Problems · NHTSA complaints

2011 Hyundai Tucson problems

Owners filed 124 complaints about the 2011 Hyundai Tucson with NHTSA between Sep 2010 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is engine (40).

Complaints
124
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine40
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic21
  3. Power train20
  4. Electrical system12
  5. Service brakes12
  6. Electronic stability control (esc)9
  7. Engine and engine cooling5
  8. Suspension5
  9. Structure4
  10. Vehicle speed control4
  11. Tires4
  12. Seats3
  13. Visibility3
  14. Traction control system2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20101
20118
20127
20139
20143
20152
20167
20173
20186
201925
20205
20215
20227
202312
202418
20254
20262

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

40 reports1 crash
“I own a 2011 Hyundai Tucson (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle had an engine replacement performed by Hyundai service. Immediately after picking up the car, I noticed a loud abnormal noise coming from underneath the vehicle. I reported the issue right away, but was told nothing was heard and it was dismissed. The noise has continued and worsened over time. I am concerned there may be damage or improper installation affecting the exhaust system or flex pipe, which could be a safety issue. Exact service dates are with Hyundai records, as I do not have them available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 21, 2026EngineODI 11732770

Service brakes, hydraulic

21 reports1 fire1 related recall
“The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that upon his daughter attempting to enter the vehicle through the front driver’s side door, the door failed to open. The contact stated that his daughter opened the front passenger’s side door and there was black smoke coming from inside the vehicle. The contact’s daughter discovered that the front driver’s side seat, driver’s side door panel, and headliner was burned. The contact stated that the Fire Department was not called to the scene. There was no one injured. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer was notified of the failure and a tow truck was sent to the residence. While the vehicle was in the dealer's possession, the failure was acknowledged, but the dealer stated that the damages would not be covered for free. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle as not repaired and remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2025Service brakes, hydraulic, Seats, StructureODI 11653195

Power train

20 reports1 related recall
“THE RUBBER TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES BROKE AT 55 MPH ON RT 81S AND INSTANTLY BLEW THE TRANSMISSION. MY VEHICLE IS THE EXACT MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN 16V05700. I CONTACTED HYUNDAI FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF MY REPAIR COSTS AND HYUNDAI STATED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THIS "149" CAMPAIGN. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY OTHERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ARE BEING REIMBURSED AND I AM NOT? CLEARLY HYUNDAI IS AT FAULT. DOCUMENTATION IS ATTACHED”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 20, 2021Power trainODI 11413067

Electrical system

12 reports2 fires
“Recall # 251 has been going on at great length and I have an appointment for 11:30am April 1,2025 for what they deem as a solution to # 251 Recall that does not fix the problem and goes against everything that the NHTSA and FEDERAL GOVERMENT LAWS are in place for, you are allowing them to continue to not do what the laws clearly state and in a certain time period have repaired, replaced or make restiitution for the recalled issue it also is stated that they do not need to for automobiles older than 15years.Their Bandaid only creates other problems and dangers and by 02/11/2026 my car will be 16years old but it wasn’t when all this first started,I own a time bomb and can not afford to buy another vehicle,Im retired and live on a fixed income. Im not sure if letting them change a fuse to a lower wattage so it would fail and make the ABS System Disabled there by stopping leaking brake fluid from igniting.Does Not Meet Any Requirements and Creates More Issues.My Car has AWD and is low mileage for the age.I don’t agree with letting them do this but Im afraid of what NHTSA or They can do if I don’t,Why aren’t you stopping them perpetrate a fraud.This is not by your…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 30, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11651584

Service brakes

12 reports1 crash
“Happened to be driving our car (11/23/25) to drop off our other car for brake pad replacement. On the way to our mechanic the brake light came on in the dash cluster. After having spoken to our mechanic we prepared to leave the car we planned to drop off. Got in our Hyundai Tucson and the brake light was still on, odd. Proceed to back up and he brake pedal almost went to the floor. Got out looked underneath the car and there was a puddle of brake fluid. The Hyundai was unsafe to drive as it had no brakes and we left it at our mechanic. He called Friday to say Hyundai longer makes the brake lines and he was searching for the front brake lines that corroded away and failed. He said the rear lines we coated to protect them from corrosion and the front lines were not. Learned over the weekend that the Canadian government recalled almost 300K Hyundai vehicles for corroded or failed brake lines. Why hasn't the US addressed this serious safety issue? My image is too large to be accepted by your system. Is there another way to submit it? We were incredibly fortunate as we were going home on a highway at rush. If the brakes failed I'm certain we and others would have been injured.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 27, 2025Service brakesODI 11638751

Electronic stability control (esc)

9 reports
“BOTH THE DOWNHILL BRAKE LIGHT AND STABILITY TRACK CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME. MY CAR WOULDN'T GET OUT OF PARK, OR WHEN I GOT IT IN DRIVE, IT WOULDN'T GO BACK INTO PARK. TAKING IT TO THE SHOP TODAY, NOTICED IT MIGHT BE FROM A BRAKE SWITCH. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2014Electronic stability control (esc), Service brakesODI 10627176
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.