2010–2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Lug Nut Torque & Bolt Specs

The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe lug nut torque is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), tightened with a 17mm socket on M12x1.5 studs. Torque in a star pattern in two passes (snug, then final), and re-check after the first 50–100 miles of driving. Use a calibrated torque wrench — not an impact gun — for the final pass.

Lug nut torque: 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) · Socket size: 17mm · Thread: M12x1.5.

This page is the OEM-referenced fastener summary for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. Use it before any maintenance or repair job where torque values matter — brake work, wheel changes, suspension service, engine teardowns, or oil changes. Specs are pulled from manufacturer service literature, cross-checked against community data, and updated as new chassis variants become available.

These specifications also apply to the 2010 and 2011 model years — identical specs on file for each year.

Hyundai/Kia lug-nut torque is 79-88 ft-lbs on nearly all passenger models, M12x1.5 thread, 21mm socket. The Tucson, Sportage, and Santa Fe all use the same fastener spec. Hyundai's oil drain plug threads are unusually fine-pitch and strip easily — always use a torque wrench, not feel.

Common fastener categories on the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe

Wheel / lug nut torque and thread spec (covered above)
Brake caliper bracket bolts (typically 80-130 ft-lbs) and slide/guide pins (18-35 ft-lbs)
Engine oil drain plug torque — rarely above 30 ft-lbs; always use a new crush washer
Transmission pan, valve cover, and intake manifold bolts (low torque, often 89-106 in-lbs)
Suspension control arm, sway bar, tie rod end and ball joint torque
Spark plug torque (typically 10-15 ft-lbs on aluminum heads — do not exceed)
Differential cover bolts (RWD/4WD only) and transfer case fasteners

Repair guidance for this model year

For 2012 model-year work: This era introduced widespread torque-to-yield (TTY) bolts on head, main, and crank pulley fasteners. TTY bolts stretch permanently when torqued and must not be reused — the spec calls for a fresh bolt every time. Always verify TTY status against the FSM before reassembly.

Tools you will need

Metric socket set (8mm-22mm), 6-point impact-rated
Calibrated torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs covers most automotive jobs; add a 0-250 ft-lbs wrench for truck lug nuts)
Breaker bar (24" minimum) for initial loosening
Penetrating oil (PB Blaster or Kroil) for any fastener over 5 years old
Anti-seize on stainless or dissimilar-metal threads; thread-locker (Loctite blue) on critical reassembly

Frequently asked questions

What is the lug nut torque on a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe?

The OEM-specified lug-nut torque for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe is 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm), using a 17mm socket on M12x1.5 thread studs. Use a calibrated torque wrench in a star pattern, in two passes (50% and 100%), and re-check after 50-100 miles of driving.

What socket size do I need for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe lug nuts?

The 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe uses a 17mm socket. A 6-point impact-rated socket is recommended over a 12-point chrome socket — 12-points round off lug nuts under impact-driver use.

Are the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe fasteners metric or SAE?

Metric is the standard for this vehicle. Most fasteners on this vehicle are metric (M6, M8, M10, M12, M14). Bring a full metric set; SAE substitutes can round the head. Bolt-head markings are the fastest way to confirm grade and material at the bench.

Other Hyundai Santa Fe years

Same model, different model year — fastener spec may change. Always confirm against the year for your VIN.

→ 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe oil drain plug torque & size

→ 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe suspension & steering torque specs (control arm, ball joint, tie rod)

All 10 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe fastener specs

Per-bolt torque, wrench size, and thread spec for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe, sourced from OEM service literature and verified against community shop data. Values pair imperial (ft-lb) and metric (Nm) where the manufacturer publishes both. 1 of the 10 fastener specs on this page are independently verified against OEM service manuals and manufacturer torque data.

Wheels — 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe

Wheel and lug nut spec for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. At the all four wheels, the lug nut torques to 80 ft-lbs (108 Nm) (17mm drive, M12x1.5 thread).

Brakes — 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe

Brake fasteners on the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe — caliper bracket, slide pins, and banjo bolt torque follow. For the front caliper slide pin, plan for a 12mm tool on a M10x1.25 stud; final torque is 16-24 ft-lbs (front brake caliper slide pin). Confirmed against manufacturer service literature. Front brake caliper bracket bolt tightens to 58-72 ft-lbs, takes a 17mm driver, runs on M12x1.25 threads, located at the front brake caliper bracket.

Engine — 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe

Engine bolt-by-bolt torque for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe, including the long block, valve covers, and intake. Oil drain plug tightens to 25 ft-lbs (34 Nm), takes a 17mm driver, runs on M14x1.5 threads, located at the engine oil pan. The spark plug uses a 5/8" drive on a M14x1.25 thread, torqued to 15-22 ft-lbs at the cylinder head.

Suspension — 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe

Suspension and chassis fastener torque for the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe — strut, control arm, and sway bar values. The front strut top nut uses a 17mm drive on a M12x1.25 thread, torqued to 43-58 ft-lbs at the strut tower top mount. At the front wheel hub/axle, the front hub/bearing nut torques to 148-192 ft-lbs (32mm drive, M24x1.5 thread). For the rear shock absorber lower mount, plan for a 19mm tool on a M14x1.5 stud; final torque is 65-80 ft-lbs (rear shock lower bolt). Sway bar end link nut tightens to 25-34 ft-lbs, takes a 14mm driver, runs on M10x1.25 threads, located at the front sway bar end link. The tie rod end nut uses a 19mm drive on a M14x1.5 thread, torqued to 25-34 ft-lbs at the outer tie rod end to steering knuckle.

New to torquing wheels? Read our How lug nut torque works — the complete guide for star-pattern sequence, re-torque intervals, and how to read a lug spec — then use the 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe numbers above.

Loading the interactive 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe fastener lookup with per-bolt filtering, part links, and torque tools…