BestCarRank
Hyundai

2019 Hyundai TUCSON

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Hyundai TUCSON has 517 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 314. The most common issue is engine problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: vehicle was in motion on i20/459 entry ramp in birmingham, al. vehicle stopped and cut off completely in the middle of the busy interstate. acceleration slowed until vehicle died and all error lights appeared and flashed on dash with a "service now" alert. placed the vehicle in park, and turned the . There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 19 fire reports filed.

19 fire reports 14 crash reports 6 injuries

517

Total Complaints

1

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

195 complaints
38%
  • VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON I20/459 ENTRY RAMP IN BIRMINGHAM, AL. VEHICLE STOPPED AND CUT OFF COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY INTERSTATE. ACCELERATION SLOWED UNTIL VEHICLE DIED AND ALL ERROR LIGHTS APPEARED AND FLASHED ON DASH WITH A "SERVICE NOW" ALERT. PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND TURNED THE
  • I PURCHASED NEW 2019 HYUNDAI TUSCAN ULTIMATE THIS MAY. IN THE FIRST WEEK THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT LID UP. I TOOK IT TO DEALER AND 2 DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED AS FIXED. BASED ON DEALER'S RESOLUTIONS IT WAS EVAP LEAK CODE AND THEY JUST HAD TO REPLACE THE CAP. WEEK LATER THE SIGN CAME BACK AG
  • SPORADIC HESITATION WHEN STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 15 TIMES, USUALLY WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THE CAR HAS 4000 MILES AND HAS BEEN IN SERVICE ABOUT 6 MONTHS. THE SERVICE MANAGER.STATED THEY HAVE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS BUT IS PROBABLY DUE TO THE "SMART" TRANSMI
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 7 fire reports💥 2 crashes

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON I20/459 ENTRY RAMP IN BIRMINGHAM, AL. VEHICLE STOPPED AND CUT OFF COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY INTERSTATE. ACCELERATION SLOWED UNTIL VEHICLE DIED AND ALL ERROR LIGHTS APPEARED AND FLASHED ON DASH WITH A "SERVICE NOW" ALERT. PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND TURNED THE

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2019 Hyundai TUCSON

Based on 127 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 18K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
83
30-60K
21
60-100K
15
100-150K
6
150-200K
0
200K+
2

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 50K mi · 41 reports
0-30K
16
30-60K
8
60-100K
12
100-150K
5
150-200K
0
200K+
0

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 17K mi · 26 reports
0-30K
20
30-60K
5
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 11K mi · 16 reports
0-30K
12
30-60K
3
60-100K
1
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
9
30-60K
0
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 12K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
0
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
1

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 4K mi · 7 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
1
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE04/09/2020

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. The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.

Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.

Fix: 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. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.

High theft risk

#17 most stolen in 2025

The Hyundai TUCSON was the #17 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 5,900 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Kia Boys / TikTok theft vulnerabilityModel years 2010-2021 Hyundai and Kia vehicles without engine immobilizers were widely targeted starting in 2022 after a viral TikTok exploit. If you own this vehicle, verify it has an ignition immobilizer or install a security upgrade. Hyundai and Kia both offered free software updates and steering-wheel-lock programs for affected models.
Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Hyundai TUCSON

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,087
Per month
$174
Per mile
17.4¢
MPG
23
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,286/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,847/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Hyundai TUCSON

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,900
Full coverage / month
$158
Liability only / year
$600
vs US avg
+14%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x
× theft risk1.15x
× safety rating0.94x
× vehicle age1.00x
= Full coverage estimate$1900

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Hyundai TUCSON Service Intervals

Oil change
8K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
8K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
60K mi
Spark plugs
90K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

Turbo engines (1.6T, 2.0T) need premium fuel and more frequent oil (some owners service at 5,000 miles).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Hyundai New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
5 yr / 60K mi
Powertrain
10 yr / 100K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
10 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
7 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
5 yr / unlimited mi

10 years/100K powertrain warranty is transferable only to first purchaser after initial owner

These are the terms for a new Hyundai. If you're buying a used 2019 TUCSON, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Hyundai dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 517 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON I20/459 ENTRY RAMP IN BIRMINGHAM, AL. VEHICLE STOPPED AND CUT OFF COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY INTERSTATE. ACCELERATION SLOWED UNTIL VEHICLE DIED AND ALL ERROR LIGHTS APPEARED AND FLASHED ON DASH WITH A "SERVICE NOW" ALERT. PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND TURNED THE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BRAKES: VEHICLE HAS 1,750 MILES. DRIVING TO WORK NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SINKING WITHIN 2" OF FLOOR. BRAKE PEDAL FELT SPONGY. TURNED ENGINE OFF AND PUMPED BRAKE 3 TIMES, PEDAL SUNK WITHING 2" OF FLOOR. TURNED ENGINE ON, PUMPED BRAKE 3 TIMES, SAME THING HAPPEND. THE VEHICLE DID STOP BUT IN AN E

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON I20/459 ENTRY RAMP IN BIRMINGHAM, AL. VEHICLE STOPPED AND CUT OFF COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY INTERSTATE. ACCELERATION SLOWED UNTIL VEHICLE DIED AND ALL ERROR LIGHTS APPEARED AND FLASHED ON DASH WITH A "SERVICE NOW" ALERT. PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND TURNED THE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: UNCONTROLLED SPEEDING HARD IMPACT ON BUMP VERY LOW SUSPENSION SYSTEM HIGHER MPG THAN ADVERTISED

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Hyundai dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

At a Glance

Complaints
517
Recalls
1
Fire reports
19
Crash reports
14
Injury reports
6
Segment avg
314

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2019 Hyundai TUCSON