Page 2 of 8 · complaints 51–100 of 355

2012 Hyundai Santa FE complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2012 record →

Engine
Filed Mar 23, 2022UT

Was driving and the engine started making knocking noises and other sounds then started losing power until eventually stalling and the engine stopped and all the dash lights came on. After that the engine would not turn over or start again.

Engine
Filed Feb 25, 2022120,000 milesPA

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the oil sensor flashed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil sensor was leaking oil onto the engine and exhaust. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the starter needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the engine seized during the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 19, 2022WI

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.

Engine
Filed Jan 18, 2022NJ

Engine stalled while driving in traffic on 1/17/2022. No warning lights or other symptoms. Hasn't been checked. First time happened but I know of other Hyundai Santa fe with engine recall. This is a very dangerous failure.

Wheels
Filed Jan 7, 2022MA

The front coils of the vehicle were totally deteriorated and could have led to an accident. I noticed that earlier models were recalled due to this same condition. I paid ~2K to have this problem fixed and the garage stated the coils should have lasted to 120k miles. Hyundai has subsequently issued extended warrantees for their elantra vehicles of which we own one. I am concerned that this defect could affect more cars than Hyundai has identified similar to the engine recall situation that was recently repaired.

Engine
Filed Dec 28, 2021NC

We were told by a mechanic that the engine needs to be replaced because the rod bearings wore out and are now inside the engine. This is similar to a current recall by Hyundai except our VIN is not included. Hyundai is unwilling to help us and the cost of an engine is more than the car. The car is not driveable and could have cause serious injury if the engine had blown up. It is currently being stored and is available to inspect. The check engine light came on initially which is when we brought it to the mechanic.

Engine
Filed Dec 12, 2021MN

I have a 2012 Hyundai Santa fe the engine started making knocking sounds and had loss of power. Did some research on the safety recall for the engine and found it on there site. Vehicle was taken to local Hyundai dealer like there site stated for inspection on 10/15/21. Dealership then called 3 hours later and said it was not covered and found noise coming from lower engine crank as stated on the receipt. I then filed a case file with Hyundai #18907069 and phone number 8334628722 ext 65091. After numerous calls and leaving messages I never once spoke to my Case manager. She said in a email that salvage title voids warranty, I sent evidence Hyundai calling it a safety recall witch is still covered. I received the email on November 24 haven't heard a thing since. There site said the engine can start on fire and could lock up at high speed causing a accident they called it a safety recall.

Engine
Filed Dec 4, 2021AZ

On Aug. 9 2021 I took my vehicle into the dealer in Phoenix, Az. for recalls that were given to me from emissions testing. One recall was for engine knocking and premature wear of piston rods/bearings. The software update was done so the vehicle could warn me of engine failure. On or about Dec 1st 2021 my vehicle was making noise under the hood and slowing in power to safety mode. It stalled at a major intersection near my home and I slowly made it back to safety. The software that was installed failed to warn me in time to not cause engine damage. The are metal shavings in the engine oil and it will not run. If it does you can hear knocking very loudly. This recall was supposed to have the engine replaced by the dealer and no such repair was done. The dealer on Aug 9 only notified me of a leak from the radiator that was never seen before. They tried to charge me 1203.00 dollars for a new radiator and upper and lower hoses. The leak was never there before and when I got home i inspected the garage floor and the floor was clean and dry. Now 4 months later my engine is having problems from this recall not being corrected. The dealer also has no loaner vehicle for me and I am a disabled man with one leg. Im being told I will be without a car for up to 2 months with no guarantee that the engine will be replaced at no cost to me.

Engine
Filed Nov 15, 2021NJ

In July, I took my 2012 Hyundai to Hyundai Service Department for Recall over defective connecting rod bearings that can wear out prematurely and damage engine. The service department inspected the engine and closed our case. no damage was found. In November 2021 just three months later our car engine completely gave out and we broke down on the road. the service department said it was the connecting rod bearings which caused the damage. but Hyundai refuses to cover the engine under the recall. They say we no longer have an open case. They also say it is not a recall but a Service Campaign and we are over the 150,000 miles warranty. Is this true or should they be honoring the recall? Also they put our safety at risk by not replacing the rod bearings back in July.

