general problems of the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe

11 problems related to steering 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.

1 Steering problem

Failure Date: 12/06/2020

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.

2 Steering problem

Failure Date: 11/12/2020

Twice as I was driving it mid turn the steering wheel locked on the regular street.

3 Steering problem

Failure Date: 01/18/2019

While driving the engine would decelerator then cut out. I can be on the highway going speed limits of 70 or on a side street going 30 or under. It even happened when I pulled out of my drive way and drove down my street (4 houses down) and got to my cul-DE-sac and all power shut down. Neighbor had to stop to avoid hitting me because I was rolling and could not stop. All power to steering wheel and brakes would be non operational. I have to manually pull the wheel to one side to avoid traffic, causing an accident, or from being hit by head on traffic. The first occurrence was in February of 2017 and the most recent was January 18th on my way home from work. It has happened to us over a dozen times and found blogs that state that Hyundai denies that this is happening.

4 Steering problem

Failure Date: 05/28/2017

We have had 3 separate instances when our SUV stalled and the engine shut down when proceeding to drive once a stop signal changed. The most recent occurred yesterday when we made a right turn onto us 101 from steiner street in sf. The power steering went out, the brakes failed and the engine shut down. The car restarted once I got it back into park. It was a harrowing experience on this busy street.

5 Steering problem

Failure Date: 07/16/2014

When making a right hand turn at slow speed the cars stalls out. Today 7/16 is the 3rd time this has happened. The same event happened twice in the same week about 6 months ago then not again. This sounds too similar to the problems w/ gm cars.

6 Steering problem

Failure Date: 06/08/2014

Vehicle driven shopping center (approximately 15 mi. ) upon leaving vehicle stalled going approximately 15 mph. Steering cut out and difficult, but was able to get to the side of the road. Was able to restart vehicle after approximately 3 minutes. Gas was purchased approximately 1 week prior and vehicle ran fine. Will take to the dealer, but based on other reports I do not expect them to find any problems.

7 Steering problem

Failure Date: 05/24/2014

This is the second incident. The first was in September 2013. Both times I was traveling at 15 mph when the car engine stalled and I lost steering power and braking power. I was able to pull over to side of road and put car in park it then restarted. Engine warning light came on both times. I call Hyundai customer service and was told to have car towed to closest dealer which is over 60 miles from me. They are not sure if I will be reimbursed for towing fees this far.

8 Steering problem

Failure Date: 03/20/2014

1st of many total engine DE-powerments happened at a stop sign, going approx. 15 mph. I had filled the gas tank and at the first stop sign I came to, the engine check light came on; and it died, powerless. I coasted to my destination (less than a block away) and called my service rep at danbury Hyundai (CT). She told me it was due to an incorrect gas cap replacement, to undo the gas cap and start the car. It worked. After the first episode, this absolute powering down of everything, brake, steering, control; happened so often, it became routine. Gas tank filling had no bearing-but it happened at stop lights or stop signs, so I was able to coast to the side of the road, put the car in park and restart it. All that confidence evaporated yesterday. I was due to get on the highway and drive about 45 minutes on a combination of highway and thruway to my daughter's. I was on a busy local road that passes through danbury when the car's engine light came on, without me being at a stop sign or red light, or even braking for any reason, and I lost all control of the vehicle. This happens so suddenly, I might add, that you have no time to even activate the emergency flashers, or do anything besides grab the wheel with both hands and try to get over as far to the right as possible to avoid being hit from behind. I narrowly escaped being rear ended by a dump trunk directly behind me. I put the car into park, started it up, and called my service dept. At Hyundai. I explained that this happened again, since I had originally told them when I had the car serviced in may of 2014, and they had told me then, that they couldn't duplicate it, so they couldn't fix it. I explained that had I been already on the thruway I would be dead instead of on the phone. I came home called my lawyer and found his advice so helpful, I'm sharing it. Go to bbb. Com, auto line. They offer arbitration at 0$.

9 Steering problem

Failure Date: 12/15/2013

Please investigate the Hyundai line of cars. I was driving this car that I owned. I had just driven 140 miles, and I was on city streets making my way to the inlaws. I stopped at a stop sign and as I accelerated and proceeded to make a right turn on to another city street, the engine completely died. I noticed it when my power steering locked up, I had no brakes and I was headed right toward a home's front door. I was able to stop the car when it hit the curb dead on. I then put the car in to park and turned the car back on and it fired up right away. I really believe that Hyundai has the same problem as gm. There was nothing wrong with the car after that and I could not duplicate the incident. I traded the car in a few days later because I refuse to drive it. If you google the problem, I was able to trace it back at least 11 years. How can you trust a car that where the engine will just turn off sporadically. Dealership claims "they've never heard of such a thing. . . " lies. The know about it, they just haven't done anything about it. I seriously think there needs to be an investigation in to this vehicle. I saw stories of peoples Hyundais dying on the freeway. They could have been killed. One lady said that she was told next time it happens to leave the car as is and they will tow it and check it out. They towed it after it died and nothing. That's what leads to me believe that in this vehicle, the key can also become disengaged while driving. Similar if not exactly to the problems with the gm. I beg of you to investigate!!!.

10 Steering problem

Failure Date: 12/12/2012

Driving aprox 20 mph, with no warning engine shuts down, unable to steer. Second time was driving at 40 mph. This has happened three times. Dealer cannot find or reproduce problem.

11 Steering problem

Failure Date: 07/02/2012

Engine died when slowing down - coming to a stop or making turns approximately 8 times since the time of purchase. First time was when coming down an incline to a stop sign. The next time happened when making a turn around a corner on a residential street. Since that first time, service dealer checked for recalls, but there were none. , it randomly happens, normally when slowing down from traveling speeds of 45 mi/hr or slower. I have been doing more highway driving and I am starting to get scared that this could be a real safety issue. The next time I brought this up to the dealer, may 2013, the service dealer check computer for codes but didn't find any. Now, when I brought in for maintenance in August 2013, same thing, mentioned it had died 2 times since may 2013, all in similar situations and randomly/computer checked and no codes. . Today, September 7, 2013. It just happened again and this time as I was making a right hand turn from a busy street (45 miles/hr when it died- no power steering. Good thing I was able to come to a stop before crossing the median into oncoming traffic and no one was right behind me. I was able to restart the engine and drove very cautiously home! plan on bringing it in and leaving it with the dealer ASAP.


Other Steering related problems of the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe


Safety Ratings of Santa Fe Cars
Fuel Economy of Santa Fe Vehicles
Santa Fe Service Bulletins
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