2012 Hyundai Veracruz Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Hyundai Veracruz has a complaint index of 20 and ranks 5th out of 6 model years, but it carries a Caution verdict because of a park-outside recall tied to engine fires. NHTSA lists 65 complaints, 3 recalls, and 4 fires for this year, with Engine the top problem area at 54% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #5 of 6 Veracruz years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 65
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16.5 city / 21.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2012 Hyundai Veracruz problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine35 (54%)
- Electrical System24 (37%)
- Brakes8 (12%)
- Other3 (5%)
- Airbags2 (3%)
- Structure & Body2 (3%)
- Steering1 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Oil leaks from the front cylinder bank cover gasket drip onto the alternator or engine, sometimes producing smoke or fire under the hood.
- Vehicles caught fire while parked and unattended, in one case damaging a nearby structure.
- The car failed to start, then began smoking near the engine bay before a fire ignited at a gas station.
- Headlights briefly cut out for one to two seconds when the turn signal was used, especially at night.
- Brake light switch failures caused the gear shift lever to lock in place, recurring even after replacement.
- Sudden unintended acceleration was reported, with the driver unable to stop the vehicle using the brakes.
2012 Hyundai Veracruz 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 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.
- 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.
2012 Hyundai Veracruz fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 21.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 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 Veracruz years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2012 Veracruz a complaint index of 20 and a Caution verdict, ranking 5th out of 6 model years. The Caution rating reflects a park-outside recall for engine fire risk, not just complaint volume.
- What are the main problems with the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz?
- Engine issues make up 54% of complaints, mostly oil leaking from the valve cover gasket onto the alternator, with a median failure mileage of 97,085 miles. Electrical system problems account for 37% of complaints, including headlight flicker and brake light switch failures.
- Does the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz have a recall?
- Yes, it has 3 recalls: two for oil leaking from the engine's front cylinder bank cover gasket (campaigns 14V415000 and 20V705000) and one brake-related recall (23V651000) that tells owners to park outside due to fire risk.
- How does the 2012 Veracruz compare to other model years?
- With a complaint index of 20, the 2012 model ranks better than the 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011 model years but worse than the 2009 model year, which has a complaint index of 0 and a Good verdict.
- Why is the 2012 Veracruz rated Caution instead of a lower index-based rating?
- Its complaint index of 20 alone would suggest a milder rating, but the verdict is capped to Caution because one of its recalls tells owners to park outside due to fire risk.