EngineFire
Filed Nov 4, 202170,000 milesFL

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at 40-45 MPH, she heard an abnormal ticking sound, and the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact stated she saw black smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact did not recall whether a warning light illuminated. The contact and her husband exited the vehicle. The contact stated as they walked back to the vehicle, they notice that the smoke has stopped. The contact and her husband did not sustain any injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated the vehicle had been waiting to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (ENGINE) for five months as the parts for recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

EngineFire
Filed Oct 28, 2021GA

On the way to get the recall fixed on this vehicle the car caught fire under the hood and was a total loss. This was a safety hazard to not only my family, but to the public passing by on the road. The fire service had to come put out the massive flames and the car was then towed to the dealer in Athens GA.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 16, 2021FL

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.

Engine
Filed Oct 6, 2021VA

The engine on my 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe is locked up right now due to the engine recall with the rod bearings. I have had this vehicle at my local Hyundai dealership in Colonial Heights, Virginia for 2 months now. The dealership is not providing service in a timely manor to fix this issue. My car has been sitting up there for 2 months and they keep telling me they need to take more pictures and videos of the engine to send to corporate. I think two months is plenty of time to get the required information up to corporate for them to accept this recall. I am very frustrated with this dealership because they will not even provide me with a time frame as to how long this process will take.

Engine
Filed Sep 15, 2021130,000 milesOH

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that upon driving at 55 MPH, the contact stated that the vehicle shut off as the check engine and oil lights illuminated on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to her home. The contact was able to restart the vehicle the next day as the check engine and oil lights disappeared off the instrument panel. The contact had an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle; however, since the check engine light did not appear, the vehicle could not be diagnosed. The contact then received a recall notice for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine) and took the vehicle to a dealer where they informed her that her vehicle was fine and safe to be driven. A few months later, the contact received a second notice for the same recall and returned the vehicle back to the dealer. After a second inspection, the dealer informed her that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer for four months and upon return of the vehicle, the check engine warning light appeared twice on the instrument panel. The contact had informed the dealer of the failure and was informed not to worry about the check engine light unless the light started flashing. She was also informed that her vehicle could not be inspected for another two weeks. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000

Engine
Filed Sep 11, 2021NC

I received a engine recall notice and quickly went into Hyundai in April 2021 to have it inspected for thus recall. They performed the diagnostic testing and they informed me that my car does have the recall but passed the inspection so it’s fine. I didn’t feel comfortable knowing my car might fail but had no choice but to listen to the dealership. Fast forward to August, my husband and I were driving down to my parents on I-95 going 70 miles an hour when we suddenly heard a loud strange noise, then within seconds a loud bang. Smoke pouring out the back of the car, the car shuts down, engine light comes on, and we now have a potential deadly situation. Thank God my husband was driving, he used all his power to turn the wheel and safely get us off the hwy. I am upset that Hyundai knows ppl have bad engines and sends us off after an apparent awful diagnostic test to potentially die in an accident. If I was driving I know we wouldn’t be here today. Tow truck driver says he sees it all the time and we are lucky to be alive. I will attach a picture of the engine that we took when we pulled off the hwy. I pray no one has to go thru this but I know many people are. It’s just not right.

Engine
Filed Aug 31, 202164,268 milesCA

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud knocking and screeching noise coming from the engine and the vehicle struggled to accelerate and then stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer and the manufacturer's insurance agent diagnosed that metal shavings from the ball bearings had gotten into the engine, causing engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer waiting for a complete engine tear down to verify the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,268.

Engine
Filed Aug 18, 2021113,000 milesFL

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and was diagnosed with needing the throttle body module to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 23, 2021TX

A connecting rod bearings in the engine wore out prematurely and damaged the engine while driving with my family. The car was not responding almost causing a catastrophe, I experienced mental distress and triggered my PTSD. When taken to the mechanic for inspection the damage showed a connecting rod cause a hole in the engine spilling and burning oil. There was no sound or warning lights until after the car's engine was damaged by this manufacturer fail. I did my research and I found others with the same engine issue. What's Hyundai next step in this case?

