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.

8.6

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
41,700 miles
Total Complaints:
26 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (23 reports)
  2. replace engine (1 reports)
  3. replace vvt valves (1 reports)
  4. throttle body replacement (1 reports)
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #6

Apr 152013

Santa Fe LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 26,000 miles

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

The car has simply died in the middle of the road, 2 times. 1st time (26k miles) on a 2 lane highway with a lot of traffic going about 40mph coasting on a slight downhill. Fortunately, I was able to pull to the side without incident, despite loss of steering and power brakes. Second time, (51k miles) slowing down to turn into my driveway. stalled during my turn, losing the steering I missed hitting my mailbox by inches.

Both times I took into Hyundai service & they could not replicate the problem. The 1st time, they replaced wires that were connected to battery? I don't know why, it is not a starting problem. Any suggestions?

- Cathy P., Fremont, CA, US

problem #5

Aug 062012

Santa Fe SE AWD 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,600 miles

The engine stalls at least weekly. Many times of dropping off the vehicle to the dealership, with no answer at all. The dealership and the Hyundai USA is kicking this back and forth each other.

- poorhyundaisantafe, Clementon, NJ, US

problem #4

Aug 122012

Santa Fe Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,232 miles

This is dangerous because the car just stops working dead in its tracks without any indication that there is a problem. One is not safe.

- Janet D., Chapel Hill, NC, US

problem #3

Sep 072013

Santa Fe SE FWD 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 22,403 miles

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

This is a dangerous problem. This is the first time I am reporting this online, but have talked to the dealer service department 2 times before today's incidence. Bought this new at the end of April 2012. It died when slowing down - coming to a stop sign twice that first summer. Didn't think too much of it, but unusual. Next it happen in Sept 2012 while making a turn on a residential street.

These two type of issues have happened a total of 6 times since I purchased it. Today, takes the cake - as I was turning from one busy street (approx 40 mi/hr) slowing down and into another busy street approx 30 mph when it died. I lost power steering and almost turned into oncoming traffic. Hyundai service, looks at the computer and says it does not record anything and I should leave it next time to see if they can duplicate it.

- Cathy T., Elk Grove Village, IL, US

problem #2

May 312013

Santa Fe SE FWD 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,732 miles

Mentioned this to a few people who said this is a safety issue and needs to be addressed. So this time I mentioned to the service manager. They checked computer for codes and nothing shows. Told me to keep an eye on it, if it started to happen more frequently. Maybe a code would show up.

- Cathy T., Elk Grove Village, IL, US

problem #1

Jun 042013

Santa Fe ES 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,605 miles

Just want to relate that at 6am on my way to work, my car died after I stopped at a stop sign. All was dead, except for three light on the dash. I was in drive when it happened and I immediately put the car into park, tried to start it and nothing happened. Tried three times and nothing happened. No noise - nothing. then when I was about to panic, it started. I reported it to the dealership as this is a lease car. Probably they won't find any problem. I took it to a reptable mechanic that said nothing will show on the computer when I do take it in because nothing registered when I tried to start it. He said it wasn't the gas and was probably electric. I just hope it doesn't happen again. I'm already upset about the creaky console that they've already replaced once. It still creaks and this will be the deal breaker for me keeping the car. Otherwise it's an okay car.

- sschryer, Lakewood, CO, US

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