2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Problems & Owner Complaints

Engine 228 6 crash 14 fire 3 injury

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED OF FLAMES UNDER THE VEHICLE AS BLACK SMOKE POURED FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED BRUISES ON THE FACE AND CHEST AND EXPERIENCED TROUBLE BREATHING. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10861488, 2016 · crash · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“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. The vehicle merged to the shoulder of the roadway and suddenly another vehicle crashed into the entire driver's side of the vehicle while the contact was still in the vehicle. The driver who crashed into the contact did not stop at the scene and continued to drive after the crash. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to her neck and chest area that did not require medical attention. The vehicle failed to start…”
NHTSA complaint #11470415, 2022 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED, CAR SHUT DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY, AND RESTARTED. DURING INTERIM 20 SECONDS, ATTEMPTED TO PULL VEHICLE TO LEFT SHOULDER AS I WAS DRIVING IN FAR LEFT LANE. I FELT "ENGINE DROP" OR A FEELING WHEREAS THE CAR NO LONGER FELT POWERED, CUE THAT THE ENGINE HAD WENT OFF. POWER STEERING WENT MANUAL ALONG WITH OTHER POWER ASSIST DEVICES LIKE POWER STEERING. ON DIRT SHOULDER OF FREEWAY ATTEMPTING WITH MANUAL BRAKES AND STEERING TO BRING VEHICLE OFF ROADWAY. VEHICLE RESTARTED DURING MANEUVER. STILL MOVING AT SAFE SPEED ATTEMPTED TO MERGE BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY, HAVING NOT YET DECELE…”
NHTSA complaint #10703815, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Electrical System 43 3 crash 3 fire 2 injury

“ON 2/4/15, MY 2012 SANTA FE HAD AN UNEXPECTED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND ME, THE DRIVER. I HAD BACKED INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT WORK FACING A BUSY ROAD AND WHILE RE-POSITIONING VEHICLE, GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR PROPELLED FORWARD, GOING THROUGH A 4 FOOT SNOW BANK AND INTO A STONE WALL. THE DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND HIT ME DIRECT IN CENTER CHEST. ALL OF THIS OCCURRED IN ABOUT 2 SECONDS AND I HAD MY FOOT DOWN HARD ON THE BRAKE AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO PUT MY LEFT FOOT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *JS IT WAS A MIRACLE…”
NHTSA complaint #10681890, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED, CAR SHUT DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY, AND RESTARTED. DURING INTERIM 20 SECONDS, ATTEMPTED TO PULL VEHICLE TO LEFT SHOULDER AS I WAS DRIVING IN FAR LEFT LANE. I FELT "ENGINE DROP" OR A FEELING WHEREAS THE CAR NO LONGER FELT POWERED, CUE THAT THE ENGINE HAD WENT OFF. POWER STEERING WENT MANUAL ALONG WITH OTHER POWER ASSIST DEVICES LIKE POWER STEERING. ON DIRT SHOULDER OF FREEWAY ATTEMPTING WITH MANUAL BRAKES AND STEERING TO BRING VEHICLE OFF ROADWAY. VEHICLE RESTARTED DURING MANEUVER. STILL MOVING AT SAFE SPEED ATTEMPTED TO MERGE BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY, HAVING NOT YET DECELE…”
NHTSA complaint #10703815, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“CAME HOME 8 PM. SON CAME HOME SHORTLY AFTER 10 PM. JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT MY CAR ALARM STARTED GOING OFF (CAR LOCKED AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY), I GOT OUT OF BED LOOKED THROUGH BLINDS AND SAW MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I RAN TO KITCHEN GRABBED FIRE EXTINGUISHER ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT FIRE AND CALLED 911. FIRE DEPT DETERMINED FIRE STARTED INSIDE CAR AT WIRING AREA.”
NHTSA complaint #11191814, 2019 · fire

