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.

3.9

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,391 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments

problem #5

Aug 032018

Santa Fe

  • 108,900 miles

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

Was traveling on interstate at 70 mph. Exited and slowed to about 35 mph, at which time the engine shut down. Engine started right back up and ran ok rest of way home. The next day when driving up a hill, engine began to knock and check engine light came on. I continued on to an autozone where I had it checked with a code reader. Code retrieved was P0014 which is B camshaft timing over-advanced or system performance bank 1. removed valve cover and front cover and inspected the camshaft and timing components. These checked ok, removed oil pan and discovered that the #4 rod bearing had spun on crankshaft. I then found that Hyundai had had this problem with many of their 2.4L engines and that there was actually a recall on some. I contacted Hyundai by email and was informed that my VIN# was not included. So now I am stuck with a vehicle that I owe on and that will cost me at least $5,000 to have a new engine installed, which I can not afford.

- Rosemont, WV, USA

problem #4

Jul 112014

Santa Fe

  • 22,650 miles
Highway driving at 55mph, complete and total loss of drive train and engine power, check engine light illuminates. No throttle capability. Engine reduces to idling speed, but transmission stays engaged. Vehicle slows down and driver pulls off road. All electronics appear to work. Gas pedal has no interaction with engine throttle. Required tow off highway to Hyundai dealer. Hyundai dealer repaired problem with computer revision update. Tsb unknown.

- Commack, NY, USA

problem #3

May 042014

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 20 miles
This incident has happened 3 times so far. While driving I start to reduce speed. The speed gets down to about 20-25 mph and the vehicle completely loses all power. It just shuts down in the middle of driving. There is no power steering or anything. I turn the ignition to start the car again and it starts no problem. I may not have the problem again for another month or so. This is a very dangerous and scary situation. I pray to god that it doesn't happen while I'm traveling down the highway. I asked Hyundai about it and they didn't seem to be too concerned. They said there weren't any recalls but I could bring it in to get checked out.

- O'fallon, MO, USA

problem #2

Mar 202014

Santa Fe

  • 22,985 miles
1st of many total engine de-powerments happened at a stop sign, going approx.15 mph. I had filled the gas tank and at the first stop sign I came to, the engine check light came on; and it died, powerless. I coasted to my destination (less than a block away) and called my service rep at danbury Hyundai (ct). She told me it was due to an incorrect gas cap replacement, to undo the gas cap and start the car. It worked. After the first episode, this absolute powering down of everything, brake, steering, control; happened so often, it became routine. Gas tank filling had no bearing-but it happened at stop lights or stop signs, so I was able to coast to the side of the road, put the car in park and restart it. All that confidence evaporated yesterday. I was due to get on the highway and drive about 45 minutes on a combination of highway and thruway to my daughter's. I was on a busy local road that passes through danbury when the car's engine light came on, without me being at a stop sign or red light, or even braking for any reason, and I lost all control of the vehicle. This happens so suddenly, I might add, that you have no time to even activate the emergency flashers, or do anything besides grab the wheel with both hands and try to get over as far to the right as possible to avoid being hit from behind. I narrowly escaped being rear ended by a dump trunk directly behind me. I put the car into park, started it up, and called my service dept. At Hyundai. I explained that this happened again, since I had originally told them when I had the car serviced in may of 2014, and they had told me then, that they couldn't duplicate it, so they couldn't fix it. I explained that had I been already on the thruway I would be dead instead of on the phone. I came home called my lawyer and found his advice so helpful, I'm sharing it. Go to BBB.com, auto line. They offer arbitration at 0$.

- Bethel, CT, USA

problem #1

Mar 222012

Santa Fe 6-cyl

  • 2,400 miles
On Thursday Mar 22 2012 I was driving my Hyundai Santa Fe SE AWD with 2400 miles on it in two way down hill road with a speed of 20 to 25 miles per hour than all of sudden without any warning or any sign the car just die on me I tried to turn it back on it did turn on so next day I took it to Hyundai delear in san jose California theey checked it and said they couldn't find nothing wrong with so I am kind of concern about my safety and my family if this does happen again.

- San Francisco , CA, USA

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