10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 12
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,531 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Hyundai Tucson engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Hyundai Tucson Owner Comments (Page 3 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #115

Jul 022020

Tucson 4-cyl

  • 100,320 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In October 2019 I took my car to Hyundai to have them service for the engine and engine cooling recall. They replaced the part and I was on my way. I serviced my car regularly, and just two weeks after my last oil change I was driving 70mph down the highway and the car started sputtering and then completely died. Luckily I was able to get pulled over where I attempted to start it again and it made a loud knock and then wouldn't start. I had the car towed to a nearby mechanic who said the engine had a huge hole in it. I asked if it could be that the folks who changed my oil messed something up, but he said it was unlikely because there was oil in the engine and that it was more likely something faulty in the manufacturing of the car or potentially due to the recall service not being done properly. So I did some research and there are tons of other 2012 Hyundai Tucson owners who have experienced the same exact issue. I then saw there is a class action lawsuit for similar issues, however the 2012 models weren't included in the lawsuit. This is clearly something that Hyundai needs to take responsibility for and include this model in the lawsuit, or at the very East make right and fix these engines at no cost and pay for the inconvenience and expenses incurred for rentals, towing, and time away from work.

- Lafayette, CO, USA

problem #114

Jul 012020

Tucson 4-cyl

  • miles
I purchased my vehicle from san francisco, I live in san francisco and only drive in san francisco, however, there's no dealerships that can service my car in san francisco. I'm being asked to drive over 30 miles away across the bridge and I have a phobia of driving across bridges. I will not ask anyone to drive my car. My complaint is that I contacted Hyundai and asked what they will do to get my car serviced, and my call is being escalated to another person and I'll receive a call within 3-5 days. In the meantime, I have to hope that my car doesn't cause an accident and if I do get into an accident, will my airbag work" they should have said they will send over a tow truck to pick up my car, and deliver it back to me. That wasn't done of course, because I'm not buying a new car. It is not my fault they don't have a dealership where I purchased my car any longer. What is the manufacture responsible for in making this happen"

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #113

Apr 012020

Tucson

  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle would restart approximately 15 minutes after experiencing the failure. The contact took the vehicle to lia Hyundai of hartford (20 jennings rd, hartford, ct 06120) where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V063000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.

- Hartford, CT, USA

problem #112

May 102020

Tucson 4-cyl

  • 100,086 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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. Towed to mechanic, car requires engine overhaul. Car then towed to Hyundai dealership, car needs a full engine rebuild. I have maintained my car with oil changes and the car has 100086 miles. There are numerous reports of failure of the theta II 2.4 liter engines, which my car has, yet no recall issues. Mechanic said parts alone will be around $6000 dollars, if you add labor it's probably more than the car is worth. I am concerned that there is a defect in the engine that poses a risk to life. A few months prior, this car also had a complete failure (lost all power) on the freeway.

- Duarte, CA, USA

problem #111

Apr 302020

Tucson

  • 114,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated he parked on the side of the road and checked the oil. The contact also stated that there were no oil leaks. The contact drove to his destination. The vehicle was taken to ciocca Hyundai of williamsport located at 202 lycoming mall dr, muncy, pa 17756, (570) 567-2000, where the dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.

- Hughesville, PA, USA

problem #110

Mar 192020

Tucson 4-cyl

  • 159,000 miles
My engine was fine and I've kept up with all of my oil changes and everything. I want to go get some recalls fixed on my car and afterwards now I need a new engine because my engine is tapping. A Hyundai of silsbee Texas tells me that I need to give them $300 and they will diagnose it and then let me know if the recalls affected my engine.when I brought my car in there was no problems with my engine. I'm a single mom and I don't have the money to give Hyundai to try to diagnose my vehicle.

- Kountze, TX, USA

problem #109

Mar 032020

Tucson

  • 77,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving along the interstate when engine had reduced engine power for a moment, then stalled around 70mph. Made it to an exit ramp luckily. Engine hesitated to restart, once it did start engine started knocking and had next to no power. Towed to Hyundai dealer, Hyundai dealer stated that Hyundai has had major problems with these engines and Hyundai should cover it fully. Dealership proceeded to pull oil pan and valve cover without our consent and with no communication for days. Confirmed the engine was bad, metal shavings in oil pan, rod bearings failed. Common problem. Waiting on Hyundai for approval. Service advisor quit, we were informed 6 days later that Hyundai is only willing to cover 65% of cost and we would have to pay 35% ($3,500.0) out of pocket. We refused to pay; they stated we would have to pay diagnosis, but they ended up waiving that. Technicians did not fully secure oil pan or valve cover. Oil under car where it was parked, have photos and videos to back this claim up. Have rental car and many tow bills in to the mix now. Why would the dealer tell us Hyundai fully cover this but they don't? we need this issue fixed. Many other Tucson owners deal with the same problem, with the same engine as the other cars, but theirs get replaced free or charge and expenses paid by Hyundai.

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #108

Dec 162019

Tucson

  • 80,000 miles
We had the car towed to our mechanic because the engine light came on. The mechanic tested the car and heard a tapping noise when stepping on the accelerator. The mechanic noted that there were large metal shards in oil pan. The shards were not present in the oil when oil was drained out. The metal shards were only visible once the oil pan was removed. The mechanic completed additional inspection to ensure there were no other issues. After removing the oil pump, he found all the rod bearings had play. This appears to be a manufacture defect. I spoke to the service advisor and he told me that a number of their customers were having the same problem, but the 2012 Hyundai engine was not on recall. Based on research, we discovered that this is a common problem with all 2.4 liter engines on all platforms for Kia and Hyundai. We took the car to the Hyundai dealer and were told we needed to purchase a new redesigned engine. During this conversation, we were notified the new engine has engine rod bearings that are more sturdy. Hyundai currently has a recall for the oil pan and also has recalls for engines in other car models but not this model. A new engine should not be required for an 7 year old car with 80,000 miles. As a car professional, I suspect this is due to the issues with a defective rod bearings that wear prematurely and result in catastrophic engine damage so the engines should be covered in the recall.

- Reston, VA, USA

problem #107

Mar 012019

Tucson

  • 101,000 miles
My car has had a knocking noise and when I called the dealership in March 2019 they told me that this was due to a recent recall that came out for the oil pan is leaking and told me to wait until they had a fix for it so I waited brought my car in for the recall. They performed the recall it did not fix the knocking noise I called corporate to file a claim they had me return to the dealership and run diagnostics in determining the diagnostics I am in need of a new engine however they only want to pay 2000 of the $3000 to $6000 it's going to cost to replace the short block engine. They also stated they have no idea what is wrong with my current engine nor do they know why it failed and they also don't know why my check engine light never came on. The local dealership also told me it was fine to continue driving the vehicle.

- New Galilee, PA, USA

problem #106

Dec 212019

Tucson

  • 80,456 miles
Driving on highway engine cuts shuts off. I let the car roll to the first off ramp in which I could not start the car again. Stuck in middle lane of exit until I got help to push car to side of the road.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #105

Jul 222019

Tucson 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2012 Hyundai Tucson. Consumer writes in regards to fuel switch safety recall. 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.

- Mount Arlington, NJ, USA

problem #104

Sep 232019

Tucson

  • 57,969 miles
Driving at highway speed without any notice engine quit had to pull over to the side of a very busy highway. Engine lights all came on and engine would not restart and made a a lot of noise while trying to turn over. Car had to be towed to dealership who is trying to get a new engine and associated parts we are now 6 weeks into it.

- Oldsmar, FL, USA

problem #103

Oct 122018

Tucson

  • 70,000 miles
Our tuscon experienced a complete engine failure at high speed on the highway one year ago. Following notification of the NHTSA recall (NHTSA recall number: 19V-063), we provided detailed documentation to Hyundai in three separate letters which explains in great detail our experience. We have uploaded those letters below. The letter dated 20jul provides the detail of the incident. We also have invoices for the repair which occurred prior to the recall being announced. Please see the attachments for more detail.

- Vidor, TX, USA

problem #102

May 012019

Tucson

  • 43,500 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle began to hesitate, decelerate, and failed to exceed 5 mph. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact drove to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the accelerator pedal position sensor, cam position sensor, and upstream oxygen sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to springfield Hyundai (located at 754 baltimore pike, springfield, pa 19064, (866) 418-7587) where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V063000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,500.

- Chester, PA, USA

problem #101

Sep 302019

Tucson

  • 57,974 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle seized and lost power without warning. The contact managed to veer to the shoulder of the road and stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle, but was unable to duplicate the failure. Three weeks prior to the failure, the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 19V063000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact informed keffer Hyundai (9010 E independence blvd, matthews, nc 28105, (980) 201-2782) and was instructed to bring the vehicle back in for a second diagnostic test. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 57,974.

- Mathews, SC, USA

problem #100

Jul 032019

Tucson

  • 118,000 miles
While driving on the expressway in birmingham, coming from stockbridge, ga we heard a knocking noise under the hood and pulled over. The noise increased, so we had to have car towed all the way back to Georgia to a Hyundai service center. It turns out the rob bearing failed, was the diagnosis. I purchased this car in Oct 2018 the car broke down July 2019. Hyundai told me it would cost $10,000 to replace with a new engine or $6,000 used with 90K miles on used engine. I wrote a letter to Hyundai, who they had someone contact me and told me just to wait there will be a recall soon. Two months later I receive a recall notice for an oil pan leak recall #19V063000. That was too late! the car is sitting in my garage because I feel that Hyundai is responsible for fixing this car. I just read where Hyundai/Kia had a class action suit on them and they settled, but 2012 Tucson was not listed only 2014, 2015, 2018 &2019 Tucson. How do you start a class action law suit?

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

problem #99

Aug 162019

Tucson

  • 100,973 miles
My vehicle began making a clanking noise from the front of the car while I was driving, I pulled over to check what the noise was, when I stopped the vehicle I looked underneath and saw a fluid coming out, I was able to drive the car home but the clanking was still going then as I tried to go a little faster around 30mph the engine light came on, I pulled into my complex and the car completely died, I waited a few minutes and started the car up again no lights came on but there was still clanking coming from the front. Next morning I drove it up the street to my mechanic the car did the same thing but this time the engine light came on and the oil light was flickering, and as I pulled into the mechanic shop the car died while I was in mid turn. They told me there was a small oil leak but needed to open the engine to find out more. There was a recall on my vehicle so I took it to the Hyundai dealer to see if that was the cause they told me it was not, as I did research I found that Hyundai has two different cars with the same type of issue with the engine. Hyundai finally came with a diagnostic that it was my spun bearing that was the issue with the engine, which is the exact issue as the two other cars the sonata and Santa Fe from Hyundai with a recall. I have reached out to Hyundai manufacturing to inform them of the issue, they told me that the Hyundai dealer who did the diagnostic does not have to report these findings if they do not want to. I have seen complaints with my type of vehicle on the internet on carcomplaints.com along with other forums online with this same exact issue on the Hyundai Tucson 2012.

- Browns Mills, NJ, USA

problem #98

Sep 192018

Tucson

  • 72,000 miles
Driving down interstate 95 in philadelphia, pa (at 55mph) when engine stalled. Was able to get onto shoulder, and had car towed to mechanic. Mechanic tells me that the engine seized (due to no oil getting to the block), and that I would need a new motor. Contacted Hyundai usa, and they have done nothing about it. Based on the reviews, it looks like this is a common issue, yet they are doing nothing about it.

- Levittown, PA, USA

problem #97

Feb 282019

Tucson

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19V063000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact called jim burke automotive service center at 205-291-1119 (located at 445 13th St N, birmingham, al 35203) and was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #96

Aug 172019

Tucson

  • 110,000 miles
My car (2012 Hyundai Tucson) was effected by recall 181, announced in April of 2019. My engine seized while driving down the highway at 80 mph, luckily we were able to pull on to the shoulder safely. Had it been a mile or two down the road this would have happened in a tunnel and the outcome could have been dramatically different as there is no shoulder. I had the car towed to my local garage where they tested various things including starter, alternator, battery etc and determined the engine had seized. I had to have the car towed to the dealership and again after running diagnostic it was determined that the engine is seized. Now I am in a waiting game to see if Hyundai will do the right thing and replace the engine.

- Fayetteville, AR, USA

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