Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
As early as last summer, my 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe started to (intermittently) accelerate when I stepped on the brake. Frankly, I thought it was related to the sandals I was wearing. I thought I was occasionally stepping on the gas and the brake at the same time (I have very big feet -- size fifteen). The problem stopped when I switched shoes (which also corresponded to the end of summer). The problem came back intermittently this summer and is now repeatable. When I am going down a steep hill at speeds over about 20 MPH, the engine RPM's increase when I step on the brake. It does that while in gear and while in neutral. Obviously, if the drive train is in gear, the engine "fights against" the brake; if the drive train is in neutral, the engine revs. If the engine is in neutral or is shifted into neutral after the acceleration starts, the engine races until I let off the brake. …
I was turning into a parking lot doing about 5mph when the vehicle suddenly accelerated to a high rate of speed, took me over a cement barrier, a curb, went airborne, landed in a bush which it tore in half and took with me, across the sidewalk and spun in the middle of a busy intersection before the tire blew off the rim and I got it to stop. It was towed to the dealership where it has been for one month as Hyundai dragged their heels until I got angry and emailed them. Two days after I emailed them I got the following leaving me with the repairs as well as paying for the rental for a month. Thank you for your recent correspondence. We have thoroughly reviewed your comments and regret the circumstances you have experienced. We have reviewed the materials provided and inspected your Santa Fe. …
Today April 28, 2015, my mother, daughter and I were coming home from running an errand, when we came to are house we pulled up and went in reverse to pull into the drive way like normal so we can park the car in the garage. When we pulled in we were going just 5mph. Then suddenly when my mom was pushing the brake the stop and put the car into park. The car out of no where lurched and crashed into are washer, water heater , and caused the back windshield to shatter. An we have had this car for 3 years and its always the same routine, so were very shook up on how this could happen. Even though this happened at a resident im filing this since it could happen anywhere to another car.
February 20,2015 about 7:30 in the evening as I was going up a grade towards a red light , my car surged forward when I was braking. I applied more pressure but the car did not stop until I threw it into park and had hit the car in front of me. I called 911 to report the accident. The car in front had some gate crack. My car had cracked plastic under the bumper and marks on the plastic part of the bumper.
My vehicle is a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe with 131,000 miles. I was driving on the highway traveling about 65 MPH and lost power steering, power breaks, and speed control. My car began to slow and would not accelerate and was difficult to steer. Fortunately I had enough power/speed still to get over into the breakdown lane. I was able to use my directionals and hazard lights once on the side of the road. I shut off the car and attempted to start it again several times without success. The check engine light was on, as was the oil light and battery light. There was no discernible warning that would have indicated an impending engine failure. I had already driven 75 miles of my trip and it simply stopped running. In the middle of the highway! The cause of the problem is unknown to me and currently unknown to my mechanic. I had to have my car towed 50 miles to the mechanic. …
In stop and go traffic, I took my foot off the brake to coast towards the car in front of me. This pattern had been going on for several miles. I was not touching the accelerator and in fact, my foot was not on the brake either, and the car suddenly accelerated full throttle. I had just a couple of seconds to try to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of me. I swerved to the right, towards the shoulder, but I hit the truck in front of me. I was braking the entire time, but it was not enough to stop the sudden unintended acceleration. My left bumper hit his truck on the right hand side of his bumper. My radiator was damaged and leaked all the fluid out onto the highway. The car was not drivable because of the radiator.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while waiting at a traffic light, the vehicle accelerated independently causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. The vehicle was not destroyed and there were not injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who that there was static electricity built up causingthe failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who advised to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The failure mileage was 6,210.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated the vehicle suddenly accelerated after she made a right turn. The failure caused the contact to crash into another vehicle. No one was injured. The contact had to continue to applying the brakes in order to stop the vehicle after it crashed into the other vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and it was not determined whether or not the vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 22,000.
Stopped at a red light. Stepped on gas to move and the engine revved up and it just took off. Had to use both feet on brake pedal to stop the car. Going about 1 MPH after the light turned green. The engine accelerated and wouldn't stop. Nearly hit the car in front of us. May be computer or throttle positioning sensor. And it happened again later. Same day. Going straight, up a hill about 2mph and once again the engine sped up and the car took off. It was very difficult to stop.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 3 MPH and making a right turn into a parking spot the vehicle lunged forward and suddenly accelerated independently. The vehicle crashed into a bush and went through a fence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a complaint was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control system vulnerabilities
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a petition letter dated October 10, 2021, requesting an investigation of possible defects in the electronic throttle control (ETC) system on certain Kia vehicles resulting in the opening of DP21-003.
Acceleration complaints in other Santa Fe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe, 11% of the model year's 354 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 16,000 miles, and 64% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.