2021 Hyundai Tucson engine problems
36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson — 48% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I was driving down [XXX] from my house.My engine light started to flash.I tried to accelerate my car barely went 10 miles an hour.I got Home 2 minutes later.There was major knocking.I had the car towed to [XXX], Hyundai, the only code that is showing up on the diagnostics, is P1326 there is an open…”
filed Jul 18, 2026
“The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road…”
filed Jul 10, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these…
26-01-013H-2 DN · Service Campaign · issued May 21, 2026Certain 2019 – 2020 model year Santa Fe, 2017 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2015 – 2019 model year Sonata, and 2018 – 2021 model year Tucson vehicles may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. Hyundai is conducting…
9C2 OL · Service Campaign · issued Apr 14, 2026Hyundai Motor America is currently investigating an ongoing issue with software GDS event #1383 related to 2015MY Sonata (LFA) 2.4L vehicles. The matter is currently being investigated for a resolution as soon as…
9C2 Susp DCS · Service Campaign · issued Mar 30, 2026
Engine problems in other Tucson years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tucson | 1 | 2% |
| 2025 Tucson | 12 | 4% |
| 2024 Tucson | 13 | 15% |
| 2023 Tucson | 23 | 18% |
| 2022 Tucson | 109 | 30% |
| 2020 Tucson | 70 | 40% |
| 2019 Tucson | 191 | 51% |
| 2018 Tucson | 236 | 61% |
| 2017 Tucson | 590 | 55% |
| 2016 Tucson | 422 | 26% |
| 2015 Tucson | 117 | 52% |
| 2014 Tucson | 109 | 55% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.