Hyundai Tucson problems
253 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced.
- 8 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the engine
- Brakes: 31 complaints, classified severe
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Hyundai tucson. While parked in a driveway, the vehicle caught fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police and a fire report were filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of…
Driving on highway engine cuts shuts off. I let the car roll to the first off ramp in which I could not start the car again. Stuck in middle lane of exit until I got help to push car to side of the road.
Brand new car- a few days after purchasing and driving the car, noticed car was not driving right. Several symptoms became noticeable. Car would jerk when accelerating and braking. Cars pick up was delayed and had a very uncomfortable vibration, while in idle and while driving,…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. AQ23002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2012 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 253 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Hyundai Tucson is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Hyundai Tucson?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Hyundai Tucson is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 8 fire-related complaints and 1 crash-related complaint on the engine; Brakes: 31 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Hyundai Tucson?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 140 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 97,655 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 97,655 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Hyundai Tucson has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Hyundai Tucson?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 253 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.