Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2026 Hyundai TucsonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 64 owner complaints for the 2026 Hyundai Tucson. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (34) and service brakes (14). The EPA rates it 26–28 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
26–28mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Jun 2026
Owner complaints
64
Top: forward collision avoidance
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: instrument cluster

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Electrical systemReported Jun 24, 2026NHTSA 26V400000

Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Santa Cruz, Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. Software in the front cameras may cause the forward collision avoidance system to activate prematurely and unexpectedly apply the brakes.

Forward collision avoidanceReported May 19, 2026NHTSA 26V316000

Air bags: side impact

Free remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Elantra N, 2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), and Elantra vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may have been misassembled, which can delay air bag deployment.

Air bagsReported Apr 21, 2026NHTSA 26V254000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

64 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2026 – Oct 2026
  1. Forward collision avoidance34
  2. Service brakes14
  3. Electrical system8
  4. Exterior lighting3
  5. Back over prevention2
  6. Engine2
  7. Structure2
  8. Lane departure2
  9. Air bags1

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

By model year

Complaints for each Tucson model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2005185
2006135
200765
200843
200918
201059
2011124
2012255
2013266
2014203
2015229
20161,626
20171,096
2018398
2019385
2020179
202180
2022389
2023136
202499
2025295
202664
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Forward collision avoidance

34 reports12 crashes
“I lease a brand new 2026 Hyundai Tucson from Hyundai of [XXX] in [XXX] onXXX. I later discovered that there was an open recall on the vehicle dated XXX almost two months prior to my taking delivery of the vehicle. I've tried to secure a loaner car from the dealership in order to get the recall resolved but have been told it would be months before a car is available. From my understanding, this vehicle should not have been delivered with an open recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2026Forward collision avoidanceODI 11760848

Service brakes

14 reports6 crashes
“My Gf was driving car coming up on stopped traffic when automatic braking engaged slamming on brakes for no reason causing the car behind to rear end my vehicle, My Gf was transported to hospital with 4 broken ribs with each rib having multiple fractures, She was in ICU for 2 days and total of 4 days. She has had to go back for another 1 day stay for pain and breathing difficulty.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11754733

Electrical system

8 reports1 crash
“Sudden uncommanded high engine revving 4000 rpm with loss of forward acceleration while driving. ISG (Idle Stop n Go) indicator on dashboard turned yellow and system could not manually override. Vehicle was turned off. After car turned back on after about 30 minutes It entered a Protective Limp Home Mode, which cleared the systems. All seemed back to normal. It was advised to have vehicle towed to the dealer where purchased. The vehicle has only 4,000 miles and 9 months old. To date the dealer could not replicate the malfunction and could not find any abnormalities In the codes.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11761527
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tucson FWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253328$2,300322
Tucson AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
243026$2,450337
  • Tucson FWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    25 city · 33 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Tucson AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    24 city · 30 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
HYUNDAI TUCSON SUV N/A AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Overall
5 / 5
HYUNDAI TUCSON SUV N/A FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 21143Vehicle 21142
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2026 Tucson questions

How many recalls does the 2026 Hyundai Tucson have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2026 Hyundai Tucson problems?

Owners filed 64 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (34), service brakes (14), electrical system (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2026 Hyundai Tucson get?

The EPA rates the 2026 Hyundai Tucson at 26–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2026 Hyundai Tucson?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Hyundai Tucson 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026