Everything NHTSA's vPIC database knows about this exact vehicle:
Decoding from NHTSA…
Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners
The decode above is what this vehicle is. For what it's been through — accidents, title brands, odometer, theft/total-loss and previous owners — pull a full history report.
NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.
5XYZGDAB5CG••••••2012 Hyundai SANTA FE
This build draws 2.2× more complaints than the average 2012 Hyundai SANTA FE build (8 vs 4).
8on this build
330on the model
89builds in total
1involved a crash
Most reportedEngine 6Suspension 2Steering 1Service Brakes 1
What owners of this build wrote
SteeringcrashJan 2019
While driving the engine would decelerator then cut out. I can be on the highway going speed limits of 70 or on a side street going 30 or under. It even happened when I pulled out of my drive way and drove down my street (4 houses down) and got to my cul-de-sac and all power…
EngineJul 2025
Engine light was blinking. Hearing grinding from the front. Steering locked up. I was able to pull over safely. Called tow truck. The mechanic diagnosed it said it needed a new engine. The car has 106,000 miles on it
SuspensionJul 2019
After hearing a metal rubbing sound when turning right, took the 2012 santa fe into the shop. The mechanic discovered that the front right strut ruined was ruined, the plate it was attached to was broken, and both front coils rusted and broken at the same spot. This seems like a…
EngineMar 2021
The contact owns a 2012 hyundai santa fe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V746000 (engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an…
EngineAug 2020
While driving on the hyway at 65 the engine seized and broke the engine block spraying oil onto the hot exhaust almost catching fire. This engine has been very well maintained and gave no warning signs of haveing a problem. A connecting rod bearing starved for oil and broke the…
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Owner complaints…
Now the whole model — all 89 builds of it, not just this build. Same NHTSA reports, wider net:
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Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
The original window sticker and factory options
Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN 5XYZGDAB5CG120112 · decoded Aug 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.