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.
Suspension, Jan 11, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE. UPON OPENING THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND A PIECE OF METAL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL SPRING FRACTURED. SANSONE AUTO MALL (100 US HIGHWAY 1, AVENEL, NJ 07001) ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000.
Engine, Dec 7, 2017
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY MY HUSBAND AND I STARTED TO HEAR A LOUD CLANKING NOISE UNDER OUR HOOD. WE BARELY MADE IT OFF THE NEXT EXIT, WITH VEHICLES HAVING TO QUICKLY GO AROUND US BECAUSE OUR SPEED WAS SLOWING DOWN AND THEN VEHICLE DIED, WE WERE STRANDED IN THE HEAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH OUR DOGS. AFTER SPEAKING WITH HYUNDAI CORPORATE THEY TOLD US TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. WE DID AND A CASE WAS OPENED WITH HYUNDAI. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP AS PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO NO FAULT OF OURS BUT THE WARRANTY DEPARTMENT DENIED OUR CLAIM BECAUSE WE ARE SECOND OWNERS. THE ENGINE IN OUR CAR HAS BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER MODELS BUT HYUNDAI IS TRYING TO HIDE THE FACT THAT IT EXTENDS TO THE TUCSON. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO NOT RECALL AND INFORM ALL HYUNDAI OWNERS WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE TO TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIR IMMEDIATELY! THE ENGINE WILL FAIL WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS AND FAST, USUALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. IT FAILS AT VERY LOW MILES WHEN YOU WOULD LEAST EXPECT AN ENGINE TO FAIL. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR THE OWNERS AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD.
Engine, Nov 30, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FLAMES EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. NISSAN OF HAWTHORNE DEALER LOCATED AT 1060 GOFFLE RD, HAWTHORNE, NJ WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD START AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. *BF CONSUMER STATED IT WAS EITHER A DEFECT OR POOR MAINTENANCE BECAUSE IT WAS A STRONG OIL ORDER. UPDATED 8/20/18*JB
Engine, Oct 30, 2017
SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION/POWER WHILE DRIVING CAR STRAIGHT THROUGH A PARKING LOT. THANK GOODNESS I HADN'T MADE IT TO THE HIGHWAY! ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR CAME TO ROLLING STOP. TURNED CAR OFF AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON THERE WAS A LOUD RATTLE IN THE ENGINE WHILE ACCELERATING. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC RIGHT AWAY AND WAS ADVISED THE ENGINE WOULD NEED REPLACEMENT (THOUGH THEY DID NOT TAKE IT APART TO DETERMINE EXACT ISSUE). ISSUE SEEMS CONSISTENT WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MAKE/MODEL AND IN LINE WITH THE ISSUES FROM THE RECENT ENGINE RECALLS ON SANTE FE AND SONATA MODELS. CAR ONLY HAS 82K MILES AND IS NOW COMPLETE JUNK. HYUNDAI WON'T HELP.
Engine, Oct 9, 2017
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD LOUD METAL ON METAL NOISES. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD. I WAS TOLD METAL FRAGMENTS WERE LEFT IN MY ENGINE DURING MANUFACTURING. THE METAL LEAD TO MY ENGINE BLOWING AFTER 85,000 MILES. THE OIL PAN HAS METAL SHAVINGS IN IT. THE RODS WERE THROWN AND IT MESSED THE BEARINGS UP. DEALERSHIP AND CORPORATE TELL. E THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.
Engine, Oct 6, 2017
NOTICING KNOCKING SOUND AFTER STARTING ENGINE, PARKED STATIONARY. DEALER DIAGNOSED ENGINE FAILURE. ENGINE HAS LOW MILES, ONLY 121,000
Engine, Sep 20, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EPS, OIL, AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE STARTED SKIPPING AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DANBURY HYUNDAI (102 FEDERAL RD, DANBURY, CT 06810 (203) 730-4700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,092.
Power train, Aug 4, 2017
THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. AFTER TOWING TO THE MECHANIC, HE DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED.
