Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 79 safety complaints
about the 2021 Hyundai Tucson with the US government. Of those, 2 describe a crash, 3 mention a fire, 7 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 39 complaints, 49% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 26,972 miles,
the median across the 14
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers January 2021 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
79 complaints on file
79
Complaints
2
Describe a crash
3
Mention fire
7
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: 31 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 9 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 39 · 49%
39 49%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11 · 14%
11 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 10 · 13%
10 13%
SERVICE BRAKES 9 · 11%
9 11%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8 · 10%
8 10%
POWER TRAIN 8 · 10%
8 10%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 6 · 8%
6 8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 3 · 4%
3 4%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 3 · 4%
3 4%
AIR BAGS 2 · 3%
2 3%
LANE DEPARTURE 2 · 3%
2 3%
SEAT BELTS 2 · 3%
2 3%
01938
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 79.
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 2026 at 27.
32 24 16 8
212021222022232023242024252025262026
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2021 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 2021 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.
ENGINE
2 injured · fire · 25,000 miles
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 …
NHTSA complaint 11535510, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed
On [XXX], the vehicle was involved in a complex multi-impact accident. It was struck by a vehicle on the passenger (right) side and, simultaneously, by another vehicle on the driver's (left) side. (Police Report). During this sequence of collisions, and despite the magnitude of the impact, I must express my extreme concern that the left side airbag (driver's side) did not deploy. This failure caused Mr. [XXX] , the undersigned, to suffer a neck injury as a direct consequence of the incident. Even more seriously, the right-side passenger, Ms. [XXX] , sufferedsevere internal injuries, including three small intestine perforations, according to medical reports. These injuries resulted from …
NHTSA complaint 11675342, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash
AIR BAG ON DRIVERS SIDE DID NOT OPEN SAME THING WITH MY 2019 ELANTRA 3 YEARS AGO
NHTSA complaint 11559824. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
1 injured
Forward collision warning is set at "early", but I only get 1 out of dozen incidents where I feel the warning should be triggered. Often I had to hit the brake hard enough to cause chest pains for me & my passenger. So, the injury below is a minor one for now, but may easily become quite extensive.
NHTSA complaint 11417388. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
I took my car in to Allen Samuals Hyundai dealership to have the 9C2 recall update completed on May 15th 2026. Ever since then my vehicle has had a rough hesitation or sputtering when driving. On May 18th Hyundai released a statement stating there was an issue with the update completed on the 9C2 campaign. However no resolution at the moment and to allow the car to warm up prior to driving it. I have only had my car for a little over 2 years and maintained everything a responsible car owner should. It only has 90k miles on it and had zero issues at all prior to the 9C2 campaign. I have spoke woth dealer and corporate numerous times nobody can give me a solution nor does it seem that anyone …
NHTSA complaint 11766298, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
Engine knock sensor went off and now the engine needs replacement due to faulty cylinder rod.
NHTSA complaint 11760640. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint 11758305. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
towed · 7,800 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine blew. No warning lights were illuminated. There was white smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,800.
NHTSA complaint 11756204. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This vehicle burns oil at an alarming rate. I am getting oil changes every 3K miles, and when I take it in, the dipstick is dry. I receive no oil lights to tell me it is low. I just had to get spark plugs and the mechanic at the garage told me this was due to the oil consumption issue in these vehicles. I am at 71,000 miles.
NHTSA complaint 11752252. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
I was driving down [XXX] from my house.My engine light started to flash.I tried to accelerate my car barely went 10 miles an hour.I got Home 2 minutes later.There was major knocking.I had the car towed to [XXX], Hyundai, the only code that is showing up on the diagnostics, is P1326 there is an open class action lawsuit for this exact code. For the rod bearing failure, Hyundai is denying the claim, saying there's a gap in maintenance history on a car. I didn't own yet when I bought the vehicle. It passed a 190 point inspection. There's no way there was anything wrong with this vehicle.I am under fifty thousand miles , and if I was on the highway , it could've been deadly i could not …
NHTSA complaint 11751238, quoted in part. 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