Fourth generation (NX4, LWB, US, spec)
2021 Hyundai Tucson
The most reported problem on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson is engine failure, with 22 complaints, usually around 60,000 miles.
- 79owner complaints
- 1recalls
- 2involved a crash
- 44,807median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 23, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Problem sheets
No single problem on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
The 2021 Hyundai Tucson has 79 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, less than half the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Tucson model years since 2014, it has the 12th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- The 2021 is a low point between its neighbors: 13 complaints for each year on the road, where the 2020 has 25 and the 2022 has 76.
- Top problem
- Engine failure leads with 22 of the 79 complaints (28%), ahead of misfire at 13. A quarter of the 8 owners who gave a mileage for engine failure saw it by about 24,000 miles, and half by about 60,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 8 of the 79 complaints (10%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 2 reports mention a crash, 3 mention a fire and 7 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 1 recall is on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against it.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 17, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 27 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine failure, knocking or rod bearing, 22 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
79 complaints is 2.4 times fewer than the median 2021 model on this site and 2.7 times fewer than the median 2021 SUV. Among the 13 Tucson model years here it ranks 12th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai filed 87 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Hyundai Tucson. 8 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. 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.
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 5 bulletins · 22 complaints
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.
3 more on this problem
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.
The Powertrain warranty coverage for certain engine repairs and/or replacement where the engine damage or malfunction is related to connecting rod bearing wear, has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date ...
Certain vehicles that have completed Service Campaign 966 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.
Check engine light or misfire 1 bulletin · 13 complaints
This bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the GDI injector(s) in certain 21-23MY Sonata, 21-22MY Santa Fe, certain 22MY Santa Cruz, and certain 21-23MY Tucson equipped with 2.5L GDI engines with one or more misfire DTC(s) due to internally leaking ...
Engine knocking or ticking 2 bulletins · 10 complaints
Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs.
Hyundai is conducting a service campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs.
Complaints filed by year
27 complaints came in 2026. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Hyundai and kia abs module fires. Open.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2021 Hyundai Tucson
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Hyundai expanded the recall population, and added certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.
The recall on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson?
Engine failure, with 22 of the 79 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 60,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 Hyundai Tucson problems start?
Of the 24 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 17,000 miles and half by about 45,000.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has fewer complaints than both the 2020 and the 2022: 13 a year against 25 and 76.
How many 2021 Hyundai Tucson complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
8 of them (10%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for engine failure on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson?
No recall on file for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson is on the same system as engine failure. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.