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2011 Hyundai Veracruz Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2011 Hyundai Veracruz carries 5 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering engine and equipment. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Oil leak from valve cover gasket onto alternator.” Hyundai's owner's manual splits service into Normal and Severe schedules. Most US drivers qualify as Severe due to short trips, extreme temperatures, or stop-and-go traffic. Hyundai Assurance covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance on new vehicles. The Theta II 2.0L and 2.4L engines (2011-2019) are subject to TSBs around oil consumption — strict adherence to oil intervals matters.

5 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Campaign #14V415000 · Aug 7, 2014

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

EQUIPMENT

Campaign #11E041000 · Jun 10, 2011

Issue: 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.

Risk: WITHOUT THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION, THE MODULE CAN OVERHEAT POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Fix: CURT MANUFACTURING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE TOW PACKAGE WIRING HARNESS. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MANUFACTURING AT 1-715 831-8713.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Campaign #13V113000 · Jan 4, 2013

Issue: 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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:SEALS/GASKETS

Campaign #20V705000 · Nov 13, 2020

Issue: 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.

Risk: An inoperative charging system can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Campaign #23V651000 · Sep 22, 2023

Issue: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

  • Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

    Action #AQ23002 · opened Nov 17, 2023

    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 Electron…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Oil leak from valve cover gasket onto alternator

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

78 NHTSA complaints · 2013-06 → 2025-08

“This is related to a repeat failure of recalls 121/197 of the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz. 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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11679195
“THIS VEHICLE SUFFERS FROM DESIGN/MANUFACTURE DEFECT. THE VALVE COVER GASKET IS DEFECTIVE. IT LEAKS OIL WHICH FOULS THE ALTERNATOR RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING TRANSMISSION FUNCTION AND STEERING CONTROL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10519790
“CAR SLOWED DOWN AND FINELY QUITE RUNNING. CAR WAS TOWED TO BLOOMINGTON HYUNDAI. REPAIR WAS ACCOMPLISHED AND RECALL WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY CHANGING ALTERNATOR,GASKET CHANGE DONE ON LEFT BANK,AND BATTERY WAS REPLACED. RECALL #121 WAS ACCOMPLISHED AT THAT TIME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10683362

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Interior door handle and latch mechanism failure

STRUCTURE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2011-12 → 2018-10

“IN THE 2.5 YEARS I'VE OWNED MY 2011 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ, 4 DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN FROM THE INSIDE. THE FIRST HAPPENED WITHIN A YEAR OF OWNING THE CAR AND WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10562891
“WHEN OPENING THE DOOR, THE INTERIOR DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE WAS CATCHING ON THE DOOR PANEL. THIS WENT ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS UNTIL I PULLED THE MECHANISM TO OPEN THE DOOR AND THE HANDLE BROKE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10508468
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER DOOR FLEW OPEN WHEN THE DRIVER MADE A LEFT TURN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11142956

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Headlight shutoff when turn signal activated

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 NHTSA complaints · 2014-10 → 2017-05

“WHILE DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON, WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS USED, THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF. THIS HAPPENED ONCE PRIOR TO THIS VEHICLE AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY UNDER WARRANTY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10992225
“HEADLIGHTS FLASH/FLICKER AND/OR TURN OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS WHEN RIGHT TURN INDICATOR IS ACTIVATED WHILE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS IN THE "ON" POSITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10641595

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Accelerator pedal uncommanded acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 NHTSA complaints · 2012-02 → 2021-06

“At about 60mph in a passing lane going up a fairly steep hill, I pressed the accelerator to downshift while passing. The accelerator pedal pulled away from my foot toward the floor. The car began uncontrollably accelerating”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11422001
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10447654
“ALREADY FILED ODI NUMBER 10447654; REQUEST STATUS OF INVESTIGATION. THERE HAVE OTHER REPORTED INCIDENTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10552231

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Powertrain clunk noise during deceleration

POWER TRAIN

2 NHTSA complaints · 2014-02 → 2015-02

“THIS REPORT IS BEING FILED OUT OF MY CONCERN FOR THE TRANSMISSION'S INTEGRITY AND PERFORMANCE; A PROBLEM THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO EXIST TO DEALERSHIP MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10564194
“WHILE DRIVING TO WORK AT 55 MPH MY 2011 HYUNDAI VERACRUZ MADE A CLUNK SOUND FROM THE ENGINE AREA AND STARTING DROPPING SPEED TO AROUND 20MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10681762

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Antilock brake recall parts delay

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

3 NHTSA complaints · 2023-11 → 2024-12

“The contact owns a 2011 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11628593
“My system has not failed at this point. 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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11557030

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire pressure monitor light illuminating without cause

TIRES

5 NHTSA complaints · 2011-09 → 2014-10

“THE TPMS LIGHT CONTINUES TO GO ON AND OFF. SO DOES THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT. THE TIRES ARE PROPERLY FILLED. I SEE THAT I AM NOT ALONE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10640793
“SINCE ABOUT 800 MILES THE TPMS LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND STAYS LIT FOR A WHILE AND THEN SHUTS OFF,. ON A RECENT TRIP, THE LIGHT CAME ON AND OFF MORE THAN 10 TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10425734

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal service: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson 2011-2019): never extend — oil consumption issues are documented in Hyundai TSBs.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. AWD Tucson and Santa Fe owners benefit from rotation at 5,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Elantra and Sonata front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required to maintain ABS and ESC pump life.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe service or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Hyundai SP-IV or SPH-IV — substitutes can cause harsh shifting and torque converter damage.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on Theta II, Lambda II, and Smartstream engines. 1.6T (Veloster N, Kona N): 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Hyundai Long-Life Coolant (pink): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it damages the cylinder head gasket on GDI engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on most Hyundai models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Replace at 90,000 miles on most models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

4 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

3

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz reflects Hyundai's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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