Vehicle Speed Control 40 11 crash

“AS EARLY AS LAST SUMMER, MY 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE STARTED TO (INTERMITTENTLY) ACCELERATE WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. FRANKLY, I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO THE SANDALS I WAS WEARING. I THOUGHT I WAS OCCASIONALLY STEPPING ON THE GAS AND THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME (I HAVE VERY BIG FEET -- SIZE FIFTEEN). THE PROBLEM STOPPED WHEN I SWITCHED SHOES (WHICH ALSO CORRESPONDED TO THE END OF SUMMER). THE PROBLEM CAME BACK INTERMITTENTLY THIS SUMMER AND IS NOW REPEATABLE. WHEN I AM GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL AT SPEEDS OVER ABOUT 20 MPH, THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASE WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE. IT DOES T…”
NHTSA complaint #10904321, 2016 · crash

“I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT DOING ABOUT 5MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, TOOK ME OVER A CEMENT BARRIER, A CURB, WENT AIRBORNE, LANDED IN A BUSH WHICH IT TORE IN HALF AND TOOK WITH ME, ACROSS THE SIDEWALK AND SPUN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION BEFORE THE TIRE BLEW OFF THE RIM AND I GOT IT TO STOP. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT HAS BEEN FOR ONE MONTH AS HYUNDAI DRAGGED THEIR HEELS UNTIL I GOT ANGRY AND EMAILED THEM. TWO DAYS AFTER I EMAILED THEM I GOT THE FOLLOWING LEAVING ME WITH THE REPAIRS AS WELL AS PAYING FOR THE RENTAL FOR A MONTH.…”
NHTSA complaint #10822671, 2015 · crash

“TODAY APRIL 28, 2015, MY MOTHER, DAUGHTER AND I WERE COMING HOME FROM RUNNING AN ERRAND, WHEN WE CAME TO ARE HOUSE WE PULLED UP AND WENT IN REVERSE TO PULL INTO THE DRIVE WAY LIKE NORMAL SO WE CAN PARK THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. WHEN WE PULLED IN WE WERE GOING JUST 5MPH. THEN SUDDENLY WHEN MY MOM WAS PUSHING THE BRAKE THE STOP AND PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. THE CAR OUT OF NO WHERE LURCHED AND CRASHED INTO ARE WASHER, WATER HEATER , AND CAUSED THE BACK WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. AN WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 3 YEARS AND ITS ALWAYS THE SAME ROUTINE, SO WERE VERY SHOOK UP ON HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN. EVEN THO…”
NHTSA complaint #10713354, 2015 · crash

Service Brakes 28 7 crash

“WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE WOULD DECELERATOR THEN CUT OUT. I CAN BE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING SPEED LIMITS OF 70 OR ON A SIDE STREET GOING 30 OR UNDER. IT EVEN HAPPENED WHEN I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND DROVE DOWN MY STREET (4 HOUSES DOWN) AND GOT TO MY CUL-DE-SAC AND ALL POWER SHUT DOWN. NEIGHBOR HAD TO STOP TO AVOID HITTING ME BECAUSE I WAS ROLLING AND COULD NOT STOP. ALL POWER TO STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES WOULD BE NON OPERATIONAL. I HAVE TO MANUALLY PULL THE WHEEL TO ONE SIDE TO AVOID TRAFFIC, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, OR FROM BEING HIT BY HEAD ON TRAFFIC. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN FEBRUARY…”
NHTSA complaint #11173180, 2019 · crash

“AS EARLY AS LAST SUMMER, MY 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE STARTED TO (INTERMITTENTLY) ACCELERATE WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. FRANKLY, I THOUGHT IT WAS RELATED TO THE SANDALS I WAS WEARING. I THOUGHT I WAS OCCASIONALLY STEPPING ON THE GAS AND THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME (I HAVE VERY BIG FEET -- SIZE FIFTEEN). THE PROBLEM STOPPED WHEN I SWITCHED SHOES (WHICH ALSO CORRESPONDED TO THE END OF SUMMER). THE PROBLEM CAME BACK INTERMITTENTLY THIS SUMMER AND IS NOW REPEATABLE. WHEN I AM GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL AT SPEEDS OVER ABOUT 20 MPH, THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASE WHEN I STEP ON THE BRAKE. IT DOES T…”
NHTSA complaint #10904321, 2016 · crash

