2021 HYUNDAI TUCSON — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
88
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
2
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2021 HYUNDAI TUCSON
The 2021 HYUNDAI TUCSON has received a total of 88 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by Hyundai Motor America for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (28 complaints), Electrical System (9 complaints), and Service Brakes (9 complaints).
Recalls for the 2021 HYUNDAI TUCSON
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2021 HYUNDAI TUCSON, potentially affecting up to 652,024 vehicles.
Recall 20V543000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
| 652,024 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2021 HYUNDAI TUCSON
88 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 HYUNDAI TUCSON. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 28 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Lane Departure Assist | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane Departure Blind Spot Detection | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The vehicle experienced a catalytic converter efficiency failure that was confirmed by an authorized dealership in January 2025. The dealer indicated the catalytic converter required replacement; however, the replacement was not performed, and the vehicle was returned to service with an unresolved emissions defect. Less than one year later, the vehicle developed recurring emissions system failure, loss of power, drivability issues, and repeated warning indicators. The vehicle is currently out of service while additional components, including oxygen sensors and spark plugs, are reported to be affected. The manufacturer is declining to replace the catalytic converter and is attributing the condition to oil consumption despite the prior unresolved emissions failure. The issue has been confirmed by dealership diagnostics and has resulted in prolonged loss of use of the vehicle. This appears to be a continuing engine and exhaust/emissions system defect that was not properly remedied when first identified and may affect safe operation of the vehicle.
The vehicle experienced a catalytic converter efficiency failure that was confirmed by an authorized dealership in January 2025. The dealer indicated the catalytic converter required replacement; however, the replacement was not performed, and the vehicle was returned to service with an unresolved emissions defect. Less than one year later, the vehicle developed recurring emissions system failure, loss of power, drivability issues, and repeated warning indicators. The vehicle is currently out of service while additional components, including oxygen sensors and spark plugs, are reported to be affected. The manufacturer is declining to replace the catalytic converter and is attributing the condition to oil consumption despite the prior unresolved emissions failure. The issue has been confirmed by dealership diagnostics and has resulted in prolonged loss of use of the vehicle. This appears to be a continuing engine and exhaust/emissions system defect that was not properly remedied when first identified and may affect safe operation of the vehicle.
The vehicle experienced a catalytic converter efficiency failure that was confirmed by an authorized dealership in January 2025. The dealer indicated the catalytic converter required replacement; however, the replacement was not performed, and the vehicle was returned to service with an unresolved emissions defect. Less than one year later, the vehicle developed recurring emissions system failure, loss of power, drivability issues, and repeated warning indicators. The vehicle is currently out of service while additional components, including oxygen sensors and spark plugs, are reported to be affected. The manufacturer is declining to replace the catalytic converter and is attributing the condition to oil consumption despite the prior unresolved emissions failure. The issue has been confirmed by dealership diagnostics and has resulted in prolonged loss of use of the vehicle. This appears to be a continuing engine and exhaust/emissions system defect that was not properly remedied when first identified and may affect safe operation of the vehicle.
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
Safety Rating for the 2021 HYUNDAI TUCSON
The 2021 HYUNDAI TUCSON received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2021 HYUNDAI TUCSON
Hyundai Motor America has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2021 HYUNDAI TUCSON. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
25-BD-004H EM — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Some vehicles may exhibit excessive paint peeling or bubbling of the primer/paint film on the exterior metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. This warranty extension only applies to factory-applied paint and does not cover collision-related paint repairs or vehicles with a salvaged title. Hyundai is...
21-AT-017H — POWER TRAIN
: Certain vehicles equipped with 8-speed automatic transmission may experience an automatic transmission fluid (ATF) leak at the rear cover. This type of leak is caused by a porous casting on the rear cover of the transmission.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2021 HYUNDAI TUCSON
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the HYUNDAI TUCSON
- 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON — 2,112 complaints
- 2017 HYUNDAI TUCSON — 1,400 complaints
- 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON — 500 complaints
- 2019 HYUNDAI TUCSON — 488 complaints
- 2020 HYUNDAI TUCSON — 208 complaints
- 2021 HYUNDAI TUCSON (current)
- 2022 HYUNDAI TUCSON — 509 complaints
- 2023 HYUNDAI TUCSON — 182 complaints
- 2024 HYUNDAI TUCSON — 91 complaints
- 2025 HYUNDAI TUCSON — 276 complaints
- 2026 HYUNDAI TUCSON — 4 complaints
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