Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 178 safety complaints
about the 2020 Hyundai Tucson with the US government. Of those, 5 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire, 5 people were injured and no death is recorded. One recall campaign is open against it, covering the hydraulic brakes.
The most complained-about system is the engine,
named in 73 complaints, 41% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 6,200 miles,
the median across the 31
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers March 2020 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
178 complaints on file
178
Complaints
5
Describe a crash
2
Mention fire
5
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
Complaints more than doubled year on year: 51 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 20 in the twelve before.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
A further 1 defect
investigation is
open and unresolved.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 73 · 41%
73 41%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 28 · 16%
28 16%
SERVICE BRAKES 26 · 15%
26 15%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19 · 11%
19 11%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 17 · 10%
17 10%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 12 · 7%
12 7%
POWER TRAIN 9 · 5%
9 5%
AIR BAGS 7 · 4%
7 4%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 7 · 4%
7 4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6 · 3%
6 3%
LANE DEPARTURE 6 · 3%
6 3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 4 · 2%
4 2%
03162
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 178.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2025 at 40.
44 33 22 11
202020212021222022232023242024252025262026
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2020 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2020 Hyundai TUCSON, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
SUV AWD
SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
15.5%
16.2%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed.
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Recall campaigns
1 on file
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
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 on file
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.
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
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.
ENGINE
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. I lost all motive power in moving traffic and coasted to the shoulder, where my son and I sat stranded for 30 minutes with smoke and a burning smell coming from the engine while waiting for a tow. No warning lamps or messages appeared before the failure. COMPONENT FAILED: Engine. Tustin Hyundai ([XXX]) diagnosed the failure on RO XXX: engine seized; connecting rod pierced through the bottom of the engine block due to internal catastrophic failure at the crankshaft/bearings; starter had a burnt …
NHTSA complaint 11766998, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
Engine has defect that causes oil to heat at an unusual levels there for damaging other vehicle components such as The exhaust system parts clogging up and Triggering check engine warning lights for emissions.
NHTSA complaint 11765249. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while the vehicle was receiving a routine oil change, the contact was informed that the oil pan was empty. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The contact was informed about a possible oil consumption test. The contact was informed that there was carbon blowing out of the vehicle. The contact stated that three months later, the oil pan was empty. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and engine oil was added; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that …
NHTSA complaint 11758267, quoted in part. 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.
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. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed September 4, 2020.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
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.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst