What 983 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell

The problem began in mid to late April 2024 with the Tucson shuddering in the driveway while moving forward slowly. This vehicle has a 1.6L turbo with a dual clutch transmission. The mileage was around 96,000 miles. Once on the road, it ran fine. Approximately a month later the check engine light came on and it began hesitating upon acceleration. It would change to the next gear, accelerate and slam me against the seat! Whenever I try to accelerate too fast, it hesitates and loses power until it "catches" and starts speeding up. This is very dangerous especially when accelerating from a complete stop or after a turn. It also has trouble going up a hill and has actually died out 3 times while attempting to go uphill at a low speed. I am the second owner and it is out of warranty. I have contacted the local Hyundai dealer but their shop does not have a very good reputation and is always backed up for 3+ weeks. They also charge $230 or more to hook up their code reader!! I've already taken it to 2 other shops where that was done at no charge. The code was P073F - Unable to engage gear 1. Of course the only option I've been given is to replace the transmission for $3000 or have it rebuilt for $4100. This problem makes it very dangerous to continue driving it. I get the oil changed every 5000 miles. Of course it's almost paid for but I'm afraid if I try to trade it in I'll be lucky to even get enough to pay it off. I have been endlessly researching this online for recalls, updates or remedies. I want to know if replacing the entire transmission is the only option or is it a component of the transmission or a computer module that is the cause. How do I know the new transmission won't do the same thing?

NHTSA ODI 11608352

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI 11607335

I am not a mechanic, but I know that my engine consumes 5-8 quarts of oil every 3000 miles. In addition to the engine oil consumption problem, I have noticed a severe burning smell in my car cabin, especially on takeoff, but it lingers. Unfortunately, I have to breathe this in every time I drive my car, and it is making my headaches much worse. I have taken my car to a private mechanic's shop, and the mechanic noticed the problem during two previous oil changes. I have not yet taken my car to the police or insurance company. There have been no warning messages or lights illuminated on the dashboard.

NHTSA ODI 11606658

I purchased a 2017 Hyundai Tucson with a 1.6L Turbo GDI engine. After just one month, the engine developed bearing damage. It seems that this problem is common with this type of engine. Does Hyundai have a recall for this engine model?

NHTSA ODI 11606220

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving uphill and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered to cover 95% of the repair costs; however, the contact declined. The failure mileage was approximately 83,287.

NHTSA ODI 11605891

The vehicle had 30,000 miles when purchased and has 62,0000 now using half a quart to quart of oil every thousand miles.

NHTSA ODI 11605567

In June of 2023 at around 79,000 miles. I was driving on the highway and had a sudden loss in acceleration and would not go above 65 mph. During the inspection, the dealership ran the vehicle through 3 tests of oil consumption and it failed 2 out of 3 which did not result in a replacement of the oil pan system. My car continues to burn through oil at an increased rate (every 3000 miles). I know because the dip stick is completely dry when checking it. In July of 2024 at around 84,000 miles, while driving on the interstate, I experienced a loss in acceleration again. My Tucson would not accelerate over 65mph. I took it into the dealership and they found that my catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The replacement was estimated to cost around $5000. For each incident, there were no warning lamps that illuminated on the dash. The oil light did not come on nor did the engine light come on.

NHTSA ODI 11605609

While driving home from work, my engine all of sudden started making a loud knocking noise sounded like you were going up a roller coaster. The oil light started flickering and then the engine light came on. I honestly didn't know if I was going to make it home due to the noise and the car was shaking while driving. I had to have it towed to the dealership. The dealership confirmed the engine needs replaced. I can't even get a new engine anywhere because no one can order one or find one in stock new. I feel it is a safety issue because the engine could have failed on the highway while driving putting myself and others at risk of an accident or maybe even death.

