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Hyundai · NHTSA safety record

2020 Hyundai Tucson

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

175

Complaints

5

Crashes

2

Fires

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2020 Hyundai Tucson have filed 175 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2020 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 70 of them (40%). The typical failure was reported at 5,862 miles, the median across the 30 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints rose by half year on year: 45 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 23 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 1 recall covering this vehicle. A further 1 defect investigation is open and unresolved.

Recalls (1)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

20V543000 · September 4, 2020

Park outside until repaired

The defect
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.
The risk
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
The 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.

Hyundai Motor America · up to 652,024 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (1)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

AQ23002

Still open audit query · opened November 17, 2023

the hydraulic brakes

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.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 175.

ENGINE 70 40%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 28 16%
SERVICE BRAKES 26 15%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19 11%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 17 10%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 12 7%
POWER TRAIN 9 5%
AIR BAGS 7 4%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 7 4%
LANE DEPARTURE 6 3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5 3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 4 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 40.

2020 2025 2026
2020 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed

I was involved in a motor vehicle accident on January 14, 2024. My vehicle was struck head on, left driver side. The airbag did not deploy. I sprain my shoulder, fractured my chest rib, and have a knee contusion. My insurance company deemed my vehicle a total loss. I contacted Hyundai and they advised that because I did not currently have vehicle in my possession, they could not inspect it. I gave Hyundai the contact information to view the vehicle and they refused, stating they do not get involved with insurance company. My vehicle has not been inspected and my insurance claims representative is awaiting a call from Hyundai, to view vehicle at storage location. There were no warning lamps

NHTSA complaint 11568689, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured · crash · towed · 38,000 miles

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, the instrument dashboard display suddenly blacked out and the steering wheel malfunctioned causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash down an embankment into a tree. The contact mentioned that when she attempts to exit because the vehicle was on the edge of an embankment when she exits the vehicle she fell into a tree then climbed up to the roadway where she was found unconscious. During the incident, the driver sustained a fractured left shoulder and head trauma. The contact currently was being seen by a Neurologist for her head trauma. A police report was taken at the scene

NHTSA complaint 11431319, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

Proceeding with flow of traffic, Southbound on a 2 lane st, I was in the curb lane. A truck exiting interstate ran through, at approx 50-60 MPH, a red light. Initial contact was made on passenger side front and rear door. He continued to push my car, and I turned the wheel to the right to avoid left lane traffic (as they couldn't move becuase of guard rail facing East) and he gunned it and pushed me into a concrete the guard rail at about 15-25 mph. The car was stuck in drive, it couldn't be put into any other gear.▪︎There were no airbag deployment at all▪︎I've missed worked since 2/11. I have severe left side injuries-neck, shoulder, upper/lower arm, wrist, and left hand, upper back pain,

NHTSA complaint 11453726, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

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 during the car accident. Progressive moved quickly with my claim and Hyundai pretty much told me not their problem since progressive moved the vehicle so fast and they said they can’t locate it even though I gave them exactly who to get in contact with and they never bothered and basically told me my issue was unfounded due to the fact they couldn’t locate said vehicle

NHTSA complaint 11749066. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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. Dealer verified the complaint but continues to take no responsibility for the fault on the repair receipt by writing condition is “normal” and recommending “customer to allow vehicle to properly warm up for one to three minutes prior to driving.” The last line of the service record indicates “no problem found at this time.” A template letter from Hyundai was attached to the repair record. Hyundai may be instructing dealers to not document problems in

NHTSA complaint 11755723, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
The engine lost power while driving, and the vehicle entered a reduced-power mode. The check engine light began flashing, and the engine made a loud knocking noise during acceleration. A diagnostic scan showed code P1326 (Knock Sensor Signal Range/Performance). The knock sensor was replaced, and the engine oil was refilled after discovering an oil leak. The vehicle operated normally for a short time, but the same symptoms returned. The vehicle is available for inspection. The vehicle suddenly lost power while traveling approximately 70 mph on the highway, making it difficult to maintain speed and safely keep up with traffic. This created a risk of being struck by other vehicles or causing

NHTSA complaint 11753365, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
High excessive oil consumption and premature piston ring failure leading to excessive oil consumption

NHTSA complaint 11752334. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Tried passing someone on the thruway, as I was about to the car jerked a bit then started decelerating. The check engine light started flashing and so did the oil light. Read the code as cylinder 3 misfire and a knock sensor. Changed the spark plugs and coil packs then checked the oil and saw there was no oil in the engine. Was told by my mechanic it’s a common problem with these Hyundai engines, it seems the rings are getting fried in the engine and that’s why it consumes oil so quickly.

NHTSA complaint 11751269. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
While driving on the highway with adaptive cruise control on, car began decelerating without any vehicle in front. Started to get off highway, check engine light began flashing and came to a full stop. Car died. Tried restarting and car died. Check engine, oil and battery lights then on. Total engine failure and no warning lights prior.

NHTSA complaint 11750442. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Hyundai Tucson

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 56 5 —
2025 271 6 —
2024 90 4 —
2023 130 2 —
2022 371 3 —
2021 76 1 —
2019 371 1 —
2018 390 1 —
2017 1,081 3 1
2016 1,616 5 —
2015 226 1 —
2014 200 2 —
2013 266 3 —
2012 254 3 —
2011 124 5 —
2010 57 4 —

Other 2020 Hyundai models

Palisade 523 Elantra 242 Santa FE 203 Sonata 170 Kona 154 Venue 42 Kona Electric 27 Veloster 23

Every Hyundai on this site — 201 vehicles, 276 recall campaigns and 3 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst