YearToAvoid

2011 Hyundai Veracruz Engine Problems

Engine problems account for 65 of 106 total complaints (61%) on the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, mostly tied to a valve cover gasket oil leak that contaminates the alternator. Two recalls (14V415000 and 20V705000) address this issue. Median mileage at failure is 125,000.

Engine complaints
65
61% of 106
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
125,000 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Oil leaks from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket and drips onto the alternator, causing it to short out.
  • Sudden loss of engine power and electrical power while driving, sometimes at highway speeds around 50-60 mph.
  • Engine stalls without warning at low speeds, such as 25-40 mph, then restarts normally after being turned off.
  • Warning indicators for check engine, battery, and other systems illuminate together before a loss of power.
  • Owners report the valve cover gasket has been replaced multiple times, with oil leaks and alternator contamination recurring afterward.
  • Idler pulley and belt noise reported at the front of the engine, sometimes tied to the same recall repair.

When 2011 Hyundai Veracruz engine complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 12, 2012, latest Aug 7, 2025.

2011 Hyundai Veracruz engine complaints: complaints filed per month8Feb 2012Jul 2016Jul 2018Jun 2020Jun 2021Dec 2021May 2023Aug 2024
65 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2012 to Aug 2025; peak Apr 2021 (8).

Engine recalls for the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz

  1. NHTSA 20V705000Nov 13, 2020Engine60,097 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:seals/gaskets

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles that were previously recalled under recall number 14V-415. Oil may leak from the front cylinder bank cover gasket, potentially dripping onto the alternator and causing the charging system to become inoperative.

    Risk: An inoperative charging system can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the valve cover gasket and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 7, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 197.

  2. NHTSA 14V415000Jul 8, 2014Engine61,122 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine

    Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles manufactured from December 26, 2006, through July 24, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an oil leak from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket. If there is a sufficient amount of oil dropped onto the alternator, the alternator will be damaged causing the charging system to become inoperative.

    Risk: If the alternator is damaged, the charging system warning lamp in the instrument cluster will illuminate, and the engine will lose power and the vehicle will eventually stop operating while being driven. An unexpected failure of motive power while driving increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect/repair or replace the alternator and the front valve cover gasket, free of charge. Hyundai sent out an interim letter to owners on September 3, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 121.

Engine complaints by Veracruz model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200769 (48%)
  2. 2008106 (46%)
  3. 200912 (50%)
  4. 201058 (64%)
  5. 201165 (61%)
  6. 201235 (54%)

Frequently asked questions

What is the main engine problem with the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz?
NHTSA data shows 65 of 106 total complaints (61%) involve the engine, mainly an oil leak from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket that contaminates the alternator and causes loss of power.
Is there a recall for the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz engine?
Yes. Recall 14V415000, reported in 2014, covers the valve cover gasket oil leak and alternator, and recall 20V705000, reported in 2020, addresses the same issue for vehicles previously covered under the earlier recall.
At what mileage do 2011 Veracruz engine problems usually appear?
NHTSA complaint data lists a median mileage at failure of 125,000 miles for engine-related complaints.
Did the engine problems cause crashes or fires?
NHTSA records show 1 crash and 0 fires linked to engine complaints on the 2011 Veracruz.

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.