2011 Hyundai Tucson
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 124 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 15th highest complaint count among 21 Tucson model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 5 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 22, 2023
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
Campaign 23V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineFeb 5, 2019
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Tucson vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai has notified owners, and dealers will inspect for an oil pan leak, replacing it if necessary, and install an updated oil pressure switch, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 181.
Campaign 19V063000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, cooling unit and linesJan 28, 2016
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Hyundai Tucson vehicles manufactured July 22, 2010, to October 31, 2010. The affected vehicles have a transmission fluid cooler hose that may have been improperly manufactured, resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission fluid cooler hose, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 25, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 139.
Campaign 16V057000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsMay 13, 2014
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Hyundai Tucson vehicles manufactured January 3, 2011, through December 23, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the air bag assembly installed in the steering wheel may come loose from its mounting.
An air bag assembly that is not properly mounted may result in an increased risk of injury to the driver in the event of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts that secure the driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 118.
Campaign 14V245000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
Campaign 13V113000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
12 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Mar 30, 2025
Recall # 251 has been going on at great length and I have an appointment for 11:30am April 1,2025 for what they deem as a solution to # 251 Recall that does not fix the problem and goes against everything that the NHTSA and FEDERAL GOVERMENT LAWS are in place for, you are allowing them to continue to not do what the laws clearly state and in a certain time period have repaired, replaced or make restiitution for the recalled issue it also is stated that they do not need to for automobiles older than 15years.Their Bandaid only creates other problems and dangers and by 02/11/2026 my car will be 16years old but it wasn’t when all this first started,I own a time bomb and can not afford to buy another vehicle,Im retired and live on a fixed income. Im not sure if letting them change a fuse to a lower wattage so it would fail and make the ABS System Disabled there by stopping leaking brake fluid from igniting.Does Not Meet Any Requirements and Creates More Issues.My Car has AWD and is low mileage for the age.I don’t agree with letting them do this but Im afraid of what NHTSA or They can do if I don’t,Why aren’t you stopping them perpetrate a fraud.This is not by your own law's fines have not helped the millions involved in this #251 Recall Thankyou.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Apr 15, 2024, fire
The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, there was smoke coming from underneath the passenger's side of the hood. The contact immediately veered to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. The contact stated while attempting to grab the fire extinguisher in the trunk, she noticed that there was fire underneath the vehicle. The vehicle became engulfed in fire. A fire department report and a police report were filed but were not currently available. The contact and the three other passengers who were occupying the vehicle at the time of the incident sustained trauma but did not seek medical assistance. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Jun 4, 2022
Recalls for my model
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2022
Fuel gauge stoped working, ran out of gass while driving on the highway. I was able to pull over to the side slowly. No warning lamps or other symptoms.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 1, 2019
MY 2011 HYUNDAI TUCSON STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY CITY ROAD . I WAS GOING STRAIGHT WITH 40 MILES/HOUR WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER FOR UNNOWN REASON, AND STARTED SLOWING DOWN, THEN COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE ENGINE STOPPED, GAS PEDAL WAS NOT RESPONDING. THE CHECK ENGINE, OIL PRESSURE, AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME WHEN CAR STALLED. BATTERY IS A COUPLE OF MONTHS OLD, EVERYTHING SEEM TO OPERATE NORMALLY EXCEPT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT START. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO A TURNING LAIN TO AVOID ANY ACCIDENT AND CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO SAFETY. I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM HYUNDAI A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CHECKED. THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS YET AND THEY WILL CONTACT ME AS SOON AS THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A CALL AND NOW MY VEHICLE STALLED. IT IS INOPERABLE.
