Problems · NHTSA complaints
2015 Hyundai Tucson problems
Owners filed 229 complaints about the 2015 Hyundai Tucson with NHTSA between Jan 2015 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (120).
Complaints
229
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine120
- Service brakes, hydraulic52
- Power train21
- Electrical system20
- Service brakes14
- Fuel/propulsion system12
- Vehicle speed control9
- Structure7
- Air bags5
- Electronic stability control (esc)4
- Steering3
- Latches/locks/linkages3
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Exterior lighting2
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 Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
7
2
5
16
19
13
29
91
17
13
7
10
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 19 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 29 |
| 2022 | 91 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 10 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
120 reports1 crash4 fires
“Warning lamp included oil for several months prior. I added oil often. No oil was ever seen under car or leaking in any way. Car had been serviced several times during the oil warning lamp warning. Nothing was ever found. I continued adding oil on a regular basis. Engine completely stopped in the middle of a busy street.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
52 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The engine turned over but failed to restart. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic shop and then to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine seized; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer advised that there was no warranty coverage. The Better Business Bureau was contacted and informed that the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed, but a request for repair coverage was declined due to a failure to have the recall remedy completed; however, both the contact and the previous owner were unaware of the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.”
Power train
21 reports1 crash
“Pulled out of a parking lot into the street and there was an unusual clunking noise coming from the drivetrain of the car. Had the car towed to the dealer for diagnostics. The diagnosis from the Dealer was the transfer case splines no longer are engaging with the transmission. This problem is already known to the Manufacture and for some reason nothing has been done to address the safety issue.”
Electrical system
20 reports1 crash3 fires
“On March 13, 2026, I was operating my 2015 Hyundai Tucson when the steering locked up, causing me to crash into a tree head-on. In the course of this head-on crash, my airbags failed to deploy. As a direct result of my airbags not deploying in a serious car crash, my head hit the steering wheel, causing a confirmed concussion diagnosis of Post Traumatic Headache and Post Concussion Syndrome in a hospital emergency room. There were no lights or symbols on the dashboard prior to the accident. My car had a prior repair for a front end collision in a body shop and a replacement of the engine in a Hyundai dealership prior to the accident. My car is currently in a tow yard. There has been no inspection of my car by the manufacturer. I have since discovered that there are a number of complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA") from other Hyundai Tucson owners for the model years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2019, and 2023 complaining of the same defect in their Hyundai Tucsons – the failure of the airbags to deploy in serious car accidents. I believe this represents a systemic safety defect in the Hyundai Tucson airbag system…”
Service brakes
14 reports1 crash
“Bought the vehicle as is with "1 owner, who was older" drove it off the lot and rest drove it, at 57,000 miles. Perfect...that was november 2023.. 3 days later my car was a little low on gas due to they didn't fill it and I left it be, started it drove about 15 miles and it starts sputtering and almost stalls out. Now here I am in June and beginning of June I hear ticking under hood, thinking it's my oil, I changed it (myself) and here it is 3 weeks later oil keeps burning hot, the oil.pressue light comes on when I brake and off when I give it gas, and I don't have any power what so ever when trying to accelerate and doesn't pick up speed unless I'm going downhill. I have 2 small children and a single mom working 5 days a week, I need this car to work. Please hellllpp me . We were going up a hill and I almost got rear ended because my car didn't have power. Not to mention the driver seat fuse keeps blowing out and the bolt keeps breaking so now I can't fit comfortably while.driving and my seat bounces constantly up and down when going over bumps. This was supposed to be my new beginning family car as this is the newest car I've ever owned and it's become an…”
Fuel/propulsion system
12 reports1 crash2 fires
“On January 7, 2026, shortly after delivery of a used 2015 Hyundai Tucson (VIN [XXX] ), the vehicle experienced immediate mechanical failure while being driven, resulting in sudden loss of power and drivability. Multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard at the time of failure. The vehicle became disabled and left the occupants stranded roadside in Fairhope, Alabama. The exact component that failed is UNKNOWN at this time. The failure appears related to the engine, powertrain, fuel/propulsion, and/or electrical systems. The vehicle was not operable after the incident. On January 8, 2026, the selling dealership (Sandy Sansing Nissan, Pensacola, Florida) towed the vehicle back to their dealership. The vehicle has remained in the dealership’s possession since that date and is available for inspection upon request. This sudden failure created a significant safety risk due to loss of propulsion while in traffic and exposure to roadside hazards. The problem has not been independently repaired or evaluated by the consumer. No manufacturer inspection has occurred to the consumer’s knowledge. The dealer has not provided a diagnostic report or repair findings.…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.