Which Hyundai Tucson years have the most engine problems?

The 2018 and 2019 model years lead, with 148 and 120 engine complaints. Both are mostly about burned oil, knocking, and engine failure. The 2022 year has 60 complaints, mainly injector failures and stalling. Newer years have fewer reports, but they have also had less time to collect them.

Is it safe to drive a Tucson that burns oil?

Owners and mechanics in the reports call it risky. Low oil can lead to knocking, sudden power loss, and engine failure at highway speed. Fires appear in 2018, 2019, and 2021 complaints. If the oil runs low between changes, have it checked before relying on the car.

Is there a recall for Tucson engine problems?

Federal recall records list one engine recall, 25V549000, for 2025 and 2026 Tucsons. Connecting rod bolts may have been improperly tightened, which can cause loss of drive power and engine damage. Dealers will replace the engine free. The records list no other engine recall for this model.

What does a Tucson engine repair cost?

The data gives no engine repair price. Independent repair-cost data puts the model's overall yearly repair cost at $426, which covers all repairs. Owners report that engine replacement is the usual outcome of the worst failures, and some say Hyundai denied coverage, so out-of-pocket cost can be high.

Will Hyundai cover a Tucson engine that burns oil?

Reports are mixed but often negative. Owners describe oil consumption tests, carbon cleanings, and denied replacement requests, especially for second owners and cars out of warranty. Keep every oil change record and ask the dealer to document each visit, because coverage often turns on that paperwork.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Hyundai Tucson Engine Problems

Oil burning that leads to knocking, stalling, and engine failure is the main Hyundai Tucson engine problem, mostly in 2018 and 2019 cars.

Owner complaints: 411
Share of all complaints: 22%
Crash / fire / injury reports: 3 / 9 / 3
Related recalls: 1

Tucson engine complaints by model year

The 2018 model year has the most engine complaints at 148, followed by 2019 at 120. Those two years also have the highest rates per vehicles sold. The 2022 year has 60 and 2020 has 44. The 2021 year has 21. Later years drop sharply, with 12 for 2023 and 3 each for 2024 and 2025. The 2026 year has none. Those low counts mostly reflect less time on the road, so they do not show that newer cars are sound.

2018
148 · 9.6/10k sold
2019
120 · 8.7/10k sold
2020
44 · 3.6/10k sold
2021
21 · 1.5/10k sold
2022
60 · 3.4/10k sold
2023
12 · 0.6/10k sold
2024
3 · 0.1/10k sold
2025
3 · 0.1/10k sold
2026
0

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under engine, engine and engine cooling. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.

What goes wrong

Oil use leads the complaints. Owners report engines burning a quart or more every 1,000 miles despite regular oil changes, with no visible leak. The low-oil light often stays dark or only flickers. Many cases progress to knocking, a flashing check engine light, metal shavings in the oil, and a replacement engine. Newer cars show a different pattern: failed fuel injectors and misfires that cause stalling.

This is a safety issue as well as a cost issue. Cars lose power at highway speed, and some stall with little warning. Fire reports appear in the 2018, 2019, and 2021 model years, including fires that followed a loud knock and sudden power loss. One 2021 fire involved injuries. Some cars were destroyed or needed a whole new engine. Owners also say Hyundai denied engine claims, which leaves some out-of-warranty and second owners paying for the damage.

Symptoms owners report

Heavy oil consumption

Oil disappears between changes, often a quart every 1,000 miles or worse, and some owners find the dipstick dry. The low-oil light may flicker only in turns or hard braking. Burned oil also clogs catalytic converters, which some owners replaced more than once.

Knocking and rod bearing failure

A loud knock, a flashing check engine light, and metal shavings in the oil often come before a dealer calls for a new engine. Several reports describe a bad rod bearing or a seized engine, sometimes with the oil light flickering first.

Power loss and stalling

Cars stop responding to the gas pedal at highway speed. Owners describe jerking, a shaking floorboard, limp mode capped near 50 mph, and full shutdowns. Some get no warning light at all. Restarting sometimes works, but the problem returns.

