Model year record

2012 Hyundai Santa FE

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 491 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V746000

Engine

Component: Engine
Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Vehicles affected: 128,948
Reported to NHTSA: 2020-12-01
Owners notified: 2021-03-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Engine	236	89,323 mi
Electrical system	41	60,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	40	16,000 mi
Service brakes	25	25,000 mi
Power train	24	21,000 mi
Unknown or other	17	90,000 mi
Steering	16	44,332 mi
Suspension	15	96,000 mi
Exterior lighting	12	45,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	8	56,500 mi
Structure: body	8	8,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	7	22,985 mi
Wheels	7	23,000 mi
Air bags	6	37,347 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	4	24,870 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	4	22,650 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	3	5,500 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer	2	—
Seat belts	2	6,000 mi
Structure	2	130,000 mi
Tires	2	23,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	45,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly	1	48,143 mi
Electrical system: wiring	1	—
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)	1	22,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	1	5 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control	1	—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	1	84,000 mi
Seats	1	—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire	1	160,250 mi
Visibility/wiper	1	16,130 mi

The 2011 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 2013 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.