2012 Hyundai Santa Fe: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Mar 9, 2026 · Engine · WI · fire

The engine rod broke creating a big whole in the engine which caused the engine and underneath of car to start on fire. There was a massive recall for this same issue in 2021-2023 for the year car! It is available for inspection! Yes safety was at risk, the car was on fire on the Highway in the middle of rush hour. The problem was confirmed by Progressive and I contact Hyundai. The car was inspected by the police and insurance company. No lights, messages and the car was running fine before the fire!

Filed Nov 21, 2025 · Engine · RI · fire

My 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe caught fire on October 29, 2025. Prior to this, the dealership completed one recall but left another open. Hyundai denied my claim and refused to provide the inspection report. I am filing this complaint because I believe the incomplete recall may be related and I want the federal safety agency to review the issue.

Filed Sep 30, 2025 · Engine · 133,000 miles · MT

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while driving 80 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormally loud banging sound, and there was smoke coming from underneath the hood and through the A/C vents, which blocked the visibility of the roadway. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that a significant amount of oil was leaking from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V746000 (Engine). The dealer was contacted about the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to tow the vehicle to the dealer for repair, and a case was filed. The manufacturer informed the contact that the repair could not be covered under the recall due to the vehicle having a Branded Title; however, the contact stated that the Branded Title was issued because the vehicle had sustained cosmetic damage from hailstone impact. The failure mileage was 133,000.

Filed Nov 12, 2024 · Engine · NY · fire

My engine caught on fire in the middle of the night ([XXX] on [XXX]). The fire department was called by my building’s security and they came to put out the fire. The security footage shows that the car engine caught on fire for no apparent reason. The fire department did not identify any foul play or vandalism nor did the security camera footage. Unfortunately since my car has been paid off, I only had liability coverage and could not get the coverage to assess. I had to junk the car. No one was hurt but there was broken glass and some parts around the parking lot due to fire and fire department having to shatter and pry open the engine bay. Please advise if someone can help me in my situation. Also this should be made aware to Hyundai. There was a recall but I was never notified. Nor does any recall history show up for this. See article: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 12, 2021 · Engine · MN

I have a 2012 Hyundai Santa fe the engine started making knocking sounds and had loss of power. Did some research on the safety recall for the engine and found it on there site. Vehicle was taken to local Hyundai dealer like there site stated for inspection on 10/15/21. Dealership then called 3 hours later and said it was not covered and found noise coming from lower engine crank as stated on the receipt. I then filed a case file with Hyundai #18907069 and phone number 8334628722 ext 65091. After numerous calls and leaving messages I never once spoke to my Case manager. She said in a email that salvage title voids warranty, I sent evidence Hyundai calling it a safety recall witch is still covered. I received the email on November 24 haven't heard a thing since. There site said the engine can start on fire and could lock up at high speed causing a accident they called it a safety recall.

Filed Nov 4, 2021 · Engine · 70,000 miles · FL · fire

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while driving at 40-45 MPH, she heard an abnormal ticking sound, and the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact stated she saw black smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact did not recall whether a warning light illuminated. The contact and her husband exited the vehicle. The contact stated as they walked back to the vehicle, they notice that the smoke has stopped. The contact and her husband did not sustain any injuries. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated the vehicle had been waiting to be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V746000 (ENGINE) for five months as the parts for recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Oct 28, 2021 · Engine · GA · fire

On the way to get the recall fixed on this vehicle the car caught fire under the hood and was a total loss. This was a safety hazard to not only my family, but to the public passing by on the road. The fire service had to come put out the massive flames and the car was then towed to the dealer in Athens GA.

Filed Sep 11, 2021 · Engine · NC

I received a engine recall notice and quickly went into Hyundai in April 2021 to have it inspected for thus recall. They performed the diagnostic testing and they informed me that my car does have the recall but passed the inspection so it’s fine. I didn’t feel comfortable knowing my car might fail but had no choice but to listen to the dealership. Fast forward to August, my husband and I were driving down to my parents on I-95 going 70 miles an hour when we suddenly heard a loud strange noise, then within seconds a loud bang. Smoke pouring out the back of the car, the car shuts down, engine light comes on, and we now have a potential deadly situation. Thank God my husband was driving, he used all his power to turn the wheel and safely get us off the hwy. I am upset that Hyundai knows ppl have bad engines and sends us off after an apparent awful diagnostic test to potentially die in an accident. If I was driving I know we wouldn’t be here today. Tow truck driver says he sees it all the time and we are lucky to be alive. I will attach a picture of the engine that we took when we pulled off the hwy. I pray no one has to go thru this but I know many people are. It’s just not right.

Filed May 11, 2021 · Engine · 96,128 miles · FL

I went grocery shopping on wed april 21,2021 came out tried starting my 2012 hyundai santa fe and it wouldn't start I proceeded to try again and it started making this high pitched noise ,peaked out really loud a puff of smoke came out from underneath my hood and the car was completely dead. I had it towed to my mechanic where he replaced the starter thinking that was the problem which it wasn't he informed me the engine was seized up . I then had the santa fe towed to the hyundai dealership where it was purchased new from the original owner all service from day one has been done at this hyundai dealership we bought this car knowing the service records and history of car we also knew it came with a 10 year 100000 mile drive train warranty. Motor failed at 96128, would of been covered under manufactures drive train warranty if I was original owner I was told. After doing research we have discovered this is a common problem with the hyundai santa fe motors locking up. Service writer advised us to contact hyundai directly which I did my case #18222696 was told someone would call me within 3-5 business days which I haven't heard from anyone.

Filed Mar 5, 2020 · Engine · 108,000 miles · RI

My car started to randomly stall without any notice or check engine light. I brought my vehicle to a mechanic and was told all I needed was an oil change. Then one day my car stalled on the highway. The police were notified by another vehicle because they thought my car was on fire. I cannot believe they havent recalled this engine yet. I could have been killed. I sat on the highway in the police car until the tow truck arrived because my car stalled in a bad location and was smoking. My car was towed to the nearest hyundai dealership and is now going through diagnostic testing. Hyundai manufacturer was directly engaged and they are asking for photos of the engine. How about keeping people safe hyundai and recall this engine as well and pay for the repairs as the next person this happens to may not make it out of their car to tell their story.... Terrible horrifying incident.

Filed Apr 18, 2019 · Engine · 194,000 miles · AZ

The vehicle was stationary in a private parking lot at a doctor's office. I tried many times to start the vehicle. The engine sounded like it would kick over but did not. I then heard a kind of whirring sound when attempting to start the engine and noticed smoke coming from under the hood. I exited the vehicle and opened the hood. A significant amount of smoke was coming from the lower part of the engine. The smell was kind of electrical in nature. I was concerned that the engine would catch fire so I went into the doctor's office, asked for a bottle of water, then doused the left side of the engine. I left my car in the parking lot and was picked up by my family. I am quite afraid to even attempt to start the car again. I will have to call a tow truck to take the car to a mechanic. There is no reason for the engine to have smoked like that.

Filed Mar 27, 2019 · Electrical · 107,500 miles · FL · fire

Came home 8 pm. Son came home shortly after 10 pm. Just after midnight my car alarm started going off (car locked and parked in driveway), I got out of bed looked through blinds and saw my car was on fire. I ran to kitchen grabbed fire extinguisher attempted to put out fire and called 911. Fire dept determined fire started inside car at wiring area.