2012 Hyundai Santa FE exterior lighting problems
12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the exterior lighting on the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE — 3% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I have complained about this previously to recall, and it's doing it again. My engine shut off while driving its happened on the Fred harrman bridge twice now. All the dashboard lights come on and the engine shuts off I had to put it in neutral and restart it. It very dangerous and scarey…”
filed May 3, 2024
“Per the mandated law in September of 2001 all vehicles sold in the United States are required to have a trunk release on the inside. The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe does not. The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe small SUV are very known for the lights to go out due to condensation in the tail lights. So needless to…”
filed Oct 18, 2023
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of…
25-BD-012H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 6, 2025
Exterior Lighting problems in other Santa FE years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Santa FE | 2 | 1% |
| 2023 Santa FE | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 Santa FE | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 Santa FE | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 Santa FE | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 Santa FE | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 Santa FE | 4 | 0% |
| 2016 Santa FE | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 Santa FE | 9 | 4% |
| 2014 Santa FE | 11 | 2% |
| 2013 Santa FE | 16 | 3% |
| 2011 Santa FE | 14 | 8% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2012 Hyundai Santa FE
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.