The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 42 of 80 complaints (53%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 179 in 2020 to 80 in 2021.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 80
- Recall campaigns
- 1
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,500–$2,700
- Combined MPG
- 23–25
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–2,700 | 2,500–2,700 | 2,500–2,700 | 1,650–2,400 | 1,650–2,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–26 | 23–25 | 23–25 | 26–38 | 25–38 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–23 / 25–30 | 21–23 / 25–28 | 21–23 / 25–28 | 24–38 / 29–38 | 23–38 / 28–38 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 347–388 | 358–387 | 361–387 | 238–349 | 238–351 | |
| Complaints filed | 385 | 179 | 80 | 511 | 182 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 15 | 5 | 2 | 32 | 15 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 11 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 10 | 5 | 7 | 57 | 8 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Tucson have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Hyundai Tucson?
Engine: 42 of 80 NHTSA complaints (53%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Hyundai Tucson get?
EPA rates it 23–25 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Hyundai Tucson?
EPA estimates $2,500–$2,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 23 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 361 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 22 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 385 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (low) | 26 mpg | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 387 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg | 28 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 363 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 42 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
- Defect
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Hyundai expanded the recall population, and added certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
- Consequence
- An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.