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2011 Hyundai Tucson

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2011 Hyundai Tucson do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 180.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

70 reports with mileage · 54 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports3 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

124 reports
27,000 miles · Sep 8, 2012
Power Train

WHEN RETURNING HOME FROM STORE I COULDN'T PUT THE CAR IN PARK. ONLY COULD GET TO NEUTRAL. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND STARTED IT UP AGAIN AND IT MOVED INTO PARK. THIS HAS HAPPEN NOW THREE(3) TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. I HAVE CALLED TO GET IT LOOKED AT NEXT WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474313

20,000 miles · Aug 6, 2012
Traction Control System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE MATTER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

NHTSA ODI #10469424

35,000 miles · Jul 21, 2012
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION/GEARS GETS STUCK WHEN I WANT TO PUT IT IN REVERSE. THIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. I BROUGHT THE CAR AND COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT COULD BE A BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE AND COULD NOT FIX IT UNLESS THEY SEE THE PROBLEM WHEN IT HAPPENS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS RANDOMLY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN LAST WEE…

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THE TRANSMISSION/GEARS GETS STUCK WHEN I WANT TO PUT IT IN REVERSE. THIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. I BROUGHT THE CAR AND COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT COULD BE A BRAKE LIGHT ISSUE AND COULD NOT FIX IT UNLESS THEY SEE THE PROBLEM WHEN IT HAPPENS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS RANDOMLY. IT HAPPENED AGAIN LAST WEEK SO I SCHEDULED TO BRING IT IN TO THE DEALER THIS WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10466849

25,433 miles · Jun 29, 2012
Tires

2 OF MY 4 KUMHO TIRES WENT FLAT AT THE SAME TIME WITH TREAD COMING OFF OF ONE. THEY HAD 25,433 MILES ON THEM. THIS APPEARS SUSPICIOUS AND DANGEROUS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE RE-IMBURSED FOR THE 4 REPLACEMENT TIRES I HAD TO BUY AS MY VEHICLE IS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463624

25,433 miles · Jun 22, 2012
Tires

I HAD BOTH REAR TIRES GO FLAT WITHIN 10 MINUTES AND ONE OF THE TREADS CAME OFF. MY CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF THE KUMHO TIRES AND NOT GETTING ANY ANSWERS FROM THEIR COMPANY. BOTH TIRES WENT FLAT. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10462793

585 miles · Nov 29, 2011
TiresCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI TUCSON EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO SOLUS KL21 TIRES, SIZE: 225/60R17. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE FAILED AND BLEW FROM THE SIDEWALL. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI TUCSON EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO SOLUS KL21 TIRES, SIZE: 225/60R17. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE FAILED AND BLEW FROM THE SIDEWALL. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR BODY REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO REPLACE BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 585.

NHTSA ODI #10437733

Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

TODAY I WAS OUT IN MY 2011 HYUNDAI TUCSON. TWO OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH, ONE IS FOR TRACTION CONTROL AND THE OTHER HAD TO DO WITH HILLS(SORRY MY CAR IS AT THE DEALER AND I DON'T HAVE THE BOOK TO TELL YOU THE EXACT LIGHT DESCRIPTION; ONE IS ORANGE WITH A VEHICLE AND LITTLE SKID MARKS AFTER IT THE OTHER IS RED WITH A VEHICL…

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TODAY I WAS OUT IN MY 2011 HYUNDAI TUCSON. TWO OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH, ONE IS FOR TRACTION CONTROL AND THE OTHER HAD TO DO WITH HILLS(SORRY MY CAR IS AT THE DEALER AND I DON'T HAVE THE BOOK TO TELL YOU THE EXACT LIGHT DESCRIPTION; ONE IS ORANGE WITH A VEHICLE AND LITTLE SKID MARKS AFTER IT THE OTHER IS RED WITH A VEHICLE GOING DOWN A STEEP HILL). I WENT TO STOP AT A STORE AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK FROM DRIVE, THE FARTHEST I COULD GET IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. AFTER MESSING WITH IT FOR 5 MINUTES I FINALLY GOT THE CAR INTO PARK. AFTER LEAVING THAT STORE I WENT TO GO TO ANOTHER AND HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND TOOK MY VEHICLE THERE. I HAVE DONE SOME SEARCHING ONLINE AND SEE THAT THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE WITH TUCSONS AS PEOPLE WITH OLDER MODELS(2010 AND BACK) HAVE ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND SOME OF THEM REPORT IT'S DUE TO A BAD BRAKE SWITCH AND ONCE IT WAS REPLACED THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PROBLEM AGAIN. MY CAR WAS PURCHASED IN FEB OF 2011 AND HAS APPROXIMATELY 6600 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434810

1,700 miles · Jun 29, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT LEAST 5 MPH OVER ROAD BUMPS THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY LOSE BRAKING POWER FOR ONE TO TWO SECONDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,700.

NHTSA ODI #10409333

3,100 miles · May 31, 2011
Visibility

REAR WINDOW OF 2011 HYUNDAI TUCSON SHATTERED SPONTANEOUSLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10403751

2,850 miles · May 23, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

2011 HYUNDAI TUCSON LIMITED, OUR VEHICLE HAS AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM. WHEN ENTERING AN INTERSTATE I HAVE NOTICED WHEN I NEED TO QUICKLY ACCELERATE TO MERGE THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND THEN DECELERATES WITH THE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED. THE TECHNICIANS AT THE HYUNDAI COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO REPEAT THE DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402480

Official recalls

5

23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 22, 2023

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. 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

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. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

19V063000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Feb 5, 2019

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Tucson vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai has notified owners, and dealers will inspect for an oil pan leak, replacing it if necessary, and install an updated oil pressure switch, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 181.

16V057000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

Jan 28, 2016

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Hyundai Tucson vehicles manufactured July 22, 2010, to October 31, 2010. The affected vehicles have a transmission fluid cooler hose that may have been improperly manufactured, resulting in a transmission fluid leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission fluid cooler hose, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 25, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 139.

14V245000 · Air Bags

May 13, 2014

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Hyundai Tucson vehicles manufactured January 3, 2011, through December 23, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the air bag assembly installed in the steering wheel may come loose from its mounting.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An air bag assembly that is not properly mounted may result in an increased risk of injury to the driver in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts that secure the driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 118.

13V113000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Apr 1, 2013

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

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. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

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