Steering, electrical system and engine issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
Compact SUVs are often stylish and fun to drive, as was expected from the 2020 Hyundai Tucson. Owners were excited to hear about the “all-around-you safety,” but this model seems to put more people at risk than needed. This vehicle suffers from a defective engine, malfunctioning electrical system, shoddy steering and poor visibility.
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Even with a compact SUV, the engine needs to be powerful, equipped to handle passengers and cargo. However, drivers are complaining, not just about the power, but about defects.
Here is one complaint left on the Edmunds website. “The first instance almost got us smashed on Hwy 90 because the engine just died just as we entered the highway, my husband managed to get it out of the way of a Semi, but it was too close for comfort. The second time, we were on Hwy 285 and we were following a dump truck, we pulled out to pass and engine slowed to a pace, we were blest to have the space to fall back behind the truck. We took it to the dealership twice in one day for similar incidents; they said nothing was wrong. Today, they have had the car for a week, they say nothing’s wrong. So frustrating.”
Hyundai isn’t afraid to discuss engine troubles with the Tucson. Service Bulletin #20-AT-007H even talks about the Check Engine Light coming on because the vehicle needs a new solenoid or oil pressure harness. With the situation above in mind, it’s difficult to see how the Hyundai SUV is providing “all-around-you safety,” unless the automaker plans to cover the vehicle with cushions that prevent the tractor-trailers from demolishing it every time the engine dies. Maybe the tagline should be “all-around-you danger” instead.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Engine | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| Electrical System | |
| Back Over Prevention:display Function | |
| Air Bags | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Power Train | |
| Fuel/propulsion System |
The electrical system is another aspect that is causing trouble. Whether it is used to start the engine or run accessories, this system must be in properly running order.
However, this NHTSA complaint says otherwise. “The backup camera is blurry and fuzzy during the day and even worse at night. Almost useless at night time. The camera system is supposed to be a safety feature but it is not very good when you can’t make out objects and there isn’t a warning noise when you are about to back up into something. I have taken to service department at dealership 3 times now and they have installed a new camera and it is still the same as the first one. I think Hyundai needs to get a much better quality camera system for the 2020 Hyundai Tucson Ultimate. I was at Walmart 3 nights ago backing out of a parking space and did not see the lady walking behind my car because the camera system is horrible at night time.”
In all fairness, the Tucson tagline doesn’t guarantee safety for those around the vehicle, just those in it. With that in mind, there are many other electrical-system errors that need to be dealt with. One such communication, Service Bulletin #20-BE-001H, talks about trouble with the head unit and USB connections. It seems that this Hyundai can’t even get the basic down, nor can it see people walking around the SUV. Maybe owners should put a sign on the back that says, “Don’t walk behind this vehicle – we can’t see you!”
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Keeping control of a vehicle is something that most operators don’t think about; it just comes naturally. That is, unless the system isn’t working right.
One such example is found on the NHTSA website. “Was getting on entrance ramp to Interstate 35 north bound from Robinson when orange Electric Power Steering (EPS) warning light came on. When I was about 90 degrees into the turn. Shortly after read EPS came on, power steering became non-existent. I exited I-35 at Indian Hills and turned the power off once I got to side of road. Steering became normal after restart and all warning lights were off. Vehicle has around 400 miles. I don’t think my wife would had the strength to turn the wheel and I consider this incident would have been extremely dangerous for her.”
This is one area that Hyundai chose not to talk about. As of now, there are no communications discussing trouble with the steering system. Instead, customers are left wrestling their vehicles off of highways in an effort to protect themselves. Moral of the story – if driving a Tucson is in the future, start building arm muscles now.
A final look brings the research to the auto glass. It turns out that there are many defects with this system as well.
An NHTSA review states, “SUV has been in shop 4 times due to a loud cracking pop noise coming from panoramic sun roof. I know there was a recall on this exact issue, then the windows would explode. Apparently Hyundai has not fixed the problem, I am afraid to drive the car, and want my money back or a new car.”
While there isn’t a current recall on this vehicle, it has been a problem for many other owners. In addition to the auto glass concerns, communications show trouble with the lighting, which is also a visibility problem. Service Bulletin #20-BD-014H talks about moisture accumulation with the headlamps, daytime running lamp, fog lamp and rear combination lamp. However, the automaker claims that it isn’t necessary to replace the assembly to repair the problem. Instead, the company just wants to run the engine for a few minutes with the lights on, which supposedly eliminates the condensation. If that were the case, there would be no problem, as owners are regularly driving their SUVs. Maybe a drive to the dealership is what’s really needed – so they can fix the problem for good.
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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I just purchased the 2020 Tuscon. I had it for 2 weeks. I climb on the highway and it wouldn’t go above 40 mph. Called dealership. They called today and said the engine failed. It’s 2024 and my car has 38,000 miles on it. Hyundai is replacing the motor on their dime and they have provided a rental. I literally haven’t made a payment and now I’m paying for a car I’m not driving:
Traded in my 2016 Hyundai Tucson SE for a 2020 Hyundai Tucson Value and immediately started having issues. First, the windshield was cracked but I didn’t notice it because I bought the vehicle at night and it’s in an unnoticeable spot unless the sun hits it just right. The dealership wouldn’t let me return the vehicle (even though it had only been 2 days from the purchase date… I purchased the vehicle on a Saturday.) Two months later I had to replace the tires from a nail I picked up while at the dealership. Now I’m having electrical issues with the brake lights going out randomly while I’m driving at night. The Hyundai Customer Care line told me there was a recall on the vehicle for ABS brakes that can cause electrical issues with the brakes but that it was fixed in April 2021 (before I owned the vehicle). I call the dealership to have the brake lights and electrical looked at and they can’t get me in for another week and it’s going to cost $154 just to do a diagnostics. I have only owned this vehicle for 15 months and have had nothing but issues with both the vehicle itself and the dealership. For as much as paid for the so-call “new and improved” Tucson, they should be repairing the issue for free. I will never buy a Hyundai again after this never ending nightmare.
My 2020 Tuscan has 3,600 miles ,the rubber trim in both front and back doors on driver side are cracked. The suv has no pep it drags ,and it sounds weird to me, like a dying Volkswagen. I’m very upset I paid cash in full brand new.i own it.
We just purchased a used 2020 Tucson. I was not happy with the answer I received if the engine rattling noise and sluggish acceleration. It only had 6300 miles on it. My wife really liked it,so we purchased it. Wished we had seen this first.
Omg mine is in the shop for almost 2 weeks! Same issue with car and knocking noise after engine stalled on me, luckily was able to pull into a place to park safely! Waited over 3hrs for Hyundai roadside assistance and then told me the tow truck people know what to do with car when they get there and I Uber back home! They said it will be may up to 2 weeks before they can even look at it and called after a weekend they did not even have me in the system as waiting or not even assigned to someone for a service advisor! Said they will call me back and did not hear from them for 2 days I ended up giving them a call and same thing they will find out who it is and they will call me back. Another person finally did call to ask where was my car keys!!! Doors are locked had to drive to the dealership with my spare and found the key in the middle console* they were saying that I had to call the tow truck people to find out where’d they put my keys!!! They said they are backed up until december?..Like what Meanwhile I’m paying for a car I can not drive. It’s was purchased in May 2020 and less than 15000 miles! I will never buy a Hyundai again!!! I have bought 5 in the past and kept upgrading and trading in, I’m am so done with the service and issues I have been having! When will this nightmare end!
This is exactly what is happening to my car. It starts off as a knocking noise in the engine then 10 mins later completely just stalled in the middle of the road. Our Tucson 2020 has been at the dealership for 2 1/2 months and still awaiting for updates. From what the service manager was saying they have 50 cars that all need new engines. So all in all. DO NOT BUY A HYUNDAI!!