2012 Hyundai Tucson Problems

What owners report

Owner complaints for this model year focus heavily on the engine: ticking or rattling noises that worsen until the engine seizes or is replaced, sudden loss of power while driving, and oil loss with higher-than-normal oil use. These reports mostly appear between roughly 55,000 and 170,000 miles, and several owners say they were quoted a full engine replacement, sometimes shortly after a recall repair. Brake, transmission, AWD and theft concerns each appear in only a small share of the sampled complaints.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine knock or rattle, then seized or failed engine

   • 142 complaints (56%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 7.6 yrs old (105 state mileage)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $5,750 (median of 16 quotes)
   • filed 2011–2026

   Complaints describe a ticking, tapping or rattling sound from the engine that grows worse over time, sometimes compared to rocks tumbling inside the engine, followed by a loud knock and loss of power. Owners report that dealers and independent shops found metal debris in the oil pan or failed connecting rod bearings and diagnosed the engine as needing replacement or a rebuild. Several say the vehicle had regular oil changes and still failed, and a few note the repair estimate ran into several thousand dollars. Mostly reported between about 55,000 and 170,000 miles, with many clustered between 80,000 and 120,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for ticking or rattling at cold start and under acceleration, and ask for receipts showing regular oil changes. Ask whether the engine has already been replaced or inspected for bearing noise, and have a mechanic read stored engine codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I received a safety recall on nov. 27th on the vehicle. I made an appt with a hyudai dealer for service. On dec. 2 I was driving to the dealership on a city road, after accelerating from a stoplight stop, the engine blew. Luckily we were all at a low speed as the light had just gone green. Dealership says it threw a rod through block and sent me a picture. This car has the theta ii engine. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11378084, filed 2020-12, 80,000 miles

   “Sudden loss of acceleration/power while driving car straight through a parking lot. Thank goodness I hadn't made it to the highway! All dash lights came on and car came to rolling stop. Turned car off and when I turned it back on there was a loud rattle in the engine while accelerating. Took it to a mechanic right away and was advised the engine would need replacement (though they did not take it apart to determine exact issue). …”

   NHTSA complaint #11041336, filed 2017-10, 82,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Sudden stalling or loss of power while driving

   • 57 complaints (22%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 7.6 yrs old (46 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2024

   Owners describe the engine cutting out without warning at highway and city speeds, with dashboard lights flashing or the vehicle dropping into a reduced-power mode, forcing them to coast to the shoulder. Some vehicles restarted after a pause and others would not restart at all, and in several cases the shop found the engine needed replacement. A few owners say they were told the vehicle was outside warranty or not covered by the engine recall. Reported from about 70,000 to 150,000 miles, frequently at highway speed.

   Recall 19V063000

   What to check: Ask whether the oil-pan recall (19V063000) was completed and keep proof of it. During a test drive, note any hesitation, warning lights or long cranking before start.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving my car having just got off the freeway, the dashboard lights flashed briefly and then the engine went dead. Cars behind me had to serve to get around me. The car is only 6 years old and under warranty. The car is currently at the dealer being repaired due to an engine problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #11105377, filed 2018-07, 78,000 miles

   “Was driving my 2012 Hyundai Tucson when it suddenly died at a stoplight. It wouldn't restart. When I turned the key to restart it nothing happened, no clicking, it didn't turn over at all. Called a tow truck and had them tow it to our local firestone. They ran a diagnostic on it and the only thing they could see was that the starter wasn't working. They replaced the starter and after struggling to get it to start even with the new starter it clanged and banged and then died again once they were able to get it started. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11341160, filed 2020-07, 80,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Oil leak or higher-than-normal oil consumption

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report oil loss between changes, oil seen under the vehicle, and in one case smoke from the tailpipe with a gurgling exhaust sound; a shop then found oil inside an engine cylinder and recommended replacement. Some complaints tie the oil-level drop to the engine oil-pan recall notice, with owners saying the remedy part was not yet available when they asked. Others describe a low oil pressure light coming on during a drive. Reported from about 100,000 to 180,000 miles, including soon after a recall repair.

   Recall 19V0630002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the engine oil level and look for a fuel smell on the dipstick, and ask for the service record for the oil-pan recall. Ask whether oil consumption has been measured between changes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V063000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer and had a recall remedy completed. The contact stated that three days later while driving 70 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11469352, filed 2022-06, 180,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was smoke coming from the tailpipe and a gurgling sound was coming from the exhaust. Additionally, the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who diagnosed that the engine oil was present inside the engine cylinder and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11564391, filed 2024-01, 137,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pedal to the floor, ABS warning and noise

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the brake pedal traveling to the floorboard without stopping the vehicle, and others report squeaking or abnormal noise when braking that a mechanic could not reproduce. Complaints mention the ABS module recall notice and that the repair part was not yet available, leaving the vehicle unrepaired. One owner linked a brake repair at a dealer to a later fire under the hood. Reported from about 48,000 to 180,000 miles, at varied speeds and conditions.

   Recall 23V651000

   What to check: Ask whether the ABS module recall (23V651000) was completed and confirm it in writing. Test the pedal on a safe, open stop and have the brake fluid level and any leak at the ABS module checked.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle caught on fire in the driveway - it had not been driven or even started in over 28 hours. The fire started under the hood. The fire department was called and it was deemed a total loss. The insurance company did not conduct an investigation due to the age of the vehicle. The dealership did full brake work 10 days prior to the fire occurring.”

   NHTSA complaint #11114308, filed 2018-07, 123,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was inoperable. The contact depressed the brake pedal to the floorboard and the vehicle failed to stop. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11562069, filed 2023-12, 150,375 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   AWD light on, all-wheel drive cutting out

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the AWD warning light switching on and off, with all-wheel drive unavailable while the light is on, including in snow. Complaints describe visits to more than one dealer where the concern could not be duplicated on a diagnostic check, and an owner being told the warranty criteria had changed. Reported around 45,000 to 77,000 miles, including winter driving.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Watch the AWD light during a test drive and ask for any stored transmission or AWD codes. Ask whether any transmission service or repair has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My awd light comes on and off- when on I do not have awd and if is a serious safety matter. I have taken it to be checked and was told oh at times you have it and some times you don't have it. Meaning awd--then another Hyundai dealer informed me oh no problems when checked on diagnostic . Well with being said as a nurse , I find this unacceptable -- only 70 some miles and now I'm told the warranty criteria has changed. Please help and advise. Your warranty was a big decision maker in my decision to purchase. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11391099, filed 2021-02, 70,068 miles

   “I was driving and the engine started making a click click noise. It sounded terrible like there were rocks rattling around at the bottom of the engine and lost power. The vehicle broke down and I had to find a to and rental car to get home. Hyundai service said I need a new engine, because the entire engine needed replaced. I know there have been several recalls on the Hyundai engines and I called the Hyundai customer service and flat out told me that my ngine was outside of the warranty and therefore they could not help. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11360634, filed 2020-09, 152,429 miles

Buying note. Have this model year inspected by an independent mechanic before purchase, with attention to engine noise, oil level and consumption, and the brakes, and ask for proof that the engine oil-pan and ABS module recalls were completed. Service records showing regular oil changes are worth asking for, since many engine complaints come from owners who say maintenance was kept up.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.