2012 Hyundai Tucson Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Hyundai Tucson has 255 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th worst out of 21 model years, with a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 67% of complaints, including fires, with a median failure mileage of 99,450.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Tucson years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 255
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 12
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 13
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2012 Hyundai Tucson problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine172 (67%)
- Brakes37 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain26 (10%)
- Electrical System19 (7%)
- Other14 (5%)
- Structure & Body10 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (4%)
- Airbags6 (2%)
- Steering6 (2%)
- Fuel System5 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engines have stalled or emitted a popping sound before catching fire while driving or parked, in some cases destroying the vehicle.
- The transmission has shifted unexpectedly from drive to a lower gear while underway, and vehicles have rolled out of park without the key inserted or a foot on the brake.
- Owners report the vehicle rolling backward unattended and striking objects, with the dealer unable to diagnose a cause.
- The power steering has seized suddenly at highway speed, triggering a warning light and loss of control.
- Driver-side airbags have failed to deploy in frontal collisions even when other airbags fired, resulting in injuries.
- A Takata-related airbag recall has been tied to at least one crash while the airbag issue was unresolved.
2012 Hyundai Tucson recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- NHTSA 14V245000May 13, 2014Airbags137,500 vehicles
Air bags
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.
Risk: An air bag assembly that is not properly mounted may result in an increased risk of injury to the driver in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts that secure the driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 118.
2012 Hyundai Tucson fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 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.
2012 compared with other Tucson years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a Caution verdict for the 2012 Tucson, with 255 complaints and a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th worst among 21 model years of this model.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 Hyundai Tucson?
- Engine problems are the top complaint area, making up 67% of complaints (172 of 255), including fires, with a median failure mileage of 99,450.
- Does the 2012 Hyundai Tucson have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Tucson covering brakes, an engine oil pan leak, and a driver airbag assembly bolt issue; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2012 Tucson compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 50 is worse than most years from 2005-2011 and 2013-2015, but better than 2016-2019, 2022, and 2025, which carry Avoid verdicts with higher indexes.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Hyundai Tucson?
- The EPA rates the 2012 Tucson at 23 mpg combined (20 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.