← New search

2012 Hyundai Tucson

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 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

169 reports with mileage · 86 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 160 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports13 fire reports8 injury reports

Engine complaints

160 reports
Clear category filter
125,000 miles · Aug 26, 2020
Engine

ENGINE SEIZED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WAS AT HYUNDAI GETTING RECALLS DONE ONLY WEEKS BEFORE SEIZING.

NHTSA ODI #11351364

100,335 miles · Aug 24, 2020
EngineSteeringVehicle Speed Control

I RECEIVED THE RECALL OF MY 2012 HYUNDAI TUSCON. AS A PRECAUTION I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE RECALL 181 AND AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE I HAD WITH THE POWER WINDOWS. I VISITED THE DEALER TWO WEEKS APART AND SAT AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR MORE THAN 5 HOURS WITH THE SECOND VISIT BEING FOR 8 HOURS. I WAS TOLD SOMETHING WAS LEAKI…

Read full complaint

I RECEIVED THE RECALL OF MY 2012 HYUNDAI TUSCON. AS A PRECAUTION I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO ADDRESS THE RECALL 181 AND AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE I HAD WITH THE POWER WINDOWS. I VISITED THE DEALER TWO WEEKS APART AND SAT AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR MORE THAN 5 HOURS WITH THE SECOND VISIT BEING FOR 8 HOURS. I WAS TOLD SOMETHING WAS LEAKING IN STEERING AND THAT HAD TL BE FIXED. I LEFT WITH MY CAR AND APPROXIMATELY 8 DAYS LATER THERE WAS A CLICKING AND CLANKING AOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE, IVE NEVER HEARD THE SOUND, YET ON MY PAPERWORK IT STATED I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SOUND, WHICH I NEVER DID. MY CAR STARTED TO STALL AND LOSE SPEED. I WAS OVER 100 MILES FROM HOME AND MY CAR WAS FAILING IN THE MOUNTAINS AT THAT. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT MULTIPLE TIMES AND NEVER RECEIVED A CALL BACK. THANK GOD FOR MY INSURANCE TOWING THE CAR TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP. A DAY AND HALF LATER I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE WAS GONE! I VISITED THE DEALERSHIP ON 07/31/20 & 08/14/20... THEY DOCUMENTED A RATTLING RATTLING SOUND IN THE FRONT IN... NEVER ADDRESSED ME ABOUT THIS 'SOUND' , DID A SO CALL INSPECTION OF THE CAR AND NEXT THING I AM TOLD IS I CANT DRIVE IT BECAUSE THE ENGINE COULD BLOW. NO RETURN FROM HYUNDAI SERVICE MANAGER, NO CLAIM FILED AND I AM STILL OUT OF STATE WITHOUT AN ANSWER. CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE SAT ONLINE 30 MINS WAITING FOR A REP BEFORE THEIR LINE DISCONNECTED AND THEM ANOTHER HOUR. FILED A CASE AND NOW STILL STUCK WAITING FOR THESE PEOPLE TO DO THEIR JOB WITH OUT PUTTING MY LIFE AT RISK.

NHTSA ODI #11351015

56,700 miles · Aug 12, 2020
Engine

DRIVING MY 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON IN JERSEY CITY, NJ, ENGINE START MAKING A NOISE, I STOPPED, IT WAS NO ANY LIGHT ON ON MY DASH. SHOT OFF MY CAR, THE STARS AGAIN, NOISE WAS STILL ON.... TAKE A CAR TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, LEFT THERE FOR COUPLE DAYS, THEN RESILT IS COMING? CAR NEEDS A FULL ENGINE . I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR WITH OIL …

Read full complaint

DRIVING MY 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON IN JERSEY CITY, NJ, ENGINE START MAKING A NOISE, I STOPPED, IT WAS NO ANY LIGHT ON ON MY DASH. SHOT OFF MY CAR, THE STARS AGAIN, NOISE WAS STILL ON.... TAKE A CAR TO HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, LEFT THERE FOR COUPLE DAYS, THEN RESILT IS COMING? CAR NEEDS A FULL ENGINE . I HAVE MAINTAINED MY CAR WITH OIL CHANGES AND THE CAR HAS 56700 MILES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF FAILURE OF THE THETA II 2.4 LITER ENGINES, WHICH MY CAR HAS, YET NO RECALL ISSUES. WILL BE AROUND $6000 DOLLARS, HYUNDAI DEALER TELLS ME, MY CAR WILL NOT COVER BY WARRANTY, BECAUSE I'M NOT A FIRST OWNER I'AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE THAT POSES A RISK TO LIFE. AND HYUNDAI MANUFACTURERS SHOULD TAKE A FULL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THEIR ENGINE FAILURES ON TUCSON VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #11348757

80,000 miles · Jul 23, 2020
Engine

WAS DRIVING MY 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON WHEN IT SUDDENLY DIED AT A STOPLIGHT. IT WOULDN'T RESTART. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO RESTART IT NOTHING HAPPENED, NO CLICKING, IT DIDN'T TURN OVER AT ALL. CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THEM TOW IT TO OUR LOCAL FIRESTONE. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON IT AND THE ONLY THING THEY COULD SEE WAS THAT THE…

