10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
49,682 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Hyundai Tucson:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Hyundai Tucson Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

May 242022

Tucson

  • miles

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

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 started bellowing out of the engine bay. I pulled over immediately, opened the hood to inspect, and was almost burnt by the flames. There was a fire near the back of the engine block which I was able to put out with some water. I had my vehicle towed to the Hyundai of West Allis in Wisconsin. The dealership and a corporate Hyundai inspector determined that the cause of the fire was a thrown engine rod. There were no signs of issues or engine lights prior to this event. My Tucson has been at the dealership for nearly two months. After tens of hours dealing with Hyundai customer service and the dealership, both entities decided that they will do nothing to remedy the situation. My Hyundai vehicle has the 2.4L Theta II engine which is clearly implicated in the recent class action lawsuit against Hyundai for faulty engines. There is a recall for the rod bearing which was the direct cause of my engine throwing a rod and causing the fire.

- Wauwatosa, WI, USA

problem #25

Sep 222021

Tucson

  • miles
My 2012 Tucson engine, with 62,000 miles, locked up on 09/22/21 while I was on a trip, without warning & no check engine light came on. Luckily, I was able to coast to the small shoulder. It suddenly seized on a stretch of I15 in the mountains of the Mohave Desert. The engine completely stopped so suddenly that I was lucky I was able to coast to the shoulder. The shoulder was very narrow, so I was barely off a very busy highway, at night. The breakdown happened just before midnight. I was stuck on the side of the road as cars and trucks were flying by us, with little room to avoid hitting us. It took 4 hours to find someone who would tow my car. I was towed to Midas shop at a cost of $800. The Midas shop confirmed that my engine had seized, was full of oil, and no explanation for the engine seizing could be found. The only option was to replace the engine. I wanted a new one, but they could not find one. They found a "used" one from a 2012 Tucson, supposedly with 40,000 miles on it. The mechanic had to go to Huntington Beach to pick it up. He was amazed at the cost of the engine (much higher than they had paid for any other used engine). Ultimately the replacement cost $12,118.41. When I picked up my car on 10/15/21 I headed home to San Diego (170 miles). After approx 100 miles, the transmission suddenly stopped shifting into any gear. It would not come out of neutral. I was in a lane close enough to the shoulder to coast just far enough to get a few inches off the highway. Because it was a Friday evening, there were no auto shops open. I had no choice but to have the car towed to my house (70 miles) at a cost of $500. A local transmission shop diagnosed my transmission problem. It was due to failure of the part that pumps fluid into the transmission. Yet another problem that shouldn-€™t occur in a car with only 61,000 miles on it. The cost of the repair was $4,200. The failure of those parts put me in 2 very dangerous situations and cost me $20,000.

- Santee, CA, USA

problem #24

Aug 212021

Tucson

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated the all-wheel drive (AWD) warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

- Egg Harbor Township, NJ, USA

problem #23

Feb 012021

Tucson

  • 70,068 miles

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

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 unacceptable -- only 70 some miles and now I'm told the warranty criteria has changed. Please help and advise. Your warranty was a big decision maker in my decision to purchase. Driving in snow it went out, I drove because I was informed it was working.lucky I'm able to send you this concern as the end result could have been a negative impact.

- Reinholds, PA, USA

problem #22

Sep 202020

Tucson

  • 152,429 miles
I was driving and the engine started making a click click noise. It sounded terrible like there were rocks rattling around at the bottom of the engine and lost power. The vehicle broke down and I had to find a to and rental car to get home. Hyundai service said I need a new engine, because the entire engine needed replaced. I know there have been several recalls on the Hyundai engines and I called the Hyundai customer service and flat out told me that my ngine was outside of the warranty and therefore they could not help. I am not ready to have to get a new vehicle, specially in this covid situation. I had a similar issue with a 2003 tuscon Santa Fe...this engine failure issue is a scam.

