AI Damage2011 Hyundai Veracruz: common problems
Owners of the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz filed 106 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 106
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 37% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 34% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 25% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 4% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 39 complaints (37% of all).
- Electrical system: 36 complaints (34% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 27 complaints (25% of all).
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (6% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 6 complaints (6% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 106 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 39 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 36 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Neither front or side airbags deployed at a 45 mph frontal and side collision.
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).
I pulled into a gas station at a low speed; there were four pumps in line. At the first one a car was being fueled so I waned to move to the second pump. When I started to brake the car kept moving forward then I was practically standing on the brake but the car kept moving causing me to hit the stationary car.
Oil leaks down from the top valve gasket onto the alternator causing a random and erratic electrical disturbance and failure that can happen at any time causing serious risk of safety. With the alternator being damaged in this form also put other potential electrical systems at risk of damage.
The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning oil odor while idling and while driving the vehicle. The contact stated that as a former independent mechanic, he had inspected the vehicle and noticed that there was oil leaking near the valve cover gasket and onto the alternator.
I was driving on the freeway all of a sudden my car shuts down on me I had the to replace the Starter, fuel pump, alternator, and spark plugs to the vehicle after replacing all that the car starts but it will eventually shut down on me so during the times I was trying to fix my car I received a recall letter in the…
However, I am very concerned about the potential ABS brake potential fire hazard. I have always kept my vehicle in the garage. Now I have to expose it to weather conditions. I am parking outside away from structures as instructed in the recall.
I brought in the car, and picked it up the following day, and was assured that the recall (due to "leaky head gaskets") was taken care as well as the CHECK ENGINE (CE) light - the alternator was NOT replaced (as I had replaced it on 6/28/23 [$241.86 + tax]) with the excuse "it had passed all tests".
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 3,431 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 9% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Veracruz has 110 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 106, about average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 106. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (29%), warning lights, check engine (16%), stalls while driving (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2011 Hyundai Veracruz from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2011 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.