The Used Car Index

2012 Hyundai Tucson problems

NHTSA lists 255 complaints for the 2012 Hyundai Tucson, 12 of them mention a crash and 13 mention a fire. 8 complaints mention an injury, with 9 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-09.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as HYUNDAI TUCSON.

At a glance

Complaints
255
With crash
12
With fire
13
With injury (complaints)
8
Injuries
9
Deaths
0
Recalls
3
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
1
Recall potential units (maximum)
1,649,478
Investigations
3
Open investigations
1
Manufacturer communications
111

Complaints per 100k sold: 484.662. Units sold: 52,614; sales year: 2012; basis: calendar_year_us_sales_proxy_for_model_year. goodcarbadcar.net.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ENGINE16062.7%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC2710.6%
POWER TRAIN2610.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM176.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER124.7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING103.9%
SERVICE BRAKES93.5%
STRUCTURE93.5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL93.5%
AIR BAGS62.4%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMHORN1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMWIRING1
EQUIPMENTMECHANICAL1
SUSPENSIONFRONT1
VISIBILITYSUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1
VISIBILITYWINDSHIELD1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure8747.5%0.88
loss of control3619.7%0.78
electrical electronic147.7%0.73
fire or overheating126.6%0.88
unclear116.0%0.90
noise or comfort73.8%0.75
fluid or fuel leak63.3%0.81
visibility or lighting52.7%0.90
restraint or airbag42.2%0.92
structural or corrosion10.5%0.51
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate11261.2%0.81
low5027.3%0.66
high168.7%0.92
critical31.6%0.67
none21.1%0.89

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 183 tagged complaints of 255 complaints (71.8%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

3 recalls.

23V651000

Date: 2023-09-22. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Defect: 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 re (excerpt)

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: Yes.

19V063000

Date: 2019-02-05. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

14V245000

Date: 2014-05-13. Systems: AIR BAGS.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

3 investigations; 1 open.

AQ23002

Opened: 2023-11-17. Closed: Not listed.

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect

Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

DP22003

Opened: 2022-09-12. Closed: 2023-12-12.

Loss of Motive Power

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints i

Systems: ENGINE.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

EA21003

Opened: 2021-12-22. Closed: 2024-02-05.

Engine Fires

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.A During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, inclu

Systems: ENGINE.

Linked campaign numbers: 23V877.

Manufacturer communications

111 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM35
POWER TRAIN23
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING22
EQUIPMENT21
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY8
ENGINE6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE5
STRUCTURE5

11032522

Date: 2026-04-10. Type: Other. Systems: AIR BAGS.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit drivera side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prio

11032523

Date: 2026-04-10. Type: Other. Systems: AIR BAGS.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous drivera s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the ve

11030330

Date: 2026-03-26. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.

This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehiclea s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326 a Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest version.

11030331

Date: 2026-03-26. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.

This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehiclea s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H-2 (DTC P1326 a Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest version.

11026704

Date: 2025-12-19. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

In response to this trend, we engineered a software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method and made it available to owners of eligible models free of charge at authorized Hyundai dealers since early 2023. In addition to the anti-theft software, wea ve developed a new zinc-reinforced

11027033

Date: 2025-12-15. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

This bulletin provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and two anti-theft decals on the front windows.

11027034

Date: 2025-12-15. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

In addition to the Anti-Theft software provided under Service Campaign 993 (TSB 24-01-009H-1), a zinc reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade is being made available to customers upon request. This supplemental security measure is to be installed at the ignition switch location and p

11027035

Date: 2025-12-15. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Upon customer's request ONLY, the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 25-01-089H provides the service procedure for installation of a key cylinder reinforcement protector assembly and two anti-theft decals on the front windows. This repair procedure is being provided in addition to the previous Anti-Th

11025476

Date: 2025-11-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of condensation inside the lamp assembly. Lamp assembly replacement is NOT necessary

11006829

Date: 2024-08-19. Type: Service Campaign. Systems: ENGINE.

Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs. If abnormal engine bearing noise is detected, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will blink continuously, and the vehicle will be placed in

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
TUCSON255

Same model, other years

All model years | All Hyundai models

Other Hyundai models, 2012

Sources

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