Hyundai Tucson engine problems, 2016–2026
1,830 of the 5,085 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Tucson 2016–2026 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2017 (614), 2016 (433), 2018 (252). Filed under the same heading across these years: 5 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recall campaigns, 2 NHTSA investigations. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Hyundai Tucson engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 6% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 10 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2024 | 14 | 10% | — | 8 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 35 | 20% | — | 10 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 in depth | 160 | 32% | 29k | 32 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2021 | 42 | 53% | — | 42 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 in depth | 74 | 42% | — | 40 TSBs | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 201 | 53% | 51k | 74 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 252 | 63% | 67k | 85 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 614 | 56% | 60k | 42 TSBs · 1 recall · 2 investigations | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 433 | 27% | 65k | 42 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 37 · 2017: 33 · 2018: 38 · 2019: 69 · 2020: 69 · 2021: 155 · 2022: 235 · 2023: 355 · 2024: 282 · 2025: 326 · 2026: 231
Across the model years, half of the 512 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 20,000 and 89,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
At various times during driving the car's engine will feel like there's no power or no gas and will go into a stall. This has happened both during accelerating from a stop going into traffic and during driving and accelerating.
The vehicle at times when going from a stop will occasionally totally lose all propulsion for a split second which has caused me to almost be dead in traffic. It is very scary when it happens. I don't know if it is a engine or transmission or fuel problem. I had the problem with a 2014 santa fe.
Hyundai Tucson 2016,1300 miles. In heavy stop and go traffic on gw bridge, transmission overheating warning (pull over safely) car would not move, after 5 harrowing minutes was able to drive, taken to dealer, "never heard of this before" could not fix because nothing wrong. So much for ,100000 mile warranty.
05/06/2016 @ 1600 cond-rainy. While at a stop light I pressed the accelerator and the SUV did not move. The engine revved but the SUV did not go forward. It slowly engaged and lurched forward after approx 3-5 seconds. 5/19/2016 @ 1800 cond-rain /not driven in approx 4 days.
As stated in many forums by many owners,in my case the 2.0 with automatic. I have a 2014 kia soul and the 2018 tuscon. Both vehicles act the same,hesitate when they want to. Both have done this since brand new and neither dealership has made an effort to fix the problem.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V549000 HighAug 25, 2025 · 29 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power and engine damage, possibly resulting in an oil leak.
- 21V727000 HighSep 17, 2021 · 95,515 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Tucson and Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.
NHTSA investigations
- DP22003 Loss of Motive Poweropened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints i…
- EA21003 Engine Firesopened Dec 22, 2021 · closed Feb 5, 2024
- On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, includ…
5 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 16, 2026
- Some Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine may exhibit a continued DTC P132600 after an ECM logic update has been performed per TSB 24-01-068H, Engine Monitoring Logic (Service Campaign 966). This bulletin provides instructions to inspect and resolve other engine mechanical issues and if DTC P132600 remains, then a procedure and manual mode passwords are given to perform the update agai
- May 21, 2026
- Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these vehicles may be releasing air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards.
- Apr 18, 2026
- Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.
- Mar 26, 2026
- This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H-2 (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest version.
- Mar 26, 2026
- This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest version.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Hyundai Tucson
Source: the same files- automatic emergency braking problems
- electrical problems
- transmission and drivetrain problems
- brake problems
- latch and lock problems
Every system, every model year: Hyundai Tucson problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Hyundai Tucson years have the most engine complaints?
2017, 614; 2016, 433; 2018, 252. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2018 (63%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Hyundai Tucson?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V549000 (2026), 21V727000 (2017). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Hyundai Tucson?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 60,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 20,000 and 89,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.