2012 Hyundai Santa FE Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 228about this part
- Share
- 64%of 355 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,662miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 228 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE, 64% of the 355 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,662 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 14 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“We were traveling on I-70 west accelerating uphill when we heard a sound from the engine. We stopped to check and then continued our travel when a part came off the engine. We were on the east side of the eisenhower tunnel and had to be towed to our destination in frisco. The engine is blown and will be costly to replace. We have 149,465 miles on the engine. Ths is awd.10”
NHTSA complaint #11366163, filed 2020-10, 149,470 miles“Car had 79000 miles. When driving, motor started making ticking sound. I stopped the car and checked the oil. It was full. 2 miles later, the engine started knocking, no warning lights of any kind came on on the dash. Before I could park it off the road, a rod went through the block. The broke rod had a number 4 stamped on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11245110, filed 2019-08, 79,000 miles“On september 1, 2020, the engine started to slow down and make a crunching cracking noise about a mile later we came to a complete stop, on a main hwy.we had to call aaa to come get us. We had the police stay behind us until the tow truck came. It took 45 minutes due to the heavy traffic and time of day.”
NHTSA complaint #11353122, filed 2020-09, 148,000 miles“I called huyndai and told them that my Santa Fe had an engine problem, which is the same problem with all of the ones recalled. They said that that VIN did not have a recall. I ended up spending a lot of money fixing the vehicle but I think that it should have been recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #11387069, filed 2021-01, 107,000 miles“I was driving down the interstate with cruise control set at 80 MPH, when the engine started making a horrible sound. A sound as though it had no oil. I pulled off the interstate and had to have vehicle towed to the mechanic. I learned the engine blew a rod and needs to be replaced. 114,000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11256350, filed 2019-09, 114,000 milesRelated recalls
- 20V746000Dec 1, 2020Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The…Covers: Hyundai Santa FE 2012, Sonata Hybrid 2011–2013, 2016, Veloster 2015–2016
Related service bulletins
- 11038458Oct 8, 2026Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure…
- 11038456Oct 7, 2026Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures…
- 11030331Mar 26, 2026This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H-2 (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing…
- 11030330Mar 26, 2026This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing…
- 11006829Aug 19, 2024Hyundai 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…
- 10165455Aug 12, 2019If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a ?Check Engine? light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid…
- 10052606Jul 1, 2013Hyundai: some vehicles, produced from 12/18/2012 to 04/24/2012, are subject to inspection and may need to be replaced.
- 10052144Apr 1, 2013Hyundai: the throttle control (etc) body, on some vehiicles, needs to be cleaned and procedural information is being provided, due to deposits found at valve-to-bore interface…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 5% |
| 2025 | 14 | 10% |
| 2024 | 13 | 8% |
| 2023 | 35 | 16% |
| 2022 | 54 | 27% |
| 2021 | 37 | 22% |
| 2020 | 81 | 37% |
| 2019 | 73 | 36% |
| 2018 | 54 | 49% |
| 2017 | 650 | 67% |
| 2016 | 151 | 64% |
| 2015 | 161 | 63% |
| 2014 | 274 | 56% |
| 2013 | 273 | 45% |
| 2012 | 228 | 64% |
| 2011 | 64 | 35% |
| 2010 | 37 | 14% |
| 2009 | 60 | 17% |
| 2008 | 60 | 11% |
| 2007 | 54 | 8% |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% |
| 2005 | 11 | 5% |
| 2004 | 16 | 5% |
| 2003 | 8 | 3% |
| 2002 | 10 | 6% |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE
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 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