Is the 2012 Hyundai Tucson a bad year?
255 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 168, 7.3× a quiet Tucson year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Tucson were filed between 77k and 121k miles. You're at 100,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2012 Tucson owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 100,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 168 (66%) | 77k–121k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 35 (14%) | 29k–140k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 26 (10%) | 34k–92k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 17 (7%) | 18k–89k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 100,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 255 complaints: 12 mention a crash · 13 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 31 say the car was towed.
3 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Aug 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
On 5/10/2020, check engine light went on, engine sputtered, we were able to exit freeway and pull over and by that time, car was shaking very hard.
While accelerating onto the highway, a clicking or clacking noise was heard from the engine, the vehicle then seemed to suddenly loose power then stall.
Driving along the interstate when engine had reduced engine power for a moment, then stalled around 70MPH. Made it to an exit ramp luckily.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 100,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Tucson: 3
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. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage. A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
In the affected vehicles, the air bag assembly installed in the steering wheel may come loose from its mounting. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Hyundai: 99
Repair instructions Hyundai sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2012 Hyundai Tucson. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle's inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326…
Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs
Diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2
Some vehicles may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or an engine concern/noise related to connecting rod bearing wear…
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Loss of Motive Power
Engine Fires
Neighbouring years
2011 Tucson: 124 complaints, keep it · 2013 Tucson: 266 complaints, consider selling.
Every Hyundai Tucson year
2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Tucson years side by side
Other Hyundai models: Hyundai Accent · Hyundai Azera · Hyundai Elantra · Hyundai Elantra Touring · Hyundai Entourage · Hyundai Genesis · Hyundai Genesis Coupe · Hyundai Ioniq 5 · Hyundai Kona · Hyundai Kona Electric · Hyundai Palisade · Hyundai Santa Cruz · Hyundai Santa Fe · Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid · Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · Hyundai Sonata · Hyundai Sonata Hybrid · Hyundai Tiburon · Hyundai Tucson Hybrid · Hyundai Veloster · Hyundai Veracruz · Hyundai XG350. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2012 Hyundai Tucson a bad year?
255 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 168, 7.3× a quiet Tucson year. At 100,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Tucson were filed between 77k and 121k miles. You're at 100,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Hyundai Tucson?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (168), brakes (35), transmission and drivetrain (26), electrical system (17), body structure (9). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 77k–121k miles.
How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Tucson have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 23V-651), Engine (NHTSA 19V-063), Air bags (NHTSA 14V-245). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.