NHTSA FEDERAL EVIDENCE AUDITAudited: 2026-08-24

2019 Hyundai Tucson Common Problems & Defect Telemetry

Authoritative defect intelligence synthesized from 372 verified NHTSA owner complaints, 1 federal safety recalls, and interquartile failure mileage telemetry.

Data Grade: HIGH84 Odometer Verified EntriesMethodology
Executive AI Defect Summary

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson receives a 6.2/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 372 verified NHTSA federal complaints and 1 safety recalls. The primary reported failure mode is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports with a median failure point at 23,926 miles (IQR: 2,50053,500 mi). Out-of-warranty repairs benchmark at $950 – $3,200 .

Hyundai Tucson PlatformHyundai Tucson Series
DLC Port: Driver footwell directly above brake pedal

*Representative vehicle platform imagery. Body styling varies across generations.

MazicBay Reliability Index
6.2 / 10

21.3 complaints / 10k sold

NHTSA Owner Complaints
372

Verified US federal records

Safety Severity Grade
Critical Risk

Crash, fire & stall audit

Federal Safety Recalls
1

1 Active / Free Remedies

Switch Tucson Model Year (2014–2025)
Defect Clustering

Top Reported Problem Clusters (7)

Ranked by NHTSA Complaint Frequency
#1 ENGINE & COOLINGCritical Severity89% Match Confidence

Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports

221
Federal Complaints
Failure Mileage (Median):23,926 milesIQR: 2,50053,500 mi
Estimated Repair Cost:$950 – $3,200 MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model
Recall Status:Under Investigation / Recall AuditNHTSA Campaign Audit
Reported Defect Symptoms
  • Engine sudden stall / hesitation while driving
  • Abnormal oil burning / consumption
  • Check Engine Light (MIL) flashing
  • Engine overheating / coolant loss
Potentially Associated OBD-II Codes

Correlated via MazicBay Diagnostic Engine (not NHTSA verified fact).

Sample Verified NHTSA Evidence Records (3)
ODI #11751036 • Filed: 07/17/2026

I have noticed that the engine oil level in my vehicle drops significantly between regular oil changes. Despite adhering to the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule, I frequently have to add a quart of oil after driving only about [800~1,000 마일] miles.I understand t...

ODI #11744669 • Filed: 06/17/2026Odometer: 60,413 mi

The 2019 Tucson has 60,413 miles. My daughter drives it very low mileage - a couple of miles a day back and forth to school. Friday she was driving and the car lost engine power and it stopped driving. No warning lights. There was a cloud of smoke and it smelled like burning p...

ODI #11740933 • Filed: 05/29/2026Odometer: 40,000 mi

While driving, the check engine light began flashing and the vehicle shook severely due to engine misfiring. The vehicle has had a recurring cylinder 3 misfire throughout ownership. Spark plugs and ignition coils were first replaced around 40,000 miles and replaced again in De...

#2 BRAKING SYSTEM & ABSCritical Severity88% Match Confidence

Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports

140
Federal Complaints
Failure Mileage (Median):6,400 milesIQR: 1,76320,695 mi
Estimated Repair Cost:$350 – $1,100 MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model
Recall Status:Under Investigation / Recall AuditNHTSA Campaign Audit
Reported Defect Symptoms
  • Spongy or hard brake pedal travel
  • ABS / Brake warning light illuminated
  • Extended stopping distance / pedal vibration
Potentially Associated OBD-II Codes

Correlated via MazicBay Diagnostic Engine (not NHTSA verified fact).

Sample Verified NHTSA Evidence Records (3)
ODI #11758362 • Filed: 08/20/2026

When the vehicle in front of me stopped quickly, I braked quickly but did not hit the car. At that time, all the lights on my dashboard went off and were still on when I took the car to dealer for a diagnosis.

ODI #11754470 • Filed: 08/03/2026

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle responded as intended; however, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was dia...

ODI #11738088 • Filed: 05/15/2026

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while the contact's husband was driving, the contact noticed an abnormal loud sound. In addition, the contact noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact noticed ...

#3 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM & BATTERYCritical Severity87% Match Confidence

Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports

54
Federal Complaints
Failure Mileage (Median):60,413 milesIQR: 10,40071,583 mi
Estimated Repair Cost:$280 – $850 MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model
Recall Status:Under Investigation / Recall AuditNHTSA Campaign Audit
Reported Defect Symptoms
  • Unexplained battery drain after sitting overnight
  • Infotainment display / instrument cluster blackouts
  • Accessory malfunction / alternator fault warnings
Potentially Associated OBD-II Codes

Correlated via MazicBay Diagnostic Engine (not NHTSA verified fact).

