2012 Hyundai Veracruz reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz holds 65 complaints after 15 years, a rate of 1 per year. That is more complaints per year than the 2013 Veracruz (0), the only other year on this site. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Seals and gaskets, and Engine.

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (21 of 65), then Engine (19) and Engine and engine cooling (16). Those filings include 4 that report a fire.

Next to 2013

The 2013 Veracruz has 0 complaints, 0 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 Veracruz. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

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 and cooling, engine, oil and lubrication, seals and gaskets 2020-11-13 · NHTSA campaign 20V705000

Summary Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles that were previously recalled under recall number 14V-415. Oil may leak from the front cylinder bank cover gasket, potentially dripping onto the alternator and causing the charging system to become inoperative.

Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the valve cover gasket and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 7, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 197.

Recall Engine 2014-07-08 · NHTSA campaign 14V415000

Summary Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles manufactured from December 26, 2006, through July 24, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an oil leak from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket. If there is a sufficient amount of oil dropped onto the alternator, the alternator will be damaged causing the charging system to become inoperative.

Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect/repair or replace the alternator and the front valve cover gasket, free of charge. Hyundai sent out an interim letter to owners on September 3, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 121.

Complaints by component (65 total)

Electrical system

Engine

Engine and engine cooling

Hydraulic brakes

Exterior lighting

Air bags

Speed control

Structure

Powertrain

Steering

Suspension

Show 3 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V705000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the parts to do the…"
Hydraulic brakes, Engine and engine cooling · filed 2026-08-10
"Bought car, it was a recall on the vehicle got it fixed then the ESC code came on, stops the car while driving & smoking from rear driver wheel, took to Hyundai was told I needed to get wheel speed sensor, CV axle &…"
Electrical system, Speed control, Engine · filed 2026-04-06
"The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact stated while parked and unoccupied, the vehicle caught fire. The contact stated she was told by one of her neighbors who tried to extinguish the fire but could not…"
Hydraulic brakes · filed 2024-11-25
"The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veracruz. 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…"
Hydraulic brakes · filed 2024-08-13
"The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veracruz. 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…"
Hydraulic brakes, Electrical system · filed 2024-05-31

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2012 Hyundai Veracruz SUV AWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	4 stars
2012 Hyundai Veracruz SUV FWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	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
Veracruz two-wheel drive	3.8L, 6-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-wheel drive	17	22	19 MPG	$3400
Veracruz four-wheel drive	3.8L, 6-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Four-wheel drive	16	21	18 MPG	$3600

Specs and fitment

EN (final years), 2012–2013

Body styles SUV

Oil 5W-20 or 5W-30 (all temps); 10W-30 above -18°C (3.8L V6) , 5.5 qt capacity

Tire size 245/60R18, 245/65R17 (trim-dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 14V-415 covers certain 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles: an oil leak from the front cylinder-bank valve cover gasket may drip onto the alternator. If enough oil reaches the alternator, it can cause an electrical short and increase fire risk. Dealers inspect, repair, or replace the alternator and the front valve cover gasket. Recall 20V-705 later covers certain 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles previously recalled under 14V-415 for the same front valve-cover gasket oil-leak concern; dealers inspect and repair the gasket as necessary. Recall 23V-651 also includes certain 2010-2012 Veracruz vehicles among other Hyundai models for an ABS module electrical short / fire risk; dealers replace the ABS fuse.

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See every Hyundai Veracruz model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz reliable?

What are common problems with a 2012 Hyundai Veracruz?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (21 of 65), then Engine (19) and Engine and engine cooling (16). Those filings include 4 that report a fire.

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

The 2013 Veracruz has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz been recalled?

The 2012 Hyundai Veracruz 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 Veracruz?

Owners have filed 65 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Hyundai Veracruz get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz is 18.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a US Hyundai Veracruz use?

5W-20 or 5W-30 (all temps); 10W-30 above -18°C (3.8L V6) With filter, about 5.5 qt is commonly listed for this generation—confirm in the owner manual.

What tire sizes fit a US Hyundai Veracruz?

Published US specs commonly list front 245/60R18, 245/65R17 (trim-dependent) and rear 245/60R18, 245/65R17 (trim-dependent); confirm on the door jamb placard for your trim.

What NHTSA recalls affect the US Hyundai Veracruz?