2012 Hyundai Tucson
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 255 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 21 Tucson model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 12 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 9 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
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
Representative owner complaints: engine
168 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Jan 19, 2022
Air conditioning system was just replaced for $2000. A week later, car to a dealership for a recall. Two and a half weeks later, while driving, engine lights came on, hard to accelerate, then rattling noise from engine. My son was on way back to college and on a rural road with not too much traffic. He pulled over and was not able to restart car. Had to be towed to nearest town (between home and his school, about 1 1/2 hours from each). The repair shop said total engine failure. They investigated and not able to find a rebuilt engine because engine has too many problems and a used engine would be $8000 to install and would likely have same defect. The car only has 96,000 miles. We bought used, from a Hyundai dealership, with a good CarFax report. It was a safety problem because he could have been devastating if he was on a busy highway. Unfortunately, it happened in a scarcely populated area and he was stranded while it was getting dark waiting for the tow truck. No warning lights until time of engine breakdown. Car had just been seen at a service station and car dealership just days before breakdown. We cannot take chance of investing that much money into a car that would have same problem. Had to have car sold for scrap.
Engine, Jan 13, 2022
The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving approximately 68 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle lunged forward. The check engine warning light was flashing. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the connecting rod and engine needed to be replaced. Additionally, cylinder #3 was blown. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,450.
Engine, Oct 7, 2021
10/5/21Driving on interstate. Experienced sudden loss of power. Pulled to side of road and car completely stopped and shut down. No warning lights prior to incident. Vehicle routinely serviced and had full tank of gas. Mechanic stated catastrophic engine failure.
Engine, Sep 20, 2021, fire
The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact owns a 60 MPH, the contact heard a loud pop noise and from the outside of the vehicle and the vehicle began to lose motive power and smoke coming from the front of the hood. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and open the hood and saw fire coming from the engine. The contact back up and waited for police to come out to assist. The fire extinguished on its own. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was later deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine, Jul 19, 2021
Noticed a knocking had started and soon after the car stalled on the freeway. Towed to mechanic and then dealership. Engine failure. Metal shavings found in oil. Failed rod bearing.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 9, 2021, fire
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 75 mph, the contact heard a clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated moments later, a loud explosion came from the rear of the vehicle. The contact saw smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle stalled while driving to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the engine needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced two years prior under NHTSA campaign number: 19V063000 (Engine and engine cooling) which the contact related to the failure. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Engine, Jun 29, 2021
My vehicle has stalled (died) several times on me in the last several months. This happens when I am pulling into traffic or stopping at a light, etc. and is a serious problem because it could cause me to be hit. I took the car to my licensed mechanic and he said there was metal in the variable timing hub...he put the new part on it and then changed the oil and took it for a test drive. On return it was rechecked and found to be full of metal shavings again. He stated I would need new engine because mine was falling apart. He checked for recalls and found that this problem was a recall on the Santa Fe and the Sonata but not for my Tuscon...this does not make sense as these vehicles basically have the same or similar engines. Check engine light and oil light came on and stayed on. I was advised by my mechanic to contact you with this problem. I believe Tuscons should be added to the recall list before lives are lost. I believe my car should be repaired by the dealership..I would appreciate any help you can give me on this
Engine, Jun 22, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at 40 - 50 mph, the vehicle lost motive power without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and diagnosed as engine failure. The mechanic referred the contact to tow the vehicle to another independent mechanic who specialized in engine repair. The vehicle was then towed to the second independent mechanic where the vehicle remained. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was over 100,000.
Engine, Apr 27, 2021
HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED ON THE CITY STREET. THE MECANIC HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE DUE TO THE ENGINE ISSUE. SUBMITTED A CLAIM TO HYUNDAI- CAMPAIGN181 IN JANUARY WITH NO RESPONSE.
Engine, Feb 25, 2021
[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, Feb 25, 2021
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 70 MILES AND HOUR AND FOR NO REASON I LOST POWER , THE OIL LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT FLASHED BRIEFLY AND THANKFULLY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OFF THE HIGHWAY. IT TURNED OFF. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGIN AND BABY IT TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION LESS THAN A MILE DOWN THE ROAD. MY HUSBAND TOLD ME TO JUST BABY IT HOME AND HE WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT. IT STARTED MAKING A TICKING SOUND. I DID GET IT HOME AND MY HUSBAND SAID MY ENGINE WAS SHOT. NOW I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW THIS IS POSSIBLE FOR A CAR THAT WAS RUNNING JUST FINE AND THEN ALL THIS WERID STUFF HAPPENS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. NOW WE HAVE A DEAD CAR THAT WE STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR. AND WE CAN'T AFFORD A NEW ENGINE PLUS THE LABOR TO PUT IT IN. NOW WE ARE TRYING TO FIND A NEW CAR.
