The Lemon Index2012 Hyundai Tucson.
The 2012 Hyundai Tucson is better than average by owner complaints: 30 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 55, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 21 to 25 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Tucson year is 2021.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 255 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Tucson year. 2012 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 57K to 113K miles on the car (169 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 74K–119K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 26K–97K miles
Recalls 3
- 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.
- airbags 2014
In the affected vehicles, the air bag assembly installed in the steering wheel may come loose from its mounting.
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 114 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The shift lever on some 6-speed vehicles may intermittently not shift out of park
- Before installing an automatic transmission, check the depth of the torque converter in the…
- 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
- ClosedEngine fires2021–2024
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 AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2550–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Shift does not appear on dashboard, transmission shifts hard when this happens. When in reverse, the camera does not work. Have to shut car off then transmission works.
2012 Hyundai Tucson owner · NHTSA complaint 10637453
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.8× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 55; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Tucson year by this measure is 2021.
What are the most common 2012 Hyundai Tucson problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (30%), electrical (20%) and wheels (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Tucson have?
3 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 2012 Hyundai Tucson get?
21 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Hyundai Tucson safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Hyundai Tucson problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 57,500 and 113,000 miles. The middle report was at 83,000 miles, from 169 complaints.
Does the 2012 Hyundai Tucson have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 30% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Hyundai Tucson cost in fuel a year?
About $2550 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Hyundai Tucson have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Tucson year is better than the 2012?
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