2012 Hyundai Santa FE Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 2%of 355 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,174miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE, 2% of the 355 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,174 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe was involved in a vehicle accident where the front end hit a guardrail on a rural highway. The guardrail was crush, and the impact spun the car around 180 degrees. None of the air bags deployed upon impact, but the entire front end of the car was affected during the wreck. Pending notification if car is totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #11362832, filed 2020-10, 184,000 miles“Tl- the contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH and coming upon a red light, the contact attempted to stop the vehicle by applying the brakes. The contact indicated that while pressing the break pedal the vehicle initially slowed down but the vehicle would not stop causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene. The contact also indicated that the airbags did not deploy during the crash. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10563756, filed 2014-02, 15,000 miles“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a guard rail. The driver's air bag failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the neck. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The failure and current mileage was 37,347. ..updated 01-10-14”
NHTSA complaint #10553378, filed 2013-11, 37,347 miles“Airbags for the ENTIRE car did not deploy in a car accident that rendered the car inoperable. Vehicle was going 40mph and nothing. There were NO service lights on or any issues prior to the accident. This resulted in contusions and a sprained neck.”
NHTSA complaint #11437031, filed 2021-10“The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. While driving 28 MPH, an oncoming vehicle inadvertently crossed into the contact's lane. As a result, a head on collision occurred. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained a fractured neck, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed destroyed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to determine the cause of the air bag failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #11082503, filed 2018-04Related service bulletins
- 11032523Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province…
- 11032522Apr 10, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by…
- 10196577May 14, 2021The warranty coverage for the clock spring has been extended to 15 years with unlimited mileage from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use, whichever occurs…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 1% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 3% |
| 2019 | 7 | 3% |
| 2018 | 6 | 5% |
| 2017 | 20 | 2% |
| 2016 | 9 | 4% |
| 2015 | 9 | 4% |
| 2014 | 13 | 3% |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 2% |
| 2011 | 7 | 4% |
| 2010 | 9 | 3% |
| 2009 | 29 | 8% |
| 2008 | 70 | 13% |
| 2007 | 102 | 15% |
| 2006 | 28 | 26% |
| 2005 | 74 | 34% |
| 2004 | 43 | 14% |
| 2003 | 42 | 14% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE
228 complaintsElectrical system
43 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsBrakes
29 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsWheels
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology