2012 Hyundai Santa Fe problems and recalls

64% of owner complaints on the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe related to the Engine (228 of 355).

355
Complaints
1
Recalls
25
Crash reports
17
Fire reports
7
Injuries
70.1
Severity index

Severity index 70.1 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 70.1p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 51 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 61% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 228 complaints (64.2%)228 64%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 43 complaints (12.1%)43 12%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 40 complaints (11.3%)40 11%Service BrakesService Brakes: 29 complaints (8.2%)29 8%Power TrainPower Train: 24 complaints (6.8%)24 7%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 17 complaints (4.8%)17 5%SteeringSteering: 16 complaints (4.5%)16 5%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 14 complaints (3.9%)14 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE22864.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4312.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4011.3%
SERVICE BRAKES298.2%
POWER TRAIN246.8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER174.8%
STEERING164.5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING143.9%

Complaints filed per year

022432011: 22012: 242013: 352014: 422015: 102016: 92017: 332018: 332019: 372020: 322021: 432022: 142023: 172024: 92025: 82026: 7 (partial year)1112131415161718192021432223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20112
201224
201335
201442
201510
20169
201733
201833
201937
202032
202143
202214
202317
20249
20258
2026 (year to date)7
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.4x those in 2020 to 2022 (34 against 89).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
20V74600001/12/2020ENGINEHyundai 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.

Other Hyundai Santa Fe model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 15 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-10-23. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.