CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe has a problem with the engine stalling while driving. Both our data & the NHTSA's complaint data show a significant defect trend at low mileage.

In a 2-page letter to owners in August 2014, Hyundai claims the engine stalling only occurs under a "specific set of operating conditions".

However a class action lawsuit filed around the same time details multiple claims from Sante Fe owners that claim the engine stalling happens at any time, under any conditions.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,271 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

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2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments

problem #7

Jan 262018

Santa Fe

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Westford, MA, USA

problem #6

Aug 212019

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 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 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 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).

- Jeffersonville, IN, USA

problem #5

Oct 012018

Santa Fe

  • 16,000 miles
My ABS lights are on and won't go off. I had it checked for 80$ to get told it is a sensor in the rear hub of tire that is not reading the tire speed. They want 500$ to repair it.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

problem #4

Dec 262015

Santa Fe

  • 24,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was turning into a parking lot doing about 5mph when the vehicle suddenly accelerated to a high rate of speed, took me over a cement barrier, a curb, went airborne, landed in a bush which it tore in half and took with me, across the sidewalk and spun in the middle of a busy intersection before the tire blew off the rim and I got it to stop. It was towed to the dealership where it has been for one month as Hyundai dragged their heels until I got angry and emailed them. Two days after I emailed them I got the following leaving me with the repairs as well as paying for the rental for a month. Thank you for your recent correspondence. We have thoroughly reviewed your comments and regret the circumstances you have experienced. We have reviewed the materials provided and inspected your Santa Fe. The entire acceleration system, including the pedals and throttle, the brake system, and the transmission were thoroughly reviewed and checked. We were unable to find any malfunctions or defects that would have resulted in the condition you claim caused your accident.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #3

Apr 172015

Santa Fe

  • 190,000 miles
I was at the Hyundai dealership in staten island the day after my tire warning light came on. They said that I had to leave the car overnight to see what was wrong with the right front passenger tire. When I returned the next day they said that the tire needed air. My tire warning light came on two more times during the time period that proceeded the service. I filled my tire again with air the second time. Then the third time the tire was completely flat! I called roadside assistance the next morning and they sent someone to come and put the doughnut on the car. I then drove the car to charley's tire a local tire repair shop to see what was wrong with the tire. Sure enough there was a nail in my tire. The tire was non repairable due to the treads being extremely worn, so $180 dollars later I had a new comparable tire put on my car. The treads on the other three tires are also at risk according the mechanic that replaced my tire at the tire shop. The crap condition of the roads on staten island is no help neither for condition was caused by a massive pothole the formed in a sewer manhole cover. Tires are a safety issue and they should be taken care of the first time by the mechanics at the dealership since most car owners bring their cars there to be maintained and fixed, not three times and $180 later by an independent mechanic. If dealership mechanics and service people continue to be lazy in this practice, more and more people are going to be put in danger and going elsewhere to have their automotive problems taken care of properly.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

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problem #2

Jan 222014

Santa Fe

  • 23,000 miles
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.

- Gunnison, CO, USA

problem #1

May 262013

Santa Fe 4-cyl

  • 14,900 miles
Hi, I am sending this paper due to the unexpected flattened tire accident on 81 I highway in May 26, 2013 2 pm. The tire was suddenly flattened while I was driving in 65~75 mph, so it was a life threatening accident. I really didn't expect this to happen because I had an inspection in maguire a week before the accident occurred. At first, I thought that my tire got impaled by the nail; however, the inspector in maguire couldn't find any nail. Surprisingly, the tire wasn''t leaking anymore after it was refilled again. He and his co-worker tried it several times to make sure it wasn't leaking, and it sure wasn't leaking according to their several attempts. I asked maguire to take responsibility for this weird accident, but they said that the fault is to Hyundai not them, while Hyundai customer service told me that the responsibility is kumho tire's. therefore, I asked kumho to take responsibility for my accident and asked the money for the repairing cost of my car. They first claimed that the tire has no technical problem since there is no more air leaking, so they can't pay the repairment cost. Nonetheless, the tire was flattened, which is an unchangeable fact, so I asked once more to take responsibility of my accident. After several attempts, they finally agreed to inspect the tire and send two tires to me. I also agreed at first, but I figured that I can''t really trust them for an honest inspection. I found similar 'flattened tire cases in the internet, so I decided to send it to nhsta for accurate and through inspection. Please help me and many other people who have similar cases to find a reason for a "'no hole, yet somehow flattened tire. Thank you. P.S I have inspection papers that I got before an accident and after the accident. I will attach these papers and send a tire if you need a close inspection.

- Ithaca, NY, USA

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