“TODAY APRIL 28, 2015, MY MOTHER, DAUGHTER AND I WERE COMING HOME FROM RUNNING AN ERRAND, WHEN WE CAME TO ARE HOUSE WE PULLED UP AND WENT IN REVERSE TO PULL INTO THE DRIVE WAY LIKE NORMAL SO WE CAN PARK THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. WHEN WE PULLED IN WE WERE GOING JUST 5MPH. THEN SUDDENLY WHEN MY MOM WAS PUSHING THE BRAKE THE STOP AND PUT THE CAR INTO PARK. THE CAR OUT OF NO WHERE LURCHED AND CRASHED INTO ARE WASHER, WATER HEATER , AND CAUSED THE BACK WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER. AN WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 3 YEARS AND ITS ALWAYS THE SAME ROUTINE, SO WERE VERY SHOOK UP ON HOW THIS COULD HAPPEN. EVEN THO…”
NHTSA complaint #10713354, 2015 · crash

Power Train 24 2 crash

“IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO COAST TOWARDS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS PATTERN HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MILES. I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR AND IN FACT, MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE EITHER, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FULL THROTTLE. I HAD JUST A COUPLE OF SECONDS TO TRY TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, TOWARDS THE SHOULDER, BUT I HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS BRAKING THE ENTIRE TIME, BUT IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO STOP THE SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. MY LEFT BUMPER HIT HIS TRUCK ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF HIS BU…”
NHTSA complaint #10493260, 2013 · crash

“DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN SANTA FE SUDDENLY SURGED OR LUNGED FORWARD AND TO THE RIGHT CAUSING CAR TO JUMP OVER A CONCRETE BUMPER AND INTO ANOTHER CAR PARKED AT A 90-DEGREE ANGLE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION WAS CLEARED DRIVER PROCEEDED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. ENROUTE THE SANTA FE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF LOW GEAR. DEALER CLAIMED THE EVENTS COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10433996, 2010 · crash

“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 complaint #11383028, 2020

Steering 16 1 crash

“WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE WOULD DECELERATOR THEN CUT OUT. I CAN BE ON THE HIGHWAY GOING SPEED LIMITS OF 70 OR ON A SIDE STREET GOING 30 OR UNDER. IT EVEN HAPPENED WHEN I PULLED OUT OF MY DRIVE WAY AND DROVE DOWN MY STREET (4 HOUSES DOWN) AND GOT TO MY CUL-DE-SAC AND ALL POWER SHUT DOWN. NEIGHBOR HAD TO STOP TO AVOID HITTING ME BECAUSE I WAS ROLLING AND COULD NOT STOP. ALL POWER TO STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES WOULD BE NON OPERATIONAL. I HAVE TO MANUALLY PULL THE WHEEL TO ONE SIDE TO AVOID TRAFFIC, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, OR FROM BEING HIT BY HEAD ON TRAFFIC. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN FEBRUARY…”
NHTSA complaint #11173180, 2019 · crash

“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 complaint #11383449, 2020

“TWICE AS I WAS DRIVING IT MID TURN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED ON THE REGULAR STREET.”
NHTSA complaint #11374509, 2020

Unknown Or Other 16 1 fire

“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! Yes safety was at risk, the car was on fire on the Highway in the middle of rush hour. The problem was confirmed by Progressive and I contact Hyundai. The car was inspected by the police and insurance company. No lights, messages and the car was running fine before the fire!”
NHTSA complaint #11722965, 2026 · fire

“Per the mandated law in September of 2001 all vehicles sold in the United States are required to have a trunk release on the inside. The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe does not. The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe small SUV are very known for the lights to go out due to condensation in the tail lights. So needless to say it was built poorly as an owner like myself has to constantly change the tail lights or be rear-ended because I have NO brake lights. To me this is a serious issue. One that Hyundai has failed to correct. However, I recently took my vehicle in to be serviced and to have the tails lights changed.…”
NHTSA complaint #11550541, 2023

“Vehicle would not go in park only drive and neutral.”
NHTSA complaint #11523520, 2023

Suspension 14

“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 was hurt. Found rear subframe was completely rotten out and collapsed on the driver side. Vehicle is now completely undrivable and has to be towed. Found that there was a recall/service program from Hyundai (campaign #947) and my vehicle was affected. I called my local dealership to schedule an inspection appointment regarding the recall. Dealership told me I had to call Hy…”
NHTSA complaint #11727316, 2026

