Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Engine (64.8% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Engine complaints here are 5.2× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 228 · 64.8% | Recalled | Recall 20V746000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 40 · 11.4% | Investigation closed | DP21003 |
| Electrical System | 39 · 11.1% | Investigation closed | PE19003 → recall 20V061000 · PE19003 → recall 20V121000 · PE19003 → recall 20V393000 · PE19003 → recall 20V520000 · PE19003 → recall 20V543000 · PE19003 → recall 20V746000 · PE19003 → recall 21V303000 · PE19003 → recall 21V727000 · DP18003 → recall 18V907000 · DP18003 → recall 18V934000 · DP18003 → recall 19V120000 · DP18003 → recall 19V204000 |
| Service Brakes | 25 · 7.1% | No official action | — |
| Power Train | 24 · 6.8% | No official action | — |
| Steering | 16 · 4.5% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 352 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 20V746000 · 2020 · reported 12/01/2020
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH NO WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10778673 — filed 09/30/2015 · ENGINE
“ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, MY 2012 HYUNDAI SANTA FE STALLED, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING, WHEEL CONTROL, AND BRAKES. ON THE FIRST…”NHTSA complaint 10637929 — filed 09/21/2014 · ENGINE
“WE EXPERIENCE A FEELING OF LOSS OF POWER AND ALMOST STALLS WHILE TRYING TO MAKE LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURNS FROM A COMPLETE STOP. IT…”NHTSA complaint 10619533 — filed 08/07/2014 · ENGINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 228 of 352 NHTSA complaints (64.8%), followed by vehicle speed control (40), electrical system (39), service brakes (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
352 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 25 involved a crash, 17 involved a fire, and 7 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 20V746000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
