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2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Electrical Problems

34 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

34
Complaints
3
Crashes
3
Fires
Jan 2021Dec 2018
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (34)

criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: May 2025

Your engine failed to start in November 2024 with all dashboard lights coming on and loud clanging noises. After the engine was repaired, your car has experienced severe electrical problems including shutting off while driving at highway speeds, even after replacing the alternator twice and installing a new battery. The electrical issues make the vehicle unsafe to drive and continue despite multiple repair attempts.

NHTSA #: 11663124
criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: May 2024

Your car is consuming oil rapidly and losing power while driving. The engine is throwing failure codes, and even after adding oil, your car won't go faster than 50 mph and keeps shutting off unexpectedly. This requires a full engine diagnostic to determine if there's an oil leak, internal engine damage, or a separate electrical issue causing the power loss.

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NHTSA #: 11589767
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2024

Your car's electrical system is failing repeatedly. Even after replacing the 12-volt battery multiple times, the battery terminals become corroded within weeks of replacement, and the battery continues to die. Mechanics have been unable to find the underlying cause of the problem. This likely involves diagnosing the charging system or an electrical drain that's damaging the battery.

NHTSA #: 11618052
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Dec 2023

About 11 months after a software update to your knock sensor, the knock sensor itself failed and needed replacement. Your SUV went into limp mode, losing power and acceleration, and required a tow. You'll see the engine malfunction light blinking on and off on your dashboard. The repair involved replacing the knock sensor and cost $643.90.

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NHTSA #: 11558253
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Oct 2023

Your 2012 Santa Fe is missing an interior trunk release, which is required by law. Water regularly gets into your tail light covers and causes the lights to fail, leaving you without brake lights and at risk of being hit from behind. When you took your vehicle in for service, the dealership said they couldn't access the trunk to replace the bulbs because water damage and a failed junction box prevented the interior trunk release from working, and they quoted $5,000 to fix it. Addressing this will likely require replacing the tail light seals to prevent water intrusion and repairing or replacing the junction box to restore the interior trunk release mechanism.

NHTSA #: 11550541
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2025

Your car's driver-side front window has malfunctioned multiple times—first going up and down erratically when you tried to operate it, then stopping working entirely, and now getting stuck in the closed position again without warning. Your driver-side rear window also dropped down into the door on its own without you operating it. The dealer has repaired some instances but not all. Fixing this will likely involve replacing the window regulator and motor assembly, which controls the window's movement.

NHTSA #: 11637269
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Filed: Jan 2023

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 #: 11504390
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2023

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 #: 11502541
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Jul 2022

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 #: 11476201
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jun 2021

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 #: 11420454
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Jan 2021

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 #: 11386832
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Dec 2020

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 #: 11377438
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2020

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 #: 11319833
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2020

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.*JB

NHTSA #: 11318778
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Aug 2019

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 #: 11252622
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Jun 2019

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 #: 11222004
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jun 2019

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

NHTSA #: 11221930
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Mar 2019

CAME HOME 8 PM. SON CAME HOME SHORTLY AFTER 10 PM. JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT MY CAR ALARM STARTED GOING OFF (CAR LOCKED AND PARKED IN DRIVEWAY), I GOT OUT OF BED LOOKED THROUGH BLINDS AND SAW MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I RAN TO KITCHEN GRABBED FIRE EXTINGUISHER ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT FIRE AND CALLED 911. FIRE DEPT DETERMINED FIRE STARTED INSIDE CAR AT WIRING AREA.

NHTSA #: 11191814
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2018

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

NHTSA #: 11162449
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2018

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 *JS

NHTSA #: 11143131
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FireFiled: Jul 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CHAPMAN SCOTTSDALE HYUNDAI (6601 E MCDOWELL RD #3, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85257, (480) 424-3558) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER CAUSED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,143.

NHTSA #: 11111915
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CrashFiled: Apr 2015

WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED, CAR SHUT DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY, AND RESTARTED. DURING INTERIM 20 SECONDS, ATTEMPTED TO PULL VEHICLE TO LEFT SHOULDER AS I WAS DRIVING IN FAR LEFT LANE. I FELT "ENGINE DROP" OR A FEELING WHEREAS THE CAR NO LONGER FELT POWERED, CUE THAT THE ENGINE HAD WENT OFF. POWER STEERING WENT MANUAL ALONG WITH OTHER POWER ASSIST DEVICES LIKE POWER STEERING. ON DIRT SHOULDER OF FREEWAY ATTEMPTING WITH MANUAL BRAKES AND STEERING TO BRING VEHICLE OFF ROADWAY. VEHICLE RESTARTED DURING MANEUVER. STILL MOVING AT SAFE SPEED ATTEMPTED TO MERGE BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY, HAVING NOT YET DECELERATED ENOUGH YET TO CONTINUE TO PULL OVER....CLEAR AND DRY CONDITIONS IN NORTH LA COUNTY. THIS VEHICLE HOWEVER HAS ALWAYS HAD "OVERLY RESPONSIVE" OR "VERY TIGHT" STEERING, FOR LACK OF BETTER TERMINOLOGY. I LEASED THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT FULLY REALIZE, UNTIL SOME TIME PASSED, WHAT THIS 'STEERING CHARACTERISTIC' WOULD MEAN IN THE FUTURE, IN AN EVENT REQUIRING ACCURATE AND RESPONSIVE STEERING COMBINED WITH THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. THE SUDDEN ENGINE POWER RESUMING, COMBINED WITH, WHAT THIS WRITER WOULD DESCRIBE AS "TIGHT STEERING" TO BEGIN WITH, MADE THE VEHICLE ROLL. THE VEHICLE, WITH WHAT FELT LIKE A "HIGH CENTER OF GRAVITY" ALWAYS FELT LIKE IT WOULD ROLL IF ONE WERE TO HAVE TO MOVE QUICKLY TO AVOID SOMETHING IN THE ROAD FOR EXAMPLE. I DID NOT REALIZE THIS FEATURE DURING MY TEST DRIVE. BEING A LESSEE I WAS OBLIGATED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS. THE VEHICLE ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE CROSSING 3 LANES OF AN OCCUPIED NORTHBOUND HIGHWAY 14. A SUDDEN JOLT RESULTED IN A FRACTURE OF L1 VERTEBRAE. DURING ROLL, JACK BECAME UNDONE FROM WHERE IT WAS FACTORY MOUNTED UNDERNEATH LIFT UP COVER, AND HAD NEVER BEEN REMOVED. FLAILING AROUND IN THE VEHICLE NOW WAS THIS HEAVY SCISSOR JACK BOUNCING AROUND IN THE VEHICLE COMPARTMENT WITH ME. I AM GLAD TO BE ALIVE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10703815
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Apr 2015

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. *TR

NHTSA #: 10703165
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CrashFiled: Feb 2015

VEHICLE INEXPLICABLY LURCHED AHEAD WHEN FOOT ON BRAKE, WENT OVER A CURB, THROUGH SOME GRASS AND INTO AND OVER A FIRE HYDRANT. WAS UNABLE TO STOP/CONTROL THE VEHICLE,. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDRIVEABLE AND AT THE BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10683622
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CrashFiled: Feb 2015

ON 2/4/15, MY 2012 SANTA FE HAD AN UNEXPECTED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND ME, THE DRIVER. I HAD BACKED INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT WORK FACING A BUSY ROAD AND WHILE RE-POSITIONING VEHICLE, GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR PROPELLED FORWARD, GOING THROUGH A 4 FOOT SNOW BANK AND INTO A STONE WALL. THE DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND HIT ME DIRECT IN CENTER CHEST. ALL OF THIS OCCURRED IN ABOUT 2 SECONDS AND I HAD MY FOOT DOWN HARD ON THE BRAKE AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO PUT MY LEFT FOOT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *JS IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I DID NOT HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR OTHER VEHICLE, WHICH WHEN I LATER PROCESSED THIS, WAS THE MOST FRIGHTENING PART.. AFTER GOOGLING THIS COMPLAINT, I WAS STUNNED TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR INCIDENTS.

NHTSA #: 10681890
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2014

WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING IDLE OR DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE AC IS MANUALLY TURNED OFF WITHIN 30 TO 60 SECONDS THE AC WILL TURN ON BY ITSELF. THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE, PROPERTY DAMAGE, A CRASH, OR FATALITY AND SHOULD BE ADDRESS BY THE MANUFACTURE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10660800
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2014

WAS MAKING LEFT HAND TURN, CAR JUST DIED, NO WARNING AND NO LIGHTS CAME ON. COASTED TO STOP AND CAR STARTED RIGHT UP[. ANOTHER TIME LEAVING PARKING LOT CAR STARTED WAS RUNING FINE THEN LOST SPEED, COULDN'T GO OVER 25 MPH TOOK CAR TO HYUNDAI SHOP AND THEY CKECK CAR AND THEY DID ALL THE CHECKS AND REPAIRS AND SAID CAR SHOULD BE OK. TICKET #[XXX]. ALSO CALLED HYUNDAI COMPANY AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THEM,, CASE #[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA #: 10660136
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Sep 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

NHTSA #: 10639873
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Jun 2014

AFTER DRIVING TO WORK (APPROXIMATELY 27 MINUTES AT SPEEDS UP TO 70+) I PULLED INTO MY WORK PARKING LOT LIKE I HAVE DOWN THOUSANDS OF TIMES BEFORE. I PROCEEDED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND ALL POWER FAILED ON VEHICLE. THE RADIO DISPLAY WENT DEAD AND THE CAR STOPPED MID TURN. IT WAS ALMOST LIKE WHEN YOUR POWER GOES OUT AT HOME DURING A STORM. I TRIED SHIFT THE CAR TO SEE IF IT WOULD WANT TO START BACK UP BUT IT DIDN'T LET THE KEY GO ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT LIKE YOU WOULD TO NORMALLY CRANK A VEHICLE. THE PANEL ILLUMINATED ALL ICONS AND LIGHTS (SIMILAR TO A POWER OUTAGE). I TRIED TO START THE CAR A FEW MORE TIMES WHEN FINALLY IT TURNED OVER AND I PULLED TO THE NEAREST PARKING SPACE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED. I HAD ROADSIDE TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (SPORT DURST). AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE ALL DAY, I ARRIVED THERE SLIGHTLY BEFORE 5PM TO DISCUSS WHAT WAS FOUND. THEY PROCEEDED TO SHOW ME A PRINT OUT OF THE COMPUTER READING WHERE IT HAD NO "CODES" PRESENT. I WAS THEN TOLD IF THEY DON'T HAVE A CODE, THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO LOOK FOR THE ISSUE. I THEN EXPLAINED THAT I WAS LUCKY THIS TIME THAT I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC OR THAT ANOTHER CAR WASN'T BEHIND ME OR THAT IT WASN'T AT NIGHT IN AN UNSAFE AREA BUT AS A CAR OWNER WHY AM I EXPECTED TO ROLL THE DICE WITH MY SAFETY?? WHY CAN'T THEY DO WHAT IT TAKES TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE ISSUE. I DON'T LIKE BEING AT ANY DEALERSHIP WASTING MY EVENING HAGGLING WITH THEM MORE THEN THEY DO. THEREFORE I HAVE NO REASON TO MAKE IT UP. THE SERVICE MANAGER TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT HIS HANDS WERE TIED AND THAT FOR THE WARRANTY TO BE USED TO CHECK ALL POTENTIAL ISSUES (WITHOUT ANY "CODES") I WOULD HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BILL UNLESS THEY FIND SOMETHING WHICH I FEEL IS UNFAIR WHEN THE CAR IS 2 YEARS OLD WITH 40,000 MILES. I WAS THEN TOLD WHEN IT HAPPENS NEXT TIME... RECORD IT... *TR

NHTSA #: 10606094
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Filed: Apr 2014

ON FEB. 2, 2013 AFTER PULLING OUT AFTER A STOP LIGHT THE CAR RAN NORMALLY FOR A VERY SHORT TIME AND THEN ALL POWER LEFT. IT WOULD GO ONLY IN IDLE SPEED. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTING IT THE CAR WOULD RUN NORMALLY FOR A WHILE AND THEN DO THE SAME THING. A THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. ON, JAN. 28, 2014 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. ANOTHER THROTTLE BODY WAS INSTALLED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP NOR HYUNDAI COULD TELL US WHY THIS THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE NOR COULD THEY GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. WE COULD NOT FEEL SAVE DRIVING IT DOWN AN INTERSTATE OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND HAVE THE CAR JUST BASICALLY STOP WITH NO WARNING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10583930
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Jan 2013

THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME SINCE THE PURCHASE IN APRIL, 2012. THE ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY AT A LOW SPEED. THE DEALER SHOP OBVIOUSLY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUES. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS TYPE OF HIGHLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY NHTSA URGENTLY. I SEE THAT THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE REPORTED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I HAVE TO RISK OUR FAMILY LIVES TO PROVE THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS FAULT WITH THIS VEHICLE! *TR

NHTSA #: 10493630
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Jan 2013

AT 2 TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS THE CAR ENGINE HAS SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY ON LEVEL GROUND. LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. CAR RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. SO FAR DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO REPRODUCE OR HELP WITH PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA #: 10493564
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Nov 2012

VEHICLE STALLED AS TURNING INTO DRIVEWAY OF SHOPPING COMPLEX. THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE AS I WAS TRYING TO TURN LEFT. IN THE DASHBOARD, NO LIGHTS ON EXCEPT "MALFUNCTION INDICATOR" LIGHT WAS LIT. RESTARTED CAR AND DROVE ON, THE "MALFUNCTION LIGHT" GOT TURNED OFF, CAME HOME AND THEN CALLED DEALER. DROVE TO DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE SINCE THE LIGHT WAS NOT ON AND SO NO CODE CAN BE FOUND. CAR IS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD AND NOT EVEN 3000 MILES ON THE CAR. I FEEL THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE UNLESS HYUNDAI TAKES CARE OF THE PROBLEM. NOT DIAGNOSING AND ADDRESSING THE ISSUE MAKES ME CONCERNED. IF CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING THEN THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SUCH AS CAR HITTING FROM BEHIND. I AM VERY MUCH CONCERN WITH SUCH A PROBLEM FOR CAR AS NEW AS MINE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10482822
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FireFiled: Sep 2012

WHILE DRIVING I SMELLED ELECTRICAL SMOKE, PARKED CAR SHUT OFF ENGINE, OPENED HOOD AND FOUND AN ELECTRICAL MOTOR OF SORTS ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10476823

Other 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Issues