Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2012 Hyundai TucsonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 255 owner complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Tucson. Most complaints involve engine (160) and service brakes, hydraulic (27). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–25mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Sep 2023
Owner complaints
255
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Park outsideFree remedy

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 22, 2023NHTSA 23V651000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Feb 5, 2019NHTSA 19V063000

Air bags

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 13, 2014NHTSA 14V245000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

255 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2011 – Aug 2026
  1. Engine160
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic27
  3. Power train26
  4. Electrical system17
  5. Engine and engine cooling10
  6. Structure9
  7. Service brakes9
  8. Vehicle speed control9
  9. Air bags6

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

By model year

Complaints for each Tucson model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2005185
2006135
200765
200843
200918
201059
2011124
2012255
2013266
2014203
2015229
20161,626
20171,096
2018398
2019385
2020179
202180
2022389
2023136
202499
2025295
202664
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
13
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

160 reports1 crash12 fires
“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 through the used car dealership requirements I have continued to honor the every 4,000 mile oil change with synthetic oil every time . I have my Carfax that shows that my vehicle was brought to a certified Hyundai dealership back in 2019 for maintenance and the dealership never applied the required KSDS software update to extend my warranty. Flash forward to 8/06/2026 my vehicle with only 94,000 miles on it is sitting at a Hyundai dealership with the engine blown . I filed a claim with Hyundai and of course they denied it . I filed a complaint with corporate because it was at a certified Hyundai dealership back in 2019 they have had the updated KSDS software available at the time knew that it was a requirement for the extended warranty and didn't add the software update to my vehicle. I have asked for a good faith…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2026EngineODI 11757815

Service brakes, hydraulic

27 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2025Service brakes, hydraulicODI 11677502

Power train

26 reports3 crashes1 fire
“I was driving down the interstate, going approximately 70mph, and my 2012 Hyundai Tucson started having difficulty maintaining speed. The engine started revving up while the car was still slowing down. Suddenly, I felt a knock and smoke started bellowing out of the engine bay. I pulled over immediately, opened the hood to inspect, and was almost burnt by the flames. There was a fire near the back of the engine block which I was able to put out with some water. I had my vehicle towed to the Hyundai of West Allis in Wisconsin. The dealership and a corporate Hyundai inspector determined that the cause of the fire was a thrown engine rod. There were no signs of issues or engine lights prior to this event. My Tucson has been at the dealership for nearly two months. After tens of hours dealing with Hyundai customer service and the dealership, both entities decided that they will do nothing to remedy the situation. My Hyundai vehicle has the 2.4L Theta II engine which is clearly implicated in the recent class action lawsuit against Hyundai for faulty engines. There is a recall for the rod bearing which was the direct cause of my engine throwing a rod and causing the fire.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 7, 2022Power train, EngineFire reportedODI 11483215
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd · Manual 6-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tucson 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
222925$2,550355
Tucson 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213025$2,550355
Tucson 2WD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202723$2,800386
Tucson 4WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
202723$2,800386
Tucson 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900404
Tucson 4WD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050423
  • Tucson 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 29 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Tucson 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Tucson 2WD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Tucson 4WD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Tucson 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Tucson 4WD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.6%
Overall
4 / 5
Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
18.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 6750Vehicle 6112
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 Tucson questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Tucson have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Hyundai Tucson problems?

Owners filed 255 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (160), service brakes, hydraulic (27), power train (26). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Hyundai Tucson get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Hyundai Tucson at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Hyundai Tucson?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Hyundai Tucson 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026