Home › Hyundai Tucson › 2021

2021 Hyundai Tucson problems

What owners reported to NHTSA, at what mileage, and every safety recall for this model year.

80owner complaints
1safety recalls
2involved a crash

Also reported: 3 fires, 7 people injured, 0 deaths. Each complaint is counted once even if it lists several components.

Read this first

Most reported problems

Complaints by component. One complaint can name more than one component, so these add up to more than 80.

Engine39
Usually 6,125–61,250 miles (middle half of 8 reports with mileage)
Electrical system12
Usually 8,500–8,500 miles (middle half of 1 reports with mileage)
Unknown or other10
No mileage given in these reports
Service brakes9
Usually 2,950–6,650 miles (middle half of 2 reports with mileage)
Fuel/propulsion system8
Usually 10–10 miles (middle half of 1 reports with mileage)
Power train8
Usually 2,258–6,752 miles (middle half of 2 reports with mileage)
Forward collision avoidance6
Usually 69,493–69,493 miles (middle half of 1 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Automatic emergency braking (3); Warnings (2)
Engine and engine cooling3
Usually 43,958–73,986 miles (middle half of 2 reports with mileage)
Service brakes, hydraulic3
No mileage given in these reports
Vehicle speed control3
No mileage given in these reports

When problems show up

Reports by odometer reading at the time of the problem, top components. Each bar is a 25,000-mile band, labeled by where it starts (0 = 0–25k miles). Reports without mileage are left out.

Engine

8 reports with mileage · median 34,904 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Electrical system

1 reports with mileage · median 8,500 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Safety recalls (1)

Recalls that cover the 2021 Hyundai Tucson. Some apply only to certain trims or build dates. This page cannot tell whether a specific car's recall work was done.

Check a specific VIN's open recalls on nhtsa.gov

Service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module

Campaign 20V543000 · 2020-09-04 · 652,024 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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.

Questions to ask the seller

Has the engine had any repairs, oil leaks, or check-engine lights? Ask for the invoices and listen for knocking or ticking on a cold start.

39 owner complaints mention the engine, half of the reports with mileage are between 6,125 and 61,250 miles.

Any battery drain, dashboard warning lights, or electrical repairs? Test every switch, screen, and power accessory before buying.

12 owner complaints mention the electrical system.

When were the brakes last serviced? On the test drive, check for pulsing, grinding, a soft pedal, or ABS warnings.

9 owner complaints mention the brakes.

Any stalling, hesitation, loss of power, or fuel smell? Ask whether fuel-system parts were replaced and get the receipts.

8 owner complaints mention the fuel or propulsion system.

Has the transmission been serviced or repaired? On the test drive, watch for slipping, delayed engagement, or harsh shifts.

8 owner complaints mention the transmission or drivetrain.

Has the open recall work been done? Ask for dealer service records, and check the VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year.

Other Hyundai Tucson years

Owner complaints per model year (2010–2022). Older cars have had more time to collect reports.

Compare all years on one chart

Source: NHTSA complaints file (FLAT_CMPL, updated 2026-10-21) and NHTSA recalls file. Page generated 2026-10-22.

Get the LotCheck app

iOS & Android app coming soon: scan the VIN at the lot, see this report offline, and get a printable inspection checklist. One email when it launches. No spam.

We store only your email (no tracking cookies). Privacy