Hyundai · Tucson · 2012
3
Recalls
252
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2012 Hyundai Tucson has 3 recalls and 252 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (130 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Frontal Crash Test

Side Crash Test

Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
18.0% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
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 during the crash. There was no indication, via warning lights or any other messages, that the system was not working properly. All outstanding recalls for the vehicle had been addressed. It is unknown if the partial deployment was indicated in the police report. No other inspections of the system have been done. Insurance adjuster from at-fault party will be performing an assessment of damage this week. Thankfully the most serious injury is from the seat belt and this partial deployment of the airbag did not cause a more serious injury.
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 exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure.
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 immediately, there was a high chance of either being hit by other vehicles or engine fire. I could have been killed or severely injured. Yes, problem was confirmed by Hyundai dealership. No warning prior to sudden deceleration. Engine and oil warning lamps did not appear until after sudden drop in speed, followed by burning smell.
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.
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 listed in that recall. From what I understand it is a fire hazard as well as a road safety hazard due to it possible stalling. I have has 2 mechanics tell me it's pertains to the recalled motors. To see if it's a issue I'm expected to pay the dealership to evaluate this issue which is unfair to me You can clearly hear and see the issue is there. Why is it I am having to miss work, delay bills, be without transportation for them to acknowledge this concern. Please tell me there is a alternate solution help anything?!
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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 19V063000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list. The manufacturer was contacted.
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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Customer was driving down the road when he brakes were not functioning properly. The vehicle began to smoke and she pulled over and the fire started under the hood. We are the insurance carrier that paid for the damages.
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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
I was driving on the road way and the entire engine seized. I had to glide over to the side of the roadway and call AAA. I called Route 1 Hyundai, where the car was originally bought, 7324126502 brand new in 2012. and they told me no warranty on vehical. I had vehical towed to a mechanic in Hightstown, NJ and they told me to check that he just put in a new engine in the same car covered under a class action lawsuit for the same problem. I called the dealership service manager William, and they told me that they are not willing to do anything. I am the original owner and what happened was very dangerous and I could have lost my life! I usually drive on highway going 65mph. This could have been a catastrophe with no warning!!
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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
See attached document for complaint
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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Our [XXX] daughter was driving the vehicle from our home to work in Richmond Heights (approx. 19 miles) on [XXX] on {XXX]. At approximately [XXX] and before the [XXX] exit ([XXX] area), the vehicle made a load bang/popping noise, began to lose power, and the interior began to fill with smoke. She was driving in one of the center lanes and luckily made it over to the right shoulder without incident despite traffic and the smoke impairing her view and use of the rear and side mirrors. She immediately got out and called 911. Luckily there was no accident involved and she was not trapped in the vehicle. She was not injured, just very shaken. The vehicle was on fire under the hood and eventually burst into flames. The Kirkwood City Police Officer called the Kirkwood Fire Department and Terry's Towing. The fire was put out, but not before causing the vehicle to be totaled (see photos). Terry's Towing towed the vehicle to its lot, where it is currently stored. The vehicle is a total loss. As we purchased the vehicle from a family member earlier in 2023 as a spare car for our 16yo son and 20yo daughter (when she's home on break from college) for local and short drives, we only carried liability insurance on it with Progressive. We were not aware of Hyundai Recall 251 / NHTSA Recall # 23V651000 until after this happened to our daughter. We have filed a case with Hyundai. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by them or anyone else. The vehicle was running fine. The ABS light had come on sometime prior to this incident. The vehicle was going in for an oil change and system check after the holidays. In the process of obtaining the fire department report. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2012 Hyundai Tucson has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 252 owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Tucson.
The 2012 Hyundai Tucson received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2012 Hyundai Tucson are engine (130 reports), service brakes, hydraulic (23 reports), power train (9 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 2012 Hyundai Tucson. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.