2012 Hyundai Santa FE electrical problems

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

The contact purchased a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 71,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage on the title 43,655 and the DMV informed her after their research was tempered with and they stated the mileage should be 143,655.

NHTSA complaint #11737143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

In November 2024, my car engine failed. I came out of a store, turned key, all the dash lights lit up, and loud clanging but unable to drive. Car towed several times and told by 2-3 places the engine was “out” and there was a Hyundai recall aon 2012 Santa Fe. A Hyundai dealer had my vehicle, contacted Hyundai and was told it “wasn’t in recall.” Had to pay repair entirely myself on disability income. The vehicle subsequent to this had electrical problems and the car shut off while driving countless times, even highway doing 65-70. Paid for alternator twice and new battery, two battery jump boxes, and car continues to have severe electrical issues and highly unsafe to drive. I am broke and facing losing the car altogether and suffered lack of housing for 2 months and inability to pay my bills. All invoices are not included with this complaint.

NHTSA complaint #11663124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Windows issues multiple times. The first time the driver side front window would occasionally go up then automatically down when I tried to raise the window. Likewise when I tried to open the window it would go up and down. Dealer couldn’t identify a problem since it was occasionally an issue. Then when it finally no longer worked at all it was repaired. Now the driver side window has malfunctioned for the second time with no warning stuck in the closed position. I also had the driver side rear window malfunction. The window just dropped down into the door without warning and without trying to operate it at all. The dealer fixed the first two instances but not the third. I’m guessing it may have been covered under the 10 yr warranty in the past. My fault I guess I should have brought my car to the dealer in 2020 when it happened. (COVID and other reasons)

NHTSA complaint #11637269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The contact stated that the 12 Volts battery was replaced several times. Additionally, the contact stated the battery terminals were corroded only few weeks after the battery replacement. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, where the cause of the battery failures could not be determined. The battery was replaced; however the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. No further information was provided. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

NHTSA complaint #11618052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Purchased this used 2012 Santa Fe directly from Hyundai last January (2023) We have had to continually fill it up with oil. Two months ago, driving to work and the car stops accelerating and felt like the “power was going out”. I was on a busy highway early in the morning when it died on me. Took it to a nearby mechanic and it threw engine failure pins. There was no oil so we added more oil and it drives but will not exceed 50 mph and goes out at any given time.

NHTSA complaint #11589767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Engine will RANDOMLY CUT OFF AND IT WOULD DO THAT EVEN WHEN IN DRIVE LIKE IT WASNT GETTING GAS. The dash board would light then continue going WOULD START RIGHT BACK AWAY AND HAS DONE THAT EVER SINCE.i purchased it I ALSO HAD THE O2 CENSOR REPLACED AS WELL. THE TIRES ARE AWFUL THE SUSPENSION. Electrical Problems I have to hit my headlight to come on before I leave when it's dark. Sometimes when I first start driving it pulls me to the right not like wheel balancing . But pulld then back to driving . One last thing I went in for recall update or something. The mechanic say hell do the update and drive the car if it has a problem going in drive they had to replace a sensor or something my car wouldn't move they were going to fix it and give me a loaner car . The guy said let me try something he did then the car started to drive. They were supposed to replace something and didn't. My engine light came on and stayed on I complained to him he just cleared the code it came back on and has been on every since. I told him it want on before I got here he said well it wasn't from anything they did. But it was.

NHTSA complaint #11578384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

coincidentally after 11-months after a software update for that knock sensor now I do have a problem with that knock sensor by having to be replaced. Total cost of repair: $643.90 (Vehicle broke down, my SUV went into limp mode meaning loss of power/acceleration, I needed a tow. The engine malfunction indicator light in the dashboard was blinking on & off.)

NHTSA complaint #11558253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Per the mandated law in September of 2001 all vehicles sold in the United States are required to have a trunk release on the inside. The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe does not. The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe small SUV are very known for the lights to go out due to condensation in the tail lights. So needless to say it was built poorly as an owner like myself has to constantly change the tail lights or be rear-ended because I have NO brake lights. To me this is a serious issue. One that Hyundai has failed to correct. However, I recently took my vehicle in to be serviced and to have the tails lights changed. The dealership Lithia Hyundai of Alaska informed me they could not do them because I had to much water in the tail light cover and that they couldn't get into the trunk due to my junction box having failure. Well I suggested they fix the light cover and change the bulbs so I wouldn't get hit from the back. Service advise there was NO way to open the trunk from the inside. That I had to pay 5000.00 to fix one part to be able to open the trunk. I advised that was illegal per NHTSA and they stated they never heard of that. I would like to make this complaint because even though I cannot get one thing fix I should still be able to get my trunk open from the inside, to fix my brake light bulbs.

NHTSA complaint #11550541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that upon exiting the vehicle, all four doors and tailgate would lock independently. The contact stated that over some time, all four doors failed to unlock while outside the vehicle with the key fob. The contact was only able to unlock the driver’s side door with the key. The contact had initially taken the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the door actuator needed to be replaced; however, after the repair, the failure persisted. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it remained in their possession. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

NHTSA complaint #11504390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I bought the car used and initially didn't have any issues with it. About a year into having the vehicle I saw that the battery light came on momentarily and then went off. Not noticing anything different with car I thought it was no issue initially. Got the car checked battery checked out after I noticed it happen a few more times but the battery passed testing. Eventually the right headlight stopped working. Thinking it was just an issue with the light I attempted to replace it but the light never came back on. Then the left turn signal stopped working. Got the car checked out and was told that the issue was more than likely an issue with the wiring, either a short or potentially burned wire. Took the car to my local dealer and was told the the headlight assembly was the issue and that it would about 1400 to 1500 dollars to replace. Told the dealer what I was told about the wiring issue and was told that I would have to pay for that and the headlight assembly if replacing the headlight assembly didn't fix the issue Managed to get the headlight assembly replaced on my own and the issue still persists. After initially changing the assembly the headlights worked, but on of the running lights wasn't as bright as it should have been. Here recently the right headlight is out again, along with the left taillight and left turn signal.

NHTSA complaint #11502541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My car died after an engine recall and then another recall happened unknown at this time and today the car died again in the middle of driving. Lights flashing on dashboard and had to be towed into Holler Hyundai Winter Park for the 17th time. This car was purchased November 2021 and I have had nothing but PROBLEMS. My safety has always been put at risk Ever since it blew up going down the highway and liquid bursted out of the hood. Now today without warning it completely died.

NHTSA complaint #11476201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

when a bluetooth device is plugged into the available plug(auxillary plug) in the front dash of the vehicle the radio/CD/phone connections work on and off(mostly off) if lucky you might hear the stereo for a few minutes then it goes off again for days. when unplugged the radio keeps working. My drivers side power window has not worked a few times. The available connection for the cell phone does not work all the time. There is some kind of electrical problem in my vehicle. These ongoing problems have been going on for about 1 1/2 years after I bought the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11420454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WILL LURCH FORWARD. THIS COULD BE DONE AS I AM ACCELERATING, AS I AM BREAKING, OR AS I AM COASTING. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WILL THEN ALL COME ON INCLUDING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WILL START TO SHAKE AND UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. FORCING YOU TO PULL OFF AND PARK THE VEHICLE. WHEN YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON IT'S LIKE NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO HAS INSTANCES WHERE THE RPM GAGE REGISTERS ZERO, EVEN AFTER YOU ARE ACCELERATING. WE HAVE HAD THE SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, THE FUEL SYSTEM LINE CLEANED OUT, WE STARTED NOTICING THE PROBLEM IN FEBRUARY IS 2020 AND THE FREQUENCY OF THE PROBLEM HAS ONLY INCREASED. THIS NOW HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY 3-4 DAYS. I HAVE 2 CHILDREN AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IN THIS CAR WITH THEM. I BELIEVE THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE A PART OF THE RECALL NUMBER 20V746000, OR FROM HYAUNDAI'S RECALL NUMBER 198.

NHTSA complaint #11386832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ALL THREE LIGHTS ABS, ESC, AND DBC ON DASH CAME ON SAME TIME AFTER REPLACING DRIVERS SIDE HEAD LIGHT BULB. WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND TRACTION CONTROL IMPACTING THE DRIVEABILITY.

NHTSA complaint #11383449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY ESC, DBC, AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED AT THE SAME TIME THIS MORNING. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING ON NUMEROUS HYUNDAI FORMS. FOLKS HAVE BEEN TOLD TO REPLACE HUBS, SENSORS AND ASSORTED OTHER PIECES. MOST DO NOT WORK COSTING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS. MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAD THE LIGHTS COME ON MAYBE 6 OR 8 MONTHS AGO. GO OFF AND COME ON AGAIN AND OFF AGAIN. I'VE IGNORED THEM NOT NOTICING ANY DRIVING IMPACT. BUT THE CAR IS WARNING ME THAT IT ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR. THIS IS NOT A ONE OF OR TWO OR THREE ISSUE. THIS FROM ANOTHER OWNER;ALL THREE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON MY 2011 SANTA FE SO I CHANGED MY FRONT RIGHT ABS SPEED SENSOR WHICH WAS THE CAUSE OF THE LIGHTS, BUT THE DASH LIGHTS ARE STILL ILLUMINATED. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS A SHORT IN THE ABS SYSTEM WIRING HARNESS. WHAT'S THE COST TO FIX? $4500.00 REALLY! I THINK A RECALL IS DUE FOR THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11377438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING IN THE ROAD WITHOUT WARNING AND IS UNABLE BE RESTARTED. ATTEMPTS TO CHARGE THE BATTERY FAIL. WHEN TAKEN TO BE EVALUATED BY THE BRAND DEALERSHIP, THEY ONLY CHANGE THE BATTERY AND SAY THAT IT HAS BEEN FIXED. WITHIN 3-4 WEEKS, IT WILL SHUT DOWN IN THE ROAD AGAIN. THIS HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES, AND EACH TIME, I TAKE TO BE SERVICED AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE FAILING ISSUE. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO CORPORATE, AND HAVE QUICKLY DISMISSED MY CASE. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2016 CONCERNING THE EXACT ISSUES I AM EXPERIENCING WITH THE VEHICLE. I WOULD THINK WITH THIS TYPE OF DOCUMENTED LIABILITY, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THE VEHICLES OR A WARNING NOTICE DEALERSHIPS WERE REQUIRED TO PRESENT WITH THE SALE. I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE TRADING THE CAR IN AS THE ISSUE WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER CONSUMER.

