Hyundai Tucson automatic emergency braking problems, 2016–2026
509 of the 5,085 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Tucson 2016–2026 name the automatic emergency braking (NHTSA’s “Forward Collision Avoidance” heading — forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, including phantom braking). The loudest years: 2025 (276), 2022 (59), 2024 (50). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 recall campaign. 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 automatic emergency braking 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 automatic emergency braking | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 49 | 55% | — | 4 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2025 in depth | 276 | 64% | 5k | 4 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2024 | 50 | 34% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 42 | 24% | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 59 | 12% | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 6 | 8% | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 12 | 7% | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 | 15 | 4% | — | — | the year → |
| 2018 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2017 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2016 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
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 automatic emergency braking. Nothing here is a rate.
When the automatic emergency braking complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2020: 3 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 12 · 2023: 33 · 2024: 53 · 2025: 152 · 2026: 251
Across the model years, half of the 49 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the automatic emergency braking problem between 2,000 and 13,000 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 automatic emergency braking, 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.
My 2025 Hyundai Tucson had approximately 150 miles when the forward collision warning system has started to provide false warnings. The first event happened as I was pulling out of a parking lot where there was a dip in pavement between the lot and road.
Several times now the Forward Collision Safety has activated and the car came to an abrupt stop. The car in front of me was braking and I was lightly tapping the brake pedal when out of nowhere the car started shuttering and came to a complete stop. This definitely scared me and I was relieved that the car behind me did not rear end me.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? > While driving, the following systems fail and become inoperable sporadically: blind-spot safety system, tire pressure monitoring system, smart cruise control system, lane following assist system, speed limit warning system, shifter system…
The car slammed on it's brakes on the off ramp even though I had plenty of time to slow down. It came to a full stop before it let me accelerate again and I almost got rear ended
On Monday, 09/14/2026 at approximately 10:15am Mountain Time Utah State Route 36, North-bound. -- I was driving straight, approximately 60mph on dry road on a sunny day. There was no other traffic on the road either ahead, alongside, or behind me and no oncomming traffic.
What is on file about the automatic emergency braking, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 26V316000 HighMay 18, 2026 · 423,062 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Software in the front cameras may cause the forward collision avoidance system to activate prematurely and unexpectedly apply the brakes.
Other systems with a record on the Hyundai Tucson
Source: the same files- electrical problems
- engine 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 automatic emergency braking complaints?
2025, 276; 2022, 59; 2024, 50. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2025 (64%).
Is there a recall for the automatic emergency braking on the Hyundai Tucson?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 26V316000 (2026). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do automatic emergency braking problems show up on the Hyundai Tucson?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 5,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 2,000 and 13,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Forward Collision Avoidance" heading cover?
Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, including phantom braking. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.