Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Hyundai Tucson problems

Owners filed 255 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Tucson with NHTSA between Sep 2011 and Aug 2026. The most-cited component is engine (160).

Complaints
255
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
12
Reported by owners
Fires
13
Reported by owners
Injuries
9
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Steering6
  11. Wheels5
  12. Suspension4
  13. Fuel system, gasoline3
  14. Visibility2

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 3, 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
20113
20125
20139
201410
20153
20169
201715
201818
201982
202023
202116
202210
202318
202428
20253
20263

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

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 reports1 related recall
“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

Electrical system

17 reports1 crash3 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2025Electrical systemODI 11692419

Engine and engine cooling

10 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2024Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine coolingODI 11596111

Structure

9 reports2 crashes1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2024Suspension, StructureODI 11611423
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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