repaired · 2026 Q2
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Park outsideRisk. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
2012 Hyundai TucsonProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 255 owner complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Tucson, most often about the engine. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-651 the manufacturer reports only 25% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 18, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Hyundai Tucson has problems
255 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
160Engine14 crash/fire/injury
27Service brakes, hydraulic
26Power train4 crash/fire/injury
17Electrical system
10Engine and engine cooling
9Service brakes
9Vehicle speed control
9Structure
6Steering
3114 other systems7 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 160 | 14 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 27 | 0 |
| Power train | 26 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 17 | 5 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 1 |
| Structure | 9 | 4 |
| Steering | 6 | 1 |
| 14 other systems | 31 | 7 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2012 Hyundai Tucson recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2015 Q3
Air bags
Risk. 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.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Hyundai.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
99kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 117 engine complaints. 51% were reported before 100,000 miles.
3under 30k miles60under 100k miles57100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
14 owners mentioned a cost$6,250median
Middle half: $5,625 – $9,750
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other Tucson year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Tucson median. How we score
'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2012 Hyundai Tucson safety ratings
2012 Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (17.6% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2012 Hyundai Tucson, and the recalls they led to.
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module FiresOpen
- Loss of Motive PowerNo recall
- Engine FiresLed to recall 23V-877
In owners' words
What Tucson owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I bought my 2012 Hyundai Tucson from a used car dealership back in November of 2024. When I bought the vehicle it only had 55,000 miles on it and came with a 2 year unlimited mile warranty on the drive train and a full Carfax history in which everything came back clean, regular oil changes with…
Vehicle suddenly slipped into limp mode. Vehicle was then immediately taken to have code read. Code came back P1326. Was advised due to previous recall campaign(s) to contact Hyundai of America for guidance. Was told that vehicle needed to be confirmed per the BCT at any Hyundai dealership to which…
Engine started knocking luckily I was right by my mechanics place. They said needs new engine. Not to drive as a rod might go right through the engine. Only 98000 miles on it. Maintenance always done on time.
Own a 2012 Tucson?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.