← New search

2019 Hyundai Tucson

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tucson years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Hyundai Tucson are substantially higher than the model-year median of 180.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 93 of 378 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 196 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports11 fire reports7 injury reports

What owners actually said

378 reports
3,700 miles · Jun 1, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN MERGING INTO INTERSTATE CAR IS HESITATING NOT PICKING UP SPEED LIKE IT SHOULD. CARS MERGING BEHIND ME HAVE TO COME AROUND ME AND PASS BECAUSE I AM NOT PICKING UP SPEED FAST ENOUGH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11326893

5,000 miles · May 25, 2020
Power TrainSeats

THE TRANSMISSION ISN'T SHIFTING OUT PROPERLY. YOU CAN HEAR THE CAR REVVING UP AND NOT CHANGING GEARS. THE ACCELERATION IS SLOW AS WELL. ALTHOUGH I'M PRESSING ON THE GAS, IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE CAR TO PICK UP SPEED. THE DRIVER SEAT IN MY BRAND NEW TUSCAN IS ALSO PEELING. I HAVEN'T CLEANED THE SEAT WITH ANY KIND OF CHEMICALS,…

Read full complaint

THE TRANSMISSION ISN'T SHIFTING OUT PROPERLY. YOU CAN HEAR THE CAR REVVING UP AND NOT CHANGING GEARS. THE ACCELERATION IS SLOW AS WELL. ALTHOUGH I'M PRESSING ON THE GAS, IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THE CAR TO PICK UP SPEED. THE DRIVER SEAT IN MY BRAND NEW TUSCAN IS ALSO PEELING. I HAVEN'T CLEANED THE SEAT WITH ANY KIND OF CHEMICALS, BUT A SMALL SPOT IS VISIBLY PEELING.

NHTSA ODI #11325869

13,400 miles · Mar 6, 2020
Power Train

MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A DCT, WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SLOW, HESITATE, FAIL TO MAINTAIN SPEED, AND STOP WITHOUT WARNING. FURTHER, THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES FREQUENT RPM SURGES, REGARDLESS OF SPEED OR TERRAIN OR ROAD TYPE (IT IS MOST FREQUENT WHEN GOING UP A HILL, BUT ALSO HAPPENS ON A FLAT ROAD). WHEN MERGING ONTO A HIGHWA…

Read full complaint

MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A DCT, WHICH CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SLOW, HESITATE, FAIL TO MAINTAIN SPEED, AND STOP WITHOUT WARNING. FURTHER, THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES FREQUENT RPM SURGES, REGARDLESS OF SPEED OR TERRAIN OR ROAD TYPE (IT IS MOST FREQUENT WHEN GOING UP A HILL, BUT ALSO HAPPENS ON A FLAT ROAD). WHEN MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY ON A HILL, I MUST USE THE SLOW VEHICLE LANE TO GET UP TO SPEED BEFORE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. OFTEN, I WILL PULL OUT TO PASS A CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL TO RESPOND, CAUSING ME TO SLOW RAPIDLY. I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP ON MULTIPLE DATES DURING THE YEAR I'VE OWNED AND HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT IT IS "NORMAL" AND THAT IT WILL "LEARN MY DRIVING HABITS. THE LATTER IS UNTRUE, IT DOES NOT LEARN AND I NEED TO ADAPT MY DRIVING HABITS TO THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS UNSAFE AND PUTS ME AND OTHER DRIVERS AT RISK. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLES BEHING ME, REGARDLESS OF FOLLOWING DISTANCE, HAVE HAD TO SWERVE OR BRAKE DUE TO MY VEHICLES FAILINGS.

NHTSA ODI #11316547

6,736 miles · Feb 23, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON I88 WESTBOUND IN IL. VEHICLE ELECTRICAL POWER CUT OFF COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY INTERSTATE. ACCELERATION SLOWED UNTIL VEHICLE DIED AND ALL ERROR LIGHTS APPEARED AND FLASHED ON DASH WITH A "SERVICE NOW" ALERT. PULLED OVER AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND TURNED THE SWITCH TO SEE IF IT WOULD …

Read full complaint

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON I88 WESTBOUND IN IL. VEHICLE ELECTRICAL POWER CUT OFF COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY INTERSTATE. ACCELERATION SLOWED UNTIL VEHICLE DIED AND ALL ERROR LIGHTS APPEARED AND FLASHED ON DASH WITH A "SERVICE NOW" ALERT. PULLED OVER AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND TURNED THE SWITCH TO SEE IF IT WOULD CRANK AGAIN. VEHICLE DOES NOT START AND GIVES THE SAME "SERVICE NOW" LIGHT. VEHICLE WILL NOT START WHEN JUMPED BY IL STATE POLICE. CALLED TOW TRUCK, CURRENTLY WAITING.

NHTSA ODI #11310983

8,800 miles · Feb 17, 2020
Power Train

I BOUGHT THIS 2019 HYUNDAI TUCSON SPORT NEW IN MAY OF 2019. I NOW HAVE 9,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE SUFFERS FROM CONSTANT HESITATION ISSUES WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS OCCURS FROM A DEAD STOP, WHILE TURNING, AND WHILE TRYING TO QUICKLY SPEED UP TO AVOID A CRASH. IT IS LIKE THE FUEL HAS BEEN MOMENTARILY SHUT OFF. THIS IS EXTREMELY…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT THIS 2019 HYUNDAI TUCSON SPORT NEW IN MAY OF 2019. I NOW HAVE 9,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE SUFFERS FROM CONSTANT HESITATION ISSUES WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS OCCURS FROM A DEAD STOP, WHILE TURNING, AND WHILE TRYING TO QUICKLY SPEED UP TO AVOID A CRASH. IT IS LIKE THE FUEL HAS BEEN MOMENTARILY SHUT OFF. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. WE HAVE AVOIDED SEVERAL NEAR-CRASHES THROUGH SHEER LUCK IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THIS IS THE 2.4 ENGINE AND 6 SPEED AUTO/SHIFT ABLE TRANSMISSION. IF I PUT THE MODE TO SPORT, IT HELPS SOME. TO AVOID THE DANGEROUS LAG OF APPROXIMATELY 2 SECONDS, THE CAR HAS TO BE DRIVEN IN MANUAL MODE. WHEN THE CAR IS STANDING STILL AT THE LIGHT, EVERYTHING APPEARS NORMAL. BUT AS THE LIGHT CHANGES AND I ACCELERATE, IT WILL SUDDENLY "STALL" FOR ABOUT TWO SECONDS, THEN IT WILL SPEED UP. IT IS LIKE THE ENGINE IS HAVING TROUBLE COMMUNICATING WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE CALLED SEVERAL DEALERS AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO FIX. NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES ARE MAKING THE SAME COMPLAINT. I DO NOT WANT A NEW VEHICLE. I ALREADY HAVE ONE. I JUST WANT IT FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. PLEASE REVIEW ALL THE CONSUMERS COMPLAINTS ON THIS HYUNDAI TUCSON. I ALSO RENTED A VEHICLE FOR A DAY AND IT WAS A 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON. IT DID THE EXACT SAME THING. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11309622

112,313 miles · Feb 9, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

MY AUTO LOCK, COLLISION LIGHT, AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS HAVE WILL NOT GO OFF. STEERING IS HARD, BRAKES ARE ON, AND THIS IS A FAIRLY NEW CAR WITH ABOUT 11,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11308000

150 miles · Jan 29, 2020
Structure

WE HAD PURCHASED OUR FAMILY CAR BACK ON APRIL 29 2019, AFTER A FEW WEEKS WE HAD MULTIPLE UNEVEN MISALIGNED GAPS ON OUR REAR QUARTER MOLDINGS AND HOOD. UNTIL THIS DAY ELGIN HYUNDAI & HYUNDAI USA DON'T WANT TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY ON A VEHICLE THAT WAS SOLD TO OUR FAMILY WRONG FROM THE ASSEMBLY LINE. THEY TRIED FIXING ONCE AND …

Read full complaint

WE HAD PURCHASED OUR FAMILY CAR BACK ON APRIL 29 2019, AFTER A FEW WEEKS WE HAD MULTIPLE UNEVEN MISALIGNED GAPS ON OUR REAR QUARTER MOLDINGS AND HOOD. UNTIL THIS DAY ELGIN HYUNDAI & HYUNDAI USA DON'T WANT TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY ON A VEHICLE THAT WAS SOLD TO OUR FAMILY WRONG FROM THE ASSEMBLY LINE. THEY TRIED FIXING ONCE AND OFFER ME A ONE TIME PAYMENT FOR $325 TOWARDS MY MONTHLY PAYMENT SO I CAN KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT. EVERYWHERE I GO EVERY DEALER TELLS ME ELGIN HYUNDAI OR HYUNDAI USA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING YOU A WRONG CAR FROM THE ASSEMBLY LINE.

NHTSA ODI #11302933

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2020
Seat Belts

REAR SEAT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LATCH.

NHTSA ODI #11300362

525 miles · Dec 25, 2019
Engine

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR WHERE THE CAR HAS A COLD START NO MATTER IF ITS SUMMER OR WINTER IN CALIFORNIA. WHEN I PUSH THE START BUTTON THE CAR STRUGGLES TO START AND THEN DOES START AFTER 2-3 SECONDS. THIS PROBLEM HAVE BEEN SINCE THERE WHEN THE CAR WAS JUST 500MILES ON IT AND THE ISSUE EXISTS AS OF TODAY. IT WENT…

Read full complaint

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR WHERE THE CAR HAS A COLD START NO MATTER IF ITS SUMMER OR WINTER IN CALIFORNIA. WHEN I PUSH THE START BUTTON THE CAR STRUGGLES TO START AND THEN DOES START AFTER 2-3 SECONDS. THIS PROBLEM HAVE BEEN SINCE THERE WHEN THE CAR WAS JUST 500MILES ON IT AND THE ISSUE EXISTS AS OF TODAY. IT WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE AND CAME BACK SAYING THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED MULTIPLE CARS IN THE PAST AND HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH ISSUES

NHTSA ODI #11291188

19,000 miles · Dec 24, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2019 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS MOTHER IN LAW WAS DRIVING 55 MPH OVER A SLIGHT HILL, THE DRIVER REACHED AN ICY PATCH AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER AND STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING IT TO SHATTER. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEP…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2019 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS MOTHER IN LAW WAS DRIVING 55 MPH OVER A SLIGHT HILL, THE DRIVER REACHED AN ICY PATCH AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER AND STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING IT TO SHATTER. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCONSCIOUS FOR A BRIEF MOMENT AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION VIA AMBULANCE ON THE SCENE. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONE D THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RENTED VIA ENTERPRISE. THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY TOWED TO BERGLUND CHEVROLET BUICK (1824 WILLIAMSON RD NE, ROANOKE, VA 24012, (540) 344-1461), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 19,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11291025

Official recalls

1

20V543000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 4, 2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Hyundai expanded the recall population, and added certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

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 Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Go deeper into Hyundai Tucson problems