Engine, Feb 23, 2021
I HAVE A 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON AWD WITH 86,000 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING IT RECENTLY COULD HEAR ENGINE RATTLE/KNOCKING NOISE. BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER AND AFTER TWO DAYS LOOKING AT IT, THEY SAID THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THEY SAID THE DAMAGE IS IN THE LOWER PART OF THE ENGINE. THEY SAID SINCE I AM THE SECOND OWNER, MANUFACTURER WARRANTY DOES NOT APPLY. $9000 TO REPLACE ENGINE. RECALL FOR THIS ENGINE IN THE 2012 KIA WITH THE MANUFACTURER PAYS TO HAVE REPLACED, BUT NOT FOR SAME ISSUE UNDER THE HYUNDAI BRAND??
Engine, Jan 19, 2021
WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, A CLICKING OR CLACKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE THEN SEEMED TO SUDDENLY LOOSE POWER THEN STALL. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A PARKING LOT. WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED, FOUND OIL POURING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE AND ALSO SAW A LONG TRAIL OF OIL LEADING FROM THE HIGHWAY TO THE VEHICLE. ALSO FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL AND DEBRIS FROM THE BROKEN ENGINE BLOCK CAUGHT IN THE PLASTIC SHROUD UNDER THE ENGINE.
Engine, Dec 20, 2020, fire
THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING NOISE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS RUNNING.
Engine, Dec 6, 2020
I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL ON NOV. 27TH ON THE VEHICLE. I MADE AN APPT WITH A HYUDAI DEALER FOR SERVICE. ON DEC. 2 I WAS DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP ON A CITY ROAD, AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A STOPLIGHT STOP, THE ENGINE BLEW. LUCKILY WE WERE ALL AT A LOW SPEED AS THE LIGHT HAD JUST GONE GREEN. DEALERSHIP SAYS IT THREW A ROD THROUGH BLOCK AND SENT ME A PICTURE. THIS CAR HAS THE THETA II ENGINE. MY MODEL AND YEAR HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN THE RECALLS NOR LAWSUITS FOR THE ISSUE THE ENGINE IS HAVING IN OTHER MODELS, BUT THIS ENGINE HAD ONLY 80K, HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED, AND I CANT IMAGINE WHAT ELSE WOULD CAUSE SUCH A THING OTHER THAN A MANUFACTURING DEFECT LIKE THE ONE I AM READING ABOUT WITH THE DEBRIS.
Engine, Oct 13, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LESTER GLENN HYUNDAI TOMS RIVER (386 NJ-37, TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753; (732) 691-4108) WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Power train, Engine, Sep 23, 2020
I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A CLICK CLICK NOISE. IT SOUNDED TERRIBLE LIKE THERE WERE ROCKS RATTLING AROUND AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE AND LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN AND I HAD TO FIND A TO AND RENTAL CAR TO GET HOME. HYUNDAI SERVICE SAID I NEED A NEW ENGINE, BECAUSE THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACED. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ON THE HYUNDAI ENGINES AND I CALLED THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FLAT OUT TOLD ME THAT MY NGINE WAS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY AND THEREFORE THEY COULD NOT HELP. I AM NOT READY TO HAVE TO GET A NEW VEHICLE, SPECIALLY IN THIS COVID SITUATION. I HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH A 2003 TUSCON SANTA FE...THIS ENGINE FAILURE ISSUE IS A SCAM.
Engine, Sep 4, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI TUSCAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE BEGAN TO COME FROM THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AS IF THE MOTOR HAD BEEN BLOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V063000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, IT WAS FOR CHANGING AN OIL PAN GASKET AND THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH, NOT THE ENGINE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Sep 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V063000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED JIM CLICK HYUNDAI AUTO MALL TUCSON (700 W AUTO MALL DR, TUCSON, AZ 85705, (877) 888-2233) WHO CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Power train, Engine, Sep 2, 2020
I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A NOISE. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT SOUNDED TERRIBLE LIKE THERE WERE ROCKS RATTLING AROUND IN THE ENGINE AND IT SHUT DOWN. I WAS INITIALLY IN TOWN WHEN IT STARTED AND JUST GOT ON THE HWY WHEN SHE BROKE DOWN. HUBBY, TWO PUPPIES, AND I WERE STRANDED IN THE SIDE OF THE HWY IN 100 DEGREE HEAT FOR 2 HRS. HAD TO RENT A MOVING TRUCK AND TRAILER TO MAKE THE TREK BACK HOME TO GA. HYUNDAI SERVICE SAID IT THREW A ROD AND SHREDDED IN THE ENGINE AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACED. MINIMUM OF $5500 FOR THE ENGINE ITSELF. I SWITCHED TO SYNTHETIC OIL ON THE FIRST CHANGE WHEN I GOT HER NEW AND WAS REGULAR WITH HER MAINTENANCE. I WAS NOT READY TO HAVE TO GET A NEW VEHICLE JUST YET.
