This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Catalytic converter and oil leak which is causing the vehicle to lose power. The catalytic converter was replaced in 2024 and now is bad again in 2025. Oil consumption has been a problem since 2024. Hyuandi is refusing to repair the vehicle. Despite the engine making a knocking noise and the check engine light is flashing the vehicle is still under the 150,000 power train warranty
The vehicle is experiencing excessive oil consumption and increasingly severe engine performance symptoms. The oil level drops rapidly between changes, but the loss is not due to external leaks. The engine burns oil internally, causing residue buildup and damage to other components -?" specifically the intake manifold and catalytic converter, which the dealer has now recommended replacing. These issues align with the symptoms addressed in Hyundai Campaign 966 (Engine Monitoring / Knock Sensor Detection System), which is intended to detect early bearing wear and related oil consumption defects. However, the dealership refused to perform the required campaign diagnostics (bearing inspection, KSDS verification, and oil-consumption test) without charging a diagnostic fee. Even though the engine has not yet fully failed or entered limp mode, the excessive oil consumption is already causing secondary damage to emissions and intake components. If left unresolved, this can escalate to engine seizure, catalytic converter overheating, or exhaust-related fires due to unburned oil entering the converter. These are clear safety hazards that can result in loss of power, smoke, or fire while driving. Multiple Hyundai owners have reported identical problems -?" excessive oil loss, residue damage to emission systems, and dealer refusals to perform Campaign 966 inspections. These patterns indicate a systemic engine defect that leads to downstream component failures, not isolated wear. Replacing the manifold or converter does not correct the root cause, as oil consumption continues after replacement and will likely damage new parts. The dealer-??s refusal to perform the manufacturer-??s required diagnostics and their attempt to charge for unrelated repairs prevent proper defect identification. This is a serious and ongoing safety issue affecting Hyundai Tucson and other models with the same engine family.
While almost at a complete stop in the process of putting my 2019 Hyundai Tucson in park at my friends home to drop her off, the car involuntarily surged/accelerated forward over a cement curbing and landscaping timber and slide down a small incline into a tree and landscaping boulder! After looking on line concerning the malfunction it seems there are abundant claims from other 2017-2019 Hyundai Tucson owners that have experienced this exact mechanical defect under this frightening description of a surge or acceleration out of the drivers control! It's the craziest, scariest thing ever. We have taken the car in for a recall concerning the check engine light regarding the catalytic converter prior to this incident. The car is well cared for and maintained and has never been in any accident.
- Kaysville, UT, USA
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The vehicle was brought in just after a month of owning it due to it was accelerating slow and driving bad salesmans sent it to Hyundai dealership for diagnosis and it came back that the motor needed to be replaced due to recall vehicle was in repair shop for over 3 months to get a new motor once returned the very next day the check engine light came back on so I brung it back to the Hyundai dealership per Hub City's salesmans instruction to have vehicle diagnosis again. Hyundai advised that the vehicle needed a catalyst converter among other codes detected on vehicle.
On a busy highway, my car broke down. It was due to the rod bearings, specifically, the Hyundai Theta "extended warranty"/recall issue, or "recall" issue. There is currently a class action lawsuit against Hyundai. I had the car towed to Hallmark Hyundai in Nashville, TN. I, however, live in Louisville, KY and I was making a road trip to Nashville, TN. I was told by the Service Rep in Nashville that they couldn't provide me with a loaner vehicle because I would be driving it, back home, out of state to Louisville, KY. I paid for a rental car out-of-pocket. Hyundai Corporate told me it would take 60 days to get reimbursed. I picked up the car at the beginning of July, 2025, after the engine was replaced by Hallmark Hyundai. I was told by Hallmark Hyundai that a service employee performed a test drive but it was immediately noticeable to me that there were still issues. I noticed the gears shifting abnormally and problems with acceleration once I first started driving it, post repairs, but assumed I would be told to give it time. Today, [XXX], the car began to have difficulty accelerating once again, and the engine light illuminated. I couldn't accelerate beyond 45 mph. I phoned Hyundai Corporate Customer Care, relayed the issues, and said I needed a rental car the following morning for a job pre-hire meeting and couldn't pay for one since my credit card was already maxed out due to the first out-of-pocket rental. They refused. They told me to work it out with my local Hyundai dealership. The problem with all of this is that the consumer still incurs many hardships even though the car manufacturer is at fault and the dealerships don't always follow the settlement requirements of providing alternate transportation, a loaner or rental. The manufacturer and dealers are not held accountable and settlements that purport consumer recourse are more geared towards the manufacturer staying in business than the consumer being compensated fairly. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (F
on [XXX], we received the Tucson back from dealer from a complete engine replacement due to recall. On [XXX], our college son was returning to school from visiting a friend. He said he thought the car sounded a little different. There were no engine light warnings, so he didn't think much of it. About an hour into the trip, he started to smell gas, a few minutes later he started to smell smoke and saw smoke coming into the vehicle through the consoles. He looked behind him and saw a trail of fire and smoke. He decided to pull over but the brakes FAILED. He went into the median, applied the emergency brake and waited until the car slowed down. He was able to grab his phone that had fallen beneath his seat from driving onto the median. Once he was out of the vehicle, he could definitely see the car was on fire. It was entirely engulfed in flames within seconds. He called 911 and they were able to put out the fire within 30 minutes, but they commented that it was a difficult fire to extinguish. The car was completely destroyed front to back. We do not know if this problem started with engine, fuel tank or brakes. It is one thing when your car is on fire and you can pull over and get out. It is entirely another when you need to get out of your car but the brakes fail. You have to delay getting out of the car to ensure you don't hurt others on the road and save yourself before it explodes. We are lucky he is alive but are worried for others with this car. We thought we were done with car prolems after the engine replacement but we just moved onto another problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
formance exhaust. I bought catalytic conVerter that they told me to buy for 600+ dollars and took it to child's shop they told me that the catalytic converter isnt clogged nor is it affecting my car and provided me with these codes about the camshaft and crankshaft (P0017, P000B, P000A) which they stated hyundai should have fixed under the engine warranty because it was a recall on these engines on this year car. They stated that even if fixed the converter my car would still perform the same and 3 other mechanics have said the same and stated hyundai would have to fix it. After oil changes the oil consumption in my car is constantly getting oil before its even due for another oil change. I have already paid so much just by having people look at it, buying oil, parts, and etc. i am furious to know that i was sold a car that was recalled with engine problems and been having problems since i got it. I have 2 kids i have to get to and from school and this my only transportation. My car has been misfiring and not going over 40 miles. This is my only vehicle and hyundai has put me in a messed up situation. The recalled was may 2022 and hyundai sold me this car june 9 2022. I contacted the june 15, 2022 about the engine light they kept turning off. Car is stalling, making noise, not holding oil. Have to top oil weeks after getting oil changed
Lost power when accelerating up highway hills, it coded P0420, catalytic converter on Bank 1 is not operating as efficiently as it should. This code is often caused by issues with the fuel or exhaust systems, which can result in insufficient oxygen leaving the catalytic converter. Hyundai dealer changed the catalytic converter July 2023, 1 yr to the day my vehicle did the same thing and had another Hyundai dealer change the catalytic converter to which 1 week later my car is still showing the code and is still jolting as I try to pick up speed.
On 05/11/2024, I accelerated onto the freeway at which point my vehicle would no longer go past 50 mph with the pedal to the floor. I had my two small children in the car at the time. It was dangerous as cars around us were going 65+ mph. The check engine light started blinking when this was occurring. Prior to that the check engine light had been on because the dealership claimed they didn-??t know why it was triggering and that they have to take my engine out and replace it just to explore the issue. I don-??t have the money for that. It has a knocking sound, a pungent fuel smell and it still won-??t accelerate. I only have 85k miles on the car.
I was just entering the expressway about 70 miles from my home, and the engine light came on in the vehicle. I could not accelerate to more than 52 mph even with the pedal to the floor. I had to drive home in the right-hand lane with my hazards on. This was the second time this happened within a month. The first time the dealer replaced the knock sensor after one week. It ran fine for 3 weeks and then the exact same thing happened in exactly the same place 70 miles from my home. My car has been in the shop for a week now, and they still don't know what the issue is, even though they are communicating with Hyundai. I see a pattern here after reading so many similar complaints from other people owning a Hyundai Tucson.
I was driving on the highway. The engine began making a ticking noise that momentarily went away and then quickly got louder. I saw white smoke out of the back, pulled over, and then saw black smoke from the front. The check engine light only momentarily came out AFTER the white smoke was visible and I was actively pulling over. I ran out of the car, and turned to look only to see a fire under the engine bay. I did not have a collision nor hit anything on the road. Engine had full synthetic oil in it, and the oil was changed less than 10,000 miles precious. (Also checked oil level/condition the week before). The car went from driving fine, to entirely engulfed in flames within 2-4 minutes. Maine state police: case# 245000657 The vehicle has not been inspected by the insurance company yet. The report will be sent to me, and it is currently available for inspection upon request. I literally could have burned alive. My family could have been trapped. I was on the highway, LUCKILY I decided to pull over when I did. If I did not, within 40 seconds I would-??ve been engulfed in flames. I have most certainly not been sleeping well in the least bit. The only warning sign happened 5-10 seconds before I was out of the vehicle.
