VehicleVerdict

2012 Hyundai Veracruz problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2012 Hyundai Veracruz carries two red flags at once: 77 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 (34 of 77), far ahead of electrical system at 21.

77

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

0

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Veracruz years?

Veracruz NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted361 complaints2007: 197 complaints2008: 361 complaints2009: 42 complaints2010: 125 complaints2011: 149 complaints2012: 77 complaints
Veracruz NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Veracruz years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Hyundai Veracruz problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine3444%
Electrical System2127%
Brakes79%
Other34%
Lighting34%
Airbags23%
Speed Control23%
Body & Structure23%
Transmission11%
Suspension11%
Steering11%

Does the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz have recalls?

3 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.

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.

“THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THEN THE ENGINE AREA BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN A FIRE SPARKED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE CALLED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE CAR WAS AT A GAS STATION AND WAS NOT MOVING.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 29, 2018 · fire

“THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THEN THE ENGINE AREA BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN A FIRE SPARKED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE CALLED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. THE CAR WAS AT A GAS STATION AND WAS NOT MOVING.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 29, 2018 · fire

“The contact owned a 2012 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact stated while parked and unoccupied, the vehicle caught fire. The contact stated she was told by one of her neighbors who tried to extinguish the fire but could not stop the fire. The house was damaged due to the fire. No injuries were…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 28, 2017 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE BRAKE LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER TO LOCK. THE BRAKE SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE, BUT THE ISSUE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 2, 2016

“2012 HYUNDAI VERA CRUZ. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 20V-705. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER HAD SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETE BUT, DID NOT HONOR THE RECALL.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 28, 2022

2012 Hyundai Veracruz — common questions

Is the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 77 complaints put the 2012 model at #5 of 6 Veracruz years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Veracruz years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 Veracruz problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (34 complaints), electrical system (21 complaints), brakes (7 complaints).

Does the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Hyundai Veracruz. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 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.