Reliable Auto DB

2021 Hyundai Tucson reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Hyundai Tucson over 6 years — 9 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Tucson years here — under the median of the other years, which is 28. 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

79

Per year

9

Recalls

1

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (39 of 79), then Electrical system (11) and Service brakes (9). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 6 that report an injury.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 Tucson has 177 complaints, 24 per year, and the 2022 has 381 complaints, 71 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

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 2021 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 (79 total)

Engine
39
Electrical system
11
Service brakes
9
Fuel and propulsion system
8
Powertrain
8
Forward collision avoidance
6
Engine and engine cooling
3
Hydraulic brakes
3
Air bags
2
Lane departure
2
Seat belts
2
Speed control
2
Steering
2
Structure
2
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 8 more Show less
Crash-flagged

2

Fire-flagged

3

Injury reports

6

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

162021320228202382024172025272026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "I took my car in to Allen Samuals Hyundai dealership to have the 9C2 recall update completed on May 15th 2026. Ever since then my vehicle has had a rough hesitation or sputtering when driving. On May 18th Hyundai…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-23
  • "Engine knock sensor went off and now the engine needs replacement due to faulty cylinder rod."
    Engine · filed 2026-08-29
  • "See attached document for complaint."
    Engine and engine cooling, Powertrain · filed 2026-08-20
  • "The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine blew. No warning lights were illuminated. There was white smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. The…"
    Engine · filed 2026-08-11
  • "This vehicle burns oil at an alarming rate. I am getting oil changes every 3K miles, and when I take it in, the dipstick is dry. I receive no oil lights to tell me it is low. I just had to get spark plugs and the…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-07-22

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2021 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 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 23 28 25 MPG $2600
Tucson front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 22 28 25 MPG $2600

Specs and fitment

4th generation (NX4), 2021–present
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 (2.5L and 1.6L turbo hybrid/PHEV where equipped)
Tire size 235/60R18 to 245/45R19 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 2,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Safety recall 21V-938 covers certain 2022 Tucson vehicles whose Integrated Central Control Unit software could leave headlights or taillights inoperative; dealers updated that ICU software. Safety recall 23V-038 covers certain 2022 Tucson (and 2022-2023 Santa Cruz) vehicles whose roof moldings may detach and become a road hazard; dealers inspect and replace or secure the moldings. Safety recall 23V-526 covers certain 2023-2024 Tucson vehicles among other Hyundai models: the Idle Stop & Go electric oil-pump controller may overheat and raise fire risk; owners should park outside until dealers inspect and replace the controller as needed.

Compare

Previous year 2020 Hyundai Tucson Next year 2022 Hyundai Tucson See every Hyundai Tucson model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson reliable?

Owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Hyundai Tucson over 6 years — 9 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Tucson years here — under the median of the other years, which is 28. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Brake control module.

What are common problems with a 2021 Hyundai Tucson?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (39 of 79), then Electrical system (11) and Service brakes (9). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 6 that report an injury.

Is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 Tucson has 177 complaints, 24 per year, and the 2022 has 381 complaints, 71 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 Hyundai Tucson been recalled?

The 2021 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 2021 Hyundai Tucson?

Owners have filed 79 complaints about the 2021 Hyundai Tucson with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Hyundai Tucson get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 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).