2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 234 of 353 complaints (66%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 181 in 2011 to 353 in 2012.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–2,850 | 2,700–2,950 | 2,700–2,950 | 2,600–3,100 | 2,700–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–23 | 21–23 | 21–23 | 20–24 | 19–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–21 / 26–28 | 19–20 / 25–27 | 19–20 / 25–27 | 18–21 / 24–29 | 17–20 / 22–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–404 | 386–423 | 386–423 | 375–443 | 387–478 | |
| Complaints filed | 258 | 181 | 353 | 605 | 493 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 8 | 12 | 25 | 14 | 16 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 6 | 8 | 17 | 41 | 30 | |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 9 | 7 | 13 | 20 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?
Engine: 234 of 353 NHTSA complaints (66%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe get?
EPA rates it 21–23 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?
EPA estimates $2,700–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 20 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (low) | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 20 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 19 mpg (low) | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 20 mpg (high) | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 20 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (low) | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 234 | 6 | 14 | 3 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 43 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 30 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 41 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
ENGINE · Campaign 20V746000 · Dec 2, 2020
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.
Consequence: 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 198.