- Riverview, FL, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #21

Aug 222020

Tucson

  • 110,000 miles
I was driving and the engine started making a noise. All of a sudden it sounded terrible like there were rocks rattling around in the engine and it shut down. I was initially in town when it started and just got on the hwy when she broke down. Hubby, two puppies, and I were stranded in the side of the hwy in 100 degree heat for 2 hrs. Had to rent a moving truck and trailer to make the trek back home to ga. Hyundai service said it threw a rod and shredded in the engine and the entire engine needed replaced. Minimum of $5500 for the engine itself. I switched to synthetic oil on the first change when I got her new and was regular with her maintenance. I was not ready to have to get a new vehicle just yet.

- Loganville, GA, USA

problem #20

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 #19

Aug 012019

Tucson

  • 50,000 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, norwood, MA 02062, (877) 399-3275) on three separate occasions. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Milton, MA, USA

problem #18

Sep 272019

Tucson

  • 100,000 miles
Vehicle intermittently does not accelerate from a stop, often looses power. This can be dangerous if pulling out into traffic. Transmission issues have been addressed with other years, but this issue has not been addressed with earlier model years. While turning into traffic, vehicle did not accelerate as expected almost cause it an accident. Took vehicle to Hyundai for service, and the problem could not be duplicated at the time, instead was told to 'change transmission fluid, that may help' there have been multiple other Tucson's with the same issue. Vehicle continues to have same issues.

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #17

Aug 282017

Tucson

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. While driving and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle made a strange sound as though the shifter were in the wrong gear. The vehicle performed as if it would stall, but never did. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown Hyundai dealer in South Carolina to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be duplicated. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

- Mccormick, SC, USA

problem #16

Mar 152019

Tucson

  • miles

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

I have received warnings from the manufacturer that the problem with the transmission could cause the engine to seize while driving at high speeds. They indicated they may have a solution in mid May 2019 and as of yet known has been found. Your website validated that no solution has been found and encouraged we report this to you. At this point the car can be difficult to start/engage the motor unless the shift lever is manipulated there has been difficulty restarting the car after a four to five hour drive.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #15

Jun 072019

Tucson

  • miles
Yesterday around 9:00 pm I was driving on hwy 150 in san antonio tx with my kids and all the lights came on on the dash board or cluster and the engine die on me and wouldn't start I took it to a dealer after paying $220 for towing, now its at red mccombs Hyundai ruben rodriguez service advisor said he will give me and answer

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #14

May 042019

Tucson 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
On Saturday May 4, 2019, my son was on guard duty at vmi and he lent his car to his close friend and roommate to attend a family event in arlington, va. After about 100 miles on the road while [xxx] was driving it on interstate 81 going North, the car started to slow suddenly, and the engine and gas light came on the dashboard, with no other earlier warning. He had to scan the area quickly to make sure other drivers were paying attention as he was quickly dropping below the minimum speed limit. This same thing was happening to multiple car owners of this make/model year. The car downright stop running in the middle of the interstate, with no warning. This put my son's long-time friend and room mate at risk! every service and tow station within 60 miles of harrisonburg were busy or closed. This sudden stall issue was known on 2/5/2019 and with your systems knowing the current owner, address, and my vehicle #, there is no excuse for not alerting me! I have incurred additional towing fees because I had my son's friend towed to the closest residential area off the highway where there was a local service station. Come to find out after they did a once over the car, that there were metal shavings in the oil and the tech had to hand-crank the engine to get it started. In other words, it met all the criteria for this issue known by Hyundai. I have had my vehicle regularly serviced at the Hyundai dealer service twice in December 2018, November 2018, and many other times before this. Nothing was ever mentioned to me about this deficiency. I have called and sent email and letters asking Hyundai to repair this known manufacturer defect. Every place near the tow address was closed. I drove above the speedlimit as it was hot and humid and they were not in airconditioning. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #13

Jan 242019

Tucson

  • 132,000 miles
"takata recall" as my 2012 Hyundai Tucson reached 100,000 miles my transmission went out and left me stranded. I had a rebuilt transmission put in, that was purchased from the dealership. Now I am at 132,000 miles and my engine is knocking. The knocking gets loud during acceleration, and has quickly gone from a ticking sound on the front passenger side of the vehicle to a loud knock. My mechanic is saying that there is no coming back from this, the engine will need to be replaced. Oil changes are done on time, there is oil in the car now but a rod is knocking loudly. This car will have been purchased twice once I have put all the repairs into it that really shouldn't need to be put into a car at this stage of it's life.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

problem #12

Dec 192018

Tucson

  • 73,427 miles
While driving and going from driving for awhile to stop and go it stalls. Has happened now 3 + times in driving situations. Have had car checked out and said nothing is wrong by two different garages. Stalling in traffic is not safe.

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #11

May 282018

Tucson

  • 56,370 miles
This is a complaint that mimics the current recall 16V628000 from Hyundai on 8/30/2016, for their 2016 Tucson transmission problems of the engine/transmission where it will disengage. When driving and pressing on accelerator the engine revs, but the transmission seems to be in neutral (even though in drive). It has happened to me on my 2012 after I made a gradual right hand turn around a ramp at about 25 mph. I had come out of the turn and tried to accelerate when nothing happened. The engine rev'd to about 4K, I immediately let off gas thinking I had bumped the gear shift into neutral or it had somehow popped out of gear. Nope. Light on dash still said "D" and the gear shifter was in the proper position. I let it coast for awhile and then tried accelerating again. This time it worked fine. I have only had the vehicle for about 2 weeks and did not experience any issues before this. I was a auto/diesel mechanic for over 14 years and was very cognizant of what was happening, not panic stricken. If I get a case number or the like I will continue to follow up with you on the issue. No engine lights came on, engine did not stall, no codes generated on obdii scanner. (2 cycles of on/off before checking for codes when I got home) tried checking the transmission fluid level, but it is a sealed unit with no dip stick.

- Linthicum, MD, USA

problem #10

Aug 032017

Tucson

  • 107,000 miles
The vehicle stopped running while I was driving. After towing to the mechanic, he determined that the engine had seized.

- Morgantown, PA, USA

problem #9

May 282015

Tucson

  • 66,700 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. While parked, the transmission gear selector did not match the indicated gear. The contact stated that after removing the key from the ignition switch, the vehicle moved in an unintended direction. The contact stated that in order to start the vehicle, the brake would have to be depressed while wiggling the gear. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the manuel lever position switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,700.

- Stevenville, MT, USA

problem #8

Jul 152014

Tucson 4-cyl

  • miles
When driving (at several different speeds), the motor (RPM's) shoots up, but the car does not accelerate; it also happens when the car is yielding, and as we accelerate into traffic, the car does not accelerate as it should; again, the RPM's shoot up, but the car is not accelerating. It is similar to driving a standard vehicle and accelerating and pushing in the clutch at the same time. The transmission (RPM) problem is extremely concerning to us. We had a 2010 Tucson, which we had exactly the same acceleration problems with. After many service visits to your dealership, the transmission was replaced. The original service visits went on for a period of several months; after the transmission was finally replaced, we were still experiencing the same problems. We expected that this was a one-time problem, and perhaps we just got a lemon. Now that we are experiencing the exact same acceleration problem with the 2012 Tucson, we do not feel safe driving this car. We know from the past experience that this transmission problem will not go away, it will get worse month by month over time, and the car will have to keep being returned to the dealership for diagnosis/repairs. The dealership test drove the car and did not find the problem, because it is an intermittent problem. We are forced to keep driving this vehicle, knowing that it is not safe, and that at some point an accident may occur.

- West Park, NY, USA

problem #7

Sep 212014

Tucson 4-cyl

  • 23,233 miles
Exiting freeway, decreasing speed, when it felt as though a tire had gone flat. Shimmy and sudden lose of power followed. Steering became difficult. Car had no power, increasing gas only revved engine, but would not move vehicle at all. Was able to roll to the end of the freeway off-ramp and pull near shoulder. Engine continued to run, but sounded like a cement mixer full of large rocks. Once transmission was placed in neutral, it would not shift into any other gear. Also refused to shift into park. Vehicle was flat-bedded to dealer. Mechanics determined the right trans-axle had separated from the wheel with spindle damage. Initially it was thought that the transmission was damaged, but that may not be the case.

- San Rafael, CA, USA

Read the next 6 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?