2012 Hyundai Tucson problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (135) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (25) · Power Train (20)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Tucson model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
169 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2023-09-22 · campaign 23V651000 · 1,649,478 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2019-02-05 · campaign 19V063000 · 120,000 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags 2014-05-13 · campaign 14V245000 · 137,500 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (114)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2026-10-15 · 26-GI-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (pdw) sensor(s) that may trigger various dtcs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the pdw sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. this condition may be a res
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DCS · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn), that have been identified in u.s. vehicles following prior
Engine 2026-03-26 · 26-01-033H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension
this tsb references the op codes to use for claim submission and the parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from tsb 22-01-023h-2 (dtc p1326 – engine bearing inspection/engine replacement) or the latest version.
Showing the 6 most recent of 114 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-18 · Engine“i bought my 2012 hyundai tucson from a used car dealership back in november of 2024 . when i bought the vehicle it only had 55,000 miles on it and came with a 2 year unlimited mile warranty on the drive train and a full carfax history in which everything came back clean , regular oil changes with synthetic oil every 4,000 miles and for my warranty …”
2026-07-29 · Engine“vehicle suddenly slipped into limp mode. vehicle was then immediately taken to have code read. code came back p1326. was advised due to previous recall campaign(s) to contact hyundai of america for guidance. was told that vehicle needed to be confirmed per the bct at any hyundai dealership to which the agent scheduled the appointment myself and tha…”
2026-05-06 · Engine“engine started knocking luckily i was right by my mechanics place. they said needs new engine. not to drive as a rod might go right through the engine. only 98000 miles on it. maintenance always done on time.…”
2025-10-09 · Electrical System“got vehicle registration notice and recall notice was on the form regarding a possible electrical fire while parked or driving. i just got this car about 9 months ago, dmv is still showing nothing has been done.…”
2025-09-10 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“airbag located in the steering wheel partially deployed during a moderate/serious accident. it came out of the front of the steering wheel but never inflated. i have pictures available of the partially deployed airbag. no other airbags were deployed during this front end crash. the seatbelt tensioner did activate and prevented serious injury du…”
2025-07-31 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2012 hyundai tucson. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v651000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. an unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that the recall repair parts were not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had e…”
2024-11-27 · Engine“car suddenly stalled on the interstate (sudden deceleration, could barely make it to the shoulder; engine and oil lights, loud knocking sound, burning smell); per hyundai dealership, it is sudden engine rod failure. hyundai recall 181 described this exact situation. if not for quick thinking and moving to the shoulder/shutting down the engine imme…”
2024-08-28 · Suspension · 105,576 mi“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. …”
2024-08-19 · Unknown Or Other“my 2012 tucson started dumping large amounts of oil. would be ok not dumping then would start drastically using then stop again. vehicle ran fine then it started doing this maybe 3 months into this approx a week ago it started making noises coming from the motor. it is doing as i was told the motors hyunda has recalled already done yet it is not l…”
2024-07-02 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2012 hyundai tucson. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v651000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was contacted. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufa…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.