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: structure
9 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Structure, Aug 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for an oil change, the contact was informed that the subframe was significantly rusted. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 25-35 MPH, she was losing control of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull to the side of the roadway. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, she noticed that the rear passenger's side wheel was dislocated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the subframe and other parts were severely rusted. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the frame and the suspension were damaged and needed to be replaced. The contact was provided a cost for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that an undercoating spray was previously applied to the underbody of the vehicle as a corrosion preventative service under TSB Number: 16-01-045. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 105,576.
Structure, Aug 26, 2023
There are several issues with the rear doors. It started when the rear doors would not respond to being unlocked by the key fob. Then the rear hatch would not open without the back doors being unlocked first, which required (the rear doors) to be opened manually. Finally, the rear driver-side door will not open manually or otherwise; it is stuck shut. All of these issues are grave safety concerns that Hyundai should address.
Structure, Jan 11, 2020
THE LEFT REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE HANDLE OR INSIDE HANDLE. UNLOCKING FROM THE KEY FOB OR DRIVERS DOOR CONTROL OR THE LOCK ON THE REAR DOOR PANEL DOES NOT WORK. WE CAN NOT IN ANY WAY OPEN THE DOOR. IT WORKED FINE FOR QUITE A WHILE THEN BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING OCCASIONALLY AND THEN FINALLY WOULD NOT OPEN AT ALL. NOTHING SEEMS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WEATHER RUNNING, ENGINE OFF, OTHER DOORS UNLOCKED, OPEN OR CLOSED. IT WILL NEVER UNLOCK OR OPEN. I HAVE GRANDCHILDREN AND CAN'T TAKE THEM BOTH WITH ME. IT IS UNSAFE TO HAVE A CHILD ON THAT SIDE OF THE CAR, OR IN THE BACK SEAT AT ALL FOR THAT MATTER. IF THE CAR IS INVOLVED IN A CRASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR IS IN-ACCESSIBLE IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THE CHILDREN, OR ADULTS, OUT OF THE CAR.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Jul 28, 2018, fire
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE DRIVEWAY - IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN OR EVEN STARTED IN OVER 28 HOURS. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND IT WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID NOT CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DID FULL BRAKE WORK 10 DAYS PRIOR TO THE FIRE OCCURRING.
Structure, Jun 13, 2016
A PANEL COVERING THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF MECHANISM DETACHED ON THE I90 WHILE TRAVELLING AT 70MPH. THE PANEL WAS NOT FOUND. THE DETACHMENT WAS AUDIBLE HEARD AS THE PANEL SWUNG AROUND AND STRUCK THE CAR. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO=ONE TRAVELING BEHIND ME AT THE TIME.
Electrical system, Structure, Jun 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ENTERING OR EXITING THE VEHICLE, SHE ALWAYS RECEIVED AN ELECTRIC SHOCK WHEN TOUCHING THE DOORS. THE VECHILE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Structure, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Jan 22, 2014
I WAS HAVING MY CAR CLEANED AFTER A WEEK AT THE BEACH AND THE LITTLE PLASTIC CIRCLE THAT HOLD THE FLOOR MATS IN PLACE CAME OFF OF THE FLOOR MAT. NOW WHEN I DRIVE THE FLOOR MAT IS CONSTANTLY RIDING UP ONTO THE GAS PEDAL. I CALLED HYUNDAI AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND I'D HAVE TO PURCHASE A WHOLE NEW SET OF FLOOR MATS FOR OVER $100. THE CAR WAS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD AT THE TIME.... NOW I HAVE HAD TO TAKE THE FLOOR MAT OUT BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THE GAS PEDAL WILL GET STUCK OR THE FLOOR MAT WILL PREVENT ME FROM USING THE BRAKE PROPERLY. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Wheels, Nov 15, 2013, crash
WE WERE GOING THROUGH A GREEN TRAFFIC LIGHT, WE WERE ABOUT THE 6TH CAR THROUGH THE LIGHT WHEN VEHICLE COMING OUT OF NOWHERE RAN THE RED LIGHT FROM THE CROSS STREET AT ABOUT 55MPH, DID NOT TRY TO STOP, WE SLOWED TO ALMOST A STOP AND SWERVED TO AVOID THE PERSON. SHE DID NOT TRY TO STOP AND T-BONED US IN THE DRIVERS WHEEL AND DOOR, BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT ACTIVATE, EVEN WITH THIS HIGH SPEED COLLISION. THIS IS THE SECOND ACCIDENT OF THIS KIND WHERE THEY DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE FIRST WAS IN JANUARY AND WE WERE REAR ENDED AT A HIGH SPEED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Structure, Aug 8, 2013, crash
I BOUGHT A NEW CAR. 3 1/2 MONTHS LATER , I WAS REAR-ENDED. I TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO GET TAILGATE AND PAN AND BUMPER REPAIRED. WHEN WE PICKED UP VEHICLE, STRONG TOXIC FUMES FROM REPAIR WERE SO STRONG THAT WE COULD NOT DRIVE CAR. INSTANT HEADACHE, UPPER RESPIRATORY AGGRAVATION, SORE THROAT, BURNING EYES. CAR HAS BEEN TO REPAIR SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES AND MONTHS LATER STILL CAUSES ILLNESS IN FAMILY. AT ONE TIME THAT I DROVE CAR I ALMOST LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. I HAVE INFORMED HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES. I INFORMED HYUNDAI CORPORATION. PROBLEM PERSISTS CONSISTENTLY FOR 8-9 MONTHS AND AFTER NUMEROUS TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP. THE DOG FOAMS AND VOMITS BEFORE CAR STARTS MOVING. *TR