Engine
Filed Jul 7, 2021202,000 milesWI

The contact's sister-in-law owns a 2012 HYUNDAI Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact also stated that the vehicle would shut-off intermittently while driving at various speeds without warning. Neither the contact nor his sister-in-law had taken the vehicle to be serviced or diagnosed for the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine) which he linked to the failure. The contact called a local dealer who informed him that her vehicle was not included in the recall due to the date the engine was manufactured. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 202,000

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 28, 2021FL

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.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 10, 2021ME

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.

Engine
Filed May 18, 2021AZ

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. Consumer writes in regard to NHTSA Safety Recall 20V-746. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AS IF IT WERE RUNNING OUT OF GAS. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE.

Engine
Filed May 13, 2021106,000 milesFL

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED HIS SON WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN HE HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO FINDLAY HYUNDAI ST. GEORGE (1405 SOUTH, SUNLAND DR, ST. GEORGE, UT 84790, (435) 688-7272) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONNECTING ROD FAILURE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

Engine
Filed May 11, 202196,128 milesFL

I WENT GROCERY SHOPPING ON WED APRIL 21,2021 CAME OUT TRIED STARTING MY 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AND IT WOULDN'T START I PROCEEDED TO TRY AGAIN AND IT STARTED MAKING THIS HIGH PITCHED NOISE ,PEAKED OUT REALLY LOUD A PUFF OF SMOKE CAME OUT FROM UNDERNEATH MY HOOD AND THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHERE HE REPLACED THE STARTER THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM WHICH IT WASN'T HE INFORMED ME THE ENGINE WAS SEIZED UP . I THEN HAD THE SANTA FE TOWED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER ALL SERVICE FROM DAY ONE HAS BEEN DONE AT THIS HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WE BOUGHT THIS CAR KNOWING THE SERVICE RECORDS AND HISTORY OF CAR WE ALSO KNEW IT CAME WITH A 10 YEAR 100000 MILE DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY. MOTOR FAILED AT 96128, WOULD OF BEEN COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURES DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY IF I WAS ORIGINAL OWNER I WAS TOLD. AFTER DOING RESEARCH WE HAVE DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE HYUNDAI SANTA FE MOTORS LOCKING UP. SERVICE WRITER ADVISED US TO CONTACT HYUNDAI DIRECTLY WHICH I DID MY CASE #18222696 WAS TOLD SOMEONE WOULD CALL ME WITHIN 3-5 BUSINESS DAYS WHICH I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM ANYONE.

Engine
Filed Apr 23, 2021140,000 milesNC

RIDING ON A 6 LANE VERY BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE ON MY 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE JUST QUIT. ONLY VERY LUCKY WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE. CARS WERE FLYING PAST, AND RIGHT LANE TRAFFIC HAD TO STOP TO KEEP FROM REAR ENDING US. I CALLED POLICE DEPT TO SEND A CAR WITH BLUE LIGHT TO HELP KEEP US FROM BEING HIT. ALSO CALLED TOW TRUCK TO MOVE US TO DEALERSHIP. RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HYUNDAI CORP. STATING MY CAR WAS IN THE RECALL FOR BEARING DAMAGE. INFORMED THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, MODERN HYUNDAI OF CONCORD ,N.C. OF RECEIVING THIS LETTER. THAT WAS (10 )WEEKS AGO. STILL WAITING ON MODERN HYUNDAI TO SERVICE MY CAR. THEY KEEP TELLING ME THE CORP OFFICE IS REQUESTING MOR E PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE. BEEN HEARING THAT SAME LINE FOR OVER 3 WEEKS NOW. JUST KEEP GIVING US THE RUNAROUND. THEY SHOULD HAVE ENOUGH PICTURES TO MAKE A MOVIE BY NOW. THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST SCARIEST SITUATION, AND THE MOST DISPARAGING I HAVE EVER DEALT WITH.

