2012 Hyundai Santa FE Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 43about this part
- Share
- 12%of 355 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 43 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE, 12% of the 355 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Came home 8 pm. Son came home shortly after 10 pm. Just after midnight my car alarm started going off (car locked and parked in driveway), I got out of bed looked through blinds and saw my car was on fire. I ran to kitchen grabbed fire extinguisher attempted to put out fire and called 911. Fire dept determined fire started inside car at wiring area.”
NHTSA complaint #11191814, filed 2019-03, 107,500 miles“I was at a four way-year-old and stop where I had to yield as I was doing the Santa Fe cut off and I lost all power steering wheel locked up and I couldn't control vehicle turn the key off and then turn the key back on the truck started 20 minutes later the truck would not start it when you return on the antitheft alarm keeps beeping”
NHTSA complaint #11057872, filed 2018-01, 150,000 miles“When driving the vehicle, the vehicle will lurch forward. This could be done as I am accelerating, as I am breaking, or as I am coasting. The dashboard lights will then all come on including the check engine light. The vehicle will start to shake and unable to accelerate. Forcing you to pull off and park the vehicle. When you turn the vehicle off and turn it back on it's like nothing ever happened. The vehicle has also has instances where the RPM gage registers zero, even after you are accelerating. …”
NHTSA complaint #11386832, filed 2021-01, 135,000 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11377438, filed 2020-12, 80,000 miles“This is the fourth time since the purchase in april, 2012. The engine just shuts off while driving normally at a low speed. The dealer shop obviously could not find any issues. I cannot understand why this type of highly dangerous problem is not being addressed by NHTSA urgently. I see that there are other complaints of this nature reported. I cannot believe that I have to risk our family lives to prove that there is a serious fault with this vehicle!”
NHTSA complaint #10493630, filed 2013-01, 11,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11000788May 10, 2024A class settlement against Hyundai Motor America (“HMA”) that had alleged that certain 2011 – 2022 model year Hyundai vehicles that were not equipped with an engine immobilizer…
- 11000314May 9, 2024A class settlement against Hyundai Motor America (“HMA”) that had alleged that certain 2011 – 2022 model year Hyundai vehicles that were not equipped with an engine immobilizer…
- 10251282Feb 12, 2024Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), and…
- 10251275Feb 1, 2024Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), and…
- 10249707Jan 22, 2024Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), and…
- 10249702Jan 22, 2024Certain Hyundai vehicles may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This bulletin provides the service procedure to install a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and…
- 10247611Dec 19, 2023Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), and…
- 10247608Dec 19, 2023Certain Hyundai vehicles may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This bulletin provides the service procedure to install a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and…
- 10210206Mar 10, 2022Certain vehicles listed below may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or an engine concern/noise related to connecting rod bearing wear or…
- 10210205Mar 8, 2022Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs. If abnormal engine…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 14% |
| 2025 | 28 | 21% |
| 2024 | 30 | 19% |
| 2023 | 36 | 17% |
| 2022 | 31 | 15% |
| 2021 | 29 | 17% |
| 2020 | 25 | 11% |
| 2019 | 27 | 13% |
| 2018 | 9 | 8% |
| 2017 | 70 | 7% |
| 2016 | 11 | 5% |
| 2015 | 20 | 8% |
| 2014 | 49 | 10% |
| 2013 | 53 | 9% |
| 2012 | 43 | 12% |
| 2011 | 25 | 14% |
| 2010 | 28 | 11% |
| 2009 | 50 | 14% |
| 2008 | 74 | 14% |
| 2007 | 97 | 14% |
| 2006 | 10 | 9% |
| 2005 | 10 | 5% |
| 2004 | 18 | 6% |
| 2003 | 28 | 9% |
| 2002 | 11 | 7% |
| 2001 | 35 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE
228 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 complaintsAir bags
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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