Hyundai Tucson Reliability Problems

Tucson owners have made 598 complaints over 16 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 23rd in overall reliability out of 25 Hyundai models, with real transmission and engine concerns.

5 Common Hyundai Tucson Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Tucson owners have to deal with.

  1. Rodents Chew Hyundai's Soy Wiring

    The wiring in cars used to be coated in a petroleum-based plastic, but recently automakers, including Hyundai, have switched to a soy-based material. The soy is biodegradable and helps keep plastic out of the landfill (yay!). Unfortunately …

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Hyundai's Soy Wiring" A hamster holding a record in front of a green Kia Soul, from an advertising campaign.

  2. Hyunda's Inflated MPGs

    Hyundai Motor Group was caught cheating on their fuel economy ratings (MPG) by the EPA in 2012. MPG estimates were 1 or 2 miles higher than they should have been, which doesn't sound like much. Except when you consider who's picking up the …

    Continue reading article "Hyunda's Inflated MPGs" A yellow and white gas pump with the words Fuel Save on the front

  4. Blue Link Standard Feature?

    Messages that self-destruct and dastardly extortion – it all sounds like the plot to Mission Impossible, right? But it’s actually the story of Hyundai’s Blue Link systems. Pay up, or it’ll blow up ... or at least shut off.

    Continue reading article "Blue Link Standard Feature?" Superimposed red radiation sign over a Blue Link infotainment screen.

  5. Panoramic Sunroof Explodes

    Hyundai refuses to acknowledge that their sunroofs have been exploding under normal driving conditions, but they’re offering plenty of coverage to owners if (or when) it happens thanks to a 2019 lawsuit settlement.

    Continue reading article "Panoramic Sunroof Explodes" An illustrated interior view of the panoramic sunroof.

What Tucson Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Tucson Generations

The Tucson has 3 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 3rd generation (2016–2020).

Tucson Key Numbers

  1. 598 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 244 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 18 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Tucson Class-Action Lawsuits

The Tucson has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Settlement

    Nicholas Wylie et al, v. Hyundai Motor America

    1. Settlement

      A proposed class of roughly 135,000 Hyundai owners suing over alleged transmission defects got the green light on Monday to settle their claims with the carmaker in a deal that could be worth roughly between $11 million and $22 million.

    2. Case Filed

      A Hyundai dual-clutch transmission (DCT) lawsuit alleges the 7-speed automatic transmissions have defects in the transmission control modules that cause vehicles to stop moving.

  • Billy Glenn v. Hyundai Motor America et al

    1. Case Filed

      Plaintiff Billy Glenn filed the exploding sunroof lawsuit after the glass in his 2014 Santa Fe Sport exploded just months after purchasing the Hyundai. The sunroof was replaced, but Glenn claims the replacement sunroof also shattered and sent glass into the vehicle.

    Class Vehicles
    • Elantra GT
    • Santa Fe Sport
    • Sonata
    • Tucson
    • Veloster
    Location
    California

  • Guy Coss v. Hyundai Motor America.

    1. Case Filed

      A Hyundai Blue Link lawsuit alleges the automaker failed to inform owners the telematics system will be disabled if inactive for more than one year, and to reactivate the system an owner will allegedly be forced to change hardware at a minimum cost of $500.

Recent Tucson News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Owners of the 3rd generation Tucson (2016-2021) are being urged to keep their parked vehicles away from anything that can burn until they have a fuse in the antilock braking system (ABS) replaced.

    If you're wondering if they really mean that, yes. Yes they do Multiple SUVs have caught on fire, both while parked and in motion, due to a short circuit in the ABS.

    An investigation found that the fires may not occur if the operating current in the ABS module traveled through a lower amperage fuse so they want to swap the system's current 40-amp fuse for a 25-amp version. I'd personally like a little more certainty than "may not occur," but that's just me.…

    keep reading article "797,000 Tucson SUVs Recalled for ABS Fires"

  2. Hyundai is recalling 120,000 Tucson SUVs because their oil pans can leak, damaging the engine or starting fires.

    The automaker says there’s a problem with the sealant they used for the 2011-2013 model years. Common warning signs include oil pools on the ground, knocking engine noises, the smell of oil burning on hot engine parts, a smoldering wall of flames coming out of your engine. You know, subtle stuff like that.

    Hyundai plans on sending out recall notices by the end of March 2019.

    keep reading article "2nd Generation Tucson Recalled for Oil Leaks and Engine Fires"

  3. Hyundai has proposed a settlement that would offer owners extended coverage in case their sunroofs explode.

    If approved, the settlement would double the existing sunroof warranty, reimburse certain previously-paid expenses, and even offer cash to those that decide to sell their car within the next 90 days.

    Hyundai still won’t admit the sunroof is defective, but they’re sure acting like it is.

    keep reading article "Hyundai Has Offered to Settle an Expoding Sunroof Lawsuit Settlement And It’s Good News for Owners"

  5. Hyundai, along with 19 other manufacturers, has agreed to a voluntary program to equip all new passenger vehicles with automated emergency braking (AEB) technology by September 1, 2020.

    AEB was found to reduce rear-end crashes by 39% during research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

    Automatic emergency braking uses a combination of radar, lidar (reflected laser light) and cameras for a forward collision warning system that gives a driver audio or visual warnings that a forward collision is near.…

    keep reading article "Is Hyundai Falling Behind in AEB Technology?"

  6. Hyundai is being sued for using soy-based wire insulation that attracts rabbits, mice, squirrels and other creatures.

    The Hyundai lawsuit alleges the automaker denies there is a problem by using the soy-based wiring and since no defect exists, any replacement parts will also consist of soy products.

    The soy-based materials are more biodegradable and generally cost less than their plastic counterparts.…

    keep reading article "Rodents Are Attracted to Hyundai’s Soy-Based Wire Coating"

  7. Hyundai motion to dismiss a panoramic sunroof lawsuit has been denied.

    The 2015 lawsuit says the sunroof glass can explode without warning. The judge previously threw out some claims concerning unfair profit but allowed fraud claims to continue. Hyundai then asked the judge to whittle down the lawsuit even more by throwing out claims based on unjust enrichment, a request denied by the court.

    Hyundai also argued claims of an owner who said the vehicle was unmerchantable within the warranty period should be tossed, but the judge denied the request.

    Hyundai has had problems with sunroofs dating back to a 2012 investigation for the Veloster.

    keep reading article "Hyundai's Defective Panoramic Sunroof Lawsuit Will Continue in Court"

  8. Hyundai says an error in the transmission clutch application logic can cause a delayed engagement when accelerating the 2016 Tucson.

    The problem has led to a recall for 41,000 SUVs.

    The SUVs are equipped with 7-speed EcoShift dual-clutch transmissions that use transmission control modules to constantly monitor data to help with gear shifting. The problem enters the picture when higher ambient temperatures are combined with certain driving conditions.

    To make matters worse, Hyundai developed a software update to fix this problem a while back. However, instead of issuing a recall they sent it out as a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) to dealerships. It wasn’t until a meeting with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that the automaker did the right thing.

    keep reading article "Dual-Clutch Transmissions Recalled in the 2016 Tucson"

See All Tucson News

Other Hyundai Models