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
255 reports, newest first.
Steering, May 17, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 TO 40 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CRASH CAUSED NO INJURIES AND THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Wheels, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 16, 2012
THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING FEELS STUCK,VAGUE,HARD,LACKS OF MANEUVERABILITY AND FEEDBACK WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, FEELING THE SENSATION THAT YOU WILL LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.THE VEHICLE GOES TO EITHER WAYS (RIGHT OR LEFT SIDE) GIVING THE IMPRESSION THAT YOU ARE GOING TO CRASH.ALSO IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE ALIGN ON THE ROAD LANE AND IT HAS TO BE CORRECTED CONSTANTLY REQUIRING MORE PHYSICAL EFFORT THAN NORMAL DRIVING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, Dec 21, 2011
BRAND NEW CAR- A FEW DAYS AFTER PURCHASING AND DRIVING THE CAR, NOTICED CAR WAS NOT DRIVING RIGHT. SEVERAL SYMPTOMS BECAME NOTICEABLE. CAR WOULD JERK WHEN ACCELERATING AND BRAKING. CARS PICK UP WAS DELAYED AND HAD A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE VIBRATION, WHILE IN IDLE AND WHILE DRIVING, TO THE POINT OF GETTING NAUSEOUS WHILE DRIVING IN THE CAR. TOOK CAR TO HYUNDAI SERVICE AND TOLD THEM OF SYMPTOMS AND MY CONCERNS OF SOMETHING NOT RIGHT WITH THE CAR. THE MECHANICS FELT THE PROBLEMS I EXPLAINED ABOVE AND SAID SOMETHING WAS WRONG, NOW HAD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT EXACTLY. SEVERAL TESTS WERE DONE ON THE CAR BUT NOTHING SHOWED UP ON ELECTRICAL GRID. SERVICE HAD TO CALL A HIGHER TECH OUT IN CALIFORNIA TO SEE WHAT TO DO NEXT. CALIFORNIA TECH MADE THEM RUN SEVERAL TESTS, ALL THIS TOOK MORE THEN 2 WEEKS UNTIL THEY FINALLY FIGURED OUT THAT THE ENGINES THROTTLE ASSY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THEY SAID THAT THIS ALSO CAUSED THE SENSOR TO MALFUNCTION. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE ASSY AND CLAIM THE CAR IS REPAIRED. NO LONGER TRUST CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE DEFECTS THAT WHERE FOUND AFTER THE ORIGINAL INSPECTIONS BY THE MANUFACTURE AND THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO FIND THESE DEFECTS WITH THE CAR AND SOLD IT. *TR
Power train, Dec 6, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PLACING HER VEHICLE IN PARK AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, IT ROLLED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO A BUS. NO POLICE WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 6, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, EVEN AFTER THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED TO CAPACITY. SHE HAD TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,304. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 1,000.