YearToAvoid

2011 Hyundai Tucson Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

20/100

#17 most-complained of 21 Tucson years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2011 Hyundai Tucson has 124 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 20 out of 100 — #17 highest of 21 Tucson model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is engine (47 complaints, 38% of the total). Complaints report 5 crashes, 3 fires, and 7 injuries.

Complaints
124
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
5 / 3
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
23.5
21 city / 28 hwy

Top 2011 Hyundai Tucson problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine47 (38%)
  2. Brakes40 (32%)
  3. Other20 (16%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain20 (16%)
  5. Electrical System13 (10%)
  6. Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (7%)
  7. Structure & Body6 (5%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers3 (2%)
  9. Airbags1 (1%)
  10. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (1%)
2011 Hyundai Tucson complaints: complaints filed per quarter242010 Q32013 Q22016 Q12018 Q22020 Q12022 Q12024 Q3
163 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q3 to 2026 Q2; peak 2019 Q2 (24).

2011 Hyundai Tucson recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V651000Sep 22, 2023Brakes1,649,478 vehiclesPark Outside

    Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

    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.

    Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

  2. NHTSA 19V063000Feb 5, 2019Engine120,000 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine

    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.

    Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Hyundai has notified owners, and dealers will inspect for an oil pan leak, replacing it if necessary, and install an updated oil pressure switch, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 181.

  3. NHTSA 16V057000Jan 28, 2016Transmission & Powertrain11,176 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Hyundai Tucson vehicles manufactured July 22, 2010, to October 31, 2010. The affected vehicles have a transmission fluid cooler hose that may have been improperly manufactured, resulting in a transmission fluid leak.

    Risk: If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission fluid cooler hose, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 25, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 139.

See all 5 recalls for the 2011 Hyundai Tucson →

2011 Hyundai Tucson fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
23.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,750
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2011 compared with other Tucson years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Best018121
2010Best1559424.5
2011Best20124523.5
2012Caution50255323
2013Caution55266323

All Hyundai Tucson years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Hyundai Tucson a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Hyundai Tucson ranks #17 of 21 among Tucson model years (Complaint Index 20/100, verdict: Best). It has 124 complaints and 5 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Tucson?
The most reported problem areas are engine (47 complaints), brakes (40 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (20 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 72,100 miles.
Does the 2011 Hyundai Tucson have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2011 Hyundai Tucson, most recently reported 2023, covering brakes, engine, transmission & powertrain, and airbags.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Hyundai Tucson?
EPA rates the 2011 Hyundai Tucson at 23.5 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,750. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.