Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 14 of 78 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 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
78 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2024
StructureInjury
Panoramic sunroof spontaneously exploded when driving on highway. No warning. Sounded like a gunshot. Had to pull over on the highway and clean off as much glass as I could so it did not cause injury or damage to other motorists. Looks like many other Tucson owners are experiencing similar issues. Has not been inspected yet as…
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Panoramic sunroof spontaneously exploded when driving on highway. No warning. Sounded like a gunshot. Had to pull over on the highway and clean off as much glass as I could so it did not cause injury or damage to other motorists. Looks like many other Tucson owners are experiencing similar issues. Has not been inspected yet as dealerships and insurance are closed today.
NHTSA ODI #11573848
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2023
Air BagsCrashInjury
AIR BAG ON DRIVERS SIDE DID NOT OPEN SAME THING WITH MY 2019 ELANTRA 3 YEARS AGO
NHTSA ODI #11559824
Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2023
Unknown Or Other
The back trunk latch is failing to unlock. The button can be heard and sometimes it sounds as if the motor is whining. After attempting to unlock the trunk by removing the cover on the safety wire and pulling it, this action was unsuccessful.
NHTSA ODI #11556586
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2023
Engine
September 15, 2023 while driving on the expressway my engine light came on. Vehicle towed to World Hyundai dealership and it was diagnosed as engine seized.
NHTSA ODI #11552445
25,000 miles · Jul 31, 2023
EngineFireInjury
The contact called on behalf of his girlfriend who owned a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH in the driveway, there was steam coming out from under the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle. The contact stated that as he opened the hood, flames came out. The contac…
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The contact called on behalf of his girlfriend who owned a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH in the driveway, there was steam coming out from under the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle. The contact stated that as he opened the hood, flames came out. The contact's girlfriend also saw flames coming out of the A/C vents. The contact closed the hood and assisted his girlfriend and his pet in exiting the vehicle. The contact stated that his girlfriend slipped and fell while exiting the vehicle. The contact's girlfriend sustained back pain and the contact sustained a flash burn. There was no further information provided. The contact stated that the entire vehicle caught on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. No police report was filed. The insurance company technician determined that the fire originated from the engine compartment. The vehicle was totaled by the insurance company and remained in the contats driveway. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
NHTSA ODI #11535510
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
I was merging onto interstate traffic when the vehicle suddenly stuttered and decelerated. I managed to merge, then cross over several lanes of traffic and pulled over. Thought maybe a fuel problem (I had just filled the tank), or overheating. It only has 24K miles on it, and I've faithfully taken the vehicle to the dealer fo…
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I was merging onto interstate traffic when the vehicle suddenly stuttered and decelerated. I managed to merge, then cross over several lanes of traffic and pulled over. Thought maybe a fuel problem (I had just filled the tank), or overheating. It only has 24K miles on it, and I've faithfully taken the vehicle to the dealer for regular service intervals, so I know it is not a fluid leak or problem. after a few minutes, I was able to start the car again, but it immediately shut down. Did this several times before giving up and calling for a tow truck. Had it towed to the dealer, and the next day they told me it needed a new engine, but the service department needed approval from corporate Hyundai. I'm waiting with baited breath.
I've had numerous issues with my vehicle, including power steering, brakes, loss of power, and more. On a few occasions, I started my vehicle and put it into drive, only to find that the power steering hadn't disengaged. This led to near collisions, such as almost hitting another vehicle while backing out of a parking spot and n…
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I've had numerous issues with my vehicle, including power steering, brakes, loss of power, and more. On a few occasions, I started my vehicle and put it into drive, only to find that the power steering hadn't disengaged. This led to near collisions, such as almost hitting another vehicle while backing out of a parking spot and nearly running into a wall. I've reported these issues to Hyundai multiple times, but the dealership can't reproduce the problem, despite having recordings of the incidents. I've also experienced delayed release of the electronic e-brake and it feeling like it hadn't fully disengaged. In a recent event, with passengers in the car, the e-brake auto-engaged while driving downhill, bringing the vehicle to a halt. I had to manually disengage it and restart the vehicle to resume normal operation. I contacted Hyundai customer service again, but I'm still waiting for a formal response. Other symptoms include loss of power during acceleration, engine starting issues, stuttering, and occasional burning smell from the brakes. Despite my efforts, Hyundai hasn't provided any solutions to these problems. I drive with multiple passengers in my vehicle all the time, including children and have major concerns regarding any of these issues happening, let alone while I am driving at higher speeds or with someone else driving my vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11527673
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2023
Engine
March of 2021 I purchased a new Hyundai Tucson SEL. I have performed all required maintenance (at the dealer no less). In May of 2022 the dealer performed the recall Campaign 966. Since that time, my Tucson has had to go to the dealer 5 times for a P1326 code. This resulted in the check engine light flashing and the car go…
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March of 2021 I purchased a new Hyundai Tucson SEL. I have performed all required maintenance (at the dealer no less). In May of 2022 the dealer performed the recall Campaign 966. Since that time, my Tucson has had to go to the dealer 5 times for a P1326 code. This resulted in the check engine light flashing and the car going into protection or limp mode. The vehicle would not accelerate past 30 mph and would not exceed 2000 RPM. This has happened as I have accelerated from either a stop or while in traffic. As of yet the dealer has been unable to permanently resolve the problem. They have replaced the knock sensor. The dealer has replaced spark plugs. The dealer has also replaced the catalytic convertor. They also recently scoped the cylinders and cleaned the engine with pressurized engine detergent. In the days and weeks prior to the check engine light, I can always tell that failure is imminent. The gas mileage will slowly drop off during both highway and city driving. Additionally, I can feel through the gas pedal hesitations and slight rhythmic pulsing. Lastly, I can feel gradual power loss in acceleration and very slight hesitations in acceleration as well.
NHTSA ODI #11514809
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine
Check engine light comes on flashing for a knock sensor. This has happened four times. Since it is flashing, car goes into limp mode and won’t go over 2000 rpm, low speeds and slow/no acceleration. It is dangerous due to happening on highways and going from cruising speeds to a crawl, with minimal ability to accelerate, very qui…
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Check engine light comes on flashing for a knock sensor. This has happened four times. Since it is flashing, car goes into limp mode and won’t go over 2000 rpm, low speeds and slow/no acceleration. It is dangerous due to happening on highways and going from cruising speeds to a crawl, with minimal ability to accelerate, very quickly. Sensor has been updated once and sensor has been replaced twice. Currently dealing with corporate after the fourth time of this issue happening. I am still fighting this issue and it’s looking like I will need an attorney.
NHTSA ODI #11505932
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2022
Engine
Recall Code 966 22-01-028H-1 Think and investigation is needed on these recalls. Apparently the engine can catch fire while the motorist is driving. I'm scheduled to drop my car off on the 9th and was told they may need to keep for 3-5 days. Thes vehicles should not be on the road at all and rental cars should be provided f…
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Recall Code 966 22-01-028H-1 Think and investigation is needed on these recalls. Apparently the engine can catch fire while the motorist is driving. I'm scheduled to drop my car off on the 9th and was told they may need to keep for 3-5 days. Thes vehicles should not be on the road at all and rental cars should be provided free of charge until the manufacturer works out all the problems
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
1
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.