Electrical system, Seats, Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2019, fire
I PARKED THE CAR 6/12/19 WED THAT EVENING AND EVERYTHING SEEMED OK. AT 1030AM THE NEXT DAY, 6/13/19, I TRIED TO USE ELECTRIC KEY TO UNLOCK TO GO TO WORK AND REALIZED IT WOULDN'T UNLOCK SO I NOTICED BLACK SOOT ABOVE DRIVER WINDOW AND TRIED MANUAL KEY TO UNLOCK. I COULD BARELY CRACK TO SEE THE SEAT EXPLODED ON DRIVERS SIDE. CALLED 911 AND FIREMEN AND POLITICS ARRIVED. THE FIREMAN COMPLETELY OPENED THE DOOR AND AFTER EXAMINE SAID THE HEATED SEAT DEVICE HAD EXPLODED OR MALFUNCTION AND THE BACK OF SEAT WAS BLOWN IN A RECLINED TO THE BACK SEAT POSITION AND ALL WINDOWS COMPLETELY COVERED IN SOOT, AND A VERY STRONG ELECTRICAL FIRE SMELLL WAS OBSERVED. BELOW ARE PHOTOS OF CAR WHICH WAS PARKED AND IT HAPPENED DURING THE NIGHT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2018
MY AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR HAD BLOWN OUT AND THE DEALER IS SAYING IT WILL COST $1200. I LIVE IN A STATE THAT HAS 100 DEGREE WEATHER. THERE HAS TO BE SOME ACCOMMODATION FOR THIS. IF I OWED MY CHEVY THEY HAVE A SPECIAL POLICY FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HYUNDAI THEIR CARS ARE CRAPPY. I HAVE A CASE NUMBER WITH CONSUMER AFFAIRS 11380579. WHEN THE REPRESENTATIVE DID CAL WE PLAYED PHONE TAG FOR HER TO TELL ME I WAS BASICALLY OUT OF LUCK
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 4, 2016
I RECENTLY REACHED 115000 MILES ON MY TUCSON. IT STARTED 2 WEEKS AGO, THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR HIGHER OUTPUT THAN IT SHOULD. IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO START SINCE IT WOULDN'T HOLD A CHARGE. ONCE REPLACED, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN NOT LONG AFTER SO I TOOK IT INTO A SHOP. THEY FOUND THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE TWO OF THE CAM SHAFT SENSORS. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, DRIVINGMY HUSBAND AND KIDS, THE RMP GAUGE WENT OUT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. ONCE STOPPED AND RESTARTED, THE RPM GAUGE RE-ENGAGED AND DRIVE FINE. NO ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DRIVING HOME TODAY, 66 MILES AWAY FROM HOME ON INTERSTATE 78 IN NEW JERSEY, THE RMP GAUGE WENT OUT AGAIN. I PULLED OVER ON THE SHOULDER, PUT ON MY FLASHERS AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. I WAITED ABOUT 5 MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THIS TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ENGAGED. I WAS A FEW MILES FROM MY EXIT, AND THE RMP GAUGE AGAIN WENT OUT, AT THIS POINT, I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE TRACTOR TRAILERS ALL AROUND ME. WHILE REVIEWING OTHER HYUNDAI ISSUES, I SEE OTHER MODELS HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES, YET NO RECALL FOR THE TUCSON. I AM NOW NOT ONLY FEARFUL OF DRIVING IT, ENGINE LIGHT OR NOT, BUT DO NOT HAVE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION TO WORK.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 10, 2013
THE CAR WOULD NOT START WHEN I WENT TO START IT UP. IT WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER AND JUST CLICKED WHEN I WENT TO START IT. I HAD TO CALL HYUNDAI ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO COME AND JUMP THE CAR. THEY DID AND IT TOOK THEM A COUPLE OF TRIES AND THEY HAD TO USE THEIR VEHICLE, NOT THE PORTABLE STARTER. THEY SAID THAT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THAT BECAUSE THERE WERE NO LIGHTS LEFT ON. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY CHECKED THE BATTERY AND SAID IT WAS IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON FEBRUARY 3, 2013 AND I HAD TO DO THE SAME THING. I HAD THE DEALERSHIP CHECK THE BATTERY AND IT WAS FINE. ON MARCH 15, 2013, THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED THE BATTERY AND IT REGISTERED A STRONG CHARGE. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED ME TO LEAVE THE CAR THERE OVERNIGHT TO DUPLICATE THE CONDITIONS OF THE CAR NOT STARTING UP, BUT WERE NOT WILLING TO LET ME USE A FREE LOANER. AS THE TEMPERATURE WARMED UP, IT WAS NOT AN ISSUE. HOWEVER, TODAY I WENT TO START MY CAR AND LEAVE FOR WORK, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START UP. IT JUST CLICKED, THE RADIO WORKED, LIGHTS WORKED, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I AM TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP LATER TODAY AND THEY WILL LET ME USE A LOANER FOR FREE. I HOPE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX THE PROBLEM AS I NEED MY VEHICLE FOR TRANSPORTATION. *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 19, 2013
THE DOWNHILL BRAKE CONTROL (DBC) INDICATOR AND THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) LIGHTS COME ON WHILE CAR IS IN OPERATION FOR NO APPARENT REASON - DRIVING NORMAL SPEED - ABOUT 45 MPH, IN NORMAL DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. WHEN I GO TO STOP THE CAR, THE SHIFT LEVER GETS STUCK AND CANNOT PUT IN PARK. IT TAKES A FEW TRIES AT JIGGLING THE SHIFT LEVER AND JIGGLING KEY IN IGNITION TO GET IT TO GO INTO PARK. AFTER SHUTTING OFF ENGINE, RESTART IS NORMAL WITH THE DBC AND ESC LIGHTS NO LONGER ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES SINCE ORIGINAL TIME I NOTICED IT A FEW MONTHS AGO. DUE TO DEATH IN THE FAMILY AND OTHER ISSUES, HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE IT INTO TO DEALER SINCE THE FIRST OCCURRENCE I NOTICED IN MARCH. I'M TAKING IT IN TOMORROW AND WILL ADVISE. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Aug 14, 2013
INCLINE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON DASH, SIGNALING AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. DISCOVERED THAT EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE UPON DEPRESSION OF BRAKE PEDDLE, OR WOULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO DISCOVERED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THIS CONDITION, THE CAR WOULD NOT ALLOW THE GEAR SHIFT TO GO INTO PARK. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION FOR THIS VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE BEING REAR ENDED DUE TO THE INOPERABLE BRAKE LIGHT INDICATORS. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Mar 28, 2013
COMMENT: I HAVE BROUGHT IN MY TUCSON FOR THE CLUNKING TRANSMISSION ISSUE 5 TIMES NOW. EACH RETURN TO THE SERVICE CENTER RESULTS IN A CANNOT DUPLICATE RESPONSE. 1. ON THE MORNING OF 28 MARCH 2013, APPROXIMATELY 20 SECONDS AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, A LOUD MECHANICAL CLUNK WAS HEARD AND FELT FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT RESPOND, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AND THE P,R,N,D INDICATOR IN THE DASH BOARD DISPLAY WENT BLANK. THE CAR WAS SHIFTED INTO P, A LOUD MECHANICAL CLUNK' WAS HEARD AND FELT FOLLOWED BY A LOUD CRUNCH'. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF, AND THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED WITH NO ISSUES ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS WARMED UP. 2. RECALL SERVICE FOR THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE COUPLING PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN EXIBITING THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGE AND REENGAGE SYMPTOM WHILE DRIVING UNDER ACCELERATION. THIS OCCURS APPROXIMATELY ONCE A DAY UNDER ANY INCLINE OR FLAT CONDITION WHILE ACCELERATING. 3. WHILE ACCELERATING UP HILL, SPECIFICALLY UP HILL WHILE ACCELERATING UP TO 45 MPH THE VEHICLE WILL DOWN SHIFT TO CLIMB THE HILL. UNDER 2 CONDITIONS 1. CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, 2. CONSTANT ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATION.THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RE-UPSHIFT ONCE THE HILL HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND KEEPS AN ELEVATED RPM RANGE OF APPROXIMATELY 3000 RPM EVEN WHILE ON LEVEL GROUND WHILE PASSING TAX AND REVENUE. THE RPMS DO NOT LOWER AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT UP SHIFT UNTIL EITHER THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED (TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL), OR THE ACCELERATOR IS LIFTED. NOTE: THE ENTIRE TIME THIS SITUATION IS OCCURRING THE ECON GREEN LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED.. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY DISENGAGES WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES WHILE DEPARTING INTERSECTION. THE TRANSMISSION ROBLEM HAS CONTINUED AND GROWN WORSE WITH EXAPNDING PROBLEMS. *TR