Reliable Auto DB

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe holds 353 complaints after 15 years, a rate of 34 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Santa Fe years here — over the median of the other years, which is 28. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Engine.

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
Photo by Elise240SX, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

353

Per year

34

Recalls

1

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (228 of 353), then Electrical system (43) and Speed control (40). Those filings include 25 that report a crash, 17 that report a fire, and 7 that report an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Santa Fe has 605 complaints, 51 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall Engine 2020-12-01 · NHTSA campaign 20V746000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (353 total)

Engine
228
Electrical system
43
Speed control
40
Service brakes
25
Powertrain
24
Steering
16
Suspension
14
Exterior lighting
12
Fuel and propulsion system
8
Structure
8
Wheels
7
Air bags
6
Engine and engine cooling
6
Electronic stability control (ESC)
4
Fuel system, gasoline
4
Hydraulic brakes
3
Tires
3
Seat belts
2
Equipment
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Seats
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 15 more Show less
Crash-flagged

25

Fire-flagged

17

Injury reports

7

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

2201124201235201342201410201592016332017332018372019322020432021142022172023920248202552026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the underbody of the vehicle was rusted from living in an area where anti-icing agents were heavily used. The contact associated the failure with Hyundai…"
    Structure · filed 2026-08-17
  • "On June 16, 2025, I dropped my 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS (VIN: [XXX]) off at Larry H. Miller Southwest in Albuquerque, NM for NHTSA safety recall #20V746000 (Theta II engine connecting rod bearing failure). It has now…"
    Engine · filed 2026-06-22
  • "The contact purchased a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-05-11
  • "Rear subframe suddenly collapsed and broke due to extreme corrosion. Incident occurred while driving, allowing rear wheel to turn out causing loss of control. Luckily I was traveling at a low rate of speed and nobody…"
    Suspension, Structure · filed 2026-03-26
  • "The engine rod broke creating a big whole in the engine which caused the engine and underneath of car to start on fire. There was a massive recall for this same issue in 2021-2023 for the year car! It is available for…"
    Unknown or other, Engine · filed 2026-03-09

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD 3 stars 4 stars 2 stars 4 stars
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV FWD 3 stars 4 stars 2 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Santa Fe two-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 20 27 23 MPG $2800
Santa Fe two-wheel drive 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 20 26 22 MPG $2950
Santa Fe two-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 19 26 21 MPG $3100
Santa Fe four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Four-wheel drive 20 25 22 MPG $2950
Santa Fe four-wheel drive 3.5L, 6-cyl Automatic 6-speed Four-wheel drive 20 25 22 MPG $2950

Specs and fitment

3rd generation (DM), 2012–2018
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-20 or 5W-30 (2.4L and 3.3L V6 per manual) , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 235/60R18 to 235/55R19 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 5,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 17V358000. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Santa Fe and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the secondary hood latch actuating cable may corrode and bind, causing the secondary hood latch to remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the hood is not securely closed or the primary latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary latch cable, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for the recall is 163.

Compare

Next year 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe See every Hyundai Santa Fe model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe holds 353 complaints after 15 years, a rate of 34 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Santa Fe years here — over the median of the other years, which is 28. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Engine.

What are common problems with a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (228 of 353), then Electrical system (43) and Speed control (40). Those filings include 25 that report a crash, 17 that report a fire, and 7 that report an injury.

Is the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Santa Fe has 605 complaints, 51 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe been recalled?

The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Owners have filed 353 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe is 22 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Santa Fe take?

5W-20 or 5W-30 (2.4L and 3.3L V6 per manual)

What does NHTSA recall 17V-358 cover on the Hyundai Santa Fe?

NHTSA campaign 17V358000.

What generation is the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe?

3rd generation (DM) (2012-2018).