Two problems related to engine belts and pulleys have been reported for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe based on all problems reported for the 2012 Santa Fe.
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 damaged causing a slow to no crank. The serpentine belt was removed and the mechanic attempted to rotate the crank by hand but got the same result. The mechanic recommended that the engine be replaced. The dealer autonation Hyundai 104 (759 west 104th avenue, northglenn, CO 80234, (303) 578-6114) was called and attempted to schedule an appointment to have the vehicle diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed by the dealer to help with the contact's repairs under their certified preowned warranty. The manufacturer determined that there was a defect and provided two options either a new engine or a buyback offer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 83,000.
My wife was driving at highway speeds on the beltway around DC when the engine seized and the car shut down. She was able to coast to shoulder where aaa then came and towed her to a shop. Shop said it was the engine and we had to take it to a Hyundai dealer. Dealer said it was a battery issues, replaced the battery and charged us for it. Four days later at highway speeds on I-95 north the engine locked up again. The dealer is telling us it is now an engine issue, which was somehow not the problem the first time. The check engine and warning lights did not come on before the failure and all of the fluids are full to standard levels. The dealer is saying they have to replace the engine and Hyundai corporate is saying there is nothing they will do for us. Vehicle was built only 5 years ago, and only has 72,000 miles on it. Because we are the second owner, the original 75,000 mile warranty now only goes to 62,000. She or anybody else around her could have been killed.