“Engine will RANDOMLY CUT OFF AND IT WOULD DO THAT EVEN WHEN IN DRIVE LIKE IT WASNT GETTING GAS. The dash board would light then continue going WOULD START RIGHT BACK AWAY AND HAS DONE THAT EVER SINCE.i purchased it I ALSO HAD THE O2 CENSOR REPLACED AS WELL. THE TIRES ARE AWFUL THE SUSPENSION. Electrical Problems I have to hit my headlight to come on before I leave when it's dark. Sometimes when I first start driving it pulls me to the right not like wheel balancing . But pulld then back to driving . One last thing I went in for recall update or something. The mechanic say hell do the update an…”
NHTSA complaint #11578384, 2023

“When my daughter returned home from college this summer I took her Santa Fe to a local shop for an oil change and other preventive maintenance. During the vehicle safety inspection, the mechanic noted the subframe and front suspension components were failing due to excessive corrosion and the Santa Fe was not safe to drive. My question is about the effectiveness of Campaign 947 - Underbody Corrosion Prevention Service. The countermeasure to the Hyundai subframe rusting issue appears to have not been an effective action to prevent the subframe's failure. The Corrosion Preventive Service…”
NHTSA complaint #11535158, 2023

Exterior Lighting 12

“I have complained about this previously to recall, and it's doing it again. My engine shut off while driving its happened on the Fred harrman bridge twice now. All the dashboard lights come on and the engine shuts off I had to put it in neutral and restart it. It very dangerous and scarey experience. Also one of my passerger head light doesn't come on sometimes and the back driver side tail light. I can get out and hit it then it will come on. I have been pulled over by the police for it once before I told them it works just hit it. He did told me to get that fixed and gave me a warning. I can…”
NHTSA complaint #11586717, 2024

“Per the mandated law in September of 2001 all vehicles sold in the United States are required to have a trunk release on the inside. The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe does not. The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe small SUV are very known for the lights to go out due to condensation in the tail lights. So needless to say it was built poorly as an owner like myself has to constantly change the tail lights or be rear-ended because I have NO brake lights. To me this is a serious issue. One that Hyundai has failed to correct. However, I recently took my vehicle in to be serviced and to have the tails lights changed.…”
NHTSA complaint #11550541, 2023

“Brake lights keep failing. Have replaced wiring harness, bulbs and brake switch twice now. Super unsafe to not have brake lights on your vehical”
NHTSA complaint #11529887, 2023

Fuel/Propulsion System 8 1 crash 1 fire 1 injury

“WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED, CAR SHUT DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY, AND RESTARTED. DURING INTERIM 20 SECONDS, ATTEMPTED TO PULL VEHICLE TO LEFT SHOULDER AS I WAS DRIVING IN FAR LEFT LANE. I FELT "ENGINE DROP" OR A FEELING WHEREAS THE CAR NO LONGER FELT POWERED, CUE THAT THE ENGINE HAD WENT OFF. POWER STEERING WENT MANUAL ALONG WITH OTHER POWER ASSIST DEVICES LIKE POWER STEERING. ON DIRT SHOULDER OF FREEWAY ATTEMPTING WITH MANUAL BRAKES AND STEERING TO BRING VEHICLE OFF ROADWAY. VEHICLE RESTARTED DURING MANEUVER. STILL MOVING AT SAFE SPEED ATTEMPTED TO MERGE BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY, HAVING NOT YET DECELE…”
NHTSA complaint #10703815, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“WHILE DRIVING I SMELLED ELECTRICAL SMOKE, PARKED CAR SHUT OFF ENGINE, OPENED HOOD AND FOUND AN ELECTRICAL MOTOR OF SORTS ON FIRE. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10476823, 2012 · fire

“After driving for a short time, the engine stalls while driving. We have taken the car to 4 different mechanics, including the Hyundai dealer and the issue has not been fixed. The car stalls every time it is driven.”
NHTSA complaint #11515577, 2022

Structure 7 3 crash

“I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT DOING ABOUT 5MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, TOOK ME OVER A CEMENT BARRIER, A CURB, WENT AIRBORNE, LANDED IN A BUSH WHICH IT TORE IN HALF AND TOOK WITH ME, ACROSS THE SIDEWALK AND SPUN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION BEFORE THE TIRE BLEW OFF THE RIM AND I GOT IT TO STOP. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT HAS BEEN FOR ONE MONTH AS HYUNDAI DRAGGED THEIR HEELS UNTIL I GOT ANGRY AND EMAILED THEM. TWO DAYS AFTER I EMAILED THEM I GOT THE FOLLOWING LEAVING ME WITH THE REPAIRS AS WELL AS PAYING FOR THE RENTAL FOR A MONTH.…”
NHTSA complaint #10822671, 2015 · crash

“IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO COAST TOWARDS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS PATTERN HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MILES. I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR AND IN FACT, MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE EITHER, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FULL THROTTLE. I HAD JUST A COUPLE OF SECONDS TO TRY TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, TOWARDS THE SHOULDER, BUT I HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS BRAKING THE ENTIRE TIME, BUT IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO STOP THE SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. MY LEFT BUMPER HIT HIS TRUCK ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF HIS BU…”
NHTSA complaint #10493260, 2013 · crash

“IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO COAST TOWARDS THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS PATTERN HAD BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL MILES. I WAS NOT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR AND IN FACT, MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE EITHER, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FULL THROTTLE. I HAD JUST A COUPLE OF SECONDS TO TRY TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, TOWARDS THE SHOULDER, BUT I HIT THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS BRAKING THE ENTIRE TIME, BUT IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO STOP THE SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. MY LEFT BUMPER HIT HIS TRUCK ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF HIS BU…”
NHTSA complaint #10492316, 2013 · crash

Wheels 7 1 crash

“I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT DOING ABOUT 5MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, TOOK ME OVER A CEMENT BARRIER, A CURB, WENT AIRBORNE, LANDED IN A BUSH WHICH IT TORE IN HALF AND TOOK WITH ME, ACROSS THE SIDEWALK AND SPUN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION BEFORE THE TIRE BLEW OFF THE RIM AND I GOT IT TO STOP. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT HAS BEEN FOR ONE MONTH AS HYUNDAI DRAGGED THEIR HEELS UNTIL I GOT ANGRY AND EMAILED THEM. TWO DAYS AFTER I EMAILED THEM I GOT THE FOLLOWING LEAVING ME WITH THE REPAIRS AS WELL AS PAYING FOR THE RENTAL FOR A MONTH.…”
NHTSA complaint #10822671, 2015 · crash

“LIGHTS APPEARED ON DASHBOARD ON MY VEHICLE ON MORNING OF 8/21/2019, ON MY WAY TO WORK. AFTER WORK, I STOPPED BY BACHMAN HYUNDAI IN JEFFERSONVILLE, IN TO GET DIAGNOSTIC OF WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. I MET WITH THE SERVICE PERSON I WOULD NORMALLY SEE. I WAS TOLD ME THAT MY WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REAR LH OPEN/SHORT, PART #C1206 AND WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REAR RH OPEN/SHORT, PART #C1209 + SHE TOLD ME I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE MY REAR ROTORS AS WELL, I STATED I HAD MY REAR ROTORS REPLACES ABOUT A YEAR &A HALF AGO. SHE QUOTED THE JOB MORE THAN $1200.00 INCLUDING PARTS, LABOR + TAXES. I PURCHASED MY H…”
NHTSA complaint #11252515, 2019

“The front coils of the vehicle were totally deteriorated and could have led to an accident. I noticed that earlier models were recalled due to this same condition. I paid ~2K to have this problem fixed and the garage stated the coils should have lasted to 120k miles. Hyundai has subsequently issued extended warrantees for their elantra vehicles of which we own one. I am concerned that this defect could affect more cars than Hyundai has identified similar to the engine recall situation that was recently repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #11446640, 2018

Air Bags 6 5 crash 3 injury

“Airbags for the ENTIRE car did not deploy in a car accident that rendered the car inoperable. Vehicle was going 40mph and nothing. There were NO service lights on or any issues prior to the accident. This resulted in contusions and a sprained neck.”
NHTSA complaint #11437031, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING 28 MPH, AN ONCOMING VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY CROSSED INTO THE CONTACT'S LANE. AS A RESULT, A HEAD ON COLLISION OCCURRED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED NECK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
NHTSA complaint #11082503, 2015 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,347. ..UPDATED 01-10-14 *BF”
NHTSA complaint #10553378, 2013 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Engine And Engine Cooling 6

“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormally loud banging sound, and there was smoke coming from underneath the hood and through the A/C vents, which blocked the visibility of the roadway. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that a significant amount of oil was leaking from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V746000…”
NHTSA complaint #11690571, 2025

“WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. EXITED AND SLOWED TO ABOUT 35 MPH, AT WHICH TIME THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. ENGINE STARTED RIGHT BACK UP AND RAN OK REST OF WAY HOME. THE NEXT DAY WHEN DRIVING UP A HILL, ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CONTINUED ON TO AN AUTOZONE WHERE I HAD IT CHECKED WITH A CODE READER. CODE RETRIEVED WAS P0014 WHICH IS B CAMSHAFT TIMING OVER-ADVANCED OR SYSTEM PERFORMANCE BANK 1. REMOVED VALVE COVER AND FRONT COVER AND INSPECTED THE CAMSHAFT AND TIMING COMPONENTS. THESE CHECKED OK, REMOVED OIL PAN AND DISCOVERED THAT THE #4 ROD BEARING HAD SPUN ON C…”
NHTSA complaint #11155108, 2018

“HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 55MPH, COMPLETE AND TOTAL LOSS OF DRIVE TRAIN AND ENGINE POWER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. NO THROTTLE CAPABILITY. ENGINE REDUCES TO IDLING SPEED, BUT TRANSMISSION STAYS ENGAGED. VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN AND DRIVER PULLS OFF ROAD. ALL ELECTRONICS APPEAR TO WORK. GAS PEDAL HAS NO INTERACTION WITH ENGINE THROTTLE. REQUIRED TOW OFF HIGHWAY TO HYUNDAI DEALER. HYUNDAI DEALER REPAIRED PROBLEM WITH COMPUTER REVISION UPDATE. TSB UNKNOWN.”
NHTSA complaint #10614449, 2014

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 4 1 crash

“DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN SANTA FE SUDDENLY SURGED OR LUNGED FORWARD AND TO THE RIGHT CAUSING CAR TO JUMP OVER A CONCRETE BUMPER AND INTO ANOTHER CAR PARKED AT A 90-DEGREE ANGLE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION WAS CLEARED DRIVER PROCEEDED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. ENROUTE THE SANTA FE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF LOW GEAR. DEALER CLAIMED THE EVENTS COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10433996, 2010 · crash

“I WAS AT A FOUR WAY-YEAR-OLD AND STOP WHERE I HAD TO YIELD AS I WAS DOING THE SANTA FE CUT OFF AND I LOST ALL POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T CONTROL VEHICLE TURN THE KEY OFF AND THEN TURN THE KEY BACK ON THE TRUCK STARTED 20 MINUTES LATER THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START IT WHEN YOU RETURN ON THE ANTITHEFT ALARM KEEPS BEEPING”
NHTSA complaint #11057872, 2018

“STARTED CAR, NOTICED THE FOLLOWING DASH LIGHTS WERE ON: ABS ESC DOWNHILL BRAKING CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT HYUNDAI RECALLED 1.7 MILLION VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM (DEFECTIVE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH) UP TO 2011. I'M CONCERNED THAT MY 2012 CAR HAS THE SAME ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THESE LIGHTS STAY ON NO MATTER IF MOVING OR STATIONARY.”
NHTSA complaint #11031407, 2017

Fuel System 4

“HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 55MPH, COMPLETE AND TOTAL LOSS OF DRIVE TRAIN AND ENGINE POWER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. NO THROTTLE CAPABILITY. ENGINE REDUCES TO IDLING SPEED, BUT TRANSMISSION STAYS ENGAGED. VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN AND DRIVER PULLS OFF ROAD. ALL ELECTRONICS APPEAR TO WORK. GAS PEDAL HAS NO INTERACTION WITH ENGINE THROTTLE. REQUIRED TOW OFF HIGHWAY TO HYUNDAI DEALER. HYUNDAI DEALER REPAIRED PROBLEM WITH COMPUTER REVISION UPDATE. TSB UNKNOWN.”
NHTSA complaint #10614449, 2014

“ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. HAS HAPPENED THREE CONSECUTIVE DAYS. WITHIN INITIAL 10-MINUTES OF DRIVING, CAR BUCKED/SURGED AND ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IN ONE INSTANCE. PRESSING GAS PEDAL HAD NO EFFECT. COULD ONLY COAST TO DEALERSHIP MAINTAINING WHATEVER SPEED I HAD BY HAVING THE CAR IN DRIVE AND IDLING. VERY UNSAFE TO BE UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. HYUNDAI DEALER 'FIXED' PROBLEM BY DOING A SOFTWARE UPDATE. IN NO CASE WOULD IT SEEM PLAUSIBLE THAT THE SOFTWARE IS CODED TO DISABLE THE ACCELERATION. THE SOFTWARE UPDATE DID NOT MAKE THE ISSUE GO AWAY. FOLLOWING DAY, THE CAR BUCK…”
NHTSA complaint #10585069, 2014

“1) HISTORICAL DETAILS / EVENT: WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR (AUGUST, 2012) I NOTICED THE OCCASIONAL STICKING OF THE THROTTLE AND WHEN PRESSING THE BREAK THE CAR WOULD SEEM TO WANT TO ACCELERATE - THIS WOULD HAPPEN ONCE EVERY THREE MONTHS: THE DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. 2) RECENT EVENT: ON 07/07 WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED SLOWING DOWN TO LESS THEN 10MPH AND THE CHECK-ENGINE-LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER PULLING OVER AND SITTING FOR A WHILE THE CAR WOULD GO UP TO 30MPH - 40MPH: OVER THAT AND IT WOULD OCCUR AGAIN. PER THE DEALER - DROVE IT TO THEM. ON THE WAY - THIS SL…”
NHTSA complaint #10523831, 2013

Tires 3

“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. No warning light was illuminated. The contact looked in the rear-view mirror and became aware that the spare tire had detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to drive to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed due to a diagnostic fee being charged. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,250.”
NHTSA complaint #11537455, 2023

“KUMHO SOLUS KL21 TIRES SIZE 235/65 R17 SHOWING SIDEWALL CRACKING AT 23,000 MILES. I HAVE PROPERLY MAINTAINED (ROTATED, INFLATED, BALANCED, ALIGNMENT) THE TIRES. ALL 4 ARE SHOWING SIDEWALL CRACKING. I HAVE 2 OTHER CARS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO THE SAME CONDITIONS WITH TIRES THAT ARE AT LEAST 2 YEARS OLDER THAT ARE NOT SHOWING SIDEWALL CRACKING. CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL BLOW-OUT AT HIGH SPEED. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10561079, 2014

“2012 HYUNDAI SANTE FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH TIRES ON VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT FRONT AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, WITHIN 1/4 MILE OF EACH OTHER. CONTROLLING THE SUV BECAME DIFFICULT, BUT SHE MANAGED TO PULL OVER SAFELY ON TWO MANGLED, DEAD FLAT, SHREDDED TIRES. THE ROADWAY SHE WAS TRAVELING WAS CLEAR OF DEBRIS, POTHOLES, ETC. THE SUV WAS DAMAGED AND THE TWO TIRES WERE UN-SALVAGEABLE. UPDATED 05/07/14 UPDATED 05/20/14”
NHTSA complaint #10510072, 2012

Seat Belts 2

“A PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT WENT TO PUT ON HER SEATBELT AND FOUND THAT THE SHOULDER HARNESS JUST CAME APART MAKING IT COMPLETELY UNUSABLE AND UNSAFE. I WENT TO THE DEALER, FITZGERALD HYUNDAI AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM, EXPECTING THEM TO FIX IT BUT I WAS TOLD IT WAS MY PROBLEM AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I WAS SHOCKED AS I BELIEVED THAT A SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION WAS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT ANY DEALER WOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. WHEN I INSISTED THAT THE I DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO CAUSE THE MALFUNCTION AND THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD FIX IT I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHECK…”
NHTSA complaint #10608283, 2013

“THE MIDDLE SEAT (PASSENGER) DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER SEAT BELT CAME APART WHEN A PASSENGER TRIED TO BUCKLE UP. THE PASSENGER PULLED THE SHOULDER STRAP OUT TO PULL AROUND AND BUCKLE TO THE SEAT LATCH WHEN THE LATCH PLATE JUST SLIDE RIGHT OFF OF THE BELT. THERE WAS NOTHING SECURING THE SHOULDER STRAP. IT JUST CAME APART. I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED OUT AND FIXED AS I WAS CERTAIN IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE CAR'S WARRANTY. I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A COUPLE OF HUNDRED DOLLARS TO HAVE THE SEAT-BELT FIXED! HOW COULD THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOT…”
NHTSA complaint #10626994, 2012

Equipment 1

“WE WERE ON A AN EXTENDED TRIP AND HAD PROGRAMMED THE GPS TO TAKE US TO A REMOTE POINT WE HAD NEVER BEEN TO BEFORE. SUDDENLY THE GPS SCREEN WENT BLANK, EXCEPT FOR THE VEHICLE MARKER ICON - THIS LASTED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. IT THEN FLASHED MULTIPLE DIRECTIONS FOR FUTURE TURNS (WHICH WERE INCORRECT), IT WENT BLANK AGAIN, AND THEN REFLASHED OTHER MULTIPLE DIRECTIONS FOR FUTURE TERMS. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. ULTIMATELY, THE GPS SAID WE HAD ARRIVED AT OUR DESTINATION, BUT WE WERE AT LEAST 30 MILES FROM ONE OF THE POINTS ALONG THE WAY TO WHERE WE WERE GOING. HAD I NOT KNOWN GENERALLY WHERE…”
NHTSA complaint #10537177, 2013

Forward Collision Avoidance 1

“Driving on highway and car engine light came on then car engine kicked down like it was going to stall then drove normally then kicked down again . Kept kicking down , drove it home and shut it off. The car starts but is knocking and the engine light comes on and blinks constantly .”
NHTSA complaint #11505566, 2023

Latches/Locks/Linkages 1

“The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that upon exiting the vehicle, all four doors and tailgate would lock independently. The contact stated that over some time, all four doors failed to unlock while outside the vehicle with the key fob. The contact was only able to unlock the driver’s side door with the key. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the door actuator needed to be replaced; however, after the repair, the failure persisted. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it remained in their po…”
NHTSA complaint #11504390, 2023

Seats 1

“IMPOSSIBLE TO SIT WITH BACK FULLY UP AGAINST THE SEAT BACK BECAUSE THE HEADREST PUSHES MY HEAD FORWARD SO THAT I AM LOOKING DOWN AT MY LAP INSTEAD OF STRAIGHT AHEAD. PAINFUL AND UNSAFE. I HAVE REMOVED THE HEADRESTS AND TURNED THEM AROUND.”
NHTSA complaint #10860629, 2012

Visibility/Wiper 1

“WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, IT GOT DARK, SO I TURNED ON THE LIGHTS ( THE LOW BEAMS) I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, THEY SEEMED FINE BUT WHEN I EXITED THE FREEWAY ONTO A DARK SURFACE ROAD, I WAS UNABLE TO SEE MORE THAN 30 FEET AHEAD OF ME . THERE WAS TOTAL BLACKNESS ABOVE THE LIGHTS. THEY ARE NOT SET PROPERLY.I LOOKED ONLINE TO RESEARCH IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND I FOUND OUT THAT IT IS COMMON AND PEOPLE ARE JUST DRIVING WITH THEIR HIGHBEAMS ON TO CORRECT THIS THE LOW BEAMS ARE SET AT A TERRIBLE ANGLE, IT'S CRAZY HOW BAD THEY ARE. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA AND CAN NOT USE THE LOW BEAMS AT ALL. T…”
NHTSA complaint #10721192, 2015