Problems · NHTSA complaints
2026 Hyundai Tucson problems
Owners filed 64 complaints about the 2026 Hyundai Tucson with NHTSA between Jan 2026 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is forward collision avoidance (34).
Complaints
64
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
15
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Forward collision avoidance34
- Service brakes14
- Electrical system8
- Exterior lighting3
- Back over prevention2
- Engine2
- Structure2
- Lane departure2
- Air bags1
- Seat belts1
- Visibility/wiper1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Tires1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
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
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Forward collision avoidance
34 reports12 crashes1 related recall
“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.”
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.”
Electrical system
8 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“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.”
Exterior lighting
3 reports
“I own a 2026 Hyundai Tucson Limited and am reporting extremely poor daytime visibility of the entire lower row of touch-sensitive controls on the center dashboard. The illuminated symbols and status indicators are so dim in normal daylight, and especially in bright sunlight, that they are difficult to see while driving. This includes the climate controls and heated/ventilated seat controls. The ventilated-seat control is a particularly concerning example because I can press the control but cannot reliably determine whether it is OFF, LOW, MEDIUM, or HIGH without looking closely at the panel. The controls function properly, but their status is essentially invisible in daylight, requiring the driver to divert their attention from the road. Increasing the vehicle’s interior/instrument illumination does not adequately correct the problem.This appears to be an illumination/design issue affecting the new\-generation Tucson, rather than a failure unique to my vehicle. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate the inadequate daytime visibility of these controls as a potential driver distraction and safety concern.”
Back over prevention
2 reports
“1.Driver Attention Warning (DAW). A sudden chime rings three times, the volume on my radio is cut. I am immediately distracted and look down at my dash. It is a picture of a steaming coffee cup with a note saying, “Consider Taking A Break”. At 55 mph, I am traveling 80 ft/sec. My eyes are diverted from the road for 2 seconds. There is a standard 1.5 second reaction time for my foot to reach the brake. The optimal mechanical braking distance for a 2026 Hyundai Tucson at 55 mph is approximately 104 feet under ideal, dry conditions. 2 sec =160ft 1.5 sec = 120ft Optimal braking=104ft --------------------------------------- Best case stopping =384ft Now, if there is a downhill, wet, or icy conditions, sand and gravel if I have to choose the ditch to avoid an obstacle that I would have seen 3.5 seconds earlier, I could conceivably be unable to stop for over 500 feet, putting myself and/or others at great risk of injury or death. The DAW is an annoying and unnecessary distraction at best, and a potentially fatal distraction in the gravest of circumstances. I declare that it is a serious safety hazard and request firmly that it be permanently disabled on my 2026 Tucson…”
Engine
2 reports1 crash
“I experienced sudden unintended acceleration which propelled me over a curb, up an embankment, over a boulder and into a fence. I could have been killed or I could have killed others because I had no control of the car. The Hyundai corporation will not acknowledge this. The car was inspected and declared a total loss and is being moved to a location where it can be stored at no cost. There was no warning. Also this exact incident occurred with a Hyundai Kona I owned. That incident occurred on January 8, 2026.”
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.