2020 Hyundai Tucson Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 80,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

On XXX, while driving at freeway speed in [XXX] with my [XXX] son in the back seat, the engine of my 2020 Hyundai Tucson (2.4L Theta II GDI, approx. 99,108 miles) seized suddenly and without warning. I lost all motive power in moving traffic and coasted to the shoulder, where my son and I sat stranded for 30 minutes with smoke and a…Owner complaint, filed 2026

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 the dealer. The contact was informed about a possible oil consumption test. The contact was informed that there was…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 80,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

Our daughter was notified by another driver at a stoplight that her brake lights were not working. The car's brake sensors indicated the brake lights were not working, while driving the light went off and the lights worked again momentarily. The Hyundai dealership refused to address the problem when it was taken in for maintenance…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Electrical rear brake system. My rear driver side brake like sometimes fails to operate properly. Brake warning light on dash comes on. This happens on and off. After researching the issue I found numerous owners are having the same issue. Some replace the bulb multiple times while others have had dealerships replace the harness. Both…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 3,000 miles. Parts named most: Warnings (7), Display function (6).

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine, master general, and forward collision warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the multifunction camera had failed and needed to be replaced.…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 44,000 miles

Was told by dealership that forward camera assist is not functioning, but could not tell me why it failed all of a sudden. No accidents. $1586 to repair because no longer under warranty. Vehicle is only 5 years old.Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

While driving on the expressway my car hit a bump and all the power from the vehicle was lost. I’ve been having issues with my car and have taking it to Hyundai dealership. Everytime I take it they are saying my car is fixed. But it’s not. Now they are saying they didn’t fix it because I didn’t explain the problem to them. I lost control…Owner complaint, filed 2026

NHTSA should have a non-official recall warning for Hyundai vehicles that have this software based Safety Defect, which is some models don't have a Passive Engine Immobilizer, and the vehicles can be easily stolen by starting the engine with a USB cord. Thankfully Hyundai(recall) offered a free Anti Theft Software Update, and a steering…Owner complaint, filed 2023

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2020 hyundai tucson. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle intermittently stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact stated that after the vehicle stalled the vehicle then started to accelerate and resume normal operation. The contact had taken the vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 5,200 miles

When sitting at a stop light, with the car in drive, the vehicle starts to lurch multiple times. It feels as if someone behind me is tapping my rear bumper. I have taken it earnhardt hyundai in north scottsdale, arizona three times. They cannot find out what the problem is. The car is new with only 6400 miles on it.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 6,200 miles

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

Was in a side impact car accident last year. And have been speaking with Hyundai off and on since the accident and have basically been brushed off in my concerns about the fact my airbags never deployed when my rear passenger door was essentially ripped off during the car accident. Progressive moved quickly with my claim and Hyundai…Owner complaint, filed 2026

For about three weeks, my airbag warning light appeared intermittently, lasting 1, 3 minutes at a time. I have not taken it to the dealership because I was unsure if it was covered by the warranty, and they had no availability. Now the warning light is off, but I am worried that the airbags will not deploy if needed.Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

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 noted the above complaint. Dealer verified the complaint but continues to take no responsibility for the fault on the repair…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Spark plugs have been replaced twice- fuel injectors cleaned and now I have another misfire in cylinder 3 and have to replace all four fuel injectors.Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the "Check Brake Light" message was displayed on the instrument panel, and the screen indicated that the rear brake light bulb was defective. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where the brake light bulb was replaced; however, the failure recurred.…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 40,000 miles

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while reversing, the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake light needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the brake light housing case had…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 100,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

My driver's seat broke and started wobbling while driving. The whole. Bottom plate is broken and the bolt will not hold it steady. It will not stay in one place. It slides back and forth and bounces up and downOwner complaint, filed 2026

I was driving then I smelled something, didn't figure out where the smell come from at first, but when I got home I realized that my rear seat was burnt and melted so deep it was unbelievable because my seat heater was on, my car could have been exploded, it was melted completely. I took it to dealership they were so scared they said…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 4,500 miles

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

Was getting on entrance ramp to interstate (180 curve ramp) 35 north bound from robinson when orange electric power steering (eps) warning light came on.when I was about 90 degrees into the turn. Shortly after red eps came on. Power steering became non existent. I exited I-35 at indian hills and turned the power off once I got to side of…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 400 miles

In August/September 2025 my mother's Tucson would randomly shut down on her (completely stall while driving) and she would not be able to turn it back on. If she waited a little while, then she would be able to turn the car back on but it was unknown when the issue would happen again. We took it to the dealer several times after each…Owner complaint, filed 2026

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled and failed to accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the A/C was blowing warm air. The contact lives in a hot climate and was concerned for…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 30,000 miles

When driving this car it is hard to go to higher speed. Acceleration is a huge problem. Coming on to the highway I have to wait until there's no one approaching due to the fact that it takes about 40 seconds to a minute for the car to accelerate once it comes to a stop. When switching lanes it takes 40 to 60 seconds to accelerate as…Owner complaint, filed 2024

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The paint is peeling off the car prematurely. Hyundai is only acknowledging their responsibility for white vehicles but it is affecting others as well.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Peeling paint Paint started peeling away on hood, and now on roof. On a single drive to town about half the paint peeling from my roof. There’s also little bubble in various areas on the vehicle where the paint looks like it’s about to start coming off. Appears to be a manufacturer defect as they’ve had this same issue before with…Owner complaint, filed 2022

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

The rear self leveling shocks are worn out. The car bounces terribly and control is an issue. I have confirmation from the dealer that the shocks need to be replaced. There were no warnings that the parts were broken.Owner complaint, filed 2025

from time to time, when stepping on the brakes the whole front end shakes . when this happended i took the 2020 tucson back to the dealer to be checked out. I was told there was nothing wrong with it. and i was just not use to abs. I"m not stupid. i've had many , many cars and suv'''s, trucks with abs. this made me mad. and guess what…Owner complaint, filed 2023

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

This car has had an active recall for months, I have tried to get this fixed and when I make an appointment to get the car serviced they say they don't have the parts for the recall and don't know when they will get it. Now I also have a warning on the dashboard for an issue with tires and can't get in to see them as I had an appointment…Owner complaint, filed 2021