Problems · by component
2021 Hyundai Tucson engine problems
39 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2021 Hyundai Tucson cite engine, 49% of all 80 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
39
49% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I took my car in to Allen Samuals Hyundai dealership to have the 9C2 recall update completed on May 15th 2026. Ever since then my vehicle has had a rough hesitation or sputtering when driving. On May 18th Hyundai released a statement stating there was an issue with the update completed on the 9C2 campaign. However no resolution at the moment and to allow the car to warm up prior to driving it. I have only had my car for a little over 2 years and maintained everything a responsible car owner should. It only has 90k miles on it and had zero issues at all prior to the 9C2 campaign. I have spoke woth dealer and corporate numerous times nobody can give me a solution nor does it seem that anyone wants to. Since then the campaign has been closed and its almost as if it never existed. I do have an active case open with Hyundai 43228380 however they act as if they dont know anything about it. They are empathetic to the situation but can't really help or give a solution. All I want it my car that had zero issues prior to this update to run properly again. I dont even drive it much anymore for fear that it will mess my engine up.”
“The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine blew. No warning lights were illuminated. There was white smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,800.”
“I was driving down [XXX] from my house.My engine light started to flash.I tried to accelerate my car barely went 10 miles an hour.I got Home 2 minutes later.There was major knocking.I had the car towed to [XXX], Hyundai, the only code that is showing up on the diagnostics, is P1326 there is an open class action lawsuit for this exact code. For the rod bearing failure, Hyundai is denying the claim, saying there's a gap in maintenance history on a car. I didn't own yet when I bought the vehicle. It passed a 190 point inspection. There's no way there was anything wrong with this vehicle.I am under fifty thousand miles , and if I was on the highway , it could've been deadly i could not accelerate. No other lights were on in the vehicle, except for the flashing engine light.I have already reported to the better business bureau and they have sent it to arbitration. I have contacted the escalation department for Hyundai.They opened up to separate cases.The agent that was assigned to me didn't even get the code from [XXX], they just denied the claim without it.I have the emails to prove that I had to give it to her. I have.\n All my maintenance history, but as you can…”
“The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road before being driven to the residence. The contact’s neighbor checked the oil level and informed the contact that the oil pan was empty. The oil level was topped off. The contact stated that the vehicle was not due for an oil change for another 200 miles. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that there was no oil in the oil pan. The contact was informed to provide the vehicle service records. The contact stated that the failure was a manufacturer's failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and two cases were filed. The failure mileage was approximately 44,807.”
“My car is burning oil. I have returned multiple times to have it serviced and checked for leaks, but no leaks have been found. Before reaching the recommended 3,000-mile oil change interval, the oil level drops below the minimum mark on the dipstick. In addition, my engine has started making a knocking noise, which is very concerning.”
“Vehicle stalled approximately 15 times between April 17 and May 4, 2026, including once on Interstate XXX at approximately 50mph with minor children ages [XXX] and [XXX] in the vehicle. The oil and battery lights illuminated simultaneously at each stall. Diagnosed as ABS module failure first, then left front wheel speed sensor failure on the 2nd occasion, both confirmed by a Hyundai dealership. Multiple warning lights illuminated, including check blind spot and anti lock brake system messages on the dashboard BUT no error codes following the 2nd repair. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired twice by the manufacturer’s dealership with a 3rd repair currently pending as of May 11, 2026. An open case has been filed with Hyundai Motor America regarding this issue. Issue remains unresolved and the vehicle is still at the dealership.”
Showing 6 of 39 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.