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ProblemsByVin Index / 2012-HYUNDAI-TUCSON / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2012 Hyundai Tucson owner complaints

253 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 5 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

engine 8 complaints shown

140 total in this category · severe · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/23/2019 80,456 mi ODI #11290970.0

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.

12/21/2011 ODI #10440922.0

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, to the point of getting nauseous while driving in the car. Took car to Hyundai service and told them of symptoms and my concerns of something not right with the car. The mechanics felt the problems I explained above and said something was wrong, now had to figure out what exactly. Several tests were done on the car but nothing showed up on electrical grid. Service had to call a higher tech out in california to see what to do next. California tech made them run several tests, all this took more then 2 weeks until the

12/20/2020 40,000 mi Fire ODI #11384285.0

The engine started making noise and caught on fire. It was running.

12/07/2017 72,000 mi ODI #11052997.0

While traveling on the highway my husband and I started to hear a loud clanking noise under our hood. We barely made it off the next exit, with vehicles having to quickly go around us because our speed was slowing down and then vehicle died, we were stranded in the heat on the side of the road with our dogs. After speaking with Hyundai corporate they told us to have it towed to the nearest Hyundai dealership. We did and a case was opened with Hyundai. It was diagnosed at the Hyundai dealership as premature engine failure due to no fault of ours but the warranty department denied our claim because we are second owners. The engine in our car has been recalled in other models but Hyundai is trying to hide the fact that it extends to the tucson. It is extremely dangerous to not recall and info

12/06/2020 80,000 mi ODI #11378084.0

I received a safety recall on nov. 27th on the vehicle. I made an appt with a hyudai dealer for service. On dec. 2 I was driving to the dealership on a city road, after accelerating from a stoplight stop, the engine blew. Luckily we were all at a low speed as the light had just gone green. Dealership says it threw a rod through block and sent me a picture. This car has the theta ii engine. My model and year have not been involved in the recalls nor lawsuits for the issue the engine is having in other models, but this engine had only 80k, has been regularly serviced, and I cant imagine what else would cause such a thing other than a manufacturing defect like the one I am reading about with the debris.

12/04/2023 ODI #11558310.0

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made abnormal knocking sounds. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was referred to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact received a notification for Hyundai Campaign Number: 966. Additionally, the contact received an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was eligible for repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. 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 failure. The failure

12/02/2023 ODI #11558098.0

Three months ago, I was driving my car when the engine shut down while I was driving on the highway. I was able to pull over safely, however, I could have been in a fatal accident as my engine could no longer accelerate while I was on the highway. My car has been sitting in the Hyundai dealership since September 9 when the incident occurred, with Hyundai stating it can take 6-8 months. This has since placed my financial situation at a personal difficulty as the dealership has not been able to even diagnose car yet as they’ve stated, many other cars have the same issue that are ahead of mine. I tried reaching out to Hyundai customer support to get a rental car, but they said they cannot provide one until a proper diagnosis has been met so I would have to pay out-of-pocket until then, which

11/30/2017 80,000 mi Fire ODI #11051502.0

Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Hyundai tucson. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle shook abnormally. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and flames emitted from the engine compartment, which spread throughout the vehicle. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard where it was deemed destroyed. Nissan of hawthorne dealer located at 1060 goffle rd, hawthorne, nj was contacted and informed the contact that they would start an investigation. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was not provided. *bf consumer stated it was either a defect or poor maintenance because it was a strong oil order. Upd

brakes 4 complaints shown

31 total in this category · severe · avg repair $450 · see brakes cluster analysis →
12/27/2023 150,375 mi ODI #11562069.0

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 contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was inoperable. The contact depressed the brake pedal to the floorboard and the vehicle failed to stop. The contact continually depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle eventually stopped. The contact checked the brake fluid reservoir and noticed that the brake reservoir was empty. The contact refilled the brake fluid reservoir. The contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The contact stated that the follo

12/11/2023 180,000 mi ODI #11559535.0

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while having an oil change by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed there was a leak in the engine compartment. There were no warning lights illuminated. 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 called another local dealer, Vallejo Hyundai (3266 Sonoma Blvd., Vallejo, CA 94590). 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 failure mileage was approximately 180,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

12/05/2023 ODI #11558542.0

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 unavailable. 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.

12/01/2023 ODI #11557961.0

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 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. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

electrical 2 complaints shown

11 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/24/2014 53,000 mi Fire ODI #10668152.0

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 the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.

12/14/2014 2,621 mi ODI #10664132.0

Went to christmas parade, going to car pressed remote to unlock car and would not work. Got in car by key and found the headlights & windows & flashers don't work. Had to get ride home and picked up car in morning. All else is fine drives ok. *tr

powertrain 2 complaints shown

24 total in this category · severe · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/19/2018 73,427 mi ODI #11162569.0

While driving and going from driving for awhile to stop and go it stalls. Has happened now 3 + times in driving situations. Have had car checked out and said nothing is wrong by two different garages. Stalling in traffic is not safe.

12/06/2011 1,000 mi Crash ODI #10438750.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Hyundai tucson. The contact stated that after placing her vehicle in park and exiting the vehicle, it rolled backward and crashed into a bus. No police were contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised her that they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

other 1 complaint shown

12/26/2023 ODI #11561801.0

Front passenger door extremely hard to open and front driver exterior handle wont open door.

airbags 1 complaint shown

6 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
12/19/2013 60,000 mi Crash ODI #10556611.0

My 2012 Hyundai tuscon was involved in a serious accident. My daughter was the driver and no other passengers in the vehicle. All airbags in the vehicle deployed at impact except the driver's airbag? I see numerous Hyundai recalls and airbag issues on the internet, but no mention of the tuscon. My daughter has serious injuries as a result of the airbag failing to deploy. *tr

visibility 1 complaint shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $350 · see visibility cluster analysis →
12/06/2016 58,000 mi ODI #10930185.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Hyundai tucson. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact heard an explosion and noticed that the sun roof shattered. Glass entered the vehicle, but no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 58,000.

cruise control 1 complaint shown

5 total in this category · severe · avg repair $600 · see cruise control cluster analysis →
11/30/2013 14,700 mi ODI #10554204.0

I own a Hyundai tucson 2012. On december 31, 2012, we took the vehicle to the dealership for regular maintenance and reported that we have experienced several instances of sudden unintended acceleration (sua) (I.e., the RPM raced up to 4,000 rpms when at idle and accelerator was not pressed). The dealership could not duplicate/verify concern. On november 10, 2013, again we expressed the dealership the same concern; however, we received the same response as on december 31, 2012. Throughout this year we have experienced sua several times, the most recent one last night, when while in motion the car unexpectedly accelerated its RPM. I believe this is a seriously safety concern which Hyundai should address immediately by investigating the problem and issuing a safety recall to its custom

Showing 300 of 253 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Hyundai/Tucson#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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