Are there open safety recalls?
3 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2012 Hyundai Tucson has 3 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 255 owner complaints, and gets about 23 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2012 Hyundai Tucson
- Engine 4-cyl 2.4L
- Drive 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
9 injuries reported
9 of 255 reports (~4%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
4 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 20104recalls
- 20115recalls
- 2012 · this car3recalls
- 20133recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 27, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 4 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 4 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
Tested as: 2012 Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD · 2 versions tested
Open safety recalls
3 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
-
Engine And Engine Cooling
05/02/2019
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.
How they fix it: 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.
-
Air Bags
13/05/2014
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.
How they fix it: 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.
-
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
22/09/2023
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.
How they fix it: 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.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 27, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 201057reports
- 2011124reports
- 2012 · this car255reports
- 2013266reports
255 owner reports on file
12 crash mentions 13 fire mentions 9 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 255 total reports.
- ENGINE 135 of 255
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 wh
- SERVICE BRAKES 31 of 255
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
- POWER TRAIN 24 of 255
I was driving down the interstate, going approximately 70mph, and my 2012 Hyundai Tucson started having difficulty maintaining speed. The engine started revving up while the car was still slowing down. Suddenly, I felt a knock and smoke sta
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11 of 255
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.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 10 of 255
My 2012 Tucson started dumping large amounts of oil. Would be ok not dumping then would start drastically using then stop again. Vehicle ran fine then it started doing this maybe 3 months into this approx a week ago it started making noise
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7 of 255
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was smoke coming from the tailpipe and a gurgling sound was coming from the exhaust. Additionally, the vehicle was experiencing exces
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 27, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 201026mpg
- 201125mpg
- 2012 · this car23mpg
- 201325mpg
$2,650
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 20 mpg
Highway driving 27 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 23 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $2,250 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 27, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 2.4L
Drivetrain
4-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic 6-spd
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2.4L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2.4 L
- Drivetrain
- 4-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic 6-spd
- Body
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 27, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 3 open NHTSA recalls (including the engine and engine cooling). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the engine
Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
-
Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2012 Hyundai Tucson listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2012 Hyundai Tucson? +
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Tucson, including the engine and engine cooling. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Hyundai Tucson get? +
The EPA rates the 2012 Hyundai Tucson at 23 mpg combined (20 city / 27 highway), about $2,650 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2012 Hyundai Tucson? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2012 Hyundai Tucson 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2012 Hyundai Tucson? +
Owners have filed 255 complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Hyundai Tucson, including 12 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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