2017 Hyundai Tucson · symptom sheet

Engine rattles or ticks

57owner reports
67,000median miles
$1,235median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Apr 22, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

609 of the 1,084 complaints on this car are about the engine. 57 of those describe engine rattle.

Tick what matches of 57 reports

a ticking or tapping at idle

worse on a cold start

a rattle that comes and goes

the check engine light followed

the dealer named a specific part

it got worse over weeks

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (7 reports) and the lifters (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the engine covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

21V-727Sep 17, 2021

Engine

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Tucson and Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.

Risk and remedy

Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners were notified of the defect on November 16, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed January 15, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 209.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Tucson

DP22-003opened Sep 12, 2022

Engine · model years 2010 to 2022

Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.

NHTSA summary

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitionersâ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODIâs evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan as

EA21-003opened Dec 22, 2021

Engine · model years 2012 to 2017

Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.

NHTSA summary

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement. Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is being installed under recalls and non-safety field actions, and both companies have extended limited engine warranties (see recall files). On December 22, 2021, ODI upgraded PE19-003 and PE19-004 to this Engineering Analysis (EA21-003, covering both Hyundai and Kia) to evaluate the scope of the prior recalls related to engine failures/fires and the efficacy of the recall remedies for the recalls, as well as the long-term viability of related programs and non-safety field actions being conducted by Hyundai and Kia. The former issue involved approximately 550,000 MY 2013 Hyundai Elantra, MY

What owners paid

8 of the 57 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $300 to $13,000.

$300$1,235$13,000

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 58,998 and 86,790 miles, from the 27 reports that gave a mileage.

118

119

220

721

1022

1623

324

1125

626

What owners wrote

“A knocking noise from the engine. The dealership is refusing to give us a warranty for the rebuilt of the engine that we will be covering 40% of the cost. Is this possible? For us to spend approximately $7K and not get a warranty on the work done?”
Filed Mar 27, 2025

“My 2017 hyundia Tucson is using a minimum of 1 quart per 1000 miles . Always serviced by the dealer . There is no smoke , no leaks and always serviced at the dealer . Started the car in the morning and the engine was making lifter noise . I checked the oil and nothing registered on the dipstick.”
Filed Feb 27, 2024 · 1,000 miles

“A knocking noise from the engine that increases in frequency as the engine rpm increases. Reduced power and/or hesitation and vibration. Illumination of the âcheck engineâ light in the instrument cluster. Illumination of the âengine oil pressureâ warning lamp.”
Filed Dec 7, 2023

“Not to long after I purchased the car I have to put oil in the car every 4 to 5 weeks.Sometimes the motor sounds like itâs going to blow.The car slows down and sounds loud.Never once has a oil light turned on.When I checked the oil it doesnât appear on the stick.”
Filed Sep 13, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 57 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.