2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
20 City / 26 HWY
Source FuelEconomy.gov
Horsepower
276
Seats
5
Front passenger 3/4 w/ wheels turned.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Heather T
Sunroof is the downfall only issue.
Just the sunroof has given me issues. Never heard of the holes having to be blown out. Cannot go to a certain car wash unless I want to get wet. That is my only issue. The performance is great. Gas mileage is great. It is a reliable cari would recommend it.
accountCircle Raphael O
My car is very comfortable.
I really like automatic cars. It has leather seats, what make it more comfortable. It is a economy car.
accountCircle Carlton T
It is a good and very reliable car and there should more point for this survey.
Nice looking and reliable and dependable. I like everything about it. I can drive it a long way before stopping to refill for more fuel.
accountCircle Amanda B
Amazing vehicle, you need to buy one.
Works amazing in the winter. I have taken it places where people were putting on chains but with the 4WD on I had no problems. It fits me, all my camping stuff, my 2 dogs and all of there stuff. I would definitely recommend buying one. When I finally decide to get a new car I will look at a Santa Fe first.
accountCircle Donna A
000 miles with no main issues. My only repair needed was back brakes which is usual for the mileage. I will buy another Santa-fe in my future. Enjoy the car very much.
I love my Hyundai Santa-fe. It rides smoothly and I have had limited maintenance issues. I have over 52
accountCircle Kevin M
Heated seats and moonroof are a game changer.
Very comfortable to drive. No issues with blind spots. The moon roof make the interior feel much brighter and roomier. Gas mileage is reasonable. Plenty of room for passenger comfort. Have had no mechanical issues. Leather interior with heated seats, great for daily driver or longer road trip adventures.
accountCircle Jennifer B
Large enough for a family on the go.
Very comfortable to drive, the extra features like heated steering wheel and seats are great for winters in MN, the third row is awesome for extra kids going to sports and for our large dog. It is also great for longer road trips and gets good gas mileage.
accountCircle Melissa R
You cannot go wrong with the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe limited.
The only problem I have is the automatic all wheel drive feature, but you can turn it off. It makes me uncomfortable because it makes your tires spin at first. Other than that, the only issue I have if trying to figure out the fog lights not working and the interior dome lights. It seems pretty difficult to change a light bulb. Otherwise, I am happy with the vehicle overall. It is comfortable to ride in and has not had any major breakdown and it now has 105,200 miles.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Taylor C
The gas mileage does very well for an SUV though, that is a quality I do like.
Reliability, price, and parts. I feel like what I have paid for the reliability does not match the price. The parts are very cheaply made and it seems like something is always breaking down on it. I have had so many issues with reliability with this car and it has been a major headache.
accountCircle Kevin
Too many costly repairs...
I've bought this used and have owned it for about a year and have already sunk close to $5000 in repairs already. Two alternators, AWD issues, oil pressure sensor, front suspension issues.
accountCircle Christina R
Small car, perfect for errands.
It's quite small. It's perfect for an everyday car to run errands in. It only holds five people. If you have car seats in the back it gets even tighter. The trunk area is spacious though. It gets good gas mileage. I wouldn't recommend taking it long car rides. It takes awhile to get up those steep hills on road trips. Plus it's not very comfortable for long car rides. It drives like a regular car but one that sits higher.
accountCircle John K
Only good for the first 100k miles. After that might as well get a new car
The Hyundai Santa Fe when brand new is great. However after the 100k mile marker everything seems to fall apart. Repair after repair.
accountCircle M.Faust
STAY AWAY FROM THE SANTE FE
I would not recommend this vehicle..Stay away, had to replace the motor at 90,000!!!
accountCircle Nicole J
Not the best, wouldn't recommend Hyundai to friends and family.
After having the car for a little under 2 years, I have put almost 5 grand into it. Anything from small wear and tear parts and tires, to larger issues involving my rear differential. It also does not shift gears very smooth and the transmission does not seem to be the best.
accountCircle Karen
Clunking issue
Just bought a 2012 Santa Fe. Was great for the test drive. Very clean. Everything looked great. However when it warmed up on the way home, we noticed a clunk when slowing down and turning. It has been very noticeable when turning from a stop and going slow. Also when starting off slowly from a start. Sometimes it clunks so hard it feels like you hit something. Wondering if anyone else has had these issues.
accountCircle Chris S
Feedback on My 2012 Santa Fe
My car is a good size. It runs a bit rough. I wish it had an updated suspension. It's not something I would purchase again even though it has been reliable.

Hyundai Santa Fe Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
GLS
276 HP 22 MPG 5 Seats
car
SE
276 HP 22 MPG 5 Seats
car
Limited
276 HP 22 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner Reviews

4.27
277 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 48%
4 stars 35%
3 stars 13%
2 stars 3%
1 star 1%
accountCircle Leslie C on June 25, 2021
Just the right size inside and out.
The car does not start readily every time I buy gas. I have to pump the gas and start it several times before it will stay running. The car handles well and drives smoothly. I appreciate the size, not too big or too small. The cargo area is roomy, especially when the seats are down.
accountCircle Jen H on June 25, 2021
Reliable, durable and great value!
I have owned this vehicle for 7 years and cannot say enough good things about the quality and durability of this car. It is comfortable inside, has a roomy back seat and a very large trunk space. This car has held up to the demands of many long road trips and has maintained the comfort and reliability that it had when it was new. I will certainly purchase another Santa Fe as my next car in the future.
View All Reviews (277) chevronRightAlternative

Pros from Owners

likeFilled Shawn L.

