Problems · NHTSA complaints

2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid problems

Owners filed 35 complaints about the 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid with NHTSA between Dec 2022 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is engine (10).

Complaints
35
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine10
  2. Power train9
  3. Fuel/propulsion system7
  4. Electrical system5
  5. Vehicle speed control5
  6. Visibility/wiper3
  7. Service brakes3
  8. Forward collision avoidance3
  9. Visibility2
  10. Exterior lighting1
  11. Back over prevention1
  12. Other / unknown8

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20221
202314
20249
20257
20264

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

10 reports1 crash
“I am reporting a critical Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve failure on my 2023 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid. The failure resulted in an immediate loss of engine power, reduced vehicle performance, reduced fuel efficiency, and the vehicle entering limp mode while driving, creating a significant safety hazard in traffic. Diagnostic & Technical Details: Error Codes Captured: Diagnostic trouble codes in the P0400 series (EGR system flow/circuit malfunction) were confirmed during diagnostic inspection. Root Cause: The component failure is directly linked to an internal short circuit in the EGR valve assembly, caused by solder flux contamination during manufacturing. Manufacturer Response & Escalation Denial: When contacting Hyundai regarding this failure, I was informed that my vehicle’s VIN is "not included in Safety Recall 260" (NHTSA Campaign 24V-308). I formally escalated this claim to Hyundai Corporate, but my request for reimbursement and coverage was explicitly denied on the grounds that my VIN falls outside the designated recall parameters. However, this exact failure mode, part assembly line, and manufacturing defect (solder flux contamination) are identical…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11753488

Power train

9 reports
“Intermittent loss of motive power while in traffic. Vehicle will not shift beyond 1st gear. "Check Hybrid System" warning illuminates. Condition persists until key cycle; full function restores after restart.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2026Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11763561

Fuel/propulsion system

7 reports
“Vehicle exhibits a dangerous 2-to-3-second delay/total loss of accelerator response at low speeds or rolling stops (5–15 mph). When stepping on the gas pedal to pull into traffic or make a turn, the vehicle hesitates completely before engaging power, even when the pedal is fully depressed. This creates an extreme crash risk when entering oncoming traffic or merging.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2026Power train, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11751741

Electrical system

5 reports
“1. Sometimes vehicle does not start. Only starts if battery reset button pushed. 2. Sometimes vehicle while moving has delayed braking after juddering. Only stops when car stopped and restarted. 3. Sometimes vehicle while moving suddenly revs, RPMs spike until car stopped and restarted. Engine revs but does not shoot forward. 4. Spookiest of all, while moving car suddenly stops accelerating. Pedal on the floor and it is coasting to a stop. When car stopped, and turned off, then it will work. Had we been on the interstate we would have died, These incidents were sporadic and occurred on and off during the month of April and May. Each of the above occurred numerous times to different drivers. Service at two locations were unable to ID. We sold the moving death trap to one of the Hyundai dealers who could find no mechanical problems with the vehicle. The vehicle was terrifying to drive. There are other reports on this vehicle of these issues ... which appear to be electronic. Hyundai has good engineers. They know what is causing this and simply do not want to replace a very expensive but obviously failing electronic control module.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2025Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11670164

Vehicle speed control

5 reports1 crash
“As I was (very slowly) pulling into a parking place at a park near my home and I was braking to come to a full stop, the car suddenly lurched forward, jumped the parking place barrier, and hit a tree. The front end of the car was badly damaged and the airbag opened. I sustained injuries to my left hand and my chest, though nothing was broken. The car was towed to a body shop, where it has been declared not reparable. Photos of the car at the scene are attached. This accident seems to be consistent with reports/recalls of the Hyundai Elantra of unintended acceleration when releasing the brake. We did talk to police shortly after the accident but we are unsure if they filed a report.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 13, 2024Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11630568

Visibility/wiper

3 reports
“VIN: [XXX] Component Failed: Panoramic Sunroof Type of Failure: Spontaneous Explosion/Rupture from the Inside Occurred: Saturday [XXX] at [XXX] Road Conditions: Smooth Road, Clear Day (No Rain or Hail), Temperature mid 80’s degrees Fahrenheit, No Other Cars on Road. Milage on Car: 19640 Initial Event: Driving on the road when passengers hear what sounded like a gunshot (no firearms present in the vehicle). Pulled over to the side of the road to check tires. Tires were okay but noticed the sunroof had spontaneously shattered. Initial Event Photo Indicates Rupture occurred from the inside of the vehicle and not an external force, but there was no access from the inside of the vehicle as the additional fabric roof prevented shrapnel from entering the vehicle. The glass continued to crumble as the driver returned the vehicle to the house for safety concerns. Patterson Hyundai dealer in Tyler, Texas, tried to submit warranty claim and subsequent appeal, but Manufacturer refuses to own manufacture defect. Drivers contacted glass repair companies in the area, and companies explained they had seen this occur several times before. Evidence: Initial Event Photo Indicates…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 16, 2025Visibility/wiperODI 11674085
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.