2021 Hyundai Tucson: Common Problems, Recalls and Vehicle Data

What the public data shows

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson has 77 complaints on file with NHTSA. Engine-related complaints number 34, the largest single group in the record. Other categories follow well behind: 13 complaints filed under a general "other" heading and 10 concerning brakes. There is one open investigation tied to this model year, AQ23002, covering the service brakes. An open investigation means regulators are examining a pattern in the data; it is not a finding that a defect exists, and it has not concluded. The one recall issued for this model year, campaign 20V543000, also concerns the service brakes, hydraulic system, with a listed consequence of a possible engine compartment fire. Because both the recall and the open investigation touch the same braking system, that is a notable overlap in the public record, though the investigation and the recall are separate proceedings and one does not confirm the other's scope or cause. Separately, Hyundai's service bulletins for this model year cluster around the engine and engine cooling system, with 15 of 49 total bulletins, and the electrical system, with 13. Bulletins are routine manufacturer communications to dealers about known symptoms and repair guidance, not recalls, but this cluster indicates where dealer attention was directed for this model year. As always, complaint counts reflect how many reports were filed, not how many vehicles actually have a given problem.

78 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 — 28 complaints (36%)
• UNKNOWN OR OTHER — 4 complaints (5%)
• FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — 4 complaints (5%)
• SERVICE BRAKES — 4 complaints (5%)
• SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC — 3 complaints (4%)
• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — 2 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.