The car is very spacious and comfortable. Great for taking the family around town or on trips. Plenty of power and smooth driving. The all wheel drive is a plus but the gas mileage is not the best. Overall I really enjoy the car. Have been driving mine for a year with no troubles.

likeFilled Tom V.

It has a lot of power in its v6 makes it easy to merge in traffic or to pass. A large quiet interior with loads of room and nimble handling like a much smaller vehicle. It has been trouble free with only a few recalls that the dealer handled easily.

Cons from Owners

dislikeFilled Shawn L.

The gas mileage is not the greatest. The all time all wheel drive definitely wears on the front tires. Make sure you keep your tires rotated.,Sometimes I have trouble pairing my phone using the card Bluetooth. I am not the biggest fan of the sound system in the car. I have also need to replace a speaker. My key fob is breaking and does not have a very long range.

dislikeFilled Tom V.

There really are not any but the only thing they could do to improve the cargo loading would be to make the tailgate opening a little more square. I guess they could add a turbocharger to improve highway ability to pass on a two lane road.

Ranks #15 Midsize SUV by Owners

The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe has an average owner rating of 4.36 out of 5 which ranks it #15 of 22 other Midsize SUVs.

1
car
2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser
4.88
2
car
2012 Toyota 4Runner
4.69
15
car
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
4.27

Ranks #3 Midsize SUV by Fuel Economy

The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe has a combined MPG of 30 which ranks it #3 of 22 other Midsize SUVs.

1
car
2012 Subaru Outback
29 MPG
2
Tie
car
2012 Mazda CX-7
27 MPG
3
Tie
car
2012 Hyundai Santa Fe
26 MPG

Is The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe A Good Car?

Yes. It is so easy to handle I can park it anywhere. It is also very comfortable. The 4 wheel drive is very easy to use. I have driven in snow and it is great. Good for car camping too!
Marcy S.
Yes, I has decent fuel efficiency and has the comfort of an SUV in a smaller package. It drives well and requires little maintenance.
Abigail I.
Yes it is. The only issue though is my crankshaft sensor keeps going on it. So I almost stalls at times.
Steve H.
Yes. It is good on gas, it is stylish and a safe and reliable SUV. It is a nice size as well, not too small, not too big.
Veronica V.
Yes, good for small - med. Size family. We primarily drive in California suburbs 'in-town, and short freeway drives. Seating is comfortable & all passengers enjoy multi air/heating vents. We also... Read More
Mickey J.

How Reliable Is The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?

No problems. I just do routine maintenance and have never had to do anything unusual. There have never been any recall notices either.
Marcy S.
Yes it is reliable, I would recommend getting the six cylinder over a four cylinder as it is a bigger car.
Abigail I.
Yes but with the crankshaft sensor it does get me nervous sometimes that the car will falter. Looks nice though.
Steve H.
Yes. I have had one for 7 years now and nothing major has gone on it, Just maintenance like tires, batteries, brakes. etc.
Cynthia M.
We maintain the car per manufacturer specifications with routine checks as required. Have had a few minor issues with front lights & fuses, but overall satisfied.
Tom Y.

Is The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe A Good Value?

I paid about $35,000. So much cheaper than a Toyota or Honda if similar size. Better quality than a Kia. Great warranty program.
Marcy S.
I paid 21,000 in 2015. It is a cheaper option if you want a good reliable SUV but do not want the outrageous price tag.
Abigail I.
I bought it used for 8,400. I think if I bought it new it would cost probably 20,000 or so. Not sure.
Steve H.
Mine was about 21,000. A good value as it is still running great! I think other mid size SUVs run a lot higher, especially now in 2019 but I would definitely buy another one!
Haley D.

Related Articles for 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe

From the Vehicle History blog

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe camshaft position sensor location?

Answer: You can find the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe camshaft position sensor on the right hand side of the cylinder head. The purpose of a camshaft position sensor is to determine the position of the camshaft as it relates...

Does the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe have a timing belt or chain?

Answer: All 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe models have a timing chain. Timing chains are housed within the engine and receive lubrication from engine oil and can last a long time, while timing belts are located outside of the...

What are some of the 2012 hyundai santa fe radio problems?

Answer: The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe radio problems are randomly turns on or static sounds. You will come into issues with the sound. The source could be from the stereo's speakers or a phone that is connected to the...

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe: What is the size of the trunk and cargo space?

Answer: Want to know what the trunkk or cargo space is on the 2012 Huundai Santa Fe is The trunk space on this vehicle iS34.2 ft and 78.2 ft with the seating area. The cargo space on the Santa Fe happens to be very...

2012 Hyundai Santa Fe: What is the tire size and pressure, and wheel size?

Answer: The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe comes with a default tire size of 17 inches, with a tire specification of 235/65R17, which uses a psi of 33 and will be for all tires in both the front and rear. Additionally, You can...
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Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety