Fuel system, powertrain and engine issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
Hyundai has become known for its lineup of compact SUVs. The 2019 Hyundai Tucson is hailed as one of the top choices, with the newer models considered to be “the new standard.” Yet, a quick investigation reveals something horrible. It turns out that the Tucson suffers from massive engine, powertrain and fuel system failures that put occupants at risk.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2020 2021 2022 2023
In any vehicle, the engine serves as the main component that proves whether a model is reliable or not. When this part doesn’t operate the way it should, nothing seems to go right.
That’s exactly what’s revealed in this NHTSA complaint. “Sporadic hesitation when starting from a complete stop. This has happened to me about 15 times, usually when pulling out into traffic. The car has 4000 miles and has been in service about 6 months. The service manager stated that they have no other complaints but is probably due to the ‘smart’ transmission adapting to different drivers. I understand there was a recall for 41,000 2017 Tucsons for the same issue.”
There might have been recalls on earlier models, but none have been released for the 2019 Tucson yet. Still, the automaker can’t hide the engine troubles, especially with Service Bulletin #19-01-002H-4 floating around that discusses severe engine damage in the new SUVs. To combat this, the manufacturer released a new knock sensor software to attempt and head off the problem. In the meantime, Hyundai owners across the nation are driving SUVs that will face an engine failure. Hopefully, the warranty covers it for them, but who wants to deal with this when driving a new SUV?
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Electrical System | |
| Power Train | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Structure:body | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking |
In conjunction with the engine, the powertrain seems to create the same issues. The transmission just can’t seem to provide a comfortable acceleration.
This NHTSA review states, “2019 Hyundai Tucson Limited. Sporadic hesitation acceleration from starting from a complete stop. I’ve had the car since June and have less than 3,500 miles on it. When you start from a red light the car will jerk and hesitate, almost like it’s out of gas but then in the middle of the intersection it will accelerate like normal. This has only happened to me while in normal driving mode. It hasn’t done this while in Sport or Manual shifting mode. I had to select a date of when this happened but it originally started around mid-July and sporadically to this day. It happens randomly but when it does it happens at consecutive stop lights and multiple times on the same day. This isn’t a DCT, so Hyundai, nor the dealer can say I’m driving the car incorrectly. Pretty disappointing to have my first ever brand new car have a serious issue like this.”
Again, this isn’t the only powertrain issue either. Hyundai talks about slipping with Service Bulletin #19-AT-012H. It might even require a repair to the transaxle, which is just another thing that new car owners should not have to deal with. If this is the “new standard” it might be better to go with the tried and true older models.
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When it comes to the fuel system in this vehicle, it’s clear that this system is just making matters even worse.
Another NHTSA complaint says, “I purchased a new 2019 Hyundai Tucson Ultimate this May. In the first week the Service Engine lit up. I took it to dealer and 2 days later the vehicle was returned as fixed. Based on dealer’s resolutions it was an evap leak code and they just had to replace the cap. Week later the sign came back again and I dropped off vehicle for another 4 days, dealer stated it was same code again and it won’t happen again. I took it back and two weeks later the light came back on again and disappeared after three days. The fourth time light came back again and I will be dropping off the vehicle again. The dealer is still unable to find the cause and unable to fix the issue. Based on the discussion with service manager, it is a minor problem for them, but the issue keeps coming back and I have to keep bringing the vehicle back to the dealer to fix it.”
This is one situation that Hyundai doesn’t want to discuss. It’s possible that the company already gave up enough information by talking about the engine and powertrain troubles. Instead, customers are left to speculate about what might be wrong with the fuel system. One thing is for sure; this model is not “the new standard.” If it is, it might be time to start taking the bus to work instead.
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Hyundai pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
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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Have a 2019 Hyundai Tucson and I am now on my second catalytic converter in a year. First one replaced under manufacture warranty but now that I’m at 84,000 miles the warranty no longer applies. I don’t have over $2000 to replace something that shouldn’t last at least 10 yrs if not life of vehicle. I’m a disabled vet on a fixed income. I won’t be able to drive my car after March 1st because my state requires inspections and I won’t pass with a check engine light on!
Its had nothing but trouble
Service light comes on every three months I rarely drive it is a 2019 Hyundai tucson
My 2019 Tucson has been in the shop since September. It started with a recall and the car has not works properly since and I believe that was in September. Then the car went into default mode and I was told it was a knock sensor. I picked up the car and within 10 days it was in default again. That happened on 1/30/22 and to date 1/23/23 I have not received my car back. It has been a run around with the dealership and never having good communication. They replaced the knock sensor again, car still not working. I have been told they are running multiple tests and working with the Tech line to resolve the issue. Now, I have been told I need to pay them 500.00 to do an oil change, replace spark plus and a top engine clean. Wouldn’t you think these minor things would have been address in the beginning!
I bought a Hyundai Tucson in May 2022 from a dealer I thought it was a good SUV, and it end up my worse nightmare in 4 months I have been in the dealer 6 times because it makes a wired sound that comes from the muffler the mechanic says everything it’s ok when it’s not. Don’t waste your money buying this SUV is a waste of time and money.
Bought my 2019 SEL Tucson brand new with 16miles on it September 2019. It’s engine has delays to pedal responsiveness which I chalked up to me being used to a VW Tiguan stick with Turbo for 9yrs now I’m in an automatic. Anyway 1st Year had to replace a headlight Aug-Sept 2020, then someone clipped my trunk corner flying down the block didn’t want to wait for me to get out of the way after coming out if my driveway Sept 18,2020 (sensor of oncoming vehicle didn’t go off probably because I was placing it in drive). In fact I thought the bump was the engine clunking into gear so I placed in park and looked under when I saw the car 2 houses down hit the breaks. Minor damage car was back in 2 days replaced bumper cover and small dent repair like it never happened. After all we were moving the same direction just at different speeds for that moment.
I maintain the vehicle regular oil changes at the dealership. Another headlight burnt out Winter 2021 with gloves and grease as the parts stores always recommends.
June 2021 battery dies in the driveway while I’m leading the car for a day trip-AAA comes 45min later says battery is fine maybe the headlights were on? Says don’t turn the car off for 200 mi and it will recharge itself with the alternator.
A season or 2 later same thing both headlights went a few days apart. Went back to AutoZone July 2021 since bulbs were in warranty and they replaced the product. This time I kept the receipt they told me if it happened again so soon I should get the electrical volts checked by a mechanic it could be power surges. I mentioned it to the dealership a month later at my oil change they told me the headlights were inspected and all good. I also mentioned my touch screen goes black from time to time but they couldn’t replicate the issue so they don’t know the cause said to document it next time and bring it right in. I caught it on video finally and figured to bring it up next oil change it didn’t happen all the time. November 2021 car needs a jump while I’m sitting trying to trap cats parked I used the heated seats a few times in intervals so I thought this time it’s my fault and my husband comes to jump the battery.
Next time later in November it Stalls pulling up at a stop sign and RPMs flutter and drop. I call the dealership service but they can’t get me in until December 15th the next week both headlights burnt out again it’s just after Thanksgiving. Something is going on!!! I call Hyundai they tell me they don’t have a loaner car but to contact corporate they reimburse for things like this when you need a rental car so I start a case file. Drop my car at the dealership that Tues they tell me they will need the car1-2 days to test it and see what’s going on. Friday I call when I have no word yet and they tell me it’s because I didn’t use OEM headlights, the touch screen needs an update on the software and NO CODES show in the system as to why it stalled. Said if it happens again bring it back. Saturday get my car back since they didn’t call to pick it up until after enterprise was closed.
That Wednesday I pull up to feed my cat colony turned the car off and it won’t restart. Lights definitely off/trunk open. My MIL drives the mile down to me car takes 20min to jump(rest assured I know how to use jumper cables) this push button car wouldn’t turn over dash just flashes and makes a clicking sound. After several attempts we are getting frustrated so I tell his mom to rev the engine in her Nissan Rouge-my Tucson finally turns over. I finish feeding the cats keeping the car running, stop at my house, run an errand leaving it running and head to the dealership which says they are going to test the battery. They give me a loaner car this time. This week they keep the car 6days and tell me nothing is wrong with it.
Yesterday January 9,2022 once again I need a jump 4x in a year!!! About to call the dealership and tell them to keep it I’ve got 32k miles and have spent more time in the dealership than I have driving in 6 months. I’m done with this BS
Yes I just bought my Tucson from carmax
With 18000 miles 1 hour after got home the car won’t turn on
Next day took vihicle to dealer they said to buy the battery they will reimburse me the money
Bicause service is closed on Sundays
I love the way it drives it’s just I’m afraid and have to carry my jumpers. Just in case.
2019 Hyundai value edition, miles at 43,726, No engine light on or warnings. While stopped at red lights it feels like someone has bumped me from behind. The back end dips and feels like the car wants to move forward with the breaks on. Kinda scary when there is a car in front of you at a stop. Taking it to the dealership.
This is a Nice Blog, Thanks For sharing your knowledge!! I replaced my worn out car engine with a Used used HYUNDAI Tucson engines. Now my cars performance is very smooth. I bought this engine from Autoparts-miles.com one of the best site to buy Used car Engines online.
I bought a 2019 Tuscon Value. At 50,000 miles the car started using oil. Even after regular 5,000 mile oil changes. The motor would start running real hard and then go back to working normal. Check engine light and oil light came on. Checked oil and there wasn’t a drop in it. At I took it into the Hyundai service center and told them what was going on but they could not find anything. I had the 60,000 service done at $800 and figured that would help. But at 58,000 the engine started running rough and the oil light came on, once again bone dry. This was only after 3,000 miles after previous engine service. I traded it 3 weeks after the oil light came on. Will never buy another Hyundai again. Beware of Hyundai! They look sleek and are inexpensive but buy at your own risk. Engine using oil is not something you want to deal with.
