2020 Hyundai Tucson: Common Problems, Recalls and Vehicle Data

What the public data shows

An open federal investigation is the most notable item in the public record for the 2020 Hyundai Tucson. AQ23002 concerns service brakes and remains open, which means regulators are examining a pattern in complaints or data, not that they have reached any conclusion about a defect. It's a question being asked rather than a finding. The one recall on file, 20V543000, also involves the service brakes, hydraulic system, with a stated consequence of a possible engine compartment fire increasing crash or injury risk. That the recall and the open investigation both touch braking-related systems is worth noting, though the two are separate actions and the investigation should not be read as confirming or extending the recall's findings. Among the 176 complaints logged for this model year, engine-related reports are the largest single group, 61 of 176, followed by complaints classified as "other" at 40, and brakes at 35. These figures describe how owners categorized their reports to NHTSA, not a measured rate of failure across all vehicles. Separately, Hyundai's service bulletins for this year show a concentration in the electrical system, 19 of 66 bulletins, with engine and engine cooling next at 12. Bulletins are manufacturer guidance for dealers addressing known symptoms, not recalls, but they indicate where dealer-level attention was directed. No repeat-repair campaigns appear in this year's record.

176 complaints on file with NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, grouped into CarTold's broad component categories.

Most frequently reported, by the specific component NHTSA logged each complaint under (not CarTold's category groupings above):

• ENGINE — 55 complaints (31%)
• SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC — 16 complaints (9%)
• UNKNOWN OR OTHER — 15 complaints (9%)
• SERVICE BRAKES — 12 complaints (7%)
• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — 6 complaints (3%)
• UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION — 6 complaints (3%)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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

Opened 2023-11-17

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,…

NHTSA crash-tests each body-style/drivetrain configuration separately, so ratings can differ by variant — shown as tested, not averaged. See how the 5-star ratings work, including why an overall score isn't the average of the three category scores.