Failed fuel injectors and misfires

Mostly in 2022 and 2023 cars, high-pressure fuel injectors fail and the engine shakes, sputters, and quits. A fuel smell is sometimes reported. Dealers replace one injector at a time, so owners return when another cylinder fails.

Engine fires

Fire reports describe popping or clicking noises, then white smoke that turns black, then flames from the engine bay. Some owners had a loud knock and sudden power loss first. Others saw no warning light before the fire.

Hybrid hesitation

Hybrids in 2023 and 2024 reports pause a second or more when pulling away, then lunge forward. No codes or warning lights appear, and repeat dealer visits have not fixed it. Drivers describe close calls at busy intersections.

When the problems start

Oil problems often start around 60,000 miles in 2018 cars. In 2020 cars, consumption usually shows up around 70,000 to 85,000 miles. Engine replacements in 2019 cars were often reported between 51,000 and 60,059 miles. Some failures come much sooner, including a spun bearing at 32,000 miles. Injector failures in 2022 and 2023 cars appear as early as 8,000 to 15,000 miles.

Repairs and recalls

Dealers usually start with a 1,000-mile oil consumption test and a carbon cleaning before they consider a new engine. Owners say the cleaning rarely lasts. Catalytic converters, injectors, and an engine software update were tried in some cars without stopping the problem. Injector repairs are done one cylinder at a time. Engine replacement is the common end result, and many owners report denied claims. Federal recall 25V549000 covers 2025 and 2026 Tucsons for possibly improperly tightened connecting rod bolts. Dealers will replace the engine free of charge. Owner letters were mailed October 23, 2025.

Model years	Campaign	Problem
2025, 2026	25V549000	Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power and engine…

Checking a used Tucson for engine problems

Pull the dipstick on a cold engine. Walk away from any car that reads low, then ask how much oil the seller adds between changes.
Ask for dated oil change records and any record of a dealer oil consumption test or carbon cleaning.
Scan for stored codes and check for catalytic converter codes such as P0420, which several owners report.
Listen for knocking or ticking at idle and under hard acceleration, and watch for a flickering oil light on the test drive.
On a 2022 or 2023 car, ask about injector replacements and drive on the highway for stumbling or shaking.
Enter the VIN on the federal recall lookup for a 2025 or 2026 car and confirm the engine recall work is done.

1 engine recall cover the Hyundai Tucson. A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.

Look Up a VIN →

Hyundai Tucson Engine Problems: common questions

Which Hyundai Tucson years have the most engine problems?: The 2018 and 2019 model years lead, with 148 and 120 engine complaints. Both are mostly about burned oil, knocking, and engine failure. The 2022 year has 60 complaints, mainly injector failures and stalling. Newer years have fewer reports, but they have also had less time to collect them.
Is it safe to drive a Tucson that burns oil?: Owners and mechanics in the reports call it risky. Low oil can lead to knocking, sudden power loss, and engine failure at highway speed. Fires appear in 2018, 2019, and 2021 complaints. If the oil runs low between changes, have it checked before relying on the car.
Is there a recall for Tucson engine problems?: Federal recall records list one engine recall, 25V549000, for 2025 and 2026 Tucsons. Connecting rod bolts may have been improperly tightened, which can cause loss of drive power and engine damage. Dealers will replace the engine free. The records list no other engine recall for this model.
What does a Tucson engine repair cost?: The data gives no engine repair price. Independent repair-cost data puts the model's overall yearly repair cost at $426, which covers all repairs. Owners report that engine replacement is the usual outcome of the worst failures, and some say Hyundai denied coverage, so out-of-pocket cost can be high.
Will Hyundai cover a Tucson engine that burns oil?: Reports are mixed but often negative. Owners describe oil consumption tests, carbon cleanings, and denied replacement requests, especially for second owners and cars out of warranty. Keep every oil change record and ask the dealer to document each visit, because coverage often turns on that paperwork.

More on the Hyundai Tucson

See incorrect data? Report an issue