2012 Hyundai Tucson Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 99,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

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 Carfax history in which everything came back clean , regular oil changes with synthetic oil every 4,000 miles and for…Owner complaint, filed 2026

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 that vehicle needed to be confirmed per the BCT at any Hyundai dealership to which the agent scheduled the appointment…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 48,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

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. An unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that the recall repair parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the…Owner complaint, filed 2025

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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 68,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 70,068 miles

The contact owns a 2012 hyundai tucson. The contact stated that the gear shifter was difficult to operate when transitioning in and out of the reverse gear. When the vehicle was placed into reverse, the gear shifter became very difficult to maneuver without warning. The contact took the vehicle to boch hyundai (391 providence hwy…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 50,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 38,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

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.Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while using the key fob, the alarm engaged. The contact was concerned about the vehicle being vulnerable to theft. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 100,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 90,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 hyundai tucson. While attempting to accelerate from a traffic light, the vehicle lurched forward and independently [VIN]. The contact stated that the failure recurred once. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and [VIN] were not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 103,000 miles

I own a hyundai tucson 2012. On december 31, 2012, we took the vehicle to the dealership for regular maintenance and reported that we have experienced several instances of sudden unintended acceleration (sua) (I.e., the rpm raced up to 4,000 rpms when at idle and accelerator was not pressed). The dealership could not duplicate/verify…Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 14,700 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (6).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

There are several issues with the rear doors. It started when the rear doors would not respond to being unlocked by the key fob. Then the rear hatch would not open without the back doors being unlocked first, which required (the rear doors) to be opened manually. Finally, the rear driver-side door will not open manually or otherwise; it…Owner complaint, filed 2023

The left rear door will not open from outside handle or inside handle. Unlocking from the key fob or drivers door control or the lock on the rear door panel does not work. We can not in any way open the door. It worked fine for quite a while then began malfunctioning occasionally and then finally would not open at all. Nothing seems to…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 50,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 33,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 hyundai tucson. The contact was driving 35 to 40 MPH when the steering wheel seized and the vehicle crashed into a ditch. The contact stated that the power steering light illuminated after the failure. The crash caused no injuries and the police were not contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer…Owner complaint, filed 2012, at 4,000 miles

On [XXX], Gas pedal failed to accelerate car while transitioning from [XXX\ on-ramp to the highway lane. Was able to steer car to shoulder before momentum dissipated. Warning lights for oil and motor were illuminated on dash. No power steering. Turned off motor. Restarted car eventually. Warning lights not illuminated. Gas pedal worked.…Owner complaint, filed 2024

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

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. No other airbags were deployed during this front end crash. The seatbelt tensioner did activate and prevented serious…Owner complaint, filed 2025

My 2012 hyundai tuscon was involved in a serious accident. My daughter was the driver and no other passengers in the vehicle. All airbags in the vehicle deployed at impact except the driver's airbag? I see numerous hyundai recalls and airbag issues on the internet, but no mention of the tuscon. My daughter has serious injuries as a…Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 60,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 33,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

* vehicle was taken to sheehy hyundai in december 2017 for regular maintenance, which included a tire rotation. * vehicle was taken to sheehy hyundai in february 2018 for regular maintenance with an additional complaint for noises when making turns, particularly to the left. * the sheehy hyundai service department stated a tire was…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 82,000 miles

Kumho solus kl21 tires are a real safety issue.. Tread measures 8/32" and the tread is separating. Car shakes so bad at 30 MPH you can not talk to the person sitting next to you.Owner complaint, filed 2014

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2012 hyundai tucson. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact noticed that the vehicle had three quarters of a tank of fuel; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed. On another occasion, the fuel tank had a significant amount of fuel, but the vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 57,000 miles

2012 hyundai tucson. Consumer writes in regards to fuel switch safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the fuel switch failed and caused engine failure prior to the warranty expiring but, there was no repair available at the time.Owner complaint, filed 2019

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

When I purchase the car there's window tint applied across the whole windshield of the vehicle. It look like steam is coming from it causing it hard to see out of the windshield when driving especially at night.Owner complaint, filed 2019

The contact owns a 2012 hyundai tucson. The contact stated that the tint on the front windshield malfunctioned. The lower section of the windshield was affected, which caused a visibility hazard. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. Jenkins hyundai of ocala (1602 sw college rd, ocala, fl) was notified of the failure. The [VIN] was…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 121,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

Turn my car on was proceeding to back up and I heard a pop it still moved so I knew it wasn't the tie rods or something like that and all of a sudden while I was driving I kept hearing a rattle and all of a sudden on a block away from my house a piece flew out and was the spring for the strut she only has 40000 miles on it I was reading…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 40,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 hyundai tucson. While driving 35 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal clunking noise. Upon opening the driver's side door, there was an abnormal popping noise and a piece of metal detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the coil spring fractured.…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 73,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

Campaign #[XXX] I was notified and contacted Hyundai multiple times - 11/14, 15 and 16.There were multiple other times as well. I contacted both Broadway and Bergstrom Hyundai in both Appleton and Green Bay on multiple occasions as well to ask for a rental while awaiting the remedy as you are advised not to park near structures and…Owner complaint, filed 2024