YearToAvoid

2012 Hyundai Veracruz Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 35 engine complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz, 54% of its 65 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 97,085. Two recalls (14V415000 and 20V705000) cover a front valve cover gasket oil leak, and owners report 3 fires.

Engine complaints
35
54% of 65
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
97,085 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Oil leaks from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket and drips onto the alternator, sometimes producing smoke or a fire under the hood.
  • Some owners report the valve cover gasket leak returning after the recall repair, with the same failure recurring years or tens of thousands of miles later.
  • Oil-fouled alternators are reported to fail, leading to loss of power, stalling, or the engine shutting off while driving.
  • Owners describe check engine and warning lights illuminating along with stalling at various mileages, sometimes requiring roadside assistance.
  • One owner reported the vehicle would not start, then smoke and a fire started in the engine area while parked at a gas station.
  • Some owners state recall parts were unavailable or that dealers told them the recall no longer applied to their vehicle.

When 2012 Hyundai Veracruz engine complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 29, 2014, latest Aug 10, 2026.

2012 Hyundai Veracruz engine complaints: complaints filed per month5Sep 2014Aug 2017May 2020Feb 2021Oct 2021Sep 2022Dec 2023
35 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2014 to Aug 2026; peak May 2021 (5).

Engine recalls for the 2012 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. 201058 (64%)
  2. 201165 (61%)
  3. 201235 (54%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz?
NHTSA lists 35 engine-related complaints for the 2012 Veracruz, which is 54% of all 65 complaints filed for this model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz engine?
Yes. NHTSA recall 14V415000 and a later recall 20V705000 both address oil leaking from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket, which can drip onto the alternator.
At what mileage do these engine problems typically happen?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on this model year is 97,085 miles.
Did the 2012 Veracruz engine issue cause any fires?
NHTSA data shows 3 fires reported among the complaints in this problem area, with 0 crashes and 0 injuries.

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.