Engine
Filed Apr 20, 202160,519 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BROWN HYUNDAI OF LAREDO (2420 JACAMAN RD, LAREDO, TX 78041) FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. UPON RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MAP SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,519.

Engine
Filed Apr 14, 2021100,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE DETECTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ENGINE AND REFERRED CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ROSEN HYUNDAI OF ALGONQUIN (771 S RANDALL RD, ALGONQUIN, IL 60102, (847) 854-6700) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Engine
Filed Apr 6, 2021WI

2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE MALFUNCTION. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WERE STRANDED OUT OF STATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS

Engine
Filed Apr 6, 2021120,000 milesMN

MY DAUGHTER WAS TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY I-80 AND 60 MILES OUTSIDE OF LARAMIE WYOMING, THE ENGINE MADE CLUNKING NOISES THE THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND SHE PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF I 80 THIS WAS 18 FEB 2021. SHE WAS TOWED TO LARAMIE TIRE AND AUTO REPAIR. THEY LET US KNOW THEY FOUND METAL SHAVING IN THE OIL AND OIL FILTER AND THOUGHT IT WAS THE LOWER ENGINE BERRING THAT FAILED. AND THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO REPLACED OR REBUILT AT A COST OF $5500 TO $45000. WE HAD THE OIL CHANGED BEFORE SHE LEFT ON THE TRIP TO CA. AFTER I COMPLAINED TO HYUNDAI BY EMAIL THEN THEY SENT ME A NOTICE OF SAFETY RECALL FOR HER CAR. WHICH I GOT ON THE 3 APRIL 2021. WE OWNED THE CAR SINCE MAY OF 2019 AND DID NOT GET THIS NOTICE IN THE 2 YEARS WE OWNED IT. NOW AFTER A TOTAL LOSS OF THE CAR WE PAID 7,000.00 IN MAY 2019, SHE TRADED IT IN, THEY WOULD ONLY GIVE HER $65.00 TRADE IN TO GET ANOTHER USED CAR. IF WE WOULD HAVE HAD THIS SAFETY RECALL BEFORE THE ENGINE FAILED ALL THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. I AM VERY DISAPOINTED IN HYUNDAI AND THEIR NOTIFICATION OF THE SAFETY RECALL.

Engine
Filed Mar 22, 202190,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A ROD HAD GONE THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A HYUNDAI DEALER AS THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED BY THE RECALL. THE CONTACT CONTACTED CONICELLI HYUNDAI (1208 RIDGE PIKE, CONSHOHOCKEN, PA 19428) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REMEDY WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

EngineFire
Filed Mar 16, 2021144,000 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF SMOKE. THE DETECTED LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,000. VIN TOOLS CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Mar 16, 202169,999 milesVA

WAS DRIVING AROUND 20MPH ON A SERVICE ROAD, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ALL THE DASH LIGHTS TURNED ON AND THE TRUCK SHUT OFF. NO POWER STEERING AND NO POWER BRAKES. I PUT TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND COASTED TOWARDS SIDE OF THE ROAD. TRIED TO START, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN I TURNED THE KEY. HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE. 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE 3.5 LITER 2WD. 69,900 MILES. 10YEAR/100K MILE WARRANTY. ORIGINAL OWNER. ALL MAINT. HAS BEEN PERFORMED. THEY ARE DECLINING WARRANTY DUE TO "EXCEPTIONAL MAINTENANCE NEGLECT". WE HAVE PROVIDED THEM WITH ALL THE DOCUMATION. THEY DECLINED IT TWICE. NOW I'M BEING SHOVED OFF TO HYUNDAI LAWYERS.

Engine
Filed Mar 15, 2021NE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A KNOCKING SOUND AND OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Mar 5, 2021120,000 milesFL

THE ROD BEARING WENT OUT IN MY 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE WITH NO WARNING.

Engine
Filed Mar 3, 2021OH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL HUMMING NOISE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EMIT FROM THE ENGINE UPON START-UP, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT THEN RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Suspension
Filed Mar 3, 2021103,387 milesPA

BROKEN RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING FOIUND DURING ROUTINE AUOT INSPECTION BY SERVICE MECHANIC

Engine
Filed Feb 26, 2021146,000 milesNC

DRIVING MY 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE,ON HARRIS BLVD. IN CHARLOTTE A MULTI 6 LANE ROAD. TRIED TO SPEED UP TO MOVE INTO THE CENTER LANE WHEN EVERYTHING DIED. MOTOR SHUT DOWN WITH TRAFFIC ZOOMING BY. NO WARNING OF ANY KIND. WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO FAR RIGHT LANE,WHERE WE SAT SCARED TO DEATH SOMEONE WAS GOING TO PLOW INTO US. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. CALLED POLICE TO SIT BEHIND US WITH BLUE LIGHT,AND CALLED TOW TRUCK. HAD CAR TOWED TO HYUNDAI DEALER, WHO LATER REPORTED ENGINE WAS SEIZED, AND WOULD COST $7600 FOR A USED ENGINE. I HAD RECEIVED A RECALL CAMPAIGN 198, ID 20V746000 NOTICE JUST DAYS BEFORE THIS MISHAP, BUT DEALER KNEW NOTHING ABOUT A RECALL. EVEN THOUGH IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. MY WIFE AND I CAME VERY CLOSE TO A DISASTER THAT DAY BECAUSE OF A KNOWN MOTOR DEFECT FOR THIS MODEL AND HYUNDAI CONTINUES TO STATE REMEDY NOT AVAILLABLE. GUESS THEY'RE WAITING ON SOMEONE TO GET KILLED, WHICH IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

Engine
Filed Feb 25, 2021150,000 milesKS

I WAS INFORMED BY HYUNDAI IN DECEMBER 2020 THAT THEIR WAS AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL ON MY 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE (VIN: [XXX]). THE NOTICE STATED THAT HIS WAS VERY IMPORTANT AND NEEDED TO BE FIXED BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE A CRASH. IT IS NOW THE END OF FEBRUARY AND I HAVE STILL NOT BEEN CONTACTED WITH A REMEDY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THEY SHOULD JUST REPLACE THE WHOLE MOTOR RATHER THAN RISKING OUR LIVES UNNECESSARILY. WE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW EXPECTING THAT HYUNDAI WOULD USE THE HIGHEST QUALITY PARTS. APPARENTLY THEY DID NOT. WE WANT HYUNDAI TO RESOLVE THIS SAFETY RISK IMMEDIATELY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 25, 202198,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD KNOCKING COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND WAITED A LITTLE WHILE BEFORE RESTARTING THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED DRIVING TO HER DESTINATION. THE CONTACT ARRIVED HER DESTINATION AND THEN DECIDED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO HER RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT LATER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER ADVANTAGE HYUNDAI (440 PLAINVIEW RD, HICKSVILLE, NY 11801) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.*DT*JB

Engine
Filed Feb 25, 2021116,125 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE ENGINE HAD THROWN A ROD. THE MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE). THE CONTACT CALLED LAKELAND HYUNDAI (1500 W. MEMORIAL BLVD, LAKELAND, FL 33815) AND HOLLER HYUNDAI (1150 ORLANDO AVE, WINTER PARK, FL 32789) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS THEN REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS THEN REFERRED TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,125.*DT

Engine
Filed Feb 19, 2021OK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Feb 5, 2021120,000 milesCO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE START TO MAKE AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH ENGINE FAILURE, AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Engine
Filed Feb 4, 2021112,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE WITH AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT CONTACTED HER HUSBAND WHO ARRIVED AND HAUL THE VEHICLE ON A TRAILER BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR DIAGNOSED. BAY LINCOLN (641 W 15TH ST, PANAMA CITY, FL 32401, (850) 785-1591) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Feb 2, 2021180,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL BANGING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE ROD BEARING FRACTURED AND PIERCED THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN THE POSSESSION OF THE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. RECENTLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V746000 (ENGINE) WHICH SHE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. A DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Jan 14, 2021120,750 milesTX

I WAS DRIVING IN COLORADO ON I-70 AND AS I SLOWED DOWN TO EXIT, HEARD A CLICKING SOUND. THE SOUND GOT LOUDER/QUICKER WHEN I ACCELERATED. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED BUT SAW NOTHING. I CHECKED THE OIL AND HAD A SERVICE GUY AT A SUPERSTORE CHECK IT TOO. HE SAW NO METAL PARTS IN THE OIL. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON. IT WAS A SUNDAY AND NOTHING WAS OPEN. I TRIED TO DRIVE FARTHER AND WAS GOING 35 MILES PER HOUR UP A HILL BEHIND A TRUCK BUT AS SOON AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO PASS, I HEARD A POP. THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE OIL LIGHT CAME UP. I PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO AT LEAST ACCELERATE TO THE FREEWAY EXIT, BUT HAD AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TWICE - ONCE TO THE CLOSEST TOWN AND THEN BACK TO DENVER TO THE DEALERSHIP (WHICH WAS AGAIN CLOSED ON SUNDAY). THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME THERE WAS OIL EVERYWHERE UNDER THE ENGINE. THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT IT A WEEK LATER AND SAID THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE BLOCK.

Engine
Filed Jan 7, 2021107,000 milesFL

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.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 6, 2021135,000 milesFL

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. WE HAVE HAD THE SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, THE FUEL SYSTEM LINE CLEANED OUT, WE STARTED NOTICING THE PROBLEM IN FEBRUARY IS 2020 AND THE FREQUENCY OF THE PROBLEM HAS ONLY INCREASED. THIS NOW HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY 3-4 DAYS. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IN THIS CAR WITH THEM. I BELIEVE THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE A PART OF THE RECALL NUMBER 20V746000, OR FROM HYAUNDAI'S RECALL NUMBER 198.

Engine
Filed Jan 4, 2021144,000 milesGA

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY HEARD ABNORMAL KNOCKING COMING FROM ENGINE. ENGINE STARTED TO OVER HEAT PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC, HE SAID SOUNDS LIKE A BEARING GOING OUT. NOT DRIVEABLE

Engine
Filed Dec 30, 2020138,110 milesCA

MY 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE OIL LIGHT WENT ON. SO I IMMEDIATELY CHANGED LANES TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY. I THOUGHT I NEED TO GET OIL, THAN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON! I REALIZED THAT I WAS LOSING POWER SO GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OUT OF HARMS WAY. I TRIED TO TURN ON THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NOTHING. I GOT TOWED TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP. AND LEFT THE CAR OVER NIGHT. IT WAS SO LATE TO LOOK AT CAR. IN THE MORNING I CALLED TWO DIFFERENT HYUNDAI DEALERSHIPS TO GET HELP ON PERHAPS AN ENGINE RECALL. AT BOTH PLACES THE FORWARD ME TO SOMEONE TO HELP ME, BUT BOTH LOCATION HUNG UP ON ME. SO I PAID A $500 FEE TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO LOOK AT MY CAR. THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE ENGINE AND FINALLY SAID IT WOULD NEED A REBUILT ENGINE AND LABOR AT A COST OF $6000. SO I COULD AFFORD THAT. A FRIEND LOOKED UP MY VIN NUMBER AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR. NOW I HAVE TO FIND A HYUNDAI SERVICE WHO WILL FIX MY RECALL PROBLEM. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. I'M 75 AN MY HUSBAND IS 85. LOOKING TO RENT A CAR TODAY.

Engine
Filed Dec 22, 202082,000 milesWA

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH. I WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND PROCEEDED TO PASS THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. UPON ARRIVING TO THE UPCOMING TOWN I NOTICED A DISTINCT LOUD KNOCK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND LOSS OF POWER, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED IN TO A SERVICE STATION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT IS SOUNDED LIKE A CONNECTING ROD AND DRIVING IT ANY FURTHER WOULD NOT BE RECOMMENDED. I WAS QUITE A DISTANCE FROM HOME AND SO WITH A TOW SERVICE AND RENTAL CAR I PAID ALMOST $700.00 TO GET HOME WITH THE VEHICLE.

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE → · Every Santa FE year → · How the figures are calculated →