NHTSA ODI 11604360

While driving home from a doctors appointment my engine all of sudden started making a loud knocking noise, the oil light flickered on and off and the check engine light came on. I honestly wasn't sure if I would make it home with the loud noise the engine was making and the car was starting to shake while driving. I did have it towed to the dealership (I have 2 2017 Tucsons both currently at the dealership with blown engines under 60000 miles) and they confirmed the engine needed replaced. I feel this is a safety concern because the engine could have failed while driving putting myself and others at risk of an accident or maybe even death.

NHTSA ODI 11604361

As I was driving my 2017 Hyundai Tuscan to work, my vehicle would not accelerate when I pressed the accelerator. The engine would not function properly leaving me in the middle of moving traffic. I was able to pull off the main road to a safe place. My insurance company (Geico) sent an assessor out 7/22/24 who noted a blown engine due to a prematurely worn connecting rod bearing for which there is a noted recall on this particular vehicle model.

NHTSA ODI 11603782

UNKNOWN the white paint is peeling off of my car causing it to rust the dealership took pictures and inspected it and started a good will claim and said it should be fixed under that and then came back a month later and said hyundai has now canceled all of there goodwill claims for paint repair

NHTSA ODI 11603639

Constantly have to get oil changes. Initially when I would be due for another oil change, the mechanic mentions there is no oil. I started to come sooner than the due date and mileage and same issue. Oil is burning quickly. Car is stuttering and jerky on acceleration, but my car is not apart of that recall. The car headlights continues to change on it on and filters through the light settings on it’s on at random times.

NHTSA ODI 11603218

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking abnormally with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving uphill. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,500.

NHTSA ODI 11603019

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also became aware that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ODI 11602687

This is the second time this year one of the doors refused to open. In May the front passenger door would only open if outside handle was jiggled a few times. Two weeks ago rear door behind driver refuses to open at all - from inside or out! I have small children and this is a safety issue!! I’m terrified either the kids or I will become trapped in an emergency or other unsafe situation. In additional to the emotional impact of this is the financial. The interior door panel - which is plastic - most likely will break and need replacement. Vehicle needs to be in shop for nearly 2 weeks. I can’t trust this vehicle and will never buy this brand again. In the interim a safety recall needs to be initiated. I would not want to dump this unsafe vehicle on someone else with children or elderly people they transport. PLEASE DO something soon!

NHTSA ODI 11602333

Brake lights keep failing after three months, have gone through multiple bulbs and harnesses. Right side will blow and then it switches to the left side.

NHTSA ODI 11601766

My car has been having engine problems causing it to stall while driving. It won’t go past 20miles per hour even if I press on the gas FULLY. This has been happening on and off for a couple of months now. It also burns thru my oil change in less than a week. I took my Hyundai into the dealer multiple times because of the way it drove since 2019 and they always sent me away saying that it was normal. But this car has been a constant stress in my life. Driving it has felt dangerous. Something is definitely WRONG with it and I’m not sure why this recall on the engine now powering up hasn’t hit yet. Death trap of a car.

NHTSA ODI 11599823

Hello, I have a serious problem with my Hyundai Tucson 2017 which is excessively burning oil. An oil change has been done on December 26 2023 (125.600) and a service was due 3 month later (3.000 miles) to perform an oil change but when I went for the oil change on March 26, 2024 at Jiffy Lube, they noticed that there was no oil in the engine and no leaks and suspected that the vehicle might burn oil and the performed a full synthetic oil change (service due after 7500 miles) and after 2800 miles on May 17, 2024 when I checked the oil level, I couldn't see any mark on the stick. I brought them the car and they checked if there was any leak then they filled up the engine. I was monitoring and on June 15, 2024 after 780 miles the level was below the minimum level. I bought a Mobil 1 full synthetic motor oil 5W-30 and filled up the engine up to the maximum level mark on the stick. 2 weeks later, on June 28 I noticed that the oil level was close to the minimum level again. I booked an appointment at Hyundai dealership at Gaithersburg, MD and they refused to check the vehicle without a payment. I paid for