VehicleVerdict

2011 Hyundai Veracruz problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2011 Hyundai Veracruz carries two red flags at once: 149 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Veracruz years to avoid.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 44% of all reports (66 of 149), far ahead of electrical system at 37.

149

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

5

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Veracruz years?

Veracruz NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted361 complaints2007: 197 complaints2008: 361 complaints2009: 42 complaints2010: 125 complaints2011: 149 complaints2012: 77 complaints
Veracruz NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Veracruz years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Hyundai Veracruz problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine6644%
Electrical System3725%
Body & Structure75%
Other64%
Fuel System64%
Brakes64%
Tires & Wheels53%
Transmission43%
Lighting43%
Steering32%
Speed Control32%
Latches & Locks11%
Airbags11%

Does the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz 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.

20V705000EngineNovember 13, 2020 · 60,097 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An inoperative charging system can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 197.

14V415000EngineJuly 8, 2014 · 61,122 units

Defect

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. If there is a sufficient amount of oil dropped onto the alternator, the alternator will be damaged causing the charging system to become inoperative.

Consequence

If the alternator is damaged, the charging system warning lamp in the instrument cluster will illuminate, and the engine will lose power and the vehicle will eventually stop operating while being driven. An unexpected failure of motive power while driving increases the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 121.

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.

11E041000OtherOctober 6, 2011 · 2,398 units

Defect

CURT MANUFACTURING IS RECALLING CERTAIN TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESSES, PART NUMBER 56024, THAT CONNECT TOW VEHICLE LIGHTING CIRCUITS TO TRAILER LIGHTING CIRCUITS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ AND KIA SORENTO VEHICLES. THE UNITS ARE NOT WATER-TIGHT AND MOISTURE CAN SEEP INTO THE CONVERTER MODULE AND DEFEAT THE MODULE'S INTERNAL CIRCUIT PROTECTION.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

CURT MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MANUFACTURING AT 1-715 831-8713.

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.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 3, 2016

“TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, DASH WARNING LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING, ENGINE SHUTDOWN, COULD NOT PUT CAR IN PARK AND BATTERY DEAD. RECALL 121 COMPLETED ON 01/31/2015 AT 33,586 MILEAGE AND VALVE GASKET LEAKED OIL ON 10/29/2017 AT 42,775 MILEAGE RUINING ALTERNATOR. THIS IS LESS THAN 36 MONTHS AND ONLY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 29, 2017

“WHEN OPENING THE DOOR, THE INTERIOR DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE WAS CATCHING ON THE DOOR PANEL. THIS WENT ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS UNTIL I PULLED THE MECHANISM TO OPEN THE DOOR AND THE HANDLE BROKE. THE PLASTIC PART PHYSICALLY BROKE. I NOW HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW ELECTRONICALLY AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 1, 2013

“It has been over 8 months after I received 1st recall notice last 11/2020. Hyundai Motors America keep sending interim notices only, so I brought my SUV to Hyundai dealership at Dublin last 4/2020. The one of mechanic informed me that he couldn't provide recall services since there are no remedy…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 22, 2021

“ALREADY FILED ODI NUMBER 10447654; REQUEST STATUS OF INVESTIGATION. THERE HAVE OTHER REPORTED INCIDENTS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 17, 2011 · crash

2011 Hyundai Veracruz — common questions

Is the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 149 complaints put the 2011 model at #3 of 6 Veracruz years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Veracruz years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 Veracruz problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (66 complaints), electrical system (37 complaints), body & structure (7 complaints).

Does the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz have recalls?

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

Is the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz 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 Veracruz years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Veracruz years to avoid are 2008, 2011, 2010, 2012. The cleanest record among Veracruz 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.