2011 Hyundai Tucson Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Tucson years
- Fewer complaints than other years 15th of 22 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Hyundai Tucson. That ranks 15th out of 22 Tucson model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (40 complaints, 32%), typically at around 100,000 miles. Complaints mention 5 crashes, 3 fires, 7 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
_Facelift_IMG_2344.jpg){kind=link}
- 124owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 5complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2011 Hyundai Tucson problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 40 | 32% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 21 | 17% | 64,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 20 | 16% | 64,500 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 20 | 16% | 78,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 12 | 10% | 62,787 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 12 | 10% | 48,110 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 9 | 7% | 39,500 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 4% | 79,300 | — | — |
| Suspension | 5 | 4% | 126,500 | — | — |
| Structure | 4 | 3% | 93,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 4 | 3% | 25,433 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 3% | 28,723 | — | — |
| Seats | 3 | 2% | 89,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 3 | 2% | 50,188 | — | — |
| Traction Control System | 2 | 2% | 13,723 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 1% | 7,446 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 1% | 40 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | 30,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2011 Hyundai Tucson recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outside
Problem: 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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Problem: 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.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and lines
Problem: 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.
Risk: If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Air bags
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires (AQ23002) — opened Nov 17, 2023, still open.
- Loss of Motive Power (DP22003) — opened Sep 12, 2022, closed Dec 12, 2023.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
I own a 2011 Hyundai Tucson (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle had an engine replacement performed by Hyundai service. Immediately after picking up the car, I noticed a loud abnormal noise coming from underneath the vehicle. I reported the issue right away, but was told nothing was heard and it was…
While driving my speedometer became erratic, just one time. My cruise control is no longer working, my trip odometer is not working and possibly the odometer is not working properly. I googled for speedometer problems with 2011 Hyundai speedometers and found an article that may be false on Reuters…
I purchased a brand new fuel pump on 2-28-24 after car died on freeway. Mission Hills Hyundai diagnosed as pump not turning on, so recommended replacing fuel pump assembly. On [XXX] car wouldnât start, so took vehicle in and the next day it was determined as faulty starter. Car was picked up…
The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that upon his daughter attempting to enter the vehicle through the front driverâs side door, the door failed to open. The contact stated that his daughter opened the front passengerâs side door and there was black smoke…
Recall # 251 has been going on at great length and I have an appointment for 11:30am April 1,2025 for what they deem as a solution to # 251 Recall that does not fix the problem and goes against everything that the NHTSA and FEDERAL GOVERMENT LAWS are in place for, you are allowing them to continue…
Other Hyundai Tucson years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tucson | 63 | 5 |
| 2025 Tucson | 289 | 6 |
| 2024 Tucson | 99 | 4 |
| 2023 Tucson | 135 | 2 |
| 2022 Tucson | 386 | 3 |
| 2021 Tucson | 80 | 1 |
| 2020 Tucson | 178 | 1 |
| 2019 Tucson | 384 | 1 |
| 2018 Tucson | 399 | 1 |
| 2017 Tucson | 1,092 | 3 |
| 2016 Tucson | 1,624 | 5 |
| 2015 Tucson | 229 | 1 |
| 2014 Tucson | 202 | 2 |
| 2013 Tucson | 266 | 3 |
| 2012 Tucson | 255 | 3 |
| 2011 | 124 | 5 |
| 2010 Tucson | 59 | 4 |
| 2009 Tucson | 18 | 1 |
| 2008 Tucson | 43 | 1 |
| 2007 Tucson | 65 | 5 |
| 2006 Tucson | 135 | 5 |
| 2005 Tucson | 185 | 8 |
See all Hyundai Tucson problems by year, every Hyundai model, or the Hyundai VIN decoder.
Similar Hyundai models
Embed this 2011 Hyundai Tucson badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Tucson?
Owners most often report engine, service brakes, hydraulic, power train problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 40 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2011 Hyundai Tucson?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2011 Hyundai Tucson a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Tucson model years, the 2011 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.