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.

2.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
66,123 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Comments

problem #13

Nov 272021

Santa Fe

  • miles

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

My car died after an engine recall and then another recall happened unknown at this time and today the car died again in the middle of driving. Lights flashing on dashboard and had to be towed into Holler Hyundai Winter Park for the 17th time. This car was purchased November 2021 and I have had nothing but PROBLEMS. My safety has always been put at risk Ever since it blew up going down the highway and liquid bursted out of the hood. Now today without warning it completely died.

- Altamonte Springs, FL, USA

problem #12

Feb 182022

Santa Fe

  • miles
Car went into limp mode. Would not go over 60mph, accelerates slowly, and rpm is low. Does not shift properly and is throwing code P1326.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #11

May 012021

Santa Fe

  • miles
Exiting a parking lot on a slight decline coming to a stop between 0-7 mph without any warning the engine just stops. It starts right back up and have taken to a few different mechanics and they can't find any problems.This has happened 3 times within a two week period. I am just over 100,000 miles on the car. I'm thankful this has not caused and accident yet but scared that it will.

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #10

Sep 162019

Santa Fe

  • miles

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

when a bluetooth device is plugged into the available plug(auxillary plug) in the front dash of the vehicle the radio/CD/phone connections work on and off(mostly off) if lucky you might hear the stereo for a few minutes then it goes off again for days. when unplugged the radio keeps working. My drivers side power window has not worked a few times. The available connection for the cell phone does not work all the time. There is some kind of electrical problem in my vehicle. These ongoing problems have been going on for about 1 1/2 years after I bought the vehicle.

- Presque Isle, ME, USA

problem #9

Apr 152020

Santa Fe

  • 80,000 miles
My ESC, dbc, and ABS warning lights all illuminated at the same time this morning. There are many complaints of this happening on numerous Hyundai forms. Folks have been told to replace hubs, sensors and assorted other pieces. Most do not work costing hundreds of dollars. My particular vehicle had the lights come on maybe 6 or 8 months ago. Go off and come on again and off again. I've ignored them not noticing any driving impact. But the car is warning me that it isn't safe to drive the car. This is not a one of or two or three issue. This from another owner;all three light illuminated on my 2011 Santa Fe so I changed my front right ABS speed sensor which was the cause of the lights, but the dash lights are still illuminated. Took it to the dealer and they said there is a short in the ABS system wiring harness. What's the cost to fix? $4500 really! I think a recall is due for this problem.

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA

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problem #8

Aug 042020

Santa Fe

  • 94,000 miles
Very recently, the car has been stalling out with no warning, no odd sounds and no obvious reason as to why. I took the car to a well-known, trusted mechanic who was unable to find the cause, as the vehicle presented 0 fault codes. I was informed that I would have to drop the car off for a couple of days so that they could diagnose what the issue could be, and hopefully catch it happening. After doing so, I was then informed that it showed 0 signs of stalling while in their possession. In order to possibly find the issue, the car would have to be kept for more than just a couple of days, which would affect my job and the bill would most definitely be more than I could afford. The symptoms include the following... engine stalls while in idle at a stoplight. Engine stalls while stopping at stop signs. Engine stalls while driving in low speeds. Engine has a rough idle in morning and stalls within first mile of driving the vehicle. This has all been occuring for the past month. Every mechanic I speak to for help agrees it's a mystery issue and that the vehicle would have to be kept for a period of time for diagnostic measures. I'm not sure where else to turn. I use my vehicle daily for work and have never experienced anything like this before. Not only is it a very unsafe and dangerous issue, it literally scares the crap out of me, because when it happens, it's sudden with no warning. Tired of fearing for my life if stalled out in heavy traffic. It usually starts right back up, but at times it takes a minute or a few tries at times. Any assistance in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #7

Jun 222019

Santa Fe

  • 170,000 miles

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

My son was driving with 3 other young people in the car at low speed and the car began making a loud knocking noise and stopped in the middle of an overpass. He had to coast backward off the overpass. Thank god no one was behind them or they could have been killed! when I called Hyundai customer service they said the 2012 had 'no recalls' but when I reviewed the information on other recalled vehicles different year but same issues. My question is are people going to have to die for something to be done about this" why aren't these 2012 Santa Fe's being recalled like the others? please make this a mandatory recall so no one is killed before it's too late. Please! mother's love for her child and his friends. Recall this car!! he has not had the chance to bring the car to the dealership yet as he was afraid to drive the car. It was towed to his apartment because it was 9:30pm. He is not familiar with the area because he's in college for his masters degree. What are we supposed to do" help please! electrical lights came on vehicle made a loud knocking noise and stopped in the middle of the road the car starts but makes the loud noise

- Hammond, LA, USA

problem #6

Jun 072019

Santa Fe

  • 74,000 miles
Water keep getting into my rear light casing. I had them replaced once but there is water in them again and I understand this might short out my rear lights. We are getti G a lot of rain this season

- Charleston, WV, USA

problem #5

Mar 032019

Santa Fe

  • 158,000 miles
To whom it may concern, I currently own Santa Fe the problem is Hyundai is not recognize the problem with the vechicle I expiain to the service dpt, I absorb a jerk loses acceleration power next escindicator dbc lights comes on tachometer goes 0.the vechicle is still in motion.I turn the ignitionoff restart the vechicle thevechicle return back in normal state service replied I have to wait for a service lights.iam aware that santafe fires begins in the eng also in the rear.Hyundai dont have an answer they want me to drive in danger.I dont need a tragedy.please help [xxx] thx you. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #4

Aug 012018

Santa Fe

  • 107,000 miles
The airbag light stays on even after it was reset by the dealership.

- Monroe, NY, USA

problem #3

Feb 012018

Santa Fe

  • 90,000 miles

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

There have been numerous incidents that have occurred over the past few months. Is intermittent - can happen 2 days in a row or weeks apart. Symptoms when moving forward at a low rate of speed (stop and go traffic on expressway) stop to 10 miles per hour... every now and then hear a "clunk" sound from the rear of the vehicle - from above the spare tire area. Intermittent - can happen minutes apart or a week apart. Have read same type of complaints on internet. Took it to multiple mechanics ( Hyundai & non-Hyundai ) - neither of them could "reproduce" the problem.... which is the "problem".... as I told them and have posted here.... this can happen twice in one day and then not re-occur for a week or two..... the mechanics look at me like I'm nuts after they've driven it around and not been able to "reproduce" the problem... scenarios #1 the vehicle was in motion; at a very low rate of speed (0-7mph); on an upward incline; stop & go traffic #2 the vehicle was in reverse, at a very low rate of speed (0-7mph); on a downward incline with sharp turn to the right - backing out of driveway to street #3 the vehicle was in reverse, at a very low rate of speed (0-7mph) straight back

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #2

Nov 172017

Santa Fe

  • 84,000 miles
I have been having continuous issues with a loud "clunk" when my car is placed in reverse, turning, shifting gears. It's intermittent, but loud and hard enough that it feels as though the vehicle has been hit. The car does not kick off any codes, however a number of other Santa Fe owners have has the same issue and eventually needed to have the transmission replaced.

- Bethlehem, PA, USA

problem #1

Aug 172012

Santa Fe

  • 2,600 miles
Engine would intermittently run rough, sputter and choke while driving.

- Somerville, MA, USA

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