Reliable Auto DB

2020 Hyundai Tucson reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2020 Hyundai Tucson has 177 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 24 per year. That is about even with the other Tucson years here. Their median is 27 complaints per year. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Brake control module.

2012 Hyundai Tucson
Photo by Mr.choppers, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Complaints

177

Per year

24

Recalls

1

Years on the road

7

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (72 of 177), then Service brakes (26) and Electrical system (19). Those filings include 5 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Next to 2019 and 2021

The 2019 Tucson has 379 complaints, 52 per year, and the 2021 has 79 complaints, 9 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2020 Hyundai Tucson. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall Brake control module 2020-09-04 · NHTSA campaign 20V543000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (177 total)

Engine
72
Service brakes
26
Electrical system
19
Hydraulic brakes
17
Forward collision avoidance
12
Powertrain
9
Air bags
7
Back-over prevention
7
Fuel and propulsion system
6
Lane departure
6
Exterior lighting
4
Steering
4
Seats
3
Speed control
3
Structure
3
Seat belts
2
Suspension
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Engine and engine cooling
1
Hydraulic brakes and auto hold
1
Wheels
1
Show 13 more Show less
Crash-flagged

5

Fire-flagged

2

Injury reports

4

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

192020342021202022102023242024402025302026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Engine has defect that causes oil to heat at an unusual levels there for damaging other vehicle components such as The exhaust system parts clogging up and Triggering check engine warning lights for emissions."
    Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-18
  • "The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while the vehicle was receiving a routine oil change, the contact was informed that the oil pan was empty. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to…"
    Engine · filed 2026-08-20
  • "Dealer completed update 9C2 Theta 2 emissions update. After update, the car sputters slightly and increased noise is heard from the tailpipe. Customer returned to dealer after driving the car in different temps and…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-08-09
  • "The engine lost power while driving, and the vehicle entered a reduced-power mode. The check engine light began flashing, and the engine made a loud knocking noise during acceleration. A diagnostic scan showed code…"
    Engine · filed 2026-07-28
  • "High excessive oil consumption and premature piston ring failure leading to excessive oil consumption"
    Engine · filed 2026-07-23

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2020 Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2020 Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Tucson all-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 22 25 23 MPG $2800
Tucson all-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 21 26 23 MPG $2800
Tucson front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 22 28 25 MPG $2600
Tucson front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 23 28 25 MPG $2600

Specs and fitment

3rd generation (TL), 2012–2020
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.0L and 1.6L turbo per manual) , 4.8 qt capacity
Tire size 225/60R17 to 245/45R19 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 2,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Owner complaints for mid-generation years (especially 2016) concentrate on the power train and engine. Safety recall 20V-543 covers certain 2016-2021 Tucson vehicles: the anti-lock brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) can corrode internally and short, with a possible engine-compartment fire; dealers replace the HECU fuse, and for 2019-2021 also update ESC software, while owners are advised to park outside until remedied. Safety recall 16V-628 covers certain 2016 Tucsons with the 7-speed EcoShift dual-clutch transmission that may fail to move after repeated accelerator tip-in in heat; dealers update TCM software. Safety recall 16V-348 covers certain 2016 Tucsons whose secondary hood latch may not hold if the primary latch is released, so the hood can open while driving; dealers replace that latch.

Compare

Previous year 2019 Hyundai Tucson Next year 2021 Hyundai Tucson See every Hyundai Tucson model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Hyundai Tucson reliable?

The 2020 Hyundai Tucson has 177 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 24 per year. That is about even with the other Tucson years here. Their median is 27 complaints per year. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Brake control module.

What are common problems with a 2020 Hyundai Tucson?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (72 of 177), then Service brakes (26) and Electrical system (19). Those filings include 5 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Is the 2020 Hyundai Tucson more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2019 Tucson has 379 complaints, 52 per year, and the 2021 has 79 complaints, 9 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

Has the 2020 Hyundai Tucson been recalled?

The 2020 Hyundai Tucson has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Hyundai Tucson?

Owners have filed 177 complaints about the 2020 Hyundai Tucson with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2020 Hyundai Tucson get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2020 Hyundai Tucson is 24 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Tucson take?

5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.0L and 1.6L turbo per manual)

What does NHTSA recall 20V-543 cover on the Hyundai Tucson?

Safety recall 20V-543 covers certain 2016-2021 Tucson vehicles: the anti-lock brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) can corrode internally and short, with a possible engine-compartment fire; dealers replace the HECU fuse, and for 2019-2021 also update ESC software,…

What generation is the 2013 Hyundai Tucson?

3rd generation (TL) (2012-2020).