The Lemon Index2012 Hyundai Santa Fe.
The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe is worse than average by owner complaints: 113 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 140, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 1 recall, and it gets 21 to 23 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Santa Fe year is 2016.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 353 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Santa Fe year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 112K miles on the car (279 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 25K–119K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 20K–81K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 5K–29K miles
Recalls 1
- engine 2020
The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 101 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The shift lever on some 6-speed vehicles may intermittently not shift out of park
- Slight leak from the oil feed
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
- ClosedThrottle control system vulnerabilities2021–2023
- ClosedEngine fires2021–2024
- ClosedNon-crash vehicle fires2019–2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Without any warning, the engine shut off with the gear in d - driving on a flat road normally. This also happened around 3500 miles around july 20, 2012.
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe owner · NHTSA complaint 10482418
More owner reports
Driving aprox 20 mph, with no warning engine shuts down, unable to steer. Second time was driving at 40 mph. This has happened three times. Dealer cannot find or reproduce problem.
NHTSA complaint 10587679
While turning into a parking lot, engine died without warning. This is the third time the engine has died without warning while driving at low speeds. When the engine dies, the car loses steering and brakes and is very unsafe.
NHTSA complaint 10483428
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 140; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Santa Fe year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (51%), speed control (28%) and transmission & drivetrain (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
1 safety recall (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
21 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe safe?
NHTSA gave it 3 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,000 and 112,000 miles. The middle report was at 71,300 miles, from 279 complaints.
Does the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Hyundai Santa Fe year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works