VehicleVerdict

2011 Hyundai Tucson problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2011 Hyundai Tucson carries two red flags at once: 174 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Tucson years to avoid. Complainants reported 15 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 45 reports (26% of the total).

174

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

7

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

15

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Tucson years?

Tucson NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted2,157 complaints2005: 273 complaints2006: 202 complaints2007: 85 complaints2008: 66 complaints2009: 24 complaints2010: 78 complaints2011: 174 complaints2012: 314 complaints2013: 317 complaints2014: 238 complaints2015: 304 complaints2016: 2,157 complaints2017: 1,445 complaints2018: 525 complaints2019: 517 complaints2020: 227 complaints2021: 102 complaints2022: 559 complaints2023: 204 complaints2024: 137 complaints2025: 414 complaints2026: 60 complaints
Tucson NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tucson years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Hyundai Tucson problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4526%
Brakes3420%
Electrical System2313%
Transmission2112%
Other2011%
Tires & Wheels53%
Suspension53%
Speed Control42%
Body & Structure42%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Seats32%
Seat Belts11%
Driver Assistance11%
Fuel System11%
Lighting11%
Airbags11%
Steering11%

Does the 2011 Hyundai Tucson have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V651000BrakesSeptember 22, 2023 · 1,649,478 units

Defect

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

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.

19V063000EngineFebruary 5, 2019 · 120,000 units

Defect

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

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.

16V057000TransmissionJanuary 28, 2016 · 11,176 units

Defect

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

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.

14V245000AirbagsMay 13, 2014 · 137,500 units

Defect

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

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.

13V113000LightingApril 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 units

Defect

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

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“HIGHWAY, BRIDGE, FOLLOWING SIGNIFICANTLY FAR BACK. CAR STOPS AHEAD AND I BRAKE IN PLENTY OF TIME (MY SON WAS IN THE FRONT SEAT AND CAN ATTEST TO THAT). CAR BRAKES BUT VERY SLOWLY, NOT IN TIME SO WE HIT THE STATIONARY CAR AND THEN WE WERE HIT MUCH HARDER FROM BEHIND. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE CAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 5, 2019 · crash

“The contact owned a 2011 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, there was smoke coming from underneath the passenger's side of the hood. The…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 13, 2024 · fire

“I PARKED THE CAR 6/12/19 WED THAT EVENING AND EVERYTHING SEEMED OK. AT 1030AM THE NEXT DAY, 6/13/19, I TRIED TO USE ELECTRIC KEY TO UNLOCK TO GO TO WORK AND REALIZED IT WOULDN'T UNLOCK SO I NOTICED BLACK SOOT ABOVE DRIVER WINDOW AND TRIED MANUAL KEY TO UNLOCK. I COULD BARELY CRACK TO SEE THE SEAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 13, 2019 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 10, 2012

“My wife was driving this vehicle 2 weeks ago and smoke came out of the driverside hood. She pulled into a parking space then the smoke came out the other side. Vehicle was towed as it would restart to the dealership. They have not done anything to look at the problem today. I reported this to their…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 16, 2024 · fire

2011 Hyundai Tucson — common questions

Is the 2011 Hyundai Tucson reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 174 complaints put the 2011 model at #15 of 22 Tucson years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Tucson years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 Tucson problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (45 complaints), brakes (34 complaints), electrical system (23 complaints).

Does the 2011 Hyundai Tucson have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Hyundai Tucson. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 Hyundai Tucson under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Hyundai Tucson years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tucson years to avoid are 2016, 2017, 2022, 2018, 2019, 2025, 2013, 2012, 2015, 2014, 2020, 2011, 2021, 2010. The cleanest record among Tucson years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.