2012 Hyundai Santa Fe problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Q: What gas mileage does the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe at about 22 mpg combined (20 city / 26 highway).

Q: How much is a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe worth?

Comparable 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe listings run roughly $10,000–$16,900, typically around $13,683 (from 138 vehicles).

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe at a glance

Safety recalls1

Owner complaints353

Overall safety3 / 5 ★

Combined22 mpg

Typical price$13,683

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe recalls 1

Engine NHTSA Campaign #20V746000 · 01/12/2020

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.

Fix: 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.…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 353 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine

Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Structure

Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

Suspension

Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe safety ratings

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash★★★★★

Side crash★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe MPG & running costs

Combined22 mpg

City20 mpg

Highway26 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$2,800

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe worth?

Low

$10,000

Typical price

$13,683

High

$16,900

From 138 comparable 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,000

Depreciation (5 yrs)$7,500

Total$21,500

Per mile$0.29

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($13,683) with the same model 5 model-years older ($6,168), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe trims & engines on record

Trims

GLS · Limited · SE · GL(Middle-low ) · TOP (High) · GLS(Middle grade)

Engines

2.4L · 3.5L 6-cyl

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles on record

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited5XYZK4AG3CG123827

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe SE5XYZH4AG9CG121238 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZG3AB4CG102761

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZGDAB8CG105801

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZG3ABXCG103526

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZG3AB8CG103167 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZG3AB6CG168230 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZG3AB0CG092407

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZGDAB3CG140861 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZG3AB9CG105882

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZGDAG9CG134350 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZG3AB6CG121909

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZGDAB3CG115586

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited5XYZK4AG6CG118802

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZG3AB0CG117886

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZGDABXCG158807

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited5XYZK4AG9CG155343

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZGDAB2CG164844

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZGDABXCG102835

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZG3AB5CG101859

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZG3AB0CG103714

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZG3AB8CG104190

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited5XYZK4AG3CG165754

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS5XYZG3AB2CG107795

Other Hyundai Santa Fe model years

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?

Based on 353 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, electrical system, structure.

What is the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe an overall crash-test rating of 3 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 2★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe at about 22 mpg combined (20 city / 26 highway).

How much is a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe worth?

Comparable 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe listings run roughly $10,000–$16,900, typically around $13,683 (from 138 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.