2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Engine Problems
- 130
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 130 stored complaint records:
- 5 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 7 indicate fire
What owners report
- engine light · 18 records
- lost power · 15 records
- check engine · 14 records
- power steering · 13 records
- without warning · 12 records
- shut down · 12 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 50 |
| 100–150k mi | 33 |
| 60–100k mi | 27 |
| 30–60k mi | 11 |
| 150–400k mi | 5 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Engine
On monday, november 12, 2018 i was driving at 60 mph on interstate 64 in newport news, va. I started hearing a clanging noise from the front of the car. I thought a fender had come loose. The noise persisted and i realized it was coming from the engine compartment. My vehicle, with 140,527 miles also had a burning smell although there was no fire. I pulled over to the side of the road and was towed to williamsburg…
ODI 11152556
Engine
Driving on interstate highway the engine had a failure and a rod went through the engine block and the oil dump started a fire.
Fire reported
ODI 11140752
Engine
Was driving on the highway and heard a rattling/clunking, my rpm's shot up and i couldn't accelerate past 60. The check engine light came on and then shut off briefly. Then all of the lights on my dashboard came on and i pulled over but had no power steering. Once i pulled over the car began to smoke so i turned it off. I then heard a loud pop and saw a thick black smoke coming from the hood and within 30 seconds…
Fire reported
ODI 11139181
Engine
It starting slowing down while driving and a really loud noise and then shut down.. Had to have it towed to auto lenders that where i purchase the truck and they said the engine was done... Second opinion and the mechanic indicated the same "needs a new engine"
ODI 11130796
Engine
Catastrophic engine failure on the highway at 112k miles. Connecting rod through the block. This same engine has been recalled in sonatas and kia sorentos of the same year, but for some reason not the santa fe. The sonata and sorentos were recalled due to manufacturing processes leaving metal debris in oil passages, which eventually blocks oil from reaching the rod bearings leading to the same failure our santa fe…
ODI 11112314
Engine
When driving at approximately 40 mph, the engine seized causing the steering wheel to lock and the brakes became extremely difficult to push in. The vehicle was entering a turn on lake shore drive in chicago il. The vehicle had to be towed off the road and will not start.
ODI 11110268
Engine
I own a 2012 santa fe., my engine seized out of blue on a well maintained vehicle. The 2012 kia sorento engine was recalled (which is the same engine as mine), and 2013 & 2014 santa fe engines recalled. Can you please tell me why the 2012 santa fe with same engine as the sorento and the 2013 santa fe, has not been recalled. I have found multiple reports of same problem on the internet and on this site!
ODI 11111933
Engine
While driving up hill yesterday my car just died. The engine light went on and the car stopped. I am now learning that hyundai engines have a default. They do not let enough oil in the engine regardless of oil levels and thus as you drive, the engine is disintegrating. The engines usually die a little after 100000 miles. My car has approximately 116000 miles. This is dangerous. Lucky this happened on a small back…
ODI 11100221
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 hyundai santa fe. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled and smoke came from the engine compartment. The contact also mentioned that the engine made an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to southtowne hyundai (7665 us hwy 85, riverdale, ga 30274, [redacted]) where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not replaced. The manufacturer was made…
Fire reported
ODI 11150343
Engine
Driving down the tollway at 75 mph the engine made a knocking sound and then completely shut down. My husband was able to coast if off the tollway . It was towed to the dealership where they came to the conclusion that the engine blew and recommended getting a new engine. However, with it being just at 102k miles its right outside of warranty. The dealership is telling me corporate wont cover it but i have filed a…
ODI 11099929
Engine
On may 12th, 2018 i was driving down the highway when the car started to jerk, i keep my foot on the gas but could feel the car slowing down. I was passing a vehicle at about 60mph and another car was behind me. This car has about 140,000 miles on it. And now it's knocking. I had it towed to texan hyundai in rosenberg, texas. I was told i need a new motor. This one has internal problems. I was also told these motors…
ODI 11102655
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 hyundai santa fe. While driving 65 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise and noticed black smoke coming from the hood. The contact pulled over, lifted the hood, and noticed flames. The contact was able to extinguish the flames. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer (mcgrath city hyundai, 6750 w grand ave, chicago, il 60707) was contacted and stated that no oil…
