What years of the Hyundai Veracruz should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2007 and 2008 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 80 and 100, the highest among all six model years covered.

What is the best year for the Hyundai Veracruz?

The 2009 Veracruz is rated Good, the only year to reach that verdict, though the rating is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are less complete.

Is the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz reliable?

The 2008 model year has the worst complaint record of the Veracruz lineup, with 230 complaints, a complaint index of 100, and five recall campaigns, mostly tied to engine oil leaks.

Why are the 2010 and 2012 Veracruz rated Caution instead of better?

Both years are capped to Caution because they have a Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall, despite complaint indexes of 40 and 20 that are lower than the 2007 and 2008 models.

What is the most common problem area across all Veracruz years?

Engine problems are the most common issue, accounting for 345 of 661 total complaints, or 52%, across all six model years.

Hyundai Veracruz Best and Worst Years (2007–2012)

Avoid the 2007 and 2008 Hyundai Veracruz, which carry the highest complaint indexes (80 and 100) and the most engine and electrical problems out of 661 total complaints across all years. The 2009 is the strongest choice, rated Good, while 2010-2012 are rated Caution due to recall campaigns.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2007 Avoid 2008

Model years: 6; 2007–2012
NHTSA complaints: 661
Recall campaigns: 6
Crashes reported: 14
Fires reported: 17
Top problem area: Engine

Veracruz Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Hyundai Veracruz problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2007	Avoid	80	145	3	6	4	Engine	18	—
2008	Avoid	100	230	7	2	5	Engine	18	—
2009	Good	0	24	0	0	3	Engine	18	—
2010	Caution	40	91	1	5	4	Engine	18.5	—
2011	Caution	60	106	3	0	4	Engine	18.5	—
2012	Caution	20	65	0	4	3	Engine	18.5	—

Veracruz years to avoid: what went wrong

2008 Hyundai Veracruz Index 100 · 230 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2008 Veracruz has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, and ranks worst overall with 230 total complaints. Engine problems account for 46% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 104,500, while electrical issues (33%) showed up around 86,000 miles and brake complaints (28%) around 79,200 miles. This year had 7 reported crashes and 15 injuries, more than any other Veracruz model year. NHTSA lists five recall campaigns, including engine oil leak repairs and a stop lamp switch replacement covering multiple Hyundai models.

2008 engine problems →2008 electrical system problems →2008 brakes problems →

2007 Hyundai Veracruz Index 80 · 145 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2007 Veracruz has a complaint index of 80, the second worst of the six model years covered. Engine problems make up 48% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 135,912. Electrical system issues (28% of complaints) surfaced much earlier, at a median of 70,546 miles, and often involved oil leaking onto the alternator from a faulty valve cover gasket. NHTSA lists four recall campaigns for this year, including two related to the engine oil leak and one for a faulty airbag clock spring. Owners also reported brake and transmission complaints, some occurring at low mileage shortly after purchase.

2007 engine problems →2007 electrical system problems →2007 brakes problems →

Most common Hyundai Veracruz problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine345 (52%)
Electrical System215 (33%)
Brakes113 (17%)
Other46 (7%)
Transmission & Powertrain42 (6%)
Airbags38 (6%)
Structure & Body28 (4%)
Steering26 (4%)
Fuel System21 (3%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Hyundai Veracruz should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2007 and 2008 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 80 and 100, the highest among all six model years covered.
What is the best year for the Hyundai Veracruz?: The 2009 Veracruz is rated Good, the only year to reach that verdict, though the rating is capped because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are less complete.
Is the 2008 Hyundai Veracruz reliable?: The 2008 model year has the worst complaint record of the Veracruz lineup, with 230 complaints, a complaint index of 100, and five recall campaigns, mostly tied to engine oil leaks.
Why are the 2010 and 2012 Veracruz rated Caution instead of better?: Both years are capped to Caution because they have a Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall, despite complaint indexes of 40 and 20 that are lower than the 2007 and 2008 models.
What is the most common problem area across all Veracruz years?: Engine problems are the most common issue, accounting for 345 of 661 total complaints, or 52%, across all six model years.