The Lemon Index2011 Hyundai Tucson.
The 2011 Hyundai Tucson is better than average by owner complaints: 28 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 51, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 22 to 25 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Tucson year is 2021.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 124 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Tucson year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 30K to 110K miles on the car (70 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 70K–116K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 31K–82K miles
Recalls 5
- brakes 2023
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.
- engine 2019
The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.
- transmission & drivetrain 2016
The affected vehicles have a transmission fluid cooler hose that may have been improperly manufactured, resulting in a transmission fluid leak.
Show all 5 recalls
- airbags 2014
In the affected vehicles, the air bag assembly installed in the steering wheel may come loose from its mounting.
- lights 2013
Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 127 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Check engine light on, transaxle held in third gear, and trouble codes stored
- Information provided regarding installation of inhibitor switch bracket to prevent shock
- The shift lever on some 6-speed vehicles may intermittently not shift out of park
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Tucson SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2550–2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
When driving to and from work (am/pm) the dbc (downhill brake control) and esc (electronic stability control) indicator lights will turn on and remain on until I stop and turn off the ignition.
2011 Hyundai Tucson owner · NHTSA complaint 10524735
Quick answers
Is the 2011 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 51; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Tucson year by this measure is 2021.
What are the most common 2011 Hyundai Tucson problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (39%), stability control (32%) and tires (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Hyundai Tucson have?
5 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Hyundai Tucson get?
22 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2011 Hyundai Tucson problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,000 and 110,500 miles. The middle report was at 72,100 miles, from 70 complaints.
Does the 2011 Hyundai Tucson have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 39% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Hyundai Tucson cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Hyundai Tucson have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Tucson year is better than the 2011?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2021, 2013 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works