The Lemon IndexAll cars · Hyundai Santa Fe · 2012
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 5
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Auto 6-spd | FWD | 20 / 27 / 23 | Regular | $2,700 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Auto 6-spd | 4WD | 20 / 25 / 22 | Regular | $2,850 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | FWD | 19 / 26 / 21 | Regular | $2,950 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Auto 6-spd | 4WD | 20 / 25 / 22 | Regular | $2,850 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Auto 6-spd | FWD | 20 / 26 / 22 | Regular | $2,850 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,000 and 112,000 miles. Median 71,300, from 279 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 89,700 | 25,200–119,100 | 180 |
| Electrical | 55,500 | 20,800–81,000 | 30 |
| Speed control | 16,000 | 5,500–29,600 | 39 |
| Brakes | 27,400 | 13,800–78,200 | 24 |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 21,800 | 9,100–60,200 | 22 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 51% |
| Speed control | 28% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 15% |
| Electrical | 15% |
| Brakes | 13% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 353 | 25 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 1
20V746000 Dec 2020 Engine
Defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Veloster, 2012 Santa Fe, 2011-2013 Sonata Hybrid, and 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which over time can result in engine damage.
Risk. A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Loss of motive power | 2022 | 2023 |
| Closed | Throttle control system vulnerabilities | 2021 | 2023 |
| Closed | Engine fires | 2021 | 2024 |
| Closed | Non-crash vehicle fires | 2019 | 2021 |
| Closed | Non-crash vehicle fires | 2018 | 2019 |
| Closed | Scope and timeliness | 2017 | 2021 |
Manufacturer communications 101
Hyundai filed 101 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- The shift lever on some 6-speed vehicles may intermittently not shift out of park
- Slight leak from the oil feed
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | No | No |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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