Sample Verified NHTSA Evidence Records (3)
ODI #11744669 • Filed: 06/17/2026Odometer: 60,413 mi

The 2019 Tucson has 60,413 miles. My daughter drives it very low mileage - a couple of miles a day back and forth to school. Friday she was driving and the car lost engine power and it stopped driving. No warning lights. There was a cloud of smoke and it smelled like burning p...

ODI #11738088 • Filed: 05/15/2026

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while the contact's husband was driving, the contact noticed an abnormal loud sound. In addition, the contact noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact noticed ...

ODI #11737337 • Filed: 05/12/2026

On March 21st, while driving my Hyundai vehicle, I noticed the vehicle began making a ticking sound. After stopping the vehicle, it slowly began catching on fire. The fire ultimately spread and resulted in the vehicle becoming a total loss. This created a serious safety concer...

#4 TRANSMISSION & DRIVETRAINCritical Severity89% Match Confidence

Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports

43
Federal Complaints
Failure Mileage (Median):14,900 milesIQR: 3,62540,000 mi
Estimated Repair Cost:$1,400 – $3,800 MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model
Recall Status:Under Investigation / Recall AuditNHTSA Campaign Audit
Reported Defect Symptoms
  • Hard gear shifts / delayed engagement into Drive/Reverse
  • Transmission shudder / jerking under acceleration
  • Transmission slipping between gears
Potentially Associated OBD-II Codes

Correlated via MazicBay Diagnostic Engine (not NHTSA verified fact).

Sample Verified NHTSA Evidence Records (3)
ODI #11740933 • Filed: 05/29/2026Odometer: 40,000 mi

While driving, the check engine light began flashing and the vehicle shook severely due to engine misfiring. The vehicle has had a recurring cylinder 3 misfire throughout ownership. Spark plugs and ignition coils were first replaced around 40,000 miles and replaced again in De...

ODI #11720312 • Filed: 02/24/2026

Catalytic converter and oil leak which is causing the vehicle to lose power. The catalytic converter was replaced in 2024 and now is bad again in 2025. Oil consumption has been a problem since 2024. Hyuandi is refusing to repair the vehicle. Despite the engine making a knockin...

ODI #11711312 • Filed: 01/15/2026Odometer: 62,768 mi

Limp mode, knocking , engine light. Only has 62,768 miles on it. I can't fill out campaign 966 or 982 on the official web site for extended coverage.

#5 STEERING & SUSPENSIONCritical Severity65% Match Confidence

Electric Power Steering Assist & Suspension Noise Reports

18
Federal Complaints
Failure Mileage (Median):23,926 milesIQR: 17,46337,963 mi
Estimated Repair Cost:$450 – $1,400 MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model
Recall Status:Under Investigation / Recall AuditNHTSA Campaign Audit
Reported Defect Symptoms
  • Sudden loss of electric power steering assist
  • Steering wheel pull or highway wander
  • Clunking / knocking noise over bumps
Potentially Associated OBD-II Codes

Correlated via MazicBay Diagnostic Engine (not NHTSA verified fact).

Sample Verified NHTSA Evidence Records (3)
ODI #11712796 • Filed: 01/22/2026

On three occasions while the vehicle was idling, the dashboard screens and interior lights went completely black, and the steering wheel jerked abruptly in my hands. This sudden electrical failure creates a serious safety concern, particularly if it were to occur while driving...

ODI #11682968 • Filed: 08/25/2025

While almost at a complete stop in the process of putting my 2019 Hyundai Tucson in park at my friends home to drop her off, the car involuntarily surged/accelerated forward over a cement curbing and landscaping timber and slide down a small incline into a tree and landscaping...

ODI #11666457 • Filed: 06/12/2025

Our Tucson was stolen in Charlotte, NC on .... The pax rear window was broken and the thieves broke open the steering column to start the car. It appears they used the well-known "Tik-Tok" method. I have record that our Tucson had the "software update" installed, at a local de...

#6 AIRBAGS & SAFETY RESTRAINTSCritical Severity65% Match Confidence

Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports

13
Federal Complaints
Failure Mileage (Median):55,000 milesIQR: 35,00075,000 mi
Estimated Repair Cost:$400 – $1,200 MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model
Recall Status:Under Investigation / Recall AuditNHTSA Campaign Audit
Reported Defect Symptoms
  • SRS Airbag warning lamp illuminated
  • Passenger occupant classification sensor failure
  • Seat belt retractor lockup
Potentially Associated OBD-II Codes

Correlated via MazicBay Diagnostic Engine (not NHTSA verified fact).

Sample Verified NHTSA Evidence Records (3)
ODI #11738088 • Filed: 05/15/2026

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while the contact's husband was driving, the contact noticed an abnormal loud sound. In addition, the contact noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact noticed ...

ODI #11672567 • Filed: 07/10/2025

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while at a red light, the missing key warning light illuminated. The check engine warning light illuminated. The hazard lights were independently deactivated. The contact became aware of an abnormal odor and smoke...

ODI #11607901 • Filed: 08/12/2024

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH and making a left turn a second vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. During the crash the vehicle sustained severe front end damaged but the air bags did ...

#7 FUEL SYSTEM & INJECTIONCritical Severity65% Match Confidence

Fuel Pump Pressure Loss & Fuel Delivery Defect Reports

7
Federal Complaints
Failure Mileage (Median):5,000 milesIQR: 3,00014,463 mi
Estimated Repair Cost:$650 – $1,250 MazicBay Repair Intelligence Model
Recall Status:Out-of-Pocket / TSB RemedyNHTSA Campaign Audit
Reported Defect Symptoms
  • Sudden loss of propulsion power at highway speeds
  • Extended engine cranking / failure to restart
  • Fuel odor near fuel tank / engine bay
Potentially Associated OBD-II Codes

Correlated via MazicBay Diagnostic Engine (not NHTSA verified fact).

Sample Verified NHTSA Evidence Records (3)
ODI #11649492 • Filed: 03/20/2025

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to exceed 60 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact exited the freeway. The contact stated that the failure occurred while...

ODI #11644763 • Filed: 02/25/2025

on ..., we received the Tucson back from dealer from a complete engine replacement due to recall. On ..., our college son was returning to school from visiting a friend. He said he thought the car sounded a little different. There were no engine light warnings, so he didn't th...

ODI #11633642 • Filed: 01/02/2025Odometer: 1,000 mi

I took my vehicle to my mechanic for inspection check up. My mechanic told me and supplied paperwork from their scans that the P0420 sensor in the cat converter was shot again (3x in 5 years) and needed to be replaced. The engine light had come on 3 weeks beforehand and I had ...

Safety Enforcement

Official NHTSA Safety Recalls (1)

100% Free Dealer Repair
NHTSA Campaign #20V543000Reported: 04/09/2020

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

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.

Safety Consequence: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Manufacturer 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.

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for 2019 Hyundai Tucson

Before purchasing a used 2019 Hyundai Tucson, perform the following targeted inspections based on reported federal defect patterns:

1. Cold Start & Idle Diagnostics

Scan the OBD-II port under the dash for pending freeze-frame codes (e.g. P0300 misfires, P0087 fuel rail pressure, P0420 catalytic efficiency).

2. Transmission Shift Quality Audit

Test vehicle at low-speed stop-and-go and highway merges. Check for delayed reverse engagement or gear shift shudder between 2nd and 3rd gears.

3. Federal Recall Completion Check

Verify that all 1 NHTSA safety recall campaigns have been performed by an authorized dealership using the VIN.

4. Electrical & Infotainment Drain Check

Ensure the instrument cluster, center screen, and auxiliary charging ports operate with stable 12.0V–14.4V alternator voltage.

Frequently Answered Questions

Defect & Reliability Q&A: 2019 Hyundai Tucson

Is the 2019 Hyundai Tucson a reliable used car?

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson earns a 6.2/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 372 federal owner reports. Vehicles maintained under factory service schedules exhibit strong longevity past 150,000 miles.

What is the most frequent defect reported on the 2019 Hyundai Tucson?

The leading complaint category is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports, with a median failure point around 23,926 miles (IQR: 2,50053,500 mi).

Are there free recall repairs available for the 2019 Hyundai Tucson?

Yes, the NHTSA records 1 safety recall campaign(s) for this model year. All safety recalls are performed 100% free of charge by authorized franchise dealerships regardless of vehicle warranty status.