2020 Hyundai Tucson Problems & Complaints

Avoid2.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the Tucson at the same age

Owners have filed 179 complaints about the 2020 Hyundai Tucson with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 2.7× as many as a typical Tucson model year at the same age, which makes the 2020 one of the Tucson years to avoid. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (74 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). One recall covers this model year, including one with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.

179complaints
1recalls
5crashes
2fires
5injuries
0deaths

Most common 2020 Hyundai Tucson problems

  • Engine & cooling~80,000 miles
    7441%
  • Brakes~11,000 miles
    4425%
  • Other / not specified~2,000 miles
    2816%
  • Driver assistance~4,000 miles
    2212%
  • Electrical system~70,000 miles
    1911%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~6,000 miles
    95%
  • Air bags~50,000 miles
    74%
  • Fuel & propulsion system
    63%
  • Steering~0 miles
    42%
  • Lights~100,000 miles
    42%
  • Seats~5,000 miles
    32%
  • Body & structure
    32%
  • Speed control & acceleration~30,000 miles
    32%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~11,000 miles
    21%
  • Suspension
    21%
  • Seat belts~102,000 miles
    21%
  • Wheels & tires
    11%

Share of the 179 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Hyundai Tucson complaints by model year

’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26185135654318591242552662022291.6k1.1k399385179803861359929163
Owner complaints per model year, Hyundai Tucson. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Tucson years: 2011. Years to avoid: 2025, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023. Compare all years →

2020 Hyundai Tucson recalls (1)

Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

NHTSA recall 20V-543 · Sep 4, 2020 · 652,024 vehiclesPark outside

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.

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.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2020 Hyundai Tucson:

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

NHTSA investigation AQ23002 · opened Nov 17, 2023 · open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando.

What 2020 Hyundai Tucson owners say

Engine & cooling all 74 →

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 carbon blowing out of the vehicle. The contact stated that three months later, the oil pan was empty. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and engine oil was added; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormally loud sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the bolts for the driveshaft were missing. …

80,000 miles · May 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact called a towing service to jumpstart the vehicle. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft bearing failed due to foreign material in the engine and oil consumption. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

122,000 miles · Jun 2025

Brakes all 44 →

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 the safety of her 2 minor children. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, three A/C compressors were used to attempt to repair the vehicle at a service center however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed at the owner's expense due to the warranty being invalid. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V543000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …

30,000 miles · Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the Brake Auto Hold was engaged unintendedly and failed to disengage upon pressing the button, which required the contact to turn off, restart, and drive the vehicle for some time for the Brake Auto Hold to disengage. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The contact stated that the infotainment system was inoperable. Additionally, the passenger's side rear seat belt failed to buckle as intended, and the passenger's side rear door handle fractured while the contact was opening the door. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Software · 102,000 miles · Oct 2025

Driver assistance all 22 →

The contact's father owns a 2020 Hyundai Tucson. The contact's father stated that while driving at various speeds, the Forward Collision Avoidance message was displayed; however, there was no other vehicle nearby. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown sensor needed to be replaced; however, the contact's father was made aware that there was a backorder on the part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

5,000 miles · Sep 2022

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. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,000.

44,000 miles · Jun 2021

2020 Hyundai Tucson engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automaticFWD23 / 28 / 25
2.4L 4-cyl6-speed automaticFWD22 / 28 / 25
2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automaticAWD22 / 25 / 23
2.4L 4-cyl6-speed automaticAWD21 / 26 / 23

EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Hyundai Tucson a good car?

Based on 179 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Tucson rates avoid: 2.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the Tucson at the same age. It is one of the Tucson years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Hyundai Tucson?

The engine & cooling — 74 complaints, 41% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the brakes (44) and driver assistance (22).

How many recalls does the 2020 Hyundai Tucson have?

There is 1 recall for the 2020 Hyundai Tucson, the most recent from September 4, 2020 (control unit/module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Hyundai Tucson?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2025, 2016, 2017, 2022 and 2023. See the full Hyundai Tucson years comparison.

At what mileage do 2020 Hyundai Tucson problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 11,000 miles; 72% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.