Engine, Jun 22, 2017
JUST HAD CAR SERVICES AT HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TWO WEEKS AGO WITH OIL CHANGE AND RUST RECALL ALONG WITH MULTIPOINT INSPECTION. FRIDAY 6/10/2017 WAS DRIVING HOME TURNING LEFT IN A BUSY INTERSECTION AND HEAR A LOUD PING PING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND I CAN NO LONGER ACCELERATE. CARS ARE HOOKING BEHIND ME AS I TURN ON MY HAZARDS AND AM ABLE TO FINALLY COAST TO THE SIDE STREET AND TURN OFF THE CAR. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED TWICE. TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER. THEY BROKE DOWN THE ENGINE AND SAID THAT THEY ENGINE SEIZED UP AND THE BEARINGS HAD METAL SHAVING ALL OVER DOWN TO THE OIL PAN. THEY SAID THIS LOOKED TO BE CONSISTENT WITH WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN SEEING IN THE RECALLED 2.4 L ENGINES. THEY FILED A CLAIM WITH HYUNDAI SINCE I AM THE SECOND OWNER THE ARE DECLINING THE REPAIR REQUEST BECAUSE I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND HAVE 80,000 MILES. SO MUCH FOR HELPING YOUR CUSTOMER THAT WAS ALMOST KILLS BECAUSE OF ENGINE FAILURE
Engine, Jun 13, 2017
DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN ENGINE LOST POWER, ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE PINGING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD, VIBRATIONS BEGAN AND THEN PROCEED WITH KNOCKING. ENGINE SEIZED UP.
Engine, May 23, 2017
LAST WEEK, WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN RURAL NEVADA,IN A PASSING ZONE, ON A SHALLOW UPHILL CURVE, ATTEMPTED TO PASS A TRASH TRUCK,ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 65 MPH, AND JUST AS WE MORE OR LESS ABEAM THE TRUCK, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT. WE HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM WAS ABLE TO COMPLETE PASS AND IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER TO SIDE. HAD THERE BEEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THAT WAS JUDGED TO BE FAR ENOUGH DISTANCE TO SAFELY PASS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT WITH THE ENGINE QUITTING, COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR BOTH TESTED OK. THE OIL LEVEL WAS FULL. ALL FACTORY RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO CARSON CITY( ABOUT 80 MILES). THE DEALER SAID THE ENGINE 'SEIZED', CAUSE UNKNOWN, WITHOUT A TEARDOWN,
Other or unspecified, Apr 18, 2017
COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AFTER BANGING SOUND JUST AS IN OTHER MODELS BEING RECALLED BY HYUNDAI.
Engine, Apr 14, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A POPPING SOUND EMITTED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND IT STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Engine, Apr 11, 2017
WHILE DRIVING --LOUD KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. WAS DIAGNOSED BY DEALER AS HAVING WORN ROD/CRANKSHAFT;METAL DEBRIS IN OIL PAN -- IF CONTINUING TO DRIVE, THEN WARNED TO CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE AND SHUTDOWN. THIS SAME PROBLEM RECEIVED A RECALL IN SONATAS, BUT NOW IS HAPPENING WITH THE TUCSONS.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 25, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THREE QUARTERS OF A TANK OF FUEL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE FUEL TANK HAD A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO REGISTER THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK AND WOULD NOT EXCEED $2 WORTH OF FUEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INTAKE FILLER HOSE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. *TR
Engine, Jan 8, 2017
ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGH WAY. SUDDEN POWER LOSS, JERKING, AND LOUD KNOCKING NOISES. LUCKILY WE MANAGED TO GET OFF OF THE HIGHWAY. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS FAINT CYCLIC NOISE BEFOREHAND, BUT NO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT OR OTHER WARNING. THE ENGINE HAS VERY LOW MILES (LESS THAN 40K MILES) AND WAS MAINTAINED PER RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE. SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL TO THE THETA II ENGINE FAILURE BUT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SONATA ENGINE RECALL. *TR
Visibility, Dec 6, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. GLASS ENTERED THE VEHICLE, BUT NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Engine, Oct 27, 2016
