AI Damage2019 Hyundai Tucson: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Hyundai Tucson filed 385 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and service brakes. The maker issued 126 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 385
- involving a crash
- 15
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 126
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 52% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 31% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- 7 Forward collision avoidance 3% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 2% of all complaints
- Engine: 201 complaints (52% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 28.
- Service brakes: 118 complaints (31% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Electrical system: 47 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 45.
- Powertrain: 42 complaints (11% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 28 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 5 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 385 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 201 | 2 | 28 |
| Service brakes | 118 | 6 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 47 | 1 | 45 |
| Powertrain | 42 | 2 | 9 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 28 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 0 | 2 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| Lane departure | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 32 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Air bags | 3 | 3 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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!
During the crash the vehicle sustained severe front end damaged but the air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a concussion that later required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A police report was taken at the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined.
There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving, a month later, the vehicle slowed down.
None of the air bags deployed. The vehicle is currently sitting in a tow yard, but is awaiting a an assessment by the insurance adjuster. If the car is totaled, I do not know where it will go.
The fire department and the police arrived on the scene. A police report and fire report were filed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The contact's granddaughter sustained a concussion and currently suffers from headaches.
The contact stated that she was pumping the brake pedal and she stated that the vehicle jerked and crashed into the rear end of the vehicle in front of her. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that her front end was damaged by the trailer hitch ball on the other vehicle.
There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the police station. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The driver's side front and passenger side front air bags were deployed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
Our Hyundai Tucson was hit from behind in a multi-car collision at approximately 30 mph and front driver and passenger seats collapsed to the reclining position
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 159 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 8% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Tucson has 425 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 385, about average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this…
- Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition…
- Some Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine may exhibit a continued DTC P132600 after an ECM…
Some Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine may exhibit a continued DTC P132600 after an ECM logic update has been performed per TSB 24-01-068H, Engine Monitoring Logic (Service Campaign 966). This bulletin…
- Certain vehicles may exhibit excessive paint peeling or bubbling of the primer/paint film on the exterior…
Certain vehicles may exhibit excessive paint peeling or bubbling of the primer/paint film on the exterior metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. This warranty extension…
- Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may…
Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation. If present, this condition is…
- Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II…
Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these…
- Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II…
Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. This bulletin provides instructions for updating the Engine…
- Certain Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels
hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. The paint warranty coverage for affected vehicles has been extended to 10 years/unlimited miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of…
- Some Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels
hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. The paint warranty coverage for affected vehicles has been extended to 10 years/unlimited miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety…
- Certain 2019 – 2020 model year Santa Fe, 2017 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2015 – 2019 model year…
Certain 2019 – 2020 model year Santa Fe, 2017 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2015 – 2019 model year Sonata, and 2018 – 2021 model year Tucson vehicles may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. Hyundai is conducting…
NHTSA lists 126 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Hyundai Tucson?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, service brakes, electrical system. Total complaints: 385. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (28%), smoke, burning smell, fire (14%), oil leak or consumption (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Hyundai Tucson?
NHTSA lists 126 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2019 Hyundai Tucson from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2019 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.