Reliable Auto DB

2012 Hyundai Tucson reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 255 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Tucson over 15 years — 9 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Tucson years here — under the median of the other years, which is 28. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Engine, and Air bags.

2012 Hyundai Tucson
Photo by Mr.choppers, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Complaints

255

Per year

9

Recalls

3

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (160 of 255), then Hydraulic brakes (27) and Powertrain (26). Those filings include 12 that report a crash, 13 that report a fire, and 8 that report an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Tucson has 266 complaints, 6 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Hyundai Tucson. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (3)

Recall Brake control module 2023-09-22 · NHTSA campaign 23V651000
Summary 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 result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
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.
Recall Engine 2019-02-05 · NHTSA campaign 19V063000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Air bags 2014-05-13 · NHTSA campaign 14V245000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (255 total)

Engine
160
Hydraulic brakes
27
Powertrain
26
Electrical system
17
Engine and engine cooling
10
Service brakes
9
Speed control
9
Structure
9
Air bags
6
Steering
6
Wheels
5
Suspension
4
Fuel system, gasoline
3
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
Exterior lighting
2
Visibility
2
Adaptive and mobility equipment
1
Diesel fuel system
1
Equipment
1
Fuel and propulsion system
1
Seats
1
Tires
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 15 more Show less
Crash-flagged

12

Fire-flagged

13

Injury reports

8

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

32011520129201310201432015920161520171820188220192320201620211020221820232820243202532026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-08-18
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-07-29
  • "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."
    Engine · filed 2026-05-06
  • "got vehicle registration notice and recall notice was on the form regarding a possible electrical fire while parked or driving. I just got this car about 9 months ago, dmv is still showing nothing has been done."
    Electrical system · filed 2025-10-09
  • "Airbag located in the steering wheel partially deployed during a moderate/serious accident. It came out of the front of the steering wheel but never inflated. I have pictures available of the partially deployed airbag.…"
    Air bags · filed 2025-09-10

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2012 Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Tucson two-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 22 29 25 MPG $2600
Tucson two-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Front-wheel drive 20 26 22 MPG $2950
Tucson two-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 21 30 25 MPG $2600
Tucson two-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 20 27 23 MPG $2800
Tucson four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Four-wheel drive 20 27 23 MPG $2800
Tucson four-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Four-wheel drive 19 25 21 MPG $3100

Specs and fitment

3rd generation (TL), 2012–2020
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.0L and 1.6L turbo per manual) , 4.8 qt capacity
Tire size 225/60R17 to 245/45R19 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 2,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Owner complaints for mid-generation years (especially 2016) concentrate on the power train and engine. Safety recall 20V-543 covers certain 2016-2021 Tucson vehicles: the anti-lock brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) can corrode internally and short, with a possible engine-compartment fire; dealers replace the HECU fuse, and for 2019-2021 also update ESC software, while owners are advised to park outside until remedied. Safety recall 16V-628 covers certain 2016 Tucsons with the 7-speed EcoShift dual-clutch transmission that may fail to move after repeated accelerator tip-in in heat; dealers update TCM software. Safety recall 16V-348 covers certain 2016 Tucsons whose secondary hood latch may not hold if the primary latch is released, so the hood can open while driving; dealers replace that latch.

Compare

Next year 2013 Hyundai Tucson See every Hyundai Tucson model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Hyundai Tucson reliable?

Owners have filed 255 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Hyundai Tucson over 15 years — 9 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Tucson years here — under the median of the other years, which is 28. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Engine, and Air bags.

What are common problems with a 2012 Hyundai Tucson?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (160 of 255), then Hydraulic brakes (27) and Powertrain (26). Those filings include 12 that report a crash, 13 that report a fire, and 8 that report an injury.

Is the 2012 Hyundai Tucson more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Tucson has 266 complaints, 6 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Hyundai Tucson been recalled?

The 2012 Hyundai Tucson has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Hyundai Tucson?

Owners have filed 255 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Tucson with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Hyundai Tucson get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Hyundai Tucson is 23.2 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Tucson take?

5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.0L and 1.6L turbo per manual)

What does NHTSA recall 20V-543 cover on the Hyundai Tucson?

Safety recall 20V-543 covers certain 2016-2021 Tucson vehicles: the anti-lock brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) can corrode internally and short, with a possible engine-compartment fire; dealers replace the HECU fuse, and for 2019-2021 also update ESC software,…

What generation is the 2013 Hyundai Tucson?

3rd generation (TL) (2012-2020).