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. I HEARD A BANG COME FROM THE ENGINE AREA AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. ALL WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM FRONT OF CAR. I COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. FORTUNATELY THIS WAS EARLY SUNDAY MORNING WITH VERY LITTLE TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY. T COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. I GOT OUT OF CAR AND NOTICED A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME. THE ENGINE HAS FAILED. THE CAR HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES WITH SYNTHETIC OIL. 104K MILEAGE. THIS CAR USES THE 2.4 THETA ENGINE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE FAILURE, I HAVE FOUND THIS IS THE SAME ENGINE USED IN THE SONATA AND KIA SPORTAGE THAT ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE FAILURES. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 18, 2016
THE HORN ON THE 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON IS SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER-POWERED TO THE POINT OF BEING DANGEROUSLY INEFFECTIVE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. WHILE IT TECHNICALLY WORKS, THE SOUND PRODUCED BY THE HORN IS TOO WEAK RELATIVE TO TYPICAL NOISE LEVELS IN MODERN URBAN AREAS AND WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE HORN, FOR PRACTICAL PURPOSES, IS INAUDIBLE WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS WHERE THE NOISE OF THE PASSING WIND AND THE DISTANCE BETWEEN CARS NECESSITATES THAT THE HORN'S VOLUME EXCEED A CERTAIN MINIMUM THRESHOLD TO BE HEARD BY OTHER DRIVERS. THE HORN IS SO WEAK THAT EVEN AT A STOP LIGHT THE DRIVER OF A CAR DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME COULDN'T HEAR THE HORN. WHEN THE STOP LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME DIDN'T NOTICE IT. EVEN AFTER BLOWING MY HORN 2 - 3 TIMES, THE DRIVER WAS STILL UNAWARE OF THE LIGHT CHANGE. IT WASN'T UNTIL THE DRIVER BEHIND ME BLEW HIS HORN THAT THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME BECAME AWARE OF THE LIGHT CHANGE. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF A HORN IS TO WARN OTHER NEARBY DRIVERS IN THE EVENT OF AN IMPENDING EMERGENCY. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, THE 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON'S HORN FAILED TO FULFILL ITS PURPOSE. FORTUNATELY, NO SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAS RESULTED UP TO THIS POINT. HOPEFULLY, THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A CASE IN WHICH SOMEONE SUFFERS AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THE ISSUE IS FIXED. *TR
Engine, Oct 3, 2016
TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON INTERSTATE, SPONTANEOUSLY LOST ALL POWER TO VEHICLE AFTER A LOUD METAL CRUNCHING SOUND. HARDLY WAS ABLE TO DRIFT OUT OF INTERSTATE TRAFFIC ON TO SHOULDER OF ROAD. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN IGNITION OVER, OIL AND ENGINE CAUTION LIGHTS WERE ON. NO VISIBLE ISSUES OR LEAKS FROM ENGINE. ONE OWNER VEHICLE, TRAVELED MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES, HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE FROM DEALER SHIP WHERE PURCHASED FROM, AND ONLY HAD 70776 MILES ON A 2012 MODEL.
Electrical system, Aug 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD WERE EATEN BY RODENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES WERE SOY BASED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER INITIALLY STATED THAT THEY WOULD REIMBURSE THE CONTACT FOR THE REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER DECIDED NOT TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,884. UPDATED 10/06/16*LJ *TR
Other or unspecified, Jul 30, 2016
MY BACK CAMERA STOPS WORKING FROM TIME TO TIME SCREEN JUST BLACK WHEN IN REAR JUST USELESS.
Engine, Jun 13, 2016
WHILE DRIVING ON THE I90 THROUGH SNOQUALMIE PASS IN WASHINGTON, MOVED TO OVERTAKE ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE OVERTAKING LANE. AS I MOVED INTO THE LANE AND ACCELERATED, THE ENGINE DROPPED DOWN A GEAR AND A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD. AT THIS POINT I HAD TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AND WAS TRAVELLING AT ~70MPH. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR WAS TOWED. THERE WAS MEDIUM TRAFFIC AT THE TIME HOWEVER I WAS ON A SLIGHT DOWNHILL SO DIDN'T RAPIDLY LOSE SPEED. HYUNDAI CARPROS IN RENTON REPORTED THAT THE PISTON HAD FAILED AND HAD PUNCTURED THE ENGINE CASING.
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.
Air bags, Feb 15, 2016, crash
TAKATA RECALL ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN MY CAR WAS IN MOTION ON CITY STREET