Diagsheet

2017 Hyundai Tucson · symptom sheet

Engine stalls or loses power while driving

  • 247owner reports
  • 47,000median miles
  • $1,581median quote
  • 1involved a crash

Newest report Jul 27, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

878 of the 1,084 complaints on this car are about the engine. 247 of those describe stalling. Only engine failure is reported more often on this car.

Tick what matches of 247 reports

113
48
153
37
4
3

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (13 reports), the ignition coil or plugs (10 reports), the battery (8 reports) and the fuel pump (4 reports).

Recalls and investigations

2 recalls on the engine cover 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.
16V-842Nov 21, 2016
Electrical System:Wiring

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk and remedy
Risk: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Tucson

DP22-005opened Jan 27, 2023
Electrical · model years 2022

Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.

NHTSA summary
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
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 Petitioners’ 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. ODI’s 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

18 of the 247 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $300 to $4,000.

$300$1,581$4,000
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 15,000 and 80,000 miles, from the 132 reports that gave a mileage.

617
1518
2619
1720
3521
3522
3923
2724
2825
1926

What owners wrote

“Engine knocking began around 132,000 miles and caused intermittent loss of power while driving. This caused me to slow down at random intervals while on the roadway becoming a hazard for other drivers. Engine light activated shortly before the symptoms began. No inspections done yet.”

Filed Jan 24, 2025 · 132,000 miles

“Engine check light came on on 1/4/24 took it to dealership they ran a quick check and they said it had multiple misfires. The car has a lot of carbon buildup and they recommend a 24 hour cleaning which will cost me over $700.00. The car stalls and starts shaking as I speed up. I don't feel that a care with less than 70,000 miles should have this problem. Mine also has now been using up the oil very quickly.”

Filed Jan 7, 2024 · 70,000 miles

“I bought the car with 83,000 miles 9 months ago. It had engine failure at 104,000. From the beginning the car stalled when trying to accelerate almost got hit several times. The car had major oil consumption issues with no leak. The car died without any warning lights almost causing an accident. I rolled into oil change place. Car was low on oil. It had engine failure.”

Filed Dec 10, 2023 · 83,000 miles

“When pressing on the accelerator pedal the Tucson jerks and hesitates and seems to almost turn of then after a few seconds will actually accelerate. This almost caused me to have an accident because it stalled when making a right turn.”

Filed Jul 5, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 247 reports involved a crash and 2 people were hurt. 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.

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