Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Hyundai Tucson owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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.
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. …
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. …
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. …
"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.
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.
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the transmission shifted from drive to drive 1 independently. On another occasion, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle when applied and as a result, the contact crashed through a residential garage door and impacted the interior wall. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure until the other damages had been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 700 and the current mileage was 950.
Transmission complaints in other Tucson years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Hyundai Tucson?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2012 Hyundai Tucson, 10% of the model year's 255 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Hyundai Tucson transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2012 Hyundai Tucson, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 Hyundai Tucson transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.