2023 Hyundai Tucson Top Complaints and Problems – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Engine, powertrain, and brake issues are the major cause of complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners

Updated on Author: Brian Jones | Reviewer: Sergei Lemberg

Updated on Author: Brian Jones Reviewer: Sergei Lemberg

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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NHTSA Complaints for the 2023 Hyundai Tucson

Complaint CategoryNumber of Complaints
Electrical System
3
Engine
3
Power Train
3
Vehicle Speed Control
2
Service Brakes
2
Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
1
Steering
1
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
1
Lane Departure: Warning
1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1

Most Common Problems with the 2023 Hyundai Tucson

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.

Engine Problems

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.

Random Acceleration Issues

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.”

Oil Burning a Fire Hazard?

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 & Forward Collision Avoidance Problems

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.

Warning: Power Steering May Fail

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.

Random Unexpected Braking

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.”

What to do if your 2023 Tucson is a Lemon?

You might think your 2023 Hyundai Tucson is a lemon, but to force manufacturers to settle damages, you need to be sure of this in legal terms. Lemberg Law has helped many lemon car owners get recompense from automakers because their vehicles were indeed lemons.

If you’d like Lemberg Law to assess your problems to see if you have a legitimate claim, all you have to do is call our Helpline or fill out a contact form. The fact is that every year automakers pay back, trade in, or replace vehicles to lemon owners. And the law makes Hyundai pay lemon law legal fees.

So, how can we help you?

Complaint Data

CategoryElectrical System, Engine, Vehicle Speed Control
DateMar 20, 2023
StateNY
Description
I leased my 2023 hyundai tucson from your authorized dealership south shore hyundai in ny march 18,2003. I received the vehicle with 34 miles on the digital odometer at approximately 1750 eastern standard time. At approximately 2030 eastern standard time with the vehicle at 62 mile on the digital odometer. I was driving with my family, which is made up of my wife, daughter 22yrs old and son 14 years old on the wantagh parkway south approximately location 40. 740739,-73. 544842 at the speed limit of 55 mph. I began to hear knocking noise from the front of the vehicle that progressively got louder. Then immediately the check engine, brake, oil, key with car, battery, open doors, every light that the dashboard has came on. Immediately the whole vehicle lost power and I could no longer accelerate. The steering wheel got stiff and the vehicle had no response to brakes. The vehicle started stuttering. The engine died, rpms at 0 and no response on the accelerator, brakes and steering. The vehicle would not start. I tried push start several times start the vehicle, remote start, app start and putting the remote close to the push start with no results. I felt helpless and in a very dangerous situation that this brand new hyundai vehicle put my family and me in. My family's life was at the mercy of a 62 mile brand new 2023 hyundai tucson sel that I received less than 2 and half hours ago from a certified dealership south shore hyundai in ny. We were stuck in the left lane in the middle of the wantagh parkway south bound with nowhere to go with the median divider to my left and to the right it was a fully active lane of on coming traffic in order to reach the safety of the shoulder. My family and I had to cross a full active lane of on coming traffic to get to the shoulder safely. We were able to get to the shoulder safely. The safety hazards presented by this vehicle created is dangerous to america families. Brand new vehicle should not suddenly shut off. Put the public in danger.
CategoryVisibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
DateFeb 25, 2023
StateAZ
Description
I was driving on the highway & my sunroof exploded. Glass was shattered & rained down on me & my occupants. 1/the sun roof - I have since vacuumed the mess, but it is still not repaired. Available for inspection if needed until I get it into the shop. 2/ I was driving 65 mph when the loud noise (phone gave a warning of decibal level not safe) - broken glass & glass 'dust' blowing on us / breathed in by us. The shock of it happening when surrounded by busy traffic on a highway. 3/I have made many calls into hyundai to get it taken care of - they are not returning my calls. 4/I initially took it into a dealership (ken garff-surprise) & they did not seem interested in inspecting - had a glass company reach out to me to replace the sunroof thru my insurance. 5/no warning at all.
CategoryPower Train, Service Brakes, Vehicle Speed Control
DateJan 31, 2023
StateNJ
Description
I leased this suv 12/22/2023,upon driving it on 12/26 as I exited a major highway,leaving highway amd entering exit ramp the suv lost brake funcrion as well as transmission function,absolute total loss of both brake and transmission systems,miraculously I was able to coast to safty with assistance from another motorist holding the car from rolling furthermore,needless to say this was a harrowing and dangerously close to a tragic accident due to this compmete failure of brake and transmission simultaneously failing,I had to incur a costly towing fee and also completely uninformed as to what the root/cause of problem was as well as any timeframe of repair,as of the time of myself writing this message and thirty plus days later ,I have recieved zero cooperation and even outwardly standoffish behavior towards myself,my hisband and my personal leasing agent,I am very concerned of the loaner car becoming a financial burden as my husband was forced to basically suffer rentl vetting and credit card deposit protocols upon paying for and delivering the damaged suv,we have for weeks tried to ascertain any information on the extent and cause of damage to leased suv as we are not intrested in recieving original damaged because we are fearful of our safety as we are still uninformed as of 1/31/2023 please note local police were on the scene and confirmed total breakdown status/tow needed status
CategoryService Brakes
DateJan 24, 2023
StateIA
Description
Vehicle was purchased new from local hyundai dealership in dubuque, ia on november 17, 2022 and delivered november 22nd. Vehicle had just under 200 miles on odometer. Brake system was working well at that time. On january 21, 2023 I stopped for a red light. After a few seconds the brake pedal started going down and went completely down. Mileage at that time was just over 1700 miles. I took the car into the dealership on january 23rd and they checked the system and said that it was normal. The shop supervisor said that it was not a problem that when the pedal went down it was applying more pressure to the brake system. I disagreed with them as this is usually the fault of master cylinder seals leaking. They brought a newer vehicle into the shop and it had the same problem so no repairs were made. I believe this is an accident waiting to happen and I would like to have the problem corrected. This appears to be a problem with hyundai vehicles. Our vehicle is a hyundai tucson.
CategoryElectrical System, Power Train, Steering
DateJan 22, 2023
StateTX
Description
I just bought the car, it was brand new off the lot. The check engine light came on followed by every emergency warning on my dash. After this my power steering failed, I was able to move over to the right lane a bit, but that's it. I tried turning the car off at this point and turning it back on, but it would not turn back on. I could not even put on my emergency 4 way blinkers. The car would not even detect the key at this point. Thankfully we were on a small, low traffic road and not the freeway or a major accident would have been inevitable.
CategoryLane Departure: Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure: Warning, Power Train
DateDec 30, 2022
StateCO
Description
Icu module failure. Power steering not as effective, instrument cluster failure, driver warnings like low tire pressure, blind spot detection and others do not work. Speedometer and miles driven stopped working. Advised to not drive the car as power steering could completely fail without warning.
CategoryForward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
DateDec 28, 2022
StateNH
Description
Twice in the past two months, I have been driving down the highway going 70 mph with no car in close proximity to the front of me and the automatic emergency braking has activated, suddenly braking for no reason. In the first instance, there was a car in the lane to the left of me, and the second time cars on both sides of me. But in neither instance was a vehicle close to them front of my vehicle. The second time the car felt like it was going into a skid when the braking activated. I took the car to the dealer (irwin hyundai) the first time and they told me the sensors on the car were not properly calibrated when the new car was delivered to me. When I called irwin's today after 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.
CategoryElectrical System
DateDec 22, 2022
StateGA
Description
The contact owns a 2023 hyundai tucson. The contact stated that while driving from a stationary position, the vehicle switched to safe mode and 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. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,789.
CategoryEngine
DateDec 19, 2022
StateMI
Description
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. Only a couple hundred miles later I received 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 to complete. 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.
CategoryEngine
DateDec 13, 2022
StateNY
Description
I was driving to work taking the same route I have since I purchased the vehicle when 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.
CategoryExterior Lighting, Visibility/wiper
DateNov 21, 2022
StateNY
Description
When driving in dark areas with low outdoor lighting, the instrument panel is reflected in the drivers window. Aside from being distracting, there is obstructed visibility where the reflection occurs. I have made repeated calls, that go ignored, to hyndai customer care, brought it to my service dealer upon request for protocol, who could not react because it was daytime. The instrument panel happens not to be recessed as in other cars I have had. I simply want suggestions on how to alleviate the problem. Thank you

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Brian Jones

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 20 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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