Engine, Aug 26, 2020
ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS AT HYUNDAI GETTING RECALLS DONE ONLY WEEKS BEFORE SEIZING.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 24, 2020
I RECEIVED THE RECALL OF MY 2012 HYUNDAI TUSCON. AS A PRECAUTION I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE RECALL 181 AND AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE I HAD WITH THE POWER WINDOWS. I VISITED THE DEALER TWO WEEKS APART AND SAT AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR MORE THAN 5 HOURS WITH THE SECOND VISIT BEING FOR 8 HOURS. I WAS TOLD SOMETHING WAS LEAKING IN STEERING AND THAT HAD TL BE FIXED. I LEFT WITH MY CAR AND APPROXIMATELY 8 DAYS LATER THERE WAS A CLICKING AND CLANKING AOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE, IVE NEVER HEARD THE SOUND, YET ON MY PAPERWORK IT STATED I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SOUND, WHICH I NEVER DID. MY CAR STARTED TO STALL AND LOSE SPEED. I WAS OVER 100 MILES FROM HOME AND MY CAR WAS FAILING IN THE MOUNTAINS AT THAT. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MULTIPLE TIMES AND NEVER RECEIVED A CALL BACK. THANK GOD FOR MY INSURANCE TOWING THE CAR TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP. A DAY AND HALF LATER I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE WAS GONE! I VISITED THE DEALERSHIP ON 07/31/20 & 08/14/20... THEY DOCUMENTED A RATTLING RATTLING SOUND IN THE FRONT IN... NEVER ADDRESSED ME ABOUT THIS 'SOUND' , DID A SO CALL INSPECTION OF THE CAR AND NEXT THING I AM TOLD IS I CANT DRIVE IT BECAUSE THE ENGINE COULD BLOW. NO RETURN FROM HYUNDAI SERVICE MANAGER, NO CLAIM FILED AND I AM STILL OUT OF STATE WITHOUT AN ANSWER. CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE SAT ONLINE 30 MINS WAITING FOR A REP BEFORE THEIR LINE DISCONNECTED AND THEM ANOTHER HOUR. FILED A CASE AND NOW STILL STUCK WAITING FOR THESE PEOPLE TO DO THEIR JOB WITH OUT PUTTING MY LIFE AT RISK.
Engine, Aug 12, 2020
DRIVING MY 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON IN JERSEY CITY, NJ, ENGINE START MAKING A NOISE, I STOPPED, IT WAS NO ANY LIGHT ON ON MY DASH. SHOT OFF MY CAR, THE STARS AGAIN, NOISE WAS STILL ON.... TAKE A CAR TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, LEFT THERE FOR COUPLE DAYS, THEN RESILT IS COMING? CAR NEEDS A FULL ENGINE . I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR WITH OIL CHANGES AND THE CAR HAS 56700 MILES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF FAILURE OF THE THETA II 2.4 LITER ENGINES, WHICH MY CAR HAS, YET NO RECALL ISSUES. WILL BE AROUND $6000 DOLLARS, HYUNDAI DEALER TELLS ME, MY CAR WILL NOT COVER BY WARRANTY, BECAUSE I'M NOT A FIRST OWNER I'AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE THAT POSES A RISK TO LIFE. AND HYUNDAI MANUFACTURERS SHOULD TAKE A FULL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THEIR ENGINE FAILURES ON TUCSON VEHICLES.
Engine, Jul 23, 2020
WAS DRIVING MY 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON WHEN IT SUDDENLY DIED AT A STOPLIGHT. IT WOULDN'T RESTART. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO RESTART IT NOTHING HAPPENED, NO CLICKING, IT DIDN'T TURN OVER AT ALL. CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THEM TOW IT TO OUR LOCAL FIRESTONE. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON IT AND THE ONLY THING THEY COULD SEE WAS THAT THE STARTER WASN'T WORKING. THEY REPLACED THE STARTER AND AFTER STRUGGLING TO GET IT TO START EVEN WITH THE NEW STARTER IT CLANGED AND BANGED AND THEN DIED AGAIN ONCE THEY WERE ABLE TO GET IT STARTED. I CHECKED ONLINE AND SAW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR AND SAID IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND THAT THE DAMAGE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND PURCHASED THE CAR USED FROM THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO WHEN IT HAD APPROX. 57K MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS APPROX. 80K MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED. I CHANGE THE OIL REGULARLY. BEFORE THIS THERE WERE NO ISSUES. HYUNDAI AND THE DEALER TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY AND SAY THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR THE NEW ENGINE.
Engine, Jul 8, 2020
I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR HAD A SMALL METALLIC NOISE THAT GOT WORSE, AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AND DID NOT START AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED ON THE RAMP WHEN I WAS ENTERING A HIGHWAY. I PULL THE CAR TO THE SHELTER AND CALLED FOR A TROW.