NHTSA has received 178 owner complaints about the 2020 Hyundai Tucson, or 26.2 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.65, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 83 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #44 of 83 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Hyundai models its rate is 51% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 57% lower.
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
Complaints filed between 2020-03-03 and 2026-09-25. Median delay from incident to filing: 19 days.
178Complaints
26.2Complaints per year on the road
0.65Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls · ⚠ 1
3.9%Share involving a crash or fire
45Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2019) drew 49.2 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2021) drew 13.8 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2020 model collected 53 complaints, 6% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (41.6% of complaints), followed by Brakes (19.7%) and Electrical (12.4%). Engine complaints are 1.9 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 7 reports (3.9%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 5 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 46 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (35% of incidents). In the last 12 months 45 new complaints were filed, versus 28 in the 12 months before — up 61%.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 1 NHTSA investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires” (audit query, opened 2023-11-17, still open).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.65
vs. other Hyundai models0.49
vs. other 2020 models0.7
vs. other Compact SUVs0.43
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (53)0.94
Was in a side impact car accident last year. And have been speaking with Hyundai off and on since the accident and have basically been brushed off in my concerns about the fact my airbags never deployed when my rear passenger door was essentially ripped off…
My adult son was driving and under the hood started to smoke. He pulled over and opened the hood to take a look and then a fire started under the hood!
Engine · 2025-11-14 · ODI 11699488 · Fire
On XXX, while driving at freeway speed in [XXX] with my [XXX] son in the back seat, the engine of my 2020 Hyundai Tucson (2.4L Theta II GDI, approx. 99,108 miles) seized suddenly and without warning.
Engine · 2026-09-25 · ODI 11766998
Dealer completed update 9C2 Theta 2 emissions update. After update, the car sputters slightly and increased noise is heard from the tailpipe. Customer returned to dealer after driving the car in different temps and noted the above complaint.
Fuel system · 2026-08-09 · ODI 11755723
While driving on the expressway my car hit a bump and all the power from the vehicle was lost. I’ve been having issues with my car and have taking it to Hyundai dealership. Everytime I take it they are saying my car is fixed. But it’s not.
Electrical · 2026-06-29 · ODI 11747145
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
AQ23002 · audit query · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE · Opened 2023-11-17 · Model years: 2019, 2020, 2021
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…
