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2012 Hyundai

Santa Fe 2WD

Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L

Hyundai Santa Fe: best and worst years

Overview

Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WDEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Transmission
Automatic 6-spdEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Powertrain
GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Fuel
RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Engine & performance

HP
276
Power to weight
0.071 hp/lb
Axle ratio
3.20
Cyl
6EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

MPG Hwy
26 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
MPG City
20 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
MPG Comb
22 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Fuel $/yr
$2,850EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Smog score
5/10
Elec. Range
0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Real-world MPG
21.4 mpg, reported by 1 driverabout 0.6 mpg below the EPA combined estimate
SmartWay certified
No

Dimensions & capacity

Length
184 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Width
74 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Height
71 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Wheelbase
106 inNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026
Curb Weight
3,900 lbNHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 6/5/2026

Safety NHTSA, model year

Overall crash rating
★★★★★
Rollover rating
★★★★
Stability control (ESC)
Standard
Forward-collision warning
No
Lane-departure warning
No
Recalls
1
Owner complaints
351
Reported injuries
7
Theft rate
0.8 per 1,000 produced (CY 2012 federal data)

Reported problems NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • ENGINE48%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9%
  • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8%
  • SERVICE BRAKES5%
  • POWER TRAIN5%
  • STEERING3%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 472 total.

Hyundai Santa Fe: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • DP22003opened Sep 12, 2022ENGINE

    Loss of Motive Power

  • EA21003opened Dec 22, 2021ENGINE

    Engine Fires

  • DP21003opened Nov 12, 2021VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:THROTTLE

    Throttle control system vulnerabilities

  • PE19003opened Mar 29, 2019UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    Non-crash Vehicle Fires

  • DP18003opened Aug 21, 2018UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    Non-crash Vehicle Fires

  • RQ17004opened May 18, 2017ENGINE

    Scope and Timeliness

Known issues manufacturer service bulletins, model year

90 service bulletins filed with NHTSA for this model year

  • Apr 10, 2026AIR BAGSDTN DL

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’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 vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during

  • Apr 10, 2026AIR BAGSDTN DCS

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or non‑certified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may rupture during deployment, and have caused serious injuries and fatalities. Please see attached anno

  • Mar 26, 2026ENGINE26-01-033H TSB

    This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H-2 (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest version.

  • Mar 26, 2026ENGINE26-01-033H DN

    This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest version.

  • Nov 6, 2025EXTERIOR LIGHTING25-BD-012H TSB

    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 in most cases. This condition can be eliminated by turning on the lamps with the engine running for several minutes or during normal driving operation.

  • Aug 19, 2024ENGINE24-01-068H

    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 Engine Protection Mode allowing the customer to drive to the nearest Hyundai dealer for diagnosis and repair. In addition, DTC P132600 will be recorded in the ECM. The vehicle can continue to be opera

  • May 10, 2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM24-01-009H-1

    A class settlement against Hyundai Motor America (“HMA”) that had alleged that certain 2011 – 2022 model year Hyundai vehicles that were not equipped with an engine immobilizer (called the “Class Vehicles”) contain design flaws, including the failure to manufacture the Class Vehicles with an anti-theft device called an engine immobilizer, that make them susceptible to theft and damage. Class Vehicles manufactured without an engine immobilizer have traditional “turn-key-to-start” ignition systems

  • Feb 14, 2024VISIBILITY/WIPER24-BD-001H

    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, which could lead to poor wiping performance and/or possible scratching of the windshield glass. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to properly remove the windshield wiper blade protective cover on a

  • and 82 more

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

Warranty manufacturer terms, by make

Basic
5 yr / 60k mi
Powertrain
10 yr / 100k mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr
Maintenance
3 yr / 36k mi
EV battery
10 yr / 100k mi

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.