MY 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE OIL LIGHT WENT ON. SO I IMMEDIATELY CHANGED LANES TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY. I THOUGHT I NEED TO GET OIL, THAN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON! I REALIZED THAT I WAS LOSING POWER SO GOT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OUT OF HARMS WAY. I TRIED TO TURN ON THE ENGINE. THERE WAS NOTHING. I GOT TOWED TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP. AND LEFT THE C…
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe engine problems
severe 181 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
181
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 11 most recent
We were told by a mechanic that the engine needs to be replaced because the rod bearings wore out and are now inside the engine. This is similar to a current recall by Hyundai except our VIN is not included. Hyundai is unwilling to help us and the cost of an engine is more than the car. The car is not driveable and could have cause serious injury if the engine had blown up. It is currently being s…
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH. I WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND PROCEEDED TO PASS THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. UPON ARRIVING TO THE UPCOMING TOWN I NOTICED A DISTINCT LOUD KNOCK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND LOSS OF POWER, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED IN TO A SERVICE STATION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT IS SOUNDED LIKE A CONNECTING ROD AND DRIVING IT ANY FURTHER WOULD NOT BE RECOMMENDED. …
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND SHE HEARD A RATTLING SOUND AT 60 MPH. THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE BRAKE THE VEHICLE AND CRUISE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE ENGINE TO BE INTERNALLY D…
I have a 2012 Hyundai Santa fe the engine started making knocking sounds and had loss of power. Did some research on the safety recall for the engine and found it on there site. Vehicle was taken to local Hyundai dealer like there site stated for inspection on 10/15/21. Dealership then called 3 hours later and said it was not covered and found noise coming from lower engine crank as stated on the …
MOTOR STARTED KNOCKING WHILE DRIVING, TOOK TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD MOTOR IS NO GOOD. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST 6100.00
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER DANBURY HYUNDAI 102 FEDERAL ROAD, DANBURY, CT 06810 (203) 825-5940. THEY IN…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 35 MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY, TURNED OF THE VEHICLE, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED AND ARRIVED AT THE RESIDENCE TO IN…
THE ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. JUST LIKE THE ONE THAT'S BEING RECALLED.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?
It's a meaningful issue. 181 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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