Reliability
Hyundai

Veracruz (1st)

2007-2012 · Midsize SUV · 2 engines
657 NHTSA Complaints
9 Recalls
17 Fire Reports
14 Crash Reports
Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

3.6 / 10

Reliability score

Many more owner complaints than similar midsize SUVs

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 366 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize SUV fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 109.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 1.8 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall366 complaints against about 109 for similar vehicles
3.6
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced
n/aNot enough data
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20073.4
  • 20083.5
  • 2009n/a
  • 20103.6
  • 20113.5
  • 20125.1

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record · from NHTSA's files, not reviewed by hand

Recall20V705
Engine And Engine Cooling, Engine, Oil/Lubrication, Seals/Gaskets · 60,097 vehicles (97% of those built)

Complaints by Engine Code

Hyundai Veracruz Unidentified Engine

404 complaints 67.3 per year
8 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
175
electrical
139
cooling
83
brakes
72
transmission
36

DOHC Lambda

3.8L
253 complaints 84.3 per year Gasoline
9 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
148
electrical
81
cooling
71
brakes
19
body
16

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Veracruz, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 323 owner complaints
Electrical System: 220 owner complaints
Cooling System: 154 owner complaints
Brakes: 91 owner complaints
Transmission: 42 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz

On a used 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (323), the electrical system (220) and the cooling system (154). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 323 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz about the engine.
  2. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 220 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz about the electrical system.
  3. With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 154 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz about the cooling system.
  4. On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 91 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz about the brakes.
  5. Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 42 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz about the transmission and drivetrain.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz

Recalls (9)

23V651000Sep 22, 2023serious
Service Brakes

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.

20V705000Nov 13, 2020serious
Engine & Cooling

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.

14V415000Jul 8, 2014serious
Engine & Cooling

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.

13V113000Apr 1, 2013serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

11E041000Oct 6, 2011serious
Equipment

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.

Show 4 older recalls
11V472000Sep 9, 2011serious
Air Bags

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 26, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HYUNDAI SANTA FE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 19, 2006 THROUGH MARCH 20, 2008. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.

09V122000Apr 15, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 532,633 MY 2006-2007 ACCENT, ENTOURAGE, SONATA, MY 2007 AZERA, ELANTRA AND SANTA FE, MY 2005-2007 TUCSON AND MY 2007-2008 VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. A STOP LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTION MAY ALSO AFFECT THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKE-TRANSMISSION SHIFT INTERLOCK FEATURE SO THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. IT MAY ALSO CAUSE THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE, AND IT MAY NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.

08E055000Sep 3, 2008serious
Trailer Hitches

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,387 TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESSES EITHER INCLUDED WITH A TRAILER HITCH OR SOLD AS A SERVICE PART MANUFACTURED BY THULE TOWING SYSTEMS AND DISTRIBUTED BY HYUNDAI FOR INSTALLATION ON MY 2007-2008 SANTA FE AND VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE ACCESSORY TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE IS MOUNTED TO THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENT. SOME CIRCUIT BOARD COMPONENTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY SEALED TO PREVENT MOISTURE CONTACT. THE MOISTURE MAY RESULT IN CIRCUIT BOARD CORROSION POSSIBLY CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.

08E016000Feb 7, 2008serious
Trailer Hitches

THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY RECALL 08E-055. HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 3,387 TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESSES EITHER INCLUDED WITH A TRAILER HITCH OR SOLD AS A SERVICE PART MANUFACTURED BY THULE TOWING SYSTEMS AND DISTRIBUTED BY HYUNDAI FOR INSTALLATION ON MY 2007-2008 SANTA FE AND VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE ACCESSORY TRAILER HITCH WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE IS MOUNTED TO THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER REINFORCEMENT. HIGH CURRENT LEAKAGE OR A SHORT CIRCUIT OF CAPACITOR C1 COULD CAUSE HEAT RELATED DAMAGE TO THE WIRING HARNESS CONVERTER MODULE.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (15.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (16.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (15.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (16.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (15.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (15.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (15.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (15.9% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Alternatives in Midsize SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz complaints?

Owners have filed 657 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz. The systems they name most often are the engine, the electrical system and the cooling system.

Is the 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 657 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz have?

NHTSA has 657 owner complaints on file for the 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz?

NHTSA lists 9 recalls covering some 2007-2012 Hyundai Veracruz vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Veracruz?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the electrical system and the cooling system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Veracruz?

The 2012 Hyundai Veracruz received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (15.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 657 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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