bulbs.

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 and has to be towed. Found that there was a recall/service program from Hyundai (campaign #947) and my vehicle was affected. I called my local dealership to schedule an inspection appointment regarding the recall. Dealership told me I had to call Hyundai customer care. I called customer care on Tuesday and my claim was escalated. The representative told me that I would be contacted by Hyundai within two days. I have not received any correspondence from the case manager. Called Hyundai Customer Care once more and the representative told me that they can't contact claims representatives directly and I would have to wait until they decide to call me.

CAR ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED WHILE ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS I AM CHOCKED MY CAR HAS BEEN PERFECT UNTIL NOW MY CAR BARELY PASSED 100,000 AND BOTH WARRANTIES EXPIRED ALSO BODY PANT IS CHIPPING OFF.

The front coils of the vehicle were totally deteriorated and could have led to an accident. I noticed that earlier models were recalled due to this same condition. I paid ~2K to have this problem fixed and the garage stated the coils should have lasted to 120k miles. Hyundai has subsequently issued extended warrantees for their elantra vehicles of which we own one. I am concerned that this defect could affect more cars than Hyundai has identified similar to the engine recall situation that was recently repaired.

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 WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REAR RH OPEN/SHORT, PART #C1209 + SHE TOLD ME I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE MY REAR ROTORS AS WELL, I STATED I HAD MY REAR ROTORS REPLACES ABOUT A YEAR &A HALF AGO. SHE QUOTED THE JOB MORE THAN $1200.00 INCLUDING PARTS, LABOR + TAXES. I PURCHASED MY HYUNDAI SANTAFE FROM JIM ELLIS HYUNDAI IN ATLANTA, GA. I REACHED OUT TO A SERVICE TECH I TRUST AT JIM E. HYUNDAI/ATLANTA, HE INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A RECALL PART AND HYUNDAI SHOULD DO A PA REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE. I WENT BACK TO BACHMAN HYUNDAI, IN, TOLD HER WHAT WAS TOLD TO ME. PA WAS DONE, PA WAS DECLINED. SHE STATED YES SHE KNEW OF THE RECALL & WHY DIDN'T SHE MENTION TO ME. SHE STATED I HAD NOT HAD ALL OF MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT THERE LOCATION AND THAT I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND IT HAD MORE THAN 13K MILES. I ASKED WHAT DID ALL OF THIS HAVE TO DO WITH REPAIRING MY VEHICLE? I CONTACTED ATLANTA BACK, WAS GIVEN # FOR HYUNDAI USA. THEY COULD SEE THAT PA WAS DONE & DECLINED, I ASKED WHY, HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY. HE UPDATED A NEW CASE # AND ESCALATED MY COMPLAINT AND SENT NEW CASE # HYUNDAI, IN TO GET JOB DONE. I RECEIVED CALL FROM HYUNDAI USA TODAY, ONLY TOE TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY IS WHY THEY CANNOT REPAIR THIS RECALL ISSUE. PLEASE ! I NEED YOUR HELP IN RESOLVING THIS SIMPLE ISSUE. TODAY THE LADY TOLD ME, WELL TAKE YOUR CAR BACK TO ATLANTA AND HAVE THEM REPAIR IT BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT APPROVING REPAIRS. SO UNFAIR! I HAVE RECEIVED SO MANY CONFLICTING STORIES NOT TO REPAIR THIS RECALL. PLEASE HELP ME! THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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.

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.

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 diagnosed due to a diagnostic fee being charged. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,250.

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 CONDITIONS WITH TIRES THAT ARE AT LEAST 2 YEARS OLDER THAT ARE NOT SHOWING SIDEWALL CRACKING. CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL BLOW-OUT AT HIGH SPEED. *TR

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 DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED OUT AND FIXED AS I WAS CERTAIN IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE CAR'S WARRANTY. I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A COUPLE OF HUNDRED DOLLARS TO HAVE THE SEAT-BELT FIXED! HOW COULD THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A SEAT-BELT MALFUNCTION? I STILL HAVE THE SEAT-BELT PROBLEM AS I BELIEVE THAT HYUNDAI SHOULD FIX IT AND NOT CHARGE ME. IF THIS HAPPENED TO ME, THEN I FEEL THAT IT PROBABLY HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS SO I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THIS IS A WIDER SPREAD PROBLEM THAN JUST A FLUKE WITH ME. *TR

A PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT WENT TO PUT ON HER SEATBELT AND FOUND THAT THE SHOULDER HARNESS JUST CAME APART MAKING IT COMPLETELY UNUSABLE AND UNSAFE. I WENT TO THE DEALER, FITZGERALD HYUNDAI AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM, EXPECTING THEM TO FIX IT BUT I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY PROBLEM AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I WAS SHOCKED AS I BELIEVED THAT A SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION WAS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT ANY DEALER WOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. WHEN I INSISTED THAT THE I DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO CAUSE THE MALFUNCTION AND THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD FIX IT I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHECK IT OUT WITH A HIGHER MANAGEMENT LEVEL AND WOULD GET BACK TO ME. I HAVE HAD NO FOLLOW UP FROM FITZGERALD. I FOLLOWED UP TWICE BY EMAIL ONCE USING THEIR OWN WEBSITE FORM HOPING THAT WOULD GET A RESPONSE, BUT STILL NOTHING. I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT THIS ISSUE WITH THE SEATBELT MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS SO I AM REPORTING THE PROBLEM. I DO NOT USE MY BACK SEAT FOR PASSENGERS VERY OFTEN BUT NEVERTHELESS I FEEL A SEATBELT MALFUNCTION IS A SAFETY CONCERN OF HIGH PRIORITY AND SOMETHING THAT A DEALER SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IMMEDIATELY AND THERE SHOULD BE NO DISPUTE! *TR

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. The contact was only able to unlock the driver’s side door with the key. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the door actuator needed to be replaced; however, after the repair, the failure persisted. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

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.

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 ABOVE THE LIGHTS. THEY ARE NOT SET PROPERLY.I LOOKED ONLINE TO RESEARCH IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND I FOUND OUT THAT IT IS COMMON AND PEOPLE ARE JUST DRIVING WITH THEIR HIGHBEAMS ON TO CORRECT THIS THE LOW BEAMS ARE SET AT A TERRIBLE ANGLE, IT'S CRAZY HOW BAD THEY ARE. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA AND CAN NOT USE THE LOW BEAMS AT ALL. THEY DO NOT ILLUMINATE FAR ENOUGH INTO THE DISTANCE TO MAKE DRIVING AT NIGHT , SAFE. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A DEALER 11 DAYS AGO. I DID NOT TEST DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT, HAD I DONE SO I WOULD HAVE ASKED TO HAVE THE LIGHTS ADJUSTED.I WOULD LIKE YOU TO LOOK INTO THIS, AS I BELIEVE THIS MODEL VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED TO HAVE THE HEAD LIGHT ADJUSTMENT FIXED IN ORDER TO DRIVE SAFELY AT NIGHT AND AS NOT TO BLIND OTHER DRIVERS BY DRIVING WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON.