Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2019 Hyundai Tucson owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was driving on the highway. The engine began making a ticking noise that momentarily went away and then quickly got louder. I saw white smoke out of the back, pulled over, and then saw black smoke from the front. The check engine light only momentarily came out AFTER the white smoke was visible and I was actively pulling over. I ran out of the car, and turned to look only to see a fire under the engine bay. I did not have a collision nor hit anything on the road. Engine had full synthetic oil in it, and the oil was changed less than 10,000 miles precious. (Also checked oil level/condition the week before). The car went from driving fine, to entirely engulfed in flames within 2-4 minutes. Maine state police: case# 245000657 The vehicle has not been inspected by the insurance company yet. The report will be sent to me, and it is currently available for inspection upon request. …
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 concern and placed me at risk. I later learned there was a recall associated with the vehicle. However, I never received any recall notices because Hyundai reportedly had the wrong address on file. Had I been properly notified of the recall and potential safety risks, I would have done everything in my power to ensure the vehicle was inspected, repaired, and safe to drive. Because I was unaware of the recall issue, the vehicle continued to be operated without my knowledge of the potential danger. …
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 boulder! After looking on line concerning the malfunction it seems there are abundant claims from other 2017-2019 Hyundai Tucson owners that have experienced this exact mechanical defect under this frightening description of a surge or acceleration out of the drivers control! It's the craziest, scariest thing ever. We have taken the car in for a recall concerning the check engine light regarding the catalytic converter prior to this incident. The car is well cared for and maintained and has never been in any accident.
*Inside of car smelt like urine upon start. Car went into limp mode. First trip to dealership, catalytic converter was replaced. After the 6th time to dealership for same issue, manufacture approved engine replacement. *The car went into limp mode which posed a safety risk to our family as well as other vehicles on the road. This happened twice while on the freeway and we could have been rear-ended due to unexpected reduced speed. This also happened twice while turning with oncoming traffic approaching. *The problem was reproduced as this happened 6 times before the manufacture would approve an engine replacement. *The dealership replaced all the fuel injectors. No change engine went into limp mode P1326 (failure code). *The dealership installed a new short block engine. *The engine smelling like urine appears to be the first symptom (catalytic converter failure and replaced). …
formance exhaust. I bought catalytic conVerter that they told me to buy for 600+ dollars and took it to child's shop they told me that the catalytic converter isnt clogged nor is it affecting my car and provided me with these codes about the camshaft and crankshaft (P0017,P000B, P000A) which they stated hyundai should have fixed under the engine warranty because it was a recall on these engines on this year car. They stated that even if fixed the converter my car would still perform the same and 3 other mechanics have said the same and stated hyundai would have to fix it. After oil changes the oil consumption in my car is constantly getting oil before its even due for another oil change. I have already paid so much just by having people look at it, buying oil, parts, and etc. …
on [redacted], we received the Tucson back from dealer from a complete engine replacement due to recall. On [redacted], 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 think much of it. About an hour into the trip, he started to smell gas, a few minutes later he started to smell smoke and saw smoke coming into the vehicle through the consoles. He looked behind him and saw a trail of fire and smoke. He decided to pull over but the brakes FAILED. He went into the median, applied the emergency brake and waited until the car slowed down. He was able to grab his phone that had fallen beneath his seat from driving onto the median. Once he was out of the vehicle, he could definitely see the car was on fire. It was entirely engulfed in flames within seconds. …
My 2019 Hyundai Tucson repeatedly shuts off while driving , without any warning. It rolls backwards while in park. The car could easily hit me taking things out of the trunk or hit my neighbors walking past my drive. The car has no power. It can't get up to speed. It shakes and I have to get someone to add oil to it frequently. The first time this happened was in April of 2023. The engine seized up and it was towed to Driver's Village in Cicero, NY. They replaced the engine block. But not the converter. Now, it is happening again. I have had 2 diagnostic tests done. One by my mechanic and the other by Advanced Auto Parts. Both tests say that the problem is the catalytic converter, but Hyundai refuses to fix the problem and will not honor my extended warranty. …
While driving at highway speeds, my 2019 Hyundai Tucson SE suddenly loses acceleration and drops into a 30 mph 'limp mode' while the engine overheats. This creates an immediate highway safety hazard with an imminent risk of a rear-end collision. The vehicle also suffers from excessive oil consumption, requiring manual top-offs twice a week. The servicing dealership diagnosed a fuel system failure, quoting $5,847 to replace the fuel pump, fuel injectors, and oil gasket. Hyundai Corporate (Case #43358088) officially denied warranty coverage on October 12, 2026, falsely claiming wear and tear despite active TXXM 150,000-mile extended warranty framework protections. Furthermore, there is a data discrepancy: the dealership pulled diagnostic trouble code P0172, but corporate claims the vehicle threw code P0173 and is withholding the physical diagnostic printout behind a fee paywall.
I was just entering the expressway about 70 miles from my home, and the engine light came on in the vehicle. I could not accelerate to more than 52 mph even with the pedal to the floor. I had to drive home in the right-hand lane with my hazards on. This was the second time this happened within a month. The first time the dealer replaced the knock sensor after one week. It ran fine for 3 weeks and then the exact same thing happened in exactly the same place 70 miles from my home. My car has been in the shop for a week now, and they still don't know what the issue is, even though they are communicating with Hyundai. I see a pattern here after reading so many similar complaints from other people owning a Hyundai Tucson.
On 05/11/2024, I accelerated onto the freeway at which point my vehicle would no longer go past 50 mph with the pedal to the floor. I had my two small children in the car at the time. It was dangerous as cars around us were going 65+ mph. The check engine light started blinking when this was occurring. Prior to that the check engine light had been on because the dealership claimed they didn't know why it was triggering and that they have to take my engine out and replace it just to explore the issue. I don't have the money for that. It has a knocking sound, a pungent fuel smell and it still won't accelerate. I only have 85k miles on the car.
Fuel System complaints in other Tucson years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2019 Hyundai Tucson?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2019 Hyundai Tucson, 7% of the model year's 385 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2019 Hyundai Tucson fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2019 Hyundai Tucson, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2019 Hyundai Tucson fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 4,000 miles, and 100% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.