Home · 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev · Complaints

What 352 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (352)Crash / fire / injury (41)Engine (228)Electrical system (43)Speed control (40)Brakes (28)Transmission & drivetrain (24)Steering (16)Suspension (14)Fuel system (12)Lights (12)Body & structure (7)

Newest first · 352 complaints · page 4 of 15

Apr 6, 2021Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11406718

Mar 22, 2021Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11404297

Mar 16, 2021EngineFire

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.

NHTSA ODI 11403269

Mar 16, 2021Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11403362

Mar 15, 2021Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11403089

Mar 5, 2021Engine

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

NHTSA ODI 11399263

Mar 3, 2021Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11398896

Mar 3, 2021Suspension

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

NHTSA ODI 11399045

Feb 26, 2021Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11398139

Feb 25, 2021Engine

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

NHTSA ODI 11397902

Feb 25, 2021Engine

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

NHTSA ODI 11397903

Feb 25, 2021Engine

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

NHTSA ODI 11397904

Feb 19, 2021Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11396994

Feb 5, 2021Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11394845

Feb 4, 2021Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11394668

Feb 2, 2021Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11394271

Jan 14, 2021Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11388238

Jan 7, 2021Engine

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 ODI 11387069

Jan 6, 2021Electrical systemEngine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11386832

Jan 4, 2021Engine

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

NHTSA ODI 11386493

Dec 30, 2020Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11385608

Dec 22, 2020Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11384566

Dec 16, 2020Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND SHE HEARD A RATTLING SOUND AT 60 MPH. THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE BRAKE THE VEHICLE AND CRUISE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE ENGINE TO BE INTERNALLY DAMAGED CAUSING A SLOW TO NO CRANK. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REMOVED AND THE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO ROTATE THE CRANK BY HAND BUT GOT THE SAME RESULT. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AUTONATION HYUNDAI 104 (759 WEST 104TH AVENUE, NORTHGLENN, CO 80234, (303) 578-6114) WAS CALLED AND ATTEMPTED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER TO HELP WITH THE CONTACT'S REPAIRS UNDER THEIR CERTIFIED PREOWNED WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT AND PROVIDED TWO OPTIONS EITHER A NEW ENGINE OR A BUYBACK OFFER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ODI 11383786

Dec 14, 2020SteeringElectrical systemBrakes

ALL THREE LIGHTS ABS, ESC, AND DBC ON DASH CAME ON SAME TIME AFTER REPLACING DRIVERS SIDE HEAD LIGHT BULB. WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND TRACTION CONTROL IMPACTING THE DRIVEABILITY.

NHTSA ODI 11383449

Dec 11, 2020Transmission & drivetrainEngine

MY 2012 HYUNDI SANTA FE STALLED ON ME AS I WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT 3 WEEKS AGO.. LAST WEEK MY CHECK ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON MY DASHBOARD. I TOOK IT TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE PROBLEM WAS A REAR CRANKSHAFT MAIN BEARING SEAL. HE HAS SEEN THIS BEFORE REGARDING HYUNDAI ENGINE PROBLEMS AS WELL AS WITH THE KIA BRAND. I LEARNED THAT THERE WILL BE A RECALL FOR MY CAR BUT IT WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL 1/22/21. MY VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED WITH THIS RECALL, YET I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I NEED HYUNDAI TO AD MY VIN NUMBER TO THIS RECALL LIST.

NHTSA ODI 11383028

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Hev verdict →