Fire reported
ODI 11104590
Engine
My issue is that my 2012 santa fe died while i was driving at about 55 miles per hour. I was somehow able to muscle the steering wheel a bit to the right to get out of heavy traffic and get to the side of the road. This took place on saturday, may 5th, 2018. I came very close to suffering physical harm and even death. I had the car towed to a mechanic. The charge was $800 and they then told me my engine was blown…
ODI 11092732
Engine
While driving the 2012 hyundai santa fe to tennessee from atlanta, with my wife and daughter as passengers, i felt a heavy bump on the interstate, and wondered if a tire had gone flat. Shortly after this, i saw heavy smoke in my rearview mirror, letting me know that there was a problem with my car. A person driving in a lane to my left told me the car was on fire, so i pulled over immediately. I got my wife and…
Fire reported
ODI 11141534
Engine
Intake manifold runner code p200a makes car bog down went to dealer the part is not avail for 8 weeks seems to be a big problem they have several cars at dealership that dont run now mine does not warranted part but cannot get please help bogs down cant go over 20 mph
ODI 11074911
Engine
This vehicle has a problem with stalling and hesitation when coming out of turns and at speeds between 60-80 mph. I have mention this to the dealer several times and they continue to say they cannot find anything wrong. Because there is never any lights on and no codes. This is a very bad problem someone is going to get hurt from this or die from this. But no one will know because the symptom will not show up as a…
ODI 11066168
Engine
Vehicle began producing a loud knocking sound while accelerating. Mechanic advised that connecting rod bearing was damaged. Vehicle had approximately 100,000 miles and had received regular oil changes. Mechanic recommended replacing engine.
ODI 11055307
Engine
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). Driving car at 25 mph - loud bang in engine area followed by short burst of banging. Car thru a connecting rod thru the motor block. This is a 2012 awd sante fe model - here is the connection this engine was made in alabama the 2.4 ltr four cylinder and was recalled due to debris in engine crankcases.....the sonata was the…
ODI 11048744
Engine
Faulty theta ii engine. Driving on the freeway,heard knocking noise in the engine. Took the car directly to the dealer, service advisor heard the same noise,said the car was unsafe to drive. He said some of their engines have this known problem & he'd check for a recall. Said mine was not recalled, i'd have to pay for a new engine. He sent the car back to the mechanic who put it on a lift,heard the noise,brought it…
ODI 11071815
Engine
Engine failure on interstate while travelling 70 mph. Knocking noise and complete loss of power. Would not restart. Dealership advised the motor locked up.
ODI 11040638
Engine
Mileage around 82,000 miles | always had routine, on time, maintenance | no engine light on (or any others) | on a trip driving down the highway going around 65mph with cruise control set (2 adults and 1 child in the car, not towing anything), our suv started making a strange noise when accelerating, then progressed to a consistent noise whether accelerating or not. We decided we needed to stop in the next town…
Fire reported
ODI 11044183
Engine
My santa fe has only 78,000 miles on it and has been maintained very well. Despite this, during our evacuation for hurricane irma, the engine completely locked up on the highway, driving about 70 mph with cruise control. The vehicle was not under strain, we were not towing anything and only had 2 persons in the car. We were left having to get the vehicle towed to a repair shop where i was informed the the theta ii…
ODI 11023494
Engine
I see there is a recall for 2013-2014 for the same engine problems i am having with my 2012. Is anyone else having the same issue? The engine has shut off on me a few times and i had to have it towed. Now i am hearing a tapping and it just seems like the engine is struggling to work. It seems like it doesn't want to go up hill. I don't know what to do. I have to take my car home today if i make it there and park it.…
ODI 11020331
Engine
Driving down the road and a clicking noise started. It got louder as we went along. Took it to get diagnosed and was advised that the engine in these vehicles was bad and the only thing we could do was put in a new engine. None of the area used part stores will sell an engine from a 2012 because it is defective so cannot get a used engine and they want over 5k for a new one to fix a problem that is known by the…
ODI 11021711
Engine
We bought our 2012 santa fe with 68k on 8/29/16 from the hyundai dealer. On saturday (8/19/17) the vehicle completly shut off while driving onto the highway (92k). This experience was terrifying. Once the vehicle came to a complete stop, i put it in park and managed to start the vehicle again (the dash board didn't display any light) and drive it home without any further issues. On sunday 8/20, the vehicle shut off…
ODI 11020707