So upset! We own a 2019 2.0 liter Hyundai Tucson with 62,000 miles on it. We bought it used which voided the warranty and we’ve used up the warranty given to us from the dealer due to exceeding the allotted mileage as we travel a lot. Last weekend we were on the road, over 200 miles from home, and our engine died. No warning at all other than some loud banging moments before the car died. We ended up having it towed to a local garage and needed to have my daughter drive the 200 miles to pick us up. Currently our Tucson and sitting in a garage, 200 miles away, waiting for a new engine due to bearing damage. We have absolutely NO idea why this happened and we personally think the damage was brought on by a defect. The repair is going to cost us thousands of dollars! We have no choice in the matter and unfortunately have to deal with it as there’s no recall. Is this just bad luck? I mean really bad luck? I don’t see a Hyundai in my future. This all sucks so much!
my 2019 will suddenly swerve to the right and then left’had it to the garage and they can find the trouble the aligment check and it was good .had tires changed and installed 4 new wheels and tires to no avail
I purchased what I thought was an amazingly beautiful Tuscan from A local dealer which shortly after purchasing it I was involved in an accident With my 2019 Hyundai Tuscan. I was hit by a drunk driver with his insurance agreed to pay for there preferred collision center, to fix the suv… wich they have done a really bad repair on the passenger front end of the car even the passenger door has broken (sheered off ) bolts in the hinges. As if that assent enough when I got the car back I took it in for a routine service that was due in January, I took it to the local dealer who did the oil change and basic service, wich they tryed to get me to buy an expensive 5000 mile service package and then they said it had a recall with the cpu/pcm/ecu ( abs type recall) wen I got the car back the check engine light came on and the car (on its own) from a complete stop, it would start out taking off extreamly slow followed by a really hard shift, then the car would drive normal once it got up to speed. So I called the manufacturer Hyundai corporation and they got me I touch with the service manager another location for the same dealer I purchased the Tuscan from wich (at that time), I was told that there was a recall they they corrected, and insisted that there was nothing wrong it so I drove it homemade parked it. As I went to get in the car the next morning to go somewhere, I started the car, I shifted from park to reverse & as I released the brake peddle the car (bolted) backwards causing it to hit a tree. and then I took it to the dealer location where I purchased the car from they took it & then told me that there was an issue with the car then they notified me that they looked it over and there was nothing wrong and then I called my insurance who payed to have the rear damage fixed and yes it looks as good as new (thanks Hansen’s in Richfield Utah) there amazing then wen I got the car back from Hansen’s they’d told me that the code for the check engine had been cleared by the dealer there for they can’t see what’s wrong with the vehicles check engine then I got the car check engine light is not on but it still has sporadic take off and hard shifting
2018 hyundai tuscon has 56k bought it with 22k and now the engine had catastrophic failure. First started out as a knock like rod bearing or piston slap . Stop driving it till hyundai could fit us in week and half later with out vehicle. Talked to service tech he said to drive it so we did it lasted about another 20 miles till the engine completely failed . Luckily we were close to home . So now we are still waiting for our appointment which is another 3 days away . And the vehicle is financed no rental car offered yet from dealer and the tuscon is under warranty. I was hesitant about buying hyundai in the first place , but I will never own a hyundai again even if it’s free , complete junk. Now I can only imagine what kind of bs there gonna pull to put the blame on me at dealer . The battle is just beginning. Just want to say hyundai you SUCK ! God bless America ????????
This car is complete junk, there’s not enough power That’s why it hesitates. It’s the middle of winter and if I have my radio on I can’t have my heat on if I have my heat on I can’t have my radio on or anything else. My USB plug intermittently works my brakes are always grinding but there’s nothing wrong with them okay there is a hum and a vibration sound coming from under the hood maybe a pulley or a loose connection somewhere I don’t know. I have 11,000 mi on my car and have been to the dealership four times and they always say nothing’s wrong something’s wrong I hate this car I can’t wait till I am rid of this car. I got this car because it was supposed to be reliable and safe and it wasn’t as expensive as everything else boy was I wrong.
After 5000 miles my Hyundi Tucion started to display the front collision lights and at one point after having the car at the dealers for a week it started again and this time I felt a hard thump as if I hit something in the road but nothing there? Then the car would not accelerate no mater how hard I pushed the gas pedal and then sudenly it just stopped so I took it back to the dealer again and this was after just picking it up from the dealer who stated they could not find anything wrong? So they have my car for the third time. I think they have had this problem ongoing but dont want to admit it. They dodnt say anything about diagnostics they just drove it every day for a week?????? What do you know about this same complaint?
I purchased my 2019 Hyundai Tucson in June of this year and I having issues with it starting! I have taken this vehicle 3 times to the dealership and they still saying they can’t find anything wrong with it!! I’m currently sitting in the dealership now waiting! I’m tired of being stranded and going back and forth with these people! They aren’t friendly at all and stated that they can’t give me a loner until they figure out the issue!!!
I have bought a brand new Hyundai Tucson 2019 model in January 2020. The weather condition in the country i sm living is different from the rest of the world. I.e. from September to june it is summer sunny season and july and august is rainy season. So i drove the care smoothly till july and now i have found the car leaks the water from the rain from the roof!!!! I am very disappointed. It has sun roof but the leakage is from the side of the rear mirror.