2012 Hyundai Tucson Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 10%of 255 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,384miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Hyundai Tucson, 10% of the 255 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,384 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“This is a complaint that mimics the current recall 16v628000 from Hyundai on 8/30/2016, for their 2016 Tucson transmission problems of the engine/transmission where it will disengage. When driving and pressing on accelerator the engine revs, but the transmission seems to be in neutral (even though in drive). It has happened to me on my 2012 after I made a gradual right hand turn around a ramp at about 25 MPH . I had come out of the turn and tried to accelerate when nothing happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #11098263, filed 2018-05, 56,370 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“I was driving and the engine started making a noise. All of a sudden it sounded terrible like there were rocks rattling around in the engine and it shut down. I was initially in town when it started and just got on the hwy when she broke down. Hubby, two puppies, and I were stranded in the side of the hwy in 100 degree heat for 2 hrs. Had to rent a moving truck and trailer to make the trek back home to ga. Hyundai service said it threw a rod and shredded in the engine and the entire engine needed replaced. Minimum of $5500 for the engine itself. …”
NHTSA complaint #11352713, filed 2020-09, 110,000 miles“Takata recall as my 2012 Hyundai Tucson reached 100,000 miles my transmission went out and left me stranded. I had a rebuilt transmission put in, that was purchased from the dealership. Now I am at 132,000 miles and my engine is knocking. The knocking gets loud during acceleration, and has quickly gone from a ticking sound on the front passenger side of the vehicle to a loud knock. My mechanic is saying that there is no coming back from this, the engine will need to be replaced. Oil changes are done on time, there is oil in the car now but a rod is knocking loudly. …”
NHTSA complaint #11172020, filed 2019-01, 132,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10253275Apr 9, 2024This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on…
- 10241874Aug 17, 2023Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response…
- 10176194May 21, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with the following symptoms and DTC, follow the Service Procedure on Page 4. ï· Check Engine light on ï· DTC P0880/P088000 - TCM…
- 10174807Apr 17, 2020The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
- 10174799Apr 9, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related…
- 10172227Feb 20, 2020If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related…
- 10170899Jan 2, 2020This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and repair a transaxle for the following Incorrect Ratio DTC (transaxle clutch slipping more than 200 rpm in gear).
- 10170511Dec 17, 2019If you are servicing a vehicle with a transmission slipping concern, follow the Service Procedure shown below and perform a stall test. This TSB provides a procedure to test each…
- 10165455Aug 12, 2019If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a ?Check Engine? light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid…
- 10163279Jun 4, 2019This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and repair a transaxle for the following Incorrect Ratio DTC (transaxle clutch slipping more than 200 rpm in gear).
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 | 15 | 5% |
| 2024 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 14 | 10% |
| 2022 | 64 | 16% |
| 2021 | 8 | 10% |
| 2020 | 9 | 5% |
| 2019 | 42 | 11% |
| 2018 | 101 | 25% |
| 2017 | 293 | 27% |
| 2016 | 518 | 32% |
| 2015 | 21 | 9% |
| 2014 | 11 | 5% |
| 2013 | 16 | 6% |
| 2012 | 26 | 10% |
| 2011 | 20 | 16% |
| 2010 | 22 | 37% |
| 2008 | 2 | 5% |
| 2007 | 6 | 9% |
| 2006 | 8 | 6% |
| 2005 | 16 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2012 Hyundai Tucson
160 complaintsBrakes
35 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Hyundai Tucson
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology