2012 Hyundai Veracruz Problems & Complaints

Average15% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Veracruz at the same age

Owners have filed 65 complaints about the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the Veracruz at the same age. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (34 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles). 3 recalls cover this model year, including one with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.

65complaints
3recalls
0crashes
4fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2012 Hyundai Veracruz problems

  • Engine & cooling~100,000 miles
    3452%
  • Electrical system~88,000 miles
    2132%
  • Brakes~191,000 miles
    812%
  • Lights~83,000 miles
    35%
  • Other / not specified~20,000 miles
    35%
  • Speed control & acceleration~58,000 miles
    23%
  • Body & structure
    23%
  • Air bags
    23%
  • Suspension~2,000 miles
    12%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~58,000 miles
    12%
  • Steering~129,000 miles
    12%

Share of the 65 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Hyundai Veracruz complaints by model year

200720082009201020112012145230249110665
Owner complaints per model year, Hyundai Veracruz. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Veracruz years: 2009, 2010. Years to avoid: 2008, 2007. Compare all years →

2012 Hyundai Veracruz recalls (3)

Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

NHTSA recall 23V-651 · Sep 22, 2023 · 1,649,478 vehiclesPark outside

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Oil/lubrication › Seals/gaskets

NHTSA recall 20V-705 · Nov 13, 2020 · 60,097 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles that were previously recalled under recall number 14V-415. Oil may leak from the front cylinder bank cover gasket, potentially dripping onto the alternator and causing the charging system to become inoperative.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the valve cover gasket and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 7, 2021.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

NHTSA recall 14V-415 · Jul 8, 2014 · 61,122 vehicles

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles manufactured from December 26, 2006, through July 24, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an oil leak from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect/repair or replace the alternator and the front valve cover gasket, free of charge. Hyundai sent out an interim letter to owners on September 3, 2014.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz:

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

NHTSA investigation AQ23002 · opened Nov 17, 2023 · open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando.

What 2012 Hyundai Veracruz owners say

Engine & cooling all 34 →

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Vera Cruz. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20v705000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the part to do the recall was unavailable. The contact stated the vehicle was leaking oil. The check engine warning indicator light was illuminated. Additionally, The contact stated that while the vehicle was running, unattended there was an abnormal odor of burning oil detected. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who stated the parts were not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage 180,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.

180,000 miles · Apr 2021 · fire

The contact's wife owns a 2012 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle began to lose power as several warning lights illuminated the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who informed him that the cover gasket had leaked oil onto the alternator. The contact had both the alternator and the cover gasket replaced. Almost a year later, the same failure occurred and he had the cover gasket replaced again by the same mechanic.The contact then received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V705000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the parts for the repair were unavailable. The dealer had been notified about the recall; however, the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available. …

100,000 miles · Dec 2019

Electrical system all 21 →

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle then stalled. The vehicle was pushed back to the residence. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was an oil leak around the alternator which caused the alternator failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the earliest appointment to repair the vehicle was July 2, 2024. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed the estimated date for the repair. …

Alternator/generator/regulator · 239,000 miles · May 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact stated that the vehicle had been repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V705000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) over a year ago. The contact stated that once the recall was completed, the vehicle experienced failures with the main battery. The contact stated that the battery needed to be jumpstarted on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic advised the contact that the alternator and ignition systems were functional. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the battery had been replaced more than five times however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

70,000 miles · Aug 2022

Brakes

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 20V705000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle and the battery was draining quickly after being recharged. When inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was oil on the alternator. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was determined that the alternator needed to be replaced. …

191,000 miles · Sep 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle then stalled. The vehicle was pushed back to the residence. The contact stated that an independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was an oil leak around the alternator which caused the alternator failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the earliest appointment to repair the vehicle was July 2, 2024. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed the estimated date for the repair. …

239,000 miles · May 2024

2012 Hyundai Veracruz engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.8L 6-cyl6-speed automaticFWD17 / 22 / 19
3.8L 6-cyl6-speed automatic4WD16 / 21 / 18

EPA ratings. Class: SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz a good car?

Based on 65 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Veracruz rates average: 15% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Veracruz at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz?

The engine & cooling — 34 complaints, 52% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (21) and brakes (8).

How many recalls does the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz have?

There are 3 recalls for the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz, the most recent from September 22, 2023 (control unit/module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Veracruz?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008 and 2007. See the full Hyundai Veracruz years comparison.

At what mileage do 2012 Hyundai Veracruz problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 97,000 miles; 20% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.