Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Hyundai Tucson owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact called on behalf of his girlfriend who owned a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH in the driveway, there was steam coming out from under the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle. The contact stated that as he opened the hood, flames came out. The contact's girlfriend also saw flames coming out of the A/C vents. The contact closed the hood and assisted his girlfriend and his pet in exiting the vehicle. The contact stated that his girlfriend slipped and fell while exiting the vehicle. The contact's girlfriend sustained back pain and the contact sustained a flash burn. There was no further information provided. The contact stated that the entire vehicle caught on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. A fire department report was filed. …
The contact owned a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, an abnormal clicking sound was coming from under the hood. No warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact managed to pull over to the shoulder of the road, where white smoke was noticed leaking from under the hood, and the intensity was increasing while the smoke turned black. The local fire department arrived on scene to extinguish the fire. The source of the fire was not identified. It was unknown if a Fire report was filed. A police report was filed. No injuries were sustained, and medical attention was not sought. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was deemed a total loss as it was majoily consumed by the fire. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
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 before being driven to the residence. The contact's neighbor checked the oil level and informed the contact that the oil pan was empty. The oil level was topped off. The contact stated that the vehicle was not due for an oil change for another 200 miles. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that there was no oil in the oil pan. The contact was informed to provide the vehicle service records. …
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving 35-45 MPH, the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. There was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the rod bearing and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Hyundai of Orange Park (7600 Blanding Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244); who determined that the coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the coils and determined the failure was due to the engine. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. …
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving on a busy highway. The contact safely pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine knock sensor failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that the repair was not covered under an unknown recall due to a lack of maintenance records. The contact was advised to contact the Better Business Bureau. …
The contact owned a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that immediately after purchasing the certified vehicle, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode while her grandson was driving approximately 65 MPH, and the vehicle decelerated to 7 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the NOX sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but while leaving the dealer, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who replaced a second NOX sensor and the catalytic converter. The contact stated that days after retrieving the vehicle, the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was towed back to the dealer who diagnosed that the NOX sensor had failed for a third time, within several days of owning the vehicle. The vehicle was traded in. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,944.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light was frequently illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to various independent mechanics and was informed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer for service, and upon inspection, the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was provided with an estimate for the engine replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact was initially informed that the vehicle was covered under warranty; however, the contact was later informed that there was no warranty on the vehicle. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine blew. No warning lights were illuminated. There was white smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,800.
March of 2021 I purchased a new Hyundai Tucson SEL. I have performed all required maintenance (at the dealer no less). In May of 2022 the dealer performed the recall Campaign 966. Since that time, my Tucson has had to go to the dealer 5 times for a P1326 code. This resulted in the check engine light flashing and the car going into protection or limp mode. The vehicle would not accelerate past 30 mph and would not exceed 2000 RPM. This has happened as I have accelerated from either a stop or while in traffic. As of yet the dealer has been unable to permanently resolve the problem. They have replaced the knock sensor. The dealer has replaced spark plugs. The dealer has also replaced the catalytic convertor. They also recently scoped the cylinders and cleaned the engine with pressurized engine detergent. …
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Steering column. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Steering column would not disengage and remained locked up after the vehicle was started and in gear. This have caused me to almost get into a few collisions for the same issue. I have had friends and family, most recently my daughter, in the vehicle when these issues have occurred. I have almost collided with walls, cars, etc due to this issue. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. Despite the numerous videos I have presented documenting these incidents, they state they have been unable to reproduce. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? …
Engine complaints in other Tucson years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, 53% of the model year's 80 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2021 Hyundai Tucson engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2021 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 2021 Hyundai Tucson engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 30% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.