1 NHTSA safety recall covers the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. Owners have filed 353 complaints with NHTSA about this model year. Every recall repair is free at any Hyundai dealer.
Is yours affected? Recalls cover ranges of VINs, not every 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. Check your Santa Fe by VIN and confirm open recalls at NHTSA.gov.
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Owners filed 353 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe, reporting 25 crashes, 17 fires, 7 injuries. Hyundai has issued at least 99 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Read Hyundai Santa Fe owner complaints and bulletins, every year
Owners have filed 353 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
“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 inspection!”
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11722965
“My 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe caught fire on October 29, 2025. Prior to this, the dealership completed one recall but left another open. Hyundai denied my claim and refused to provide the inspection report.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11700886
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated as the vehicle began to shake.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11470415
“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at 40-45 MPH, she heard an abnormal ticking sound, and the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact stated she saw black smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11439383
“On the way to get the recall fixed on this vehicle the car caught fire under the hood and was a total loss. This was a safety hazard to not only my family, but to the public passing by on the road.”
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11438491
Search the official database: NHTSA. Excerpts are quoted from the public record, shortened at a sentence and with personal details removed.
Not every 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Hyundai dealer.