NHTSA complaint #11319833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED ENGINE WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #11318778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

LOUD NOISE, FRONT RIGHT, RIGHT FRONT AXLE BOX. ALSO 3 WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON INCLUDING ABS,

NHTSA complaint #11307864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ALL THE GAGES STARTED TO FLICKER ON AND OFF. THE RADIO STARTED TO COME ON AND OFF AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT JUST STOPPED. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND EVERYTHING.

NHTSA complaint #11252622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY SON WAS DRIVING WITH 3 OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE CAR AT LOW SPEED AND THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN OVERPASS. HE HAD TO COAST BACKWARD OFF THE OVERPASS. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS BEHIND THEM OR THEY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! WHEN I CALLED HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY SAID THE 2012 HAD 'NO RECALLS' BUT WHEN I REVIEWED THE INFORMATION ON OTHER RECALLED VEHICLES DIFFERENT YEAR BUT SAME ISSUES. MY QUESTION IS ARE PEOPLE GOING TO HAVE TO DIE FOR SOMETHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS? WHY AREN'T THESE 2012 SANTA FE'S BEING RECALLED LIKE THE OTHERS? PLEASE MAKE THIS A MANDATORY RECALL SO NO ONE IS KILLED BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. PLEASE! MOTHER'S LOVE FOR HER CHILD AND HIS FRIENDS. RECALL THIS CAR!! HE HAS NOT HAD THE CHANCE TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP YET AS HE WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT WAS TOWED TO HIS APARTMENT BECAUSE IT WAS 9:30PM. HE IS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE AREA BECAUSE HE'S IN COLLEGE FOR HIS MASTERS DEGREE. WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO? HELP PLEASE! ELECTRICAL LIGHTS CAME ON VEHICLE MADE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD THE CAR STARTS BUT MAKES THE LOUD NOISE

NHTSA complaint #11222004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY LEAKS WATER SHORTING OUT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LIGHT, THIS SHOULD BE A PRODUCT RECALL

NHTSA complaint #11221930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DOOR LOCKS KEEP LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. HAS NOT STOP DOING THIS

NHTSA complaint #11162449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SAFETY RECALL DUE TO FIRES AND MELTNG WIRES AND QUESTIONS IF VEHICLE FALLS UDER RECALL. *AS *JS

NHTSA complaint #11143131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I WAS AT A FOUR WAY-YEAR-OLD AND STOP WHERE I HAD TO YIELD AS I WAS DOING THE SANTA FE CUT OFF AND I LOST ALL POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T CONTROL VEHICLE TURN THE KEY OFF AND THEN TURN THE KEY BACK ON THE TRUCK STARTED 20 MINUTES LATER THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START IT WHEN YOU RETURN ON THE ANTITHEFT ALARM KEEPS BEEPING

NHTSA complaint #11057872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH NO WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

NHTSA complaint #10778673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING A/C TURNED ITSELF ON, WOULD NOT TURN OFF WITH THE OFF BUTTON, HAD TO SELECT HEAD/FOOT AIRFLOW BUTTON TO GET SYSTEM TO TURN OFF. SECOND INCIDENT ON MARCH 30TH A/C WOULD NOT TURN OFF WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK PRIOR TO ENGINE SHUT OFF, HAD TO SELECT SEVERAL DIFFERENT SETTINGS BEFORE A/C WOULD SHUT OFF. THIRD INCIDENT TODAY AGAIN A/C TURNED ITSELF ON AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF PRIOR TO ENGINE SHUT OFF - HAD TO AGAIN SELECT SEVERAL DIFFERENT SETTINGS TO TURN OFF A/C.

NHTSA complaint #10703165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.