Read full complaint

WAS DRIVING MY 2012 HYUNDAI TUCSON WHEN IT SUDDENLY DIED AT A STOPLIGHT. IT WOULDN'T RESTART. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO RESTART IT NOTHING HAPPENED, NO CLICKING, IT DIDN'T TURN OVER AT ALL. CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THEM TOW IT TO OUR LOCAL FIRESTONE. THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC ON IT AND THE ONLY THING THEY COULD SEE WAS THAT THE STARTER WASN'T WORKING. THEY REPLACED THE STARTER AND AFTER STRUGGLING TO GET IT TO START EVEN WITH THE NEW STARTER IT CLANGED AND BANGED AND THEN DIED AGAIN ONCE THEY WERE ABLE TO GET IT STARTED. I CHECKED ONLINE AND SAW THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. THEY LOOKED AT THE CAR AND SAID IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND THAT THE DAMAGE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND PURCHASED THE CAR USED FROM THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO WHEN IT HAD APPROX. 57K MILES ON IT. IT NOW HAS APPROX. 80K MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED. I CHANGE THE OIL REGULARLY. BEFORE THIS THERE WERE NO ISSUES. HYUNDAI AND THE DEALER TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY AND SAY THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR THE NEW ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #11341160

105,000 miles · Jul 8, 2020
Engine

I WAS DRIVING AND MY CAR HAD A SMALL METALLIC NOISE THAT GOT WORSE, AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF AND DID NOT START AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED ON THE RAMP WHEN I WAS ENTERING A HIGHWAY. I PULL THE CAR TO THE SHELTER AND CALLED FOR A TROW.

NHTSA ODI #11338143

100,320 miles · Jul 7, 2020
Engine

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 W…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11338092

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 2020
Air BagsEngine

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 COMP…

Read full complaint

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? *TR

NHTSA ODI #11337264

74,000 miles · Jun 16, 2020
Engine

TL* 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…

Read full complaint

TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI #11329231

100,086 miles · May 13, 2020
Engine

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 1000…

Read full complaint

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324424

114,000 miles · May 12, 2020
Engine

TL* 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 W…

Read full complaint

TL* 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.

NHTSA ODI #11324278

Official recalls

3

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.

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.

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

3

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.

EA21003 · Engine Fires

Opened Dec 22, 2021 · Closed Feb 5, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.  During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.  The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement.  Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is being installed under recalls and non-safety field actions, and both companies have extended limited engine warranties (see recall files). On December 22, 2021, ODI upgraded PE19-003 and PE19-004 to this Engineering Analysis (EA21-003, covering both Hyundai and Kia) to evaluate the scope of the prior recalls related to engine failures/fires and the efficacy of the recall remedies for the recalls, as well as the long-term viability of related programs and non-safety field actions being conducted by Hyundai and Kia.  The former issue involved approximately 550,000 MY 2013 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2011 Kia Sorento, and MY 2012-2015 Kia Rio.  The latter issue involved approximately 2.5 million recalled vehicles, which have been identified as displaying potential remedy concerns: Hyundai recalls 15V-568, 17V-226, 20V-746, and 21V-727; and Kia recalls 17V-224, 19V-120, 20V-750, and 21V-844. Regarding the recall scope issue, among all of the scope vehicles identified at EA opening, ODI found only the MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with both the Theta II 2.4L 4-cylinder Multi-Point Injection (MPI) and the Lambda II 3.5L 6-cylinder MPI engines experienced relatively high rates of reported fires.  In December 2023, Kia issued recall 23V-877 that will cover about 80,000 MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the Theta II 2.4L MPI engines.  The remedy will involve an inspection, and if necessary, a replacement of the engine, as well as the installation of KSDS.  It should be noted that in 2021 these vehicles were included in a KSDS product improvement campaign with warranty extension.  For the MY 2011 Sorento vehicles equipped with the Lambda II 3.5L engines, ODI believes that future engine failures/fires involving these vehicles will likely be due to a lax in adhering to the proper or scheduled engine maintenance (regular engine oil changes), rather than a design or manufacturing engine issue. Regarding the issue of the efficacy of the recall remedies, ODI found the majority of the recalled Hyundai and Kia vehicles, by model, experienced lower reported fire rates after the remedies were applied.  Furthermore, ODI found that for most vehicles that did not receive the recall remedies, by model, experienced relatively high fire rates.  To address this problem, Hyundai informed ODI in December 2023, that it will renotify all of its owners covered by the Hyundai recalls of engine failures/fires every 8 months for the next 3 years.  In December 2023, Kia stated that it will renotify the majority of its owners every 8 months for the next 3 years.Several previously recalled Kia models are excluded from the renotification due to their lower reported rates of engine fires.  Overall, the renotification actions will help to increase the recall completion rates, thus reduce the frequency of engine fires in the future. In view of the recall action being taken by Kia and renotification actions being taken by both Kia and Hyundai, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis.  Also, both companies have been released from the 2020-iniated Consent Orders (Kia since November 2022 and Hyundai since November 2023).  The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.  To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Go deeper into Hyundai Tucson problems