Engine, powertrain, and brake issues are the major cause of complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
Hyundai aims to power every lifestyle with its new 2023 Tucson. Launched in the U.S. in 2004, and now in its fourth generation, Tucson sales have tripled from 5,086 in 2005 to 15,066 in 2022. But random deceleration, similarly random brake activation, power steering failure, and other problems are leaving some owners disillusioned. Without the power to accelerate, steer, or brake only when they want to, their SUVs have become a safety risk.
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Engine issues with the 2022 Hyundai Tucson are widespread and well-known. So, as we cruise into 2023, it’s no real surprise to find that the top complaints to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) 2023 Tucson are about its engine. In addition to engine-related complaints, other components and systems mentioned are the powertrain, lane departure, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance.
There is also a visibility/wiper problem linked to exterior lighting. An owner from New York finds that when driving where there is low outdoor lighting in dark areas, the instrument panel is reflected in the driver’s side window. He finds this obstructs visibility and is distracting. His complaint is that when he took the SUV in for an assessment, the dealer said he “could not react because it was daytime.”
All the complaints quoted here, including the one above, were lodged with the NHTSA over a very short period of time between December 13 and December 30, 2022.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | |
| Power Train | |
| Electrical System | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Exterior Lighting |
There are 31 NHTSA complaints about the engine of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson. Most report that their SUVs lose speed and won’t accelerate. Others say the engine starts to shake before it stalls. Some report the check engine error message and light. As we state in our post about this model, dealers say they are swamped with repairs for this engine issue.
We are only just into 2023, and there are already complaints about losing acceleration. But this is not the only complaint about the 2023 Tucson engine.
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In December 2022, an owner from New York described how, when driving to work, “I lost acceleration on the road. I was unable to go above 40 mph and I had the gas pedal pressed all the way to the floor. I was going uphill and the lack of acceleration could have caused an accident if there was not enough space behind me and the vehicle behind me.
This complaint from an owner in Georgia is listed under the electrical system. Nevertheless, it relates directly to the widespread Tucson loss of acceleration problem. “While driving from a stationary position, the vehicle switched to safe mode, suddenly decelerated, and would not accelerate above 20-27 mph. During the failure, the message ‘Limited to 20 mph’ was displayed. The cause of the failure was not determined.”
An owner from Michigan reports that the Tucson is burning oil and he is afraid it may be a fire hazard. Two days after purchasing this vehicle brand new “I received a ‘Low Oil’ alert. I took it to the nearest Hyundai dealership where a salesman filled the engine with oil.” But only a couple of 100 miles later, there was another ‘Low Oil’ alert.
“I have been attempting to solve this issue with Hyundai. However, they are insistent that I must complete an oil consumption test, which takes 3,000 miles of testing. This vehicle is burning oil, and burning oil fast. I do not know where the burnt oil is going. But if it is going through the exhaust system and catalytic converter, this may be a fire hazard.”
Lane departure and forward collision avoidance are both safety issues. The two complaints quoted here indicate that these two 2023 Hyundai Tucsons are not safe to drive.
An owner from Colorado, who filed a complaint under the Lane Departure and Powertrain categories, was advised not to drive the 2023 Tucson “as power steering could completely fail without warning.”
He reports that the integrated central control unit (ICU) module failed. Power steering, which was not “as effective” as it should be, was just one symptom. Other problems mentioned in the complaint include instrument cluster failure, driver warnings like low tire pressure, and blind spot detection. The speedometer and miles driven also stopped working.
A complaint from an owner in New Hampshire focuses on the automatic emergency braking activating and “suddenly braking for no reason.” The complaint, filed under Forward Collision Avoidance, states that this has happened twice in the past two months. Both times, he was traveling at about 70 mph with no car in close proximity to the front of the SUV.
“In the first instance, there was a car in the lane to the left of me. The second time, cars (were) on both sides of me. But in neither instance was a vehicle close to the front of my vehicle. The second time the car felt like it was going into a skid when the braking activated.”
The dealer’s initial response was that the sensors on the car were not properly calibrated when the new car was delivered. When it happened a second time, “I was told the car was ‘functioning as designed,’ but they would look at it. I am scared to drive the car at this point given that the brakes randomly were activated while at high speeds and without any basis for activation.”
The following is a list of potential benefits from a Lemon Law case. However, your outcome will depend entirely on your circumstances, so it is best to call today for a free consultation!
While not every defective or broken car entitles you to win damages in court, lemons do. Your Hyundai may be a lemon if it has a problem, caused during manufacturing, that affects its safety, use, or value. Whether the problem you are experiencing makes your Hyundai a lemon will depend on your state’s laws and your car’s warranty.
Before moving forward, it is important to understand if your Hyundai is a lemon. If it is, you may have a legitimate claim to force the manufacturer to settle damages. To find out, browse the common problems with the 2023 Hyundai Tucson listed in this article, or call Lemberg Law today for a free consultation.
Lemon Laws protect car owners like you from defective, dangerous, or otherwise unsuitable cars. These laws allow you to receive compensation by trading in, replacing, or refunding your lemon. They also entitle you to a refund for rental or towing fees.
Lemon Laws make justice accessible to everyone by requiring Hyundai to cover your court costs and attorney fees if you have a lemon. However, navigating Lemon Laws and figuring out how to get your broken Hyundai off your hands can be tricky and complicated. Not only do Lemon Laws vary from state to state, but Hyundai may be resistant to refunding or replacing your vehicle.
Do not worry: at Lemberg Law, we make the process easy for you. We can win you compensation for your defective Hyundai, and you will not have to worry about wasting any more of your time dealing with your lemon. Our mission is to force automakers to compensate Hyundai owners without a drawn-out legal process.
The best way to find out if you have a legitimate claim is to contact a Lemon Law attorney. Lemberg Law offers years of experience in winning consumers damages for their lemons. To learn more about this simple, zero-charge path to compensation, call Lemberg Law today for a free consultation.
To find out if your Tucson is a lemon, see our state-to-state Lemon Law guide or check out this general reference list:
If you are still unsure about the status of your Hyundai, you can call Lemberg Law today for a free consultation. Once we have assessed your case, we can take legal action to win you compensation. The process is simple:
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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