Hyundai

Santa Fe (CM)

2007-2012 · Midsize SUV ยท 2 engines
Best Engine โŒ Avoid (1.0)
2,363 NHTSA Complaints
0 Recalls
51 Fire Reports
119 Crash Reports
View all 5 generations of the Hyundai Santa Fe → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 3/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
2/5
Rollover
4/5 (16.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 3/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
2/5
Rollover
4/5 (17.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (16.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (17.4% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (16.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (16.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (16.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (16.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

DOHC MPI theta-ii

2.4L
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
252 complaints 121.0 per year Gasoline
16 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
171
electrical
26
suspension
18
brakes
15
steering
11

Known Issues

Engine Issues (171 complaints)
Typical onset: 86,333โ€“134,500 mi Est. repair: $686โ€“$7,050 (20 reports)
Electrical System Issues (26 complaints)
Suspension Issues (18 complaints)

MPI Lambda 2

3.5L 6-cyl
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
231 complaints 77.0 per year Gasoline
8 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
117
electrical
43
transmission
29
brakes
28
other
23

Known Issues

Engine Issues (117 complaints)
Typical onset: 12,000โ€“68,750 mi
Electrical System Issues (43 complaints)
Transmission Issues (29 complaints)

Same engine used in

7 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Hyundai Santa Fe regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (290 complaints)
engine critical
Electrical System Issues (70 complaints)
electrical critical
Brakes Issues (44 complaints)
brakes critical
Transmission Issues (30 complaints)
transmission critical
Steering Issues (23 complaints)
steering critical

Alternatives in Midsize SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2007-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe problems?

The 2007-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe has accumulated 2,363 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Electrical System, Brakes. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Hyundai Santa Fe engine is most reliable?

The 2007-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe was offered with 9 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.4L ?-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2007-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe a good used car?

The 2007-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 2,363 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe have?

The 2007-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe has 2,363 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2007-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?

There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2007-2012 Hyundai Santa Fe vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe?

Before buying a used Hyundai Santa Fe, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Electrical System, Brakes, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Santa Fe?

The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe received an overall 3-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 2 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (16.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 2,363 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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