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

The engine group has the most complaints at 234. Electrical System follows with 43, then Speed Control with 40.

Does the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?

Yes, the page lists a recall in the Recalls section, and the by-year fact shows the count.

Is the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

NHTSA has 354 owner complaints on file. Engine reports lead the list. Read the problems section and the by-year section to judge for yourself.

Are there safety concerns with the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Owners report 25 complaints that mention a crash and 17 that mention a fire. See the safety section for crash test results.

What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the figures.

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 354 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe^[1]. The engine group stands out with 234 of them^[2].

354owner complaints^[1]

1recalls^[3]

21–23MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

3★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.

Engine. 234 complaints^[2]. Owners describe the SUV cutting out while driving, sometimes again and again, with dealers unable to find a cause. Some also describe a knocking sound that grew louder until the engine died.
Electrical System. 43 complaints^[6]. Owners describe sudden shutoffs at low speed, warning lights, and a loss of power steering and power brakes. One owner describes smoke and a burning part under the hood.
Speed Control. 40 complaints^[7]. In the stories we read, owners describe the SUV surging forward or lagging when they press the gas, often while parking. Some of these ended in a crash.
Brakes. 28 complaints^[8]. Owners describe a pedal that sinks to the floor, slow response, and a feeling of lost braking power.
Power Train. 24 complaints^[9].
Unknown Or Other. 16 complaints^[10].
Steering. 16 complaints^[11].
Suspension. 14 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Santa Fe is necessarily included.

Engine (20V746), December 2020. About 128,948 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Santa Fe 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive^[14]	20 / 25 / 22	$3,050
Santa Fe 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	20 / 27 / 23	$2,900
Santa Fe 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[15]	19 / 26 / 21	$3,200
Santa Fe 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[16]	20 / 26 / 22	$3,050
Santa Fe 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive^[17]	20 / 25 / 22	$3,050

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[5]	3	4	2	4	16.9%
SUV FWD^[18]	3	4	2	4	17.4%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe with 2.4L 4-cylinder^[19]	175 hp
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe with 3.5L 6-cylinder^[20]	276 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
SANTA FE 4DR SUV AWD 2.4 GL PREMIUM^[21]	184 in	74 in	71 in	106 in	3,975 lb
SANTA FE 4DR SUV AWD 3.5 GL/3.5 GL SPORT/3.5^[22]	184 in	74 in	71 in	106 in	4,118 lb
SANTA FE 4DR SUV FWD 2.4 GL/GL PREMIUM^[23]	184 in	74 in	71 in	106 in	3,686 lb
SANTA FE 4DR SUV FWD 3.5 GL/3.5 GL SPORT^[24]	184 in	74 in	71 in	106 in	3,900 lb

How 2012 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Santa Fe model year. The 2012 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2001	209	4
2002	165	4
2003	308	4
2004	303	3
2005	216	3
2006	106	1
2007	684	7
2008	541	4
2009	358	2
2010	260	2
2011	181	2
2012	354	1
2013	805	7
2014	657	7
2015	339	4
2016	306	3
2017	1,326	7
2018	432	5
2019	229	3
2020	217	2
2021	187	8
2022	265	8
2023	290	2
2024	191	7
2025	238	5
2026	56	4

NHTSA's counts for the Santa Fe show 354 complaints and 1 recalls for 2012^[3]. Among the 27 model years listed, 19 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 7 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2017 (1,326)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2012 Santa Fe?

The complaint record for this model year is dominated by the engine group^[2]. Electrical, speed control and brake reports follow, and several of them involve crashes^[6]^[7]^[8]. These are unverified owner reports, and counts are not adjusted for sales^[1]. If you are shopping for one, check that any recall work was done and ask about stalling or surging on a test drive^[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?: The engine group has the most complaints at 234^[2]. Electrical System follows with 43^[6], then Speed Control with 40^[7].
Does the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe have any recalls?: Yes, the page lists a recall in the Recalls section, and the by-year fact shows the count^[3].
Is the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?: NHTSA has 354 owner complaints on file^[1]. Engine reports lead the list^[2]. Read the problems section and the by-year section to judge for yourself.
Are there safety concerns with the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?: Owners report 25 complaints that mention a crash and 17 that mention a fire^[1]. See the safety section for crash test results.
What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Hyundai Santa Fe

2005 216 complaints, 3 recalls
2006 106 complaints, 1 recall
2007 684 complaints, 7 recalls
2008 541 complaints, 4 recalls
2009 358 complaints, 2 recalls
2012 this page
2013 805 complaints, 7 recalls
2014 657 complaints, 7 recalls
2017 1,326 complaints, 7 recalls
2018 432 complaints, 5 recalls
2019 229 complaints, 3 recalls
2020 217 complaints, 2 recalls
2023 290 complaints, 2 recalls

Compare all model years of the Hyundai Santa Fe

Other Hyundai models from 2012

2012 Hyundai Accent 153 complaints, 2 recalls
2012 Hyundai Genesis 271 complaints, 5 recalls
2012 Hyundai Sonata 1,712 complaints, 11 recalls

All Hyundai models

Similar cars from 2012: suvs

2012 Buick Enclave 132 complaints, 6 recalls
2012 Cadillac SRX 417 complaints, 3 recalls
2012 Chevrolet Equinox 685 complaints, 3 recalls
2012 Chevrolet Traverse 354 complaints, 5 recalls
2012 Dodge Journey 376 complaints, 6 recalls
2012 Ford Edge 1,134 complaints, 3 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 354 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe (25 mention a crash, 17 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
234 complaints name the engine component group (6 crashes, 14 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,161). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Hyundai Santa Fe model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Santa Fe 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 3 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 2 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
43 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,500). NHTSA vehicle records
40 complaints name the speed control component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,000). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the brakes component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 24,870). NHTSA vehicle records
24 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,825). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
16 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,332). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,693). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 20V746, filed December 1, 2020: Engine. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Santa Fe 4WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Santa Fe 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Santa Fe 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Santa Fe 4WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 3 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 2 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 175 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 276 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SANTA FE 4DR SUV AWD 2.4 GL PREMIUM: length 184 in, width 74 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,975 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SANTA FE 4DR SUV AWD 3.5 GL/3.5 GL SPORT/3.5: length 184 in, width 74 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 4,118 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SANTA FE 4DR SUV FWD 2.4 GL/GL PREMIUM: length 184 in, width 74 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,686 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SANTA FE 4DR SUV FWD 3.5 GL/3.5 GL SPORT: length 184 in, width 74 in, height 71 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,900 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe: problems, recalls and fuel economy