2011 Hyundai TUCSON: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
124 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
72,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 70 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 40 of 124 complaints (32.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 40 | 32.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 10.5% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 8.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 4.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 0.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 40 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 21 |
| Unknown Or Other | 20 |
| Power Train | 19 |
| Service Brakes | 12 |
| Electrical System | 11 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
Engine: 40; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 21; Unknown Or Other: 20; Power Train: 19; Service Brakes: 12; Electrical System: 11; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 9; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 17 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 17; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 54 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 25 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2010: 1; 2011: 8; 2012: 7; 2013: 9; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 7; 2017: 3; 2018: 6; 2019: 25; 2020: 5; 2021: 5; 2022: 7; 2023: 12; 2024: 18; 2025: 4; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 40 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10358198 · 2010-09-29 (September 29, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI TUCSON. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FORWARD FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT COULD NOT RESTART THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT OUT A DISTRICT MANAGER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE FOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 600.
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10358198 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10378766 · 2011-01-26 (January 26, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI TUCSON GLS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 55-65 MPH, AND HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD ROAD NOISE EMITTING INSIDE THE CABIN. THE CLANGING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE SUSPENSION AREA AND WOULD OCCUR WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED REGARDING THE FAILURE AND THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200.
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10378766 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10379631 · 2011-01-31 (January 31, 2011)
ELECTRIC STEERING FEELS VAGUE, LACKS FEEDBACK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS GIVING YOU A FEELING THAT YOU HAVE MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL AND GOING TO CRASH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40 miles reported. Look up ODI 10379631 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10383168 · 2011-02-17 (February 17, 2011)
2011 HYUNDAI TUSCON SPEED SENSOR WIRES LOCATED BEHIND TIRES. WIRE IS FULLY EXPOSED TO ANY ROAD DEBRIS, EASILY SEVERED WHICH EFFECTS ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. WIRE STICKS OUT 3 INCHES IN OPEN AIR OF THE UNDER CARRIAGE, ALSO LOCATED CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE TIRES THAT IF THEY KICK UP ANY DEBRIS IT IS IN THE DIRECT PATH OF THE WIRE. NOT HEAVY DUTY RAP OVER THE WIRE AND COULD BE BROKEN BY GRIPPING BY HAND AND PULLING ON IT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,446 miles reported. Look up ODI 10383168 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10402480 · 2011-05-23 (May 23, 2011)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 2,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10402480 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10403751 · 2011-05-31 (May 31, 2011)
REAR WINDOW OF 2011 HYUNDAI TUCSON SHATTERED SPONTANEOUSLY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10403751 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10409333 · 2011-06-29 (June 29, 2011)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10409333 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10434810 · 2011-11-07 (November 7, 2011)
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. AFTE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10434810 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
13V113000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2013-04-01 (April 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V245000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2014-05-13 (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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V057000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines
Reported: 2016-01-28 (January 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V063000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2019-02-05 (February 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2023-09-22 (September 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