Hyundai Tucson problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 2,247 owner complaints and 14 safety recalls for the Hyundai Tucson. That averages 73.5 complaints per year on the road — more complaints than typical (index 1.75 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #9 of 12 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 62.1.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across eight model years from 2018 to 2025, the Hyundai Tucson has logged 2,247 owner complaints and 14 safety recalls, with the 2025 model year showing a high rate of 247.5 complaints per year that is at least 50% above the model's own average. The trend is worsening as complaints filed in the last 12 months reached 736 versus 436 in the previous year, with the most recent reports totaling 304 from the 2025 model year. Engine issues account for 34.8% of all complaints and are 1.6 times as common here as across tracked vehicles, while recurring terms include "engine," "oil," and "brakes hydraulic." Owners report 132 injuries and 0 deaths across all model years, with 167 complaints describing a crash or fire, and one open investigation covering ABS module fires.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 58% above the 2018 and 2019 models (91 early complaints per model year versus 62).
The 2025 model year has the highest rate (247.5 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (13.7). The 2025 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully. Model years 2020 and 2021 sit well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (34.8% of complaints), followed by Brakes (12.6%) and Electrical (12.1%). Engine complaints are 1.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “engine”, “oil”, “notification brakes”, “brakes hydraulic” and “tuscon”. 167 complaints (7.4%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 132 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 736 complaints versus 436 in the previous 12 months — the pace is rising. The 2025 model year generated the most recent reports (304). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 25 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 14 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2023 (3), 3 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 3 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires” (opened 2023-11-17, still open).
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Jeep Compass; Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape and Honda CR-V have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 391 | 45.1 | 1.07 | 39 | 0.44 | 61 | 1 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2019 | 375 | 48.9 | 1.16 | 86 | 1.07 | 52 | 1 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2020 | 176 | 26.4 | 0.63 | 53 | 0.93 | 50 | 1 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2021 Fewest complaints | 78 | 13.7 | 0.33 | 19 | 0.31 | 34 | 1 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2022 | 498 | 106.6 | 2.53 | 201 | 2.72 | 119 | 3 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2023 | 174 | 47.4 | 1.13 | 99 | 1.19 | 51 | 2 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2024 | 141 | 52.7 | 1.25 | 84 | 1.2 | 65 | 4 ⚠ | Electrical | View › |
| 2025 Years to research carefully | 414 | 247.5 | 5.88 | — | — | 304 | 7 | Driver-assist systems | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 736 · Previous 12 months: 436 Rising
Problem areas
Brakes ›
283 · 12.6% · 2.08 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- notification brakes92
- brakes hydraulic96
- hydraulic recall84
- confirmed available70
Driver-assist systems ›
223 · 9.9% · 1.73 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- collision101
- braking97
- forward93
- emergency75
Interior & equipment ›
184 · 8.2% · 0.91 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- panoramic12
- consider break7
- tuscon7
- sunroof17
Transmission / powertrain ›
155 · 6.9% · 0.59 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- transmission57
- accelerate39
- dual clutch10
- traffic37
Fuel system ›
110 · 4.9% · 1.14 vs. all vehicles · Falling
- injectors59
- fuel injector48
- engine light29
- check engine28
Body & structure ›
80 · 3.6% · 0.39 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- glass31
- sunroof25
- panoramic13
- shattered15
Other
46 · 2.0% · 1.13 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- trailer hitches9
- notification trailer5
- hitches recall4
- pedal11
Lighting
34 · 1.5% · 0.97 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- headlights14
- night10
- dark6
- black7
Wheels, tires & suspension
18 · 0.8% · 0.32 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- lithia port4
- vibration pulling4
- vibration progressed4
- usa department4
Steering
16 · 0.7% · 0.11 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- wheel12
- steering12
- column3
- turn7
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- engine777
- oil366
- notification brakes95
- brakes hydraulic107
- tuscon63
- hydraulic recall87
- check354
- injector91
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 25 months
What owners report
While traveling northbound on [XXX] in Florida traffic came to a stop, and when I stopped, my engine seized, I attempted to restart, but was unable to get a restart.
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH on the highway, the vehicle ahead was slowing down to come to a stop, and the contact depressed the brake pedal.
I own a Hyundai Tucson 2018 SEL Plus. My problem is my vehicle is coming to the end of it's 100,000 mile warranty. This vehicle started burning oil about 30,000 miles and it got worse.
It suddenly brakes with warning forward collection. Thought this car recall update the s/w for forward collision braking.
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the right turn signal indicator light failed to illuminate on the instrument panel upon depressing the turn signal lever to make a right turn.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Compact SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazda CX-5 | 826 | 18.9 | 0.45 | Worsening | Steady | 3 | Engine |
| 2 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 1,181 | 28.2 | 0.67 | Improving | Rising | 26 | Engine |
| 3 | Kia Sportage | 949 | 28.5 | 0.68 | Worsening | Rising | 11 | Engine |
| 4 | Jeep Compass | 1,819 | 34.7 | 0.83 | Improving | Steady | 11 | Engine |
| 5 | Subaru Forester | 2,417 | 49.5 | 1.18 | Improving | Steady | 12 | Body & structure |
| 6 | Jeep Cherokee | 2,798 | 61.9 | 1.47 | Improving | Steady | 21 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 7 | Chevrolet Equinox | 1,917 | 62.9 | 1.49 | Stable | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 8 | Toyota RAV4 | 3,075 | 71.4 | 1.7 | Improving | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 9 | Hyundai Tucson | 2,247 | 73.5 | 1.75 | Worsening | Rising | 14 | Engine |
| 10 | Nissan Rogue | 2,991 | 81.0 | 1.92 | Improving | Rising | 24 | Engine |
| 11 | Ford Escape | 5,144 | 97.3 | 2.31 | Stable | Steady | 49 | Engine |
| 12 | Honda CR-V | 5,760 | 137.9 | 3.28 | Stable | Steady | 24 | Steering |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 14
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 3
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2018 (1) · 2019 (1) · 2020 (1) · 2021 (1) · 2022 (3) · 2023 (2) · 2024 (4) · 2025 (7)
Investigations
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires Open
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…
- Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
- Loss of Motive Power Closed
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 i…
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Tucson model year has the most complaints?
The 2025 model year has the highest rate (247.5 complaints per year) and the 2021 model year the lowest (13.7).
Is the Hyundai Tucson getting better or worse?
The trend is worsening. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 58% above the 2018 and 2019 models (91 early complaints per model year versus 62). In the last 12 months owners filed 736 complaints versus 436 in the previous 12 months — the pace is rising.
What are the most common Hyundai Tucson problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (34.8% of complaints), followed by Brakes (12.6%) and Electrical (12.1%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “engine”, “oil”, “notification brakes”, “brakes hydraulic” and “tuscon”.
How does the Hyundai Tucson compare with other Compact SUVs?
Within the Compact SUVs segment it ranks #9 of 12 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 62.1. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Kia Sportage and Jeep Compass; Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape and Honda CR-V have more.
Does the Hyundai Tucson have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 14 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2023 (3), 3 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 3 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 1 still open; the latest is “Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires” (opened 2023-11-17, still open).