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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
65 miles · Mar 20, 2025
Engine

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to exceed 60 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact exited the freeway. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to Two Tech Auto, whe…

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The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to exceed 60 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact exited the freeway. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to Two Tech Auto, where the knock sensors were replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the failure recurred, and the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. The contact engaged the hazard lights and continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the knock sensor needed to be replaced, and the fuel injectors needed to be cleaned. The contact declined to pay for the repair because of a concern that the repair was only a temporary repair. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall, and stated that the engine replacement was a permanent fix. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11649492

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2025
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesFire

on [XXX], we received the Tucson back from dealer from a complete engine replacement due to recall. On [XXX], our college son was returning to school from visiting a friend. He said he thought the car sounded a little different. There were no engine light warnings, so he didn't think much of it. About an hour into the trip, …

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on [XXX], we received the Tucson back from dealer from a complete engine replacement due to recall. On [XXX], our college son was returning to school from visiting a friend. He said he thought the car sounded a little different. There were no engine light warnings, so he didn't think much of it. About an hour into the trip, he started to smell gas, a few minutes later he started to smell smoke and saw smoke coming into the vehicle through the consoles. He looked behind him and saw a trail of fire and smoke. He decided to pull over but the brakes FAILED. He went into the median, applied the emergency brake and waited until the car slowed down. He was able to grab his phone that had fallen beneath his seat from driving onto the median. Once he was out of the vehicle, he could definitely see the car was on fire. It was entirely engulfed in flames within seconds. He called 911 and they were able to put out the fire within 30 minutes, but they commented that it was a difficult fire to extinguish. The car was completely destroyed front to back. We do not know if this problem started with engine, fuel tank or brakes. It is one thing when your car is on fire and you can pull over and get out. It is entirely another when you need to get out of your car but the brakes fail. You have to delay getting out of the car to ensure you don't hurt others on the road and save yourself before it explodes. We are lucky he is alive but are worried for others with this car. We thought we were done with car prolems after the engine replacement but we just moved onto another problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11644763

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2025
Engine

While driving, my vehicle stopped moving forward and the engine light came on. I pulled over and called for a tow. The service department at the dealership the vehicle was towed to said that the vehicle had less than a quart of oil in it. I just had the vehicle serviced 2 months prior. The service department changed the oil, oil…

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While driving, my vehicle stopped moving forward and the engine light came on. I pulled over and called for a tow. The service department at the dealership the vehicle was towed to said that the vehicle had less than a quart of oil in it. I just had the vehicle serviced 2 months prior. The service department changed the oil, oil filter and air filter. They drove the car and heard knocking. They found the rod bearing to be bad. They said it needed a new engine. The vehicle has approximately 51,000 miles. I never had any issues prior to that day. The car manufacture is refusing to replace the engine because I am not the original owner, not because the engine isn't defective. This is a 2019 Hyundai Tuscon with engine 2.0L L4 DOHC 16V. I believe there is a known problem with this engine, but the manufacturer doesn't want to admit to anything, nor do they want to resolve the issue. My vehicle could have caught fire. I could have been in an accident. I just want the car company to replace the engine without any cost to me. I would even pay for the labor, but they need to pay for the engine and any parts or tests that come with replacing an engine.

NHTSA ODI #11644251

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2025
EnginePower Train

My catalytic converter failed at roughly 70k miles (confirmed by mechanic and replaced). I have now been having transmission issues ever since, starting with the rpms jumping up on their own when trying to downshift (reproduced by mechanic) and ending with the car fully going into limp mode while in the middle of driving on the …

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My catalytic converter failed at roughly 70k miles (confirmed by mechanic and replaced). I have now been having transmission issues ever since, starting with the rpms jumping up on their own when trying to downshift (reproduced by mechanic) and ending with the car fully going into limp mode while in the middle of driving on the highway at speed. The former never triggered a light or produced codes, and with the latter the CEL flashed three times at the very start of the breakdown, and then went off and never came back on, despite the obvious problems the car was having.

NHTSA ODI #11644068

92,000 miles · Feb 18, 2025
Engine

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine light warning illuminated, and another unknown warning light flashed. The contact was approaching a traffic light and then while attempting to accelerate, …

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The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine light warning illuminated, and another unknown warning light flashed. The contact was approaching a traffic light and then while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, parked the vehicle, and turned off the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. Several independent mechanics were contacted, and the contact was made aware of a possible recall related to the failure. The contact called the manufacturer and was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine was knocking. The vehicle was not repaired because the manufacturer was waiting on the maintenance records for the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

NHTSA ODI #11643400

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2025
Engine

The engine sensor knock sensor went out on me on I-95. I called the dealer who sold me the car no action as of yet. Took it to a dealership service and had them diagnose it and they confirmed it. They informed me of a recall for Hyundai that year (2019) but not this model. They were baffled why this model was not recalled when t…

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The engine sensor knock sensor went out on me on I-95. I called the dealer who sold me the car no action as of yet. Took it to a dealership service and had them diagnose it and they confirmed it. They informed me of a recall for Hyundai that year (2019) but not this model. They were baffled why this model was not recalled when they have several models with engine issues. They informed me they were not going to fix it because it will not work but I could risk it somewhere else. I took it to Precision Auto Tune and the dealership was correct. It only work for 48 hours if that. Confirm by more mechanics and the engine is no good

NHTSA ODI #11636858

50,000 miles · Jan 13, 2025
Engine

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the light oil low light illuminated and gray smoke started coming out of the front end of the vehicle, underneath the hood of the vehicle, and from the rear of the vehicle. There was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. The conta…

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The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the light oil low light illuminated and gray smoke started coming out of the front end of the vehicle, underneath the hood of the vehicle, and from the rear of the vehicle. There was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road to inspect the vehicle. The contact found no visible failures; however, while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the drain plug had backed out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the failure might have happened during an oil change and the repair was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11635673

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2025
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

Unknown

NHTSA ODI #11635378

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2025
Engine

While driving the car felt like it was going to shutoff multiple times. It had been experiencing an unusually high consumption of oil since it's last oil change. It would also tend to surge and excelarate unexpectedly while driving. The check engine light came on only once and then shut off. The car is currently at the Hyundai d…

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While driving the car felt like it was going to shutoff multiple times. It had been experiencing an unusually high consumption of oil since it's last oil change. It would also tend to surge and excelarate unexpectedly while driving. The check engine light came on only once and then shut off. The car is currently at the Hyundai dealer. The service person says we need a new engine. These incidents happend while I and my wife were driving in separate incidents at different days and times. I was with my family and had to apply the brakes lest we run into cars in front of me when it surged unexpectedly.

NHTSA ODI #11635204

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2025
Engine

Engine failure will be caused by shrapnel in the engine (Dealer told me Hyundai is aware it was not vacuumed out properly in this particular batch of engines) leading to ruts being warn in the cylinder causing oil to leak past piston rings. Loses so much oil quickly. Extended warranty may deny due to 3 missed air filter changes…

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Engine failure will be caused by shrapnel in the engine (Dealer told me Hyundai is aware it was not vacuumed out properly in this particular batch of engines) leading to ruts being warn in the cylinder causing oil to leak past piston rings. Loses so much oil quickly. Extended warranty may deny due to 3 missed air filter changes

NHTSA ODI #11634976

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.

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