Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine39
- Electrical system12
- Unknown or other10
- Service brakes9
- Power train8
- Fuel/propulsion system8
- Forward collision avoidance6
- Vehicle speed control3
- Service brakes, hydraulic3
- Engine and engine cooling3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 7 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 35 2021 Tucson vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 13 people died inside them, and 3 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2021 Hyundai Tucson failed the safety check 0.77% of the time — 18% less often than the average 2021 passenger car (0.95%). Median odometer at inspection: 22,677 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2021
71,687 new Hyundai Tucson cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2021; the largest markets were Spain (21,241), France (19,169), Czechia (5,684).
- Average mass
- 1,630 kg
- Average CO₂
- 129 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 117 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 67% · Diesel 19% · Petrol/electric 14%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Real-world fuel consumption
6,170 Hyundai Tucson cars first registered in Europe in 2021 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Petrol versions use 7.6 l/100 km on the road against 6.7 in the WLTP test (+13%).
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,275 | 7.6 | 6.7 | +13% |
| Petrol hybrid | 1,597 | 6.9 | 6.0 | +14% |
| Diesel | 723 | 5.1 | 5.6 | −8% |
| Plug-in hybrid | 575 | 5.0 | 1.4 | +270% |
Litres per 100 km from the cars' own fuel meters (OBFCM), collected in 2024; the year is the year of first registration. All years together · European Environment Agency · CC BY 4.0
Engines
The most common engines in 2021 Hyundai Tucson cars on Dutch roads are the 1.6 hybrid (132 kW, 177 hp), 1.6 hybrid (110 kW, 148 hp) and 1.6 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 hybrid | 132 kW 177 hp | 4,197 |
| 1.6 hybrid | 110 kW 148 hp | 720 |
| 1.6 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 78 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
5,030 first registered in 2021 are on Dutch roads; 54% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €44,395.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde1,553
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld341
- Band onvoldoende profiel221
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht199
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm190
- Band beschadigd114
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan112
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse20
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
21,126 cars built in 2021 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 110 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 561 of these cars first registered in 2021 took their annual MOT test. 92% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2021 the figure was 91%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 3.7% | 1.6% |
| Brakes | 1.8% | 1.3% |
| Tyres | 1.4% | 3.3% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1.2% | 2.9% |
| Steering | 0.9% | 0.1% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.5% | 0.3% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
837 of these cars first registered in 2021 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 67,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
671 2021 cars are on the New Zealand register; 1% arrived as used imports, 99% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; 2 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 15.5 % |
| 2021 Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 16.2 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 9.1–10.1 L/100 km (about 23–26 mpg US), CO₂ 216–241 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.0 | 7.9 | 9.1 |
| Tucson AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.8 | 9.2 | 10.1 |
| Tucson AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 11.0 | 9.1 | 10.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson.
| 2024552 23 Sept 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" a… |
| 2022244 8 May 2022 | Engine Issue: Hyundai Auto Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems befo… |
| 2020648 30 Dec 2020 | Brakes Issue: On certain vehicles, a problem in the control module for the antilock brake system (ABS) could cause it to short circuit. Note: This is an expansion … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Hyundai told its dealers about the 2021 Hyundai Tucson: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11006829 | Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs. If abnormal engine bearing noise is detected, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will blink continuously, and the vehicle will be placed in Engine Protection Mode allowing the customer to drive to the nearest Hyundai dealer for diagnosis and repair. In addition, DTC P132600 will be recorded in the ECM. The vehicle can continue to be operated for a limited time in Engine Protection Mode, but it will accelerate slower and have a reduced m |
| 11000788 | A class settlement against Hyundai Motor America (HMA) that had alleged that certain 2011 2022 model year Hyundai vehicles that were not equipped with an engine immobilizer (called the Class Vehicles) contain design flaws, including the failure to manufacture the Class Vehicles with an anti-theft device called an engine immobilizer, that make them susceptible to theft and damage. Class Vehicles manufactured without an engine immobilizer have traditional turn-key-to-start ignition systems. |
| 11000314 | A class settlement against Hyundai Motor America (HMA) that had alleged that certain 2011 2022 model year Hyundai vehicles that were not equipped with an engine immobilizer (called the Class Vehicles) contain design flaws, including the failure to manufacture the Class Vehicles with an anti-theft device called an engine immobilizer, that make them susceptible to theft and damage. Class Vehicles manufactured without an engine immobilizer have traditional turn-key-to-start ignition systems. |
| 10253275 | This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2. |
| 10252363 | Certain 2016-2021MY Tucson (TL) 2.0L vehicles may experience continued DTC P1326 after the ECU update has been performed per TSB 22-01-028H-1 (or later) ENGINE MONITORING LOGIC (SERVICE CAMPAIGN 966). |
| 10251285 | This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert and rail spring becoming partially separated on the inner side of the wiper blade, which could lead to poor wiping performance and/or possible scratching of the windshield glass. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to properly remove the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all new wiper blades. |
| 10251282 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), and anti-theft ignition cylinder protector campaign (Campaign 9A5) in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. Campaign 9A8 has also been released to provide a revised software update to certain 2018 model year Elantra vehicles. For certain vehicles that cannot be upgraded with the software under Campaign 993, Hyundai is offerin |
| 10251276 | This bulletin provides the service procedure to: 1) Upgrade the IBU/BCM (Integrated Body Control Unit/Body Control Module) to revise the OEM Hyundai burglar alarm system operation and ignition start logic and 2) Install two anti-theft decals for the front windows. Additional decals may also be installed in the rear windows at customers discretion. |
| 10251275 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), and anti-theft ignition cylinder protector campaign (Campaign 9A5) in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be upgraded with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers an anti-theft ignition cylinder protector to be installed on their vehicle. This Dealer Best Practices Guide pr |
| 10249707 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), and anti-theft ignition cylinder protector campaign (Campaign 9A5) in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be upgraded with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32). This Dealer Best Practices Guide provides information to ass |
| 10247611 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), and anti-theft ignition cylinder protector campaign (Campaign 9A5) in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be upgraded with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32). This Dealer Best Practices Guide provides information to ass |
| 10247189 | This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services. |
| 10245579 | Certain Hyundai vehicles may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This bulletin provides the service procedure to update the IBU/BCM (Integrated Body Control Unit/Body Control Module), to revise the OEM Hyundai burglar alarm system operation and ignition start logic, and installation of two anti-theft decals for the front windows. |
| 10245578 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be updated with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32). This Dealer Best Practices Guide provides information to assist dealership personnel with customer questions relating to the imm |
| 10244992 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be updated with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32). This Dealer Best Practices Guide provides information to assist dealership personnel with customer questions relating to the imm |
| 10241874 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be updated with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32). This Dealer Best Practices Guide provides information to assist dealership personnel with customer questions relating to the imm |
| 10241849 | Some models from service campaign 993 (IBU/BCM Software Update and Decals Application) equipped with the Hyundai OEM remote start system may exhibit the horn honking when remote starting the vehicle after receiving the software update. This bulletin provides the procedure to update the remote start module to eliminate the horn honking during remote start operation. |
| 10240082 | A class action lawsuit against Hyundai Motor America (HMA) alleges that certain Hyundai vehicles (Class Vehicles) were manufactured, marketed, sold, and/or leased with an engine defect that can result in sudden engine seizure, stalling, engine failure, and in some circumstances, engine fire, and that some owners and lessees of Class Vehicles have been improperly denied repairs under warranty. Neither HMA nor Hyundai Motor Company have been found liable for any of the claims alleged in the lawsuit. The parties have instead reached a voluntary settlement (the Settlement) to avoid lengthy li |
| 10240081 | Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be updated with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32). |
| 10240080 | Certain Hyundai vehicles may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This bulletin provides the service procedure to update the IBU/BCM (Integrated Body Control Unit/Body Control Module), to revise the OEM Hyundai burglar alarm system operation and ignition start logic, and installation of two anti-theft decals for the front windows. |
| 10238377 | This bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the GDI injector(s) in certain 21-23MY Sonata, 21-22MY Santa Fe, certain 22MY Santa Cruz, and certain 21-23MY Tucson equipped with 2.5L GDI engines with one or more misfire DTC(s) due to internally leaking GDI injector(s) |
| 10238353 | Certain Hyundai vehicles may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This bulletin provides the service procedure to update the IBU/BCM (Integrated Body Control Unit/Body Control Module), to revise the OEM Hyundai burglar alarm system operation and ignition start logic, and installation of two anti-theft decals for the front windows. |
| 10237189 | Certain Hyundai vehicles may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This bulletin provides the service procedure to update the IBU/BCM (Integrated Body Control Unit/Body Control Module), to revise the OEM Hyundai burglar alarm system operation and ignition start logic, and installation of two anti-theft decals for the front windows. |
| 10235566 | Hyundai applies a Paint Protection Film (PPF) on new vehicles before delivery to dealerships. It provides a barrier between the paint and contaminants, such as rail dust, acid rain, and industrial fallout. In rare cases, the paint can become clouded under the PPF. These spots are the result of moisture trapped between the PPF and the paint. |
| 10235556 | Certain Hyundai vehicles may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This bulletin provides the service procedure to update the IBU/BCM (Integrated Body Control Unit/Body Control Module), to revise the OEM Hyundai burglar alarm system operation and ignition start logic, and installation of two anti-theft decals for the front windows. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation