NHTSA lists 353 complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE, 25 of them mention a crash and 17 mention a fire. 7 complaints mention an injury, with 7 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-09.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as HYUNDAI SANTA FE.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| loss of control | 125 | 44.0% | 0.89 |
|---|
| mechanical failure | 94 | 33.1% | 0.90 |
|---|
| electrical electronic | 22 | 7.7% | 0.85 |
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| fire or overheating | 12 | 4.2% | 0.85 |
|---|
| visibility or lighting | 10 | 3.5% | 0.93 |
|---|
| noise or comfort | 7 | 2.5% | 0.84 |
|---|
| restraint or airbag | 7 | 2.5% | 0.91 |
|---|
| fluid or fuel leak | 4 | 1.4% | 0.73 |
|---|
| unclear | 2 | 0.7% | 0.96 |
|---|
| structural or corrosion | 1 | 0.4% | 1.00 |
|---|
Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| moderate | 198 | 69.7% | 0.83 |
|---|
| low | 45 | 15.8% | 0.68 |
|---|
| high | 39 | 13.7% | 0.82 |
|---|
| critical | 2 | 0.7% | 0.97 |
|---|
Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 284 tagged complaints of 353 complaints (80.5%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
1 recalls.
Date: 2020-12-01. Systems: ENGINE.
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. (excerpt)
Consequence: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
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 (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
6 investigations; 0 open.
DP22003
Opened: 2022-09-12. Closed: 2023-12-12.
Loss of Motive Power
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints i
Systems: ENGINE.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
EA21003
Opened: 2021-12-22. Closed: 2024-02-05.
Engine Fires
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.A During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, inclu
Systems: ENGINE.
Linked campaign numbers: 23V877.
DP21003
Opened: 2021-11-12. Closed: 2023-06-20.
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003. Accordingly, Model Year (MY) 2005-2016 Kia Optima/K5, MY 2006-2015 Kia Sorento, MY 2007
Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
PE19003
Opened: 2019-03-29. Closed: 2021-12-22.
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles equipped with Theta II and Lambda II engines (approximately 1.3 million
Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Linked campaign numbers: 20V061000, 20V121000, 20V393000, 20V520000, 20V543000, 20V746000, 21V303000, 21V727000.
DP18003
Opened: 2018-08-21. Closed: 2019-05-10.
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to
Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Linked campaign numbers: 18V907000, 18V934000, 19V120000, 19V204000.
RQ17004
Opened: 2017-05-18. Closed: 2021-12-22.
Scope and Timeliness
NHTSA opened Recall Query (RQ) 17-004 to investigate the timeliness and scope of Hyundai?s Theta II GDI engine recalls (Recall Nos. 15V-568 and 17V-226), and Hyundai?s compliance with reporting requirements. On November 23, 2020, the Agency entered into a Consent Order with Hyundai to administratively resolve NHTSA?s assertions of violations of law in connection with RQ17-004. NHTSA?s assertions i
Systems: ENGINE.
Linked campaign numbers: 17V226000, 19V063000.
Manufacturer communications
99 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 29 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 24 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 20 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 20 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 8 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 6 |
|---|
| STEERING | 4 |
|---|
| WHEELS | 4 |
|---|
11032522
Date: 2026-04-10. Type: Other. Systems: AIR BAGS.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit drivera side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prio
11032523
Date: 2026-04-10. Type: Other. Systems: AIR BAGS.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous drivera s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the ve
11030330
Date: 2026-03-26. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.
This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehiclea s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326 a Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest version.
11030331
Date: 2026-03-26. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.
This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehiclea s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H-2 (DTC P1326 a Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest version.
11025476
Date: 2025-11-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary
11006829
Date: 2024-08-19. Type: Service Campaign. Systems: ENGINE.
Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs. If abnormal engine bearing noise is detected, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will blink continuously, and the vehicle will be placed in
11000788
Date: 2024-05-10. Type: Service Campaign. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
A class settlement against Hyundai Motor America (a HMAa ) that had alleged that certain 2011 a 2022 model year Hyundai vehicles that were not equipped with an engine immobilizer (called the a Class Vehiclesa ) contain design flaws, including the failure to manufacture the Class Vehicles with
11000314
Date: 2024-05-09. Type: Service Campaign. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
A class settlement against Hyundai Motor America (a HMAa ) that had alleged that certain 2011 a 2022 model year Hyundai vehicles that were not equipped with an engine immobilizer (called the a Class Vehiclesa ) contain design flaws, including the failure to manufacture the Class Vehicles with
10251285
Date: 2024-02-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: VISIBILITY, VISIBILITY/WIPER.
This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert and rail spring becoming partially separated on the inner side of the wiper blade, w
10251282
Date: 2024-02-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), and anti-theft ignition cylinder protector campaign (Campaign 9A5) in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyunda