2020 Hyundai Tucson · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 27owner reports
- 79,384median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 25, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
74 of the 178 complaints on this car are about the engine. 27 of those describe engine failure. Only brake wear is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 27 reports
Engine failure on other Tucson years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (26 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2020 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Tucson
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
None of these investigations covers the 2020 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 10,000 and 88,000 miles, from the 14 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 7 service bulletins or notices for the 2020 Hyundai Tucson that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs.
A class action lawsuit against Hyundai Motor America (âHMAâ) alleges that certain Hyundai vehicles (âClass Vehiclesâ) were manufactured, marketed, sold, and/or leased with an engine defect that can result in sudden engine seizure, stalling, engine ...
Certain vehicles listed below may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or an engine concern/noise related to connecting rod bearing wear or damage.
Certain vehicles may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit abnormal noise, or no crank/no start condition related to connecting rod bearing wear or damage.
3 more on the 2020 Hyundai Tucson page.
What owners wrote
“While driving on the highway with adaptive cruise control on, car began decelerating without any vehicle in front. Started to get off highway, check engine light began flashing and came to a full stop. Car died. Tried restarting and car died. Check engine, oil and battery lights then on. Total engine failure and no warning lights prior.”
Filed Jul 14, 2026
“My car has been burning through about 2 quarts of oil every 1000 miles. Hyundai will NOT replace the engine. If this continues My engine could malfunction while driving. This is a serious safety concern and there's plenty of information on it. They refuse to recall it.”
Filed Mar 10, 2026 · 1,000 miles
“Complete engine failure. Car was burning oil, wasn't aware. Since I am an on the road salesman I travel alot and get oil changes consistently. Then recently the engine oil light keeps coming on when rounding bends or stopping on a hill. I checked the dip stick and see oil is Half gone in between oil changes. The car stalled as I was approaching a dangerous intersection. Thankfully I was able to stop the car.”
Filed Feb 28, 2026
“the engine failed without warning. While going up a hill the car lost power. Yes, the dealership said it was a known problem. Yes, the dealership fixed the problem by putting in a new engine which I was responsible for 5% of the cost which was 739.66. The only warning that was given was after the car failed, the engine light and the oil light went on.”
Filed Nov 18, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 27 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 44 reports