Problems · NHTSA complaints
2017 Hyundai Tucson problems
Owners filed 1,096 complaints about the 2017 Hyundai Tucson with NHTSA between Sep 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (603).
Complaints
1,096
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
13
Reported by owners
Fires
26
Reported by owners
Injuries
14
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine603
- Power train294
- Vehicle speed control88
- Electrical system85
- Fuel/propulsion system76
- Structure42
- Service brakes29
- Service brakes, hydraulic19
- Engine and engine cooling17
- Latches/locks/linkages15
- Exterior lighting15
- Air bags10
- Steering8
- Visibility/wiper7
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 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
5
56
92
100
44
154
151
178
124
124
68
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 56 |
| 2018 | 92 |
| 2019 | 100 |
| 2020 | 44 |
| 2021 | 154 |
| 2022 | 151 |
| 2023 | 178 |
| 2024 | 124 |
| 2025 | 124 |
| 2026 | 68 |
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
603 reports3 crashes21 fires1 related recall
“My name is [XXX]. My husband, [XXX], and I purchased a 2017 Hyundai Tucson (VIN: [XXX]) from a Hyundai dealership in 2023 with 53,920 miles for our daughter to commute to school. The vehicle now has approximately 77,940 miles, and she is still attending school. Since purchasing the vehicle, we have consistently returned to the same Hyundai dealership for regular maintenance, trusting its professionals to keep the vehicle safe and reliable. While driving on the freeway, our daughter suddenly lost engine power. The vehicle slowed down and would no longer accelerate. Thankfully, she managed to exit the highway before it stopped completely. Highway patrol assisted her in moving the vehicle to the roadside. The Check Engine Light and oil-pressure warning light came on, the engine made a pronounced knocking sound, and it would no longer run. We believe these symptoms closely resemble the engine defect described in Hyundai's Recall 209 (NHTSA 21V-727), involving connecting-rod-bearing failure in certain 2017 Tucson vehicles. Hyundai Motor America denied our request for assistance, stating that our VIN is not included in the recall and that no warranty coverage…”
Power train
294 reports5 crashes2 fires
“The issues is the engine shuts off at idle or in motion. Sometimes hard to start but it cranks over well. Then when it restarts after a shut down, three lights stay on some traction control, the steering and a picture of a car downhill with a clock or engine RPM light. No check engine light on. Then recently the tachometer doesn’t work after a shutdown then restart. But when you turn off the engine with ignition, then restart the third time. The lights all go off then the RPM gauge works. But the whole time the engine runs great. When I check ECM all is good no Fault codes, I monitor fuel pressure the low psi is 40 the high side is 999 psi. Is this a common issue with these cars?”
Vehicle speed control
88 reports3 crashes
“While going down the highway at around 72 mph , my car went into limp mode. I was unable to accelerate, the brake and wheel locked. And then the engine light began flashing. The limp mode , non acceleration, and flashing engine light have happened twice before this instance. The first two times the pulled the P1326 knock sensor code and replaced it. Did the update, and sent me on my way saying it was fine. Now this most recent time (the 3rd time), the engine has failed. A CARFAX report says my car already had the engine replaced at 52k miles, meaning there’s 1 something internally wrong and 2 it’s still well within mileage warranty for another engine replacement. This car is extremely dangerous as it can literally stop in the middle of the highway. I went from 72 to about 15 mph in seconds, I was unable to get over or accelerate. It was terrifying. Now dealing with Hyundai - they don’t want to take fault.”
Electrical system
85 reports4 crashes5 fires1 related recall
“On [XXX], I purchased a 2017 Hyundai Tucson from DriveTime, located at 6400 Pensacola Boulevard, Pensacola, FL 32505. Within approximately nine days of purchase, the vehicle began experiencing serious mechanical problems, raising significant concerns about its safety and roadworthiness. On [XXX], the vehicle suffered a severe loss of acceleration and was unable to exceed approximately 30 mph. This sudden reduction in engine performance created a dangerous situation while driving, particularly when attempting to maintain normal traffic speeds. Following these issues, mechanical inspections revealed water inside the spark plug wells, a severely rusted ignition coil, and a failing catalytic converter. Firestone estimated the catalytic converter repair at approximately $5,000. The presence of water and corrosion raised concerns about possible pre-existing damage and whether the vehicle had been properly inspected before being sold. The vehicle remained in repair-related custody for approximately 29 days. Despite repeated communications with DriveTime, the mechanical problems were not satisfactorily resolved. DriveTime representatives informed me that a replacement…”
Fuel/propulsion system
76 reports1 fire
“The Core Symptoms: "The high-pressure fuel pump is leaking internally. Raw gasoline is flooding into the engine oil crankcase, causing severe fuel dilution. The engine air filter is physically soaked in raw fuel and smells strongly of gasoline." My engine is always extremely hot after I have only went 15 mins away from home. Sometimes takes over two hours to cool down. The Safety Risk: "When attempting to accelerate, the vehicle experiences severe fuel starvation, causing the engine to bog down and act like it is going to stall in the middle of traffic, creating a severe crash hazard. Additionally, there is a loud 'popping' sound/mini-backfire upon turning the vehicle off due to unburnt fuel vapors, presenting a high risk of an underhood engine fire. I have only 83,000 miles on my car.”
Structure
42 reports1 crash1 fire
“Left rear passenger door latch failure to open either from inside or outside. This is a mechanical failure of the cables operating the latch. A passenger could not easily exit the vehicle in an emergency situation, also there is no way short of breaking the glass to easily access or if necessary extricate the passenger in an emergency situation. As evidenced from online searches and forums this failure is all too common and has been addressed with a narrow set of vehicles with an extended warranty applied to this failure. This is an issue of safety. There needs to be a recall to upgrade affected vehicles and their door mechanisms.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.