Hyundai · Tucson · 2021
1
Recall
63
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2021 Hyundai Tucson has 1 recall and 63 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (22 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
Frontal Crash Test

Side Crash Test

Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
15.5% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
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.
Remedy Status
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.
I just got an oil change and the oil was completely gone although there was no leak found. Not even a week later my oil is low again. There is smoke coming from the back pipes and the gas is burning out quickly. I just purchased the car last year
While driving on the freeway, my 2021 Hyundai Tucson SE (72,021 miles) suddenly and without warning lost power and entered limp mode. I was able to safely maneuver to the shoulder and exit the freeway. The check engine light came on and is currently flashing. I took the vehicle to AutoZone where code P1326 was retrieved. I then took it to Pep Boys for a full diagnostic where P1326 was the only code present. The Pep Boys report states the vehicle requires immediate attention. The vehicle remains in limp mode and the check engine light is flashing. The vehicle is not being driven as it cannot safely reach freeway speeds. I contacted Hyundai Customer Care and was assigned Case # XXX. I also contacted a Hyundai dealership who attempted to charge a 225 diagnostic fee despite P1326 being a known Hyundai defect covered under recall/service campaign. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owned a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, an abnormal clicking sound was coming from under the hood. No warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact managed to pull over to the shoulder of the road, where white smoke was noticed leaking from under the hood, and the intensity was increasing while the smoke turned black. The local fire department arrived on scene to extinguish the fire. The source of the fire was not identified. It was unknown if a Fire report was filed. A police report was filed. No injuries were sustained, and medical attention was not sought. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was deemed a total loss as it was majoily consumed by the fire. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
I have been adding oil to this engine excessively for more than 3 years..I have had appointments with the dealer where they flat out told me bring it back when the engine fails.i finally got N appointment and was told the engine needed to be replaced.that was 2 weeks ago..they are now denying the claim...have had my car for 2 weeks..no loaner..and decided to deny what they told me
I am the original owner of this car and in June 2025 I brought my car to Hyundai from noises and they told me it had no oil despite me being up to date with oil changes on the vehicle. They told me they were going to do an oil consumption test and once they did that the engine was denied. 6 months later 3 days after an oil change and no check engine light on, the engine fails while I’m on the side of the highway. This car is not safe. Check engine light was not on and I am always up to date with my cars maintenance.
Oil light comes on between changes at about 1500 miles before needing one, oil does not show on dipstick and have to repeatedly put on in engine. Chance of engine seizing or jumping time.
The contact owned a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that immediately after purchasing the certified vehicle, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode while her grandson was driving approximately 65 MPH, and the vehicle decelerated to 7 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the NOX sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but while leaving the dealer, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who replaced a second NOX sensor and the catalytic converter. The contact stated that days after retrieving the vehicle, the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was towed back to the dealer who diagnosed that the NOX sensor had failed for a third time, within several days of owning the vehicle. The vehicle was traded in. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,944.
Engine started making a knocking sound, then the oil light came on followed by the check engine light. Accelerates and decelerates on its own. Was forced to immediately pull over across three lanes on Interstate 95. It’s been over two weeks and I’ve yet to hear if Hyundai is going to cover a replacement engine. However, what happened is exactly what they have listed on their website ️ What to look out for check-engine Check Engine oil-light Engine Oil Pressure A knocking noise from the engine that increases in frequency as the engine rpm increases. Reduced power and/or hesitation and vibration. Illumination of the “check engine” light in the instrument cluster. Illumination of the “engine oil pressure” warning lamp.
My family’s safety is at serious risk with my 2021 Hyundai Tucson, which I’ve owned only 55 days. This vehicle has stalled three times while driving, putting me and my two young children in immediate danger. Each time, the car operated normally until a flashing engine light appeared, RPMs spiked, and the vehicle suddenly lost all power—entering “limp mode” and unable to exceed 3,000 RPM or 50 MPH. The first failure occurred 9/14/25 while merging onto the interstate, forcing me to lose power mid-acceleration as surrounding vehicles slammed their brakes to avoid collision. 13 days later, it happened again in stop-and-go traffic, leaving me stranded on the shoulder. Both incidents occurred without warning or prior check-engine lights. The third—and most terrifying—incident was on October 17, 2025, when the engine completely died 300 miles from home on a busy highway. My children, ages 4 and 6, were terrified as cars sped by. We were extremely fortunate not to have been hit. I am urgently requesting assistance for the immediate replacement of this vehicle’s engine. It is covered by Hyundai’s 15-year/150,000-mile extended warranty, clear evidence the company was aware of these issues. Service records from the previous owner-that I was told about by Hyundai show ongoing engine problems and recalls since 2022 further proof this vehicle should have been retired from service As a parent, I’m very alarmed that Hyundai refuses to act until “catastrophic damage” occurs. This policy is irresponsible and endangers entire families. There’s at least 50 NHTSA complaints describing identical issues; stalling, power loss, and bearing failure linked to defective connecting rod bearings. Yet, Hyundai has denied a replacement, insisting on waiting for further damage and failures in operation. I beg you to intervene and prioritize my family’s safety before tragedy inevitably strikes. My children should not be put at risk due to corporate negligence, greed and absence of accountability.
I was trying to defrost my windows and my air was on so I clicked the air off so the heat could come on and I started smelling a matalicky smell. I drove to a stop light and when I stopped the back windshield popped and then shattered. I then went to drive again to take the car home and I started to see smoke. Once the light changed I continued to drive to get the car home I happened to look through the rear view mirror and saw fire in the trunk , once I saw the fire I pulled over on a street and stopped the car and then all the sirens in the car started going off so I turned the car off got out and called 911.
Engine started making a knocking sound, light came on. Accelerates and decelerates on it's own. Dealership will not provide a diagnosis in any way, but says complete engine replacement is the answer. Car has been at dealership for almost a month.
While driving on a major highway, my car went into limp mode topping out at 60 mph then decreasing before going back to 60. My check engine light was also blinking, not solid.
The issue started just before my vehicle had 60,000 miles on it and only occurred every once and a while but, now it happens more often. When braking at low speeds my car makes a hissing/buzzing noise and the pedal goes soft. We got to a dealership when it had 60,420 miles on it. The dealership had it for two weeks saying they have never experienced anything like this issue before. They even contacted Hyundai Tech to help them. No warning lights ever came on and that was my concern. Finally after two weeks they said my tone ring on my driver's front side was bad and causing a false 0 reading. When I asked why the warning lights didn't come on they told me everything was working like should. Then after I pointed out that they said it was reading a false zero they were like no that must have been a typo its reading four miles under the rest and that's causing the abs system to activate. I'm from Ohio so I know what my abs sounds and feels like when it activates. It's a pulsating feeling not a soft pedal. When my abs truly activates my traction control light comes on. As I stated no lights have ever come on. This issue causes longer stopping times. There hasn't been any accidents because my wife and I try not to drive it. It's going to a third shop to try and figure out the issue. Yes the vehicle is available for inspection.
While driving on the freeway my sunroof suddenly imploded sending glass everywhere. No warning whatsoever it was like a bomb went off out of nowhere. Nothing hit the car and temps were not high and it just imploded This is a serious matter and extremely dangerous. The pain and ringing in my ears is awful, glass went all over this is serious issue that can cause death and injury
We were driving and the engine light started flashing and buckling. The vehicle had been properly maintained with oil changes. We have oil changes receipts from our mechanic. Hyundai refuses to cover it under their warranty even though there are documented issues with the make and models of 2021 Hyundai Tuscons.
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 improper pressure or malfunction of the seatbelt for that seat. These combined failures, the non-deployment of an essential airbag in impact, and the serious internal injuries caused by the seatbelt represent unacceptable deficiencies in the vehicle's safety systems. We believe that these injuries could have been avoided or mitigated if the safety components had functioned properly, as expected in an accident situation of this magnitude. Therefore, I am at a loss to understand: 1. Why the left side airbag did not deploy during the impact. 2. Why the right passenger seatbelt caused such serious internal injuries, including the three diagnosed intestinal perforations. We also require that concrete and immediate action be taken to address and compensate for the serious injuries suffered by the vehicle's occupants, as this has caused psychological and work- related harm. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
When sitting at a stop and then accelerating to leave the stop position, the car will go and then all of a sudden it will stall out and I'm pressing the gas pedal, pressing the gas pedal quite a few times before the car even decides to move. This happens when I'm changing lanes on the highway... merging onto the highway... when I'm leaving from a stop sign or a stoplight it happens continuously. It is very dangerous and it can cause a very bad accident....this has been an issue since I had bought the car 3 years ago...it seems to be happening more frequent
When going through Auburn, AL with speed limit of 70 mph my car engine started blinking on and off then my car dropped down only allowing me to go 60 Mph.
The AC system on my vehicle stopped working with less than 55,000 miles on it. When replacing the compressor, condenser, all AC switches, and lines (the entire AC system besides the ECM), the AC is still not working. The compressor is not kicking on. I have an ECM on order, but myself, and all mechanics (including Hyundai certified mechanics) are all unsure why this would have happened on such a low mileage vehicle. I am EXTREMELY disappointed and frustrated with the experience and not having AC after spending thousands of dollars and time getting it fixed. Please advise ASAP. Attached is the original invoice stating that all that needed to be replaced was the condenser/compressor. I have more files from all of the other replacements provided if needed.
Vehicle has 36,300 miles. Engine stalled twice when shifting into reverse, MID displayed "BCW On, Check System." Continued driving home, vehicle experiences power loss (rpms drop to ~500) and electrical system sputters and sparking noises can be heard in the cabin momentarily when turning left or steering left for curves at speeds over ~20mph. Checked BCW sensor location in rear bumper for obstructions - vehicle is clean.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2021 Hyundai Tucson has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 63 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson.
The 2021 Hyundai Tucson received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson are engine (22 reports), service brakes (4 reports), service brakes, hydraulic (3 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.