Replaced catalytic converter been to the shop twice. It keeps having reoccurring issue of not wanting to accelerate, won-??t go over 54, wont go over 2000 rpm, stalls and misfires. My neighbor has same model and year and just had to replace catalytic converter as well.
*Inside of car smelt like urine upon start. Car went into limp mode. First trip to dealership, catalytic converter was replaced. After the 6th time to dealership for same issue, manufacture approved engine replacement. car went into limp mode which posed a safety risk to our family as well as other vehicles on the road. This happened twice while on the freeway and we could have been rear-ended due to unexpected reduced speed. This also happened twice while turning with oncoming traffic approaching. problem was reproduced as this happened 6 times before the manufacture would approve an engine replacement. dealership replaced all the fuel injectors. No change engine went into limp mode P1326 (failure code). dealership installed a new short block engine. engine smelling like urine appears to be the first symptom (catalytic converter failure and replaced). When the car went into limp mode the engine light flashes. P1326 (failure code). Urine smell occurred beginning in July 2022 at (23,926 miles). Car went into limp mode for the first time on September 23 (approximately 25,400). * Another issue we are now addressing not related to the above engine issues: Car fish-tales when you drive over any bump in the road. dealership is replacing both rear shock absorbers. They said both shocks were leaking fluid. is very unstable and throws you around (like hydro-planning the pavement is dry). warning signs, just started happening.
2019 Hyundai Tucson I purchased 13 months ago with a mere 5, 241 miles on it., (Currently 29k mi) from Bert Ogden Subaru/Mazda in Edinburg, TX. On 6/26/22 it Started Shaking violently then "rodknocking" and finally failing in middle of major, high-traffic hwy. Near causing accident. NOwarning lights, check engine lights, oil lights, etc. Car was towed to Tipton Ford Hyundai, in Brownsville, TX. As it urns out (through my own research), my vin# falls under a recall issue that was not fixed prior to purchase nor disclosed to me, re:"engine monitoring and logics warning system failure". More importantly, 2) There are several class-action lawsuits underway, one settled, in which Hyundai was found liable for faulty "class II Theta Engines" and a suit involving "GDI NU 2.OL" (same as my vehicle) leading to rod knocking sensor failure, premature worn bearings and even cars catching fire! This is a no-brainer situation in which hyundai should be replacing my engine as ordered, but instead they are claiming, vehicle "neglect" (all maint. receipts were provided)and rejecting claim(which seems to be their m.o. based on similar complaints / civil filings that are ALL OVER THE WEB) and dealer says Im responsible for paying for new engine. Not sure who is responsible: the dealer I purchased from, for selling me a defective vehicle, the Hyundai dealer it was towed to, or Hyundai itself for denying what is a VERY well known liability on their part and apparently a widespread years-long issues with engine defects, recalls, suits, judgements, etx but have many court transcripts of consumers claiming Hyundai blaming thd customer for "neglect" to avoid replacing engine. I need legal help and advice. I HAVE to have car for work and dealer knows it and seems hyundai does, because they wont cover rental, wont provide "loaner" and seems dealer didnt even debate this with HMA because I purchased vehicle elsewhere. They just accepted Hyundai's denial and is now attempting to take advantage.
My 2019 Tucson has been getting horrible gas mileage and also making some strange noises that I'm unsure of what they are. It's also acting like it has no power installing on a pretty regular basis since the dealership has stated nothing's wrong with it and my vehicle health report continues to state nothing is wrong I decided to get a obd2 adapter to place on it so I could see what was happening. While the vehicle is running at idle doesn't matter if it is cold or warm the throttle body sensor does not go under a 10 so it's obviously sticking I don't know if it is defective or if it's been like that for some time but if the throttle body is stuck then that's going to cause it to stall that's going to make it burn more gas that's going to make it run pretty crappy and be kind of hit and miss. The vehicle's brakes are always grinding and squealing. There is also a wine and a tapping clicking sound coming from under the hood I don't know if it's a bad pulley or bearing or a loose heat shield or whatever but it's not injectors there's something under it. The rpms are continuously getting stuck the gauges are getting stuck, this car malfunctions every day.
When merging into interstate car is hesitating not picking up speed like it should. Cars merging behind me have to come around me and pass because I am not picking up speed fast enough.
When you step on the accelerator, sometimes the vehicle stops and takes a couple of seconds to continue running. I've faced a couple of instances were at a crossroad vehicles are coming towards me, and the car stalls and takes a while to start moving. I've been told by the mechanic car dealer that this is normal in this new accelerating system. It's can of scary and you need to accelerate and get stuck in the middle of the road. Mine is a Hyundai 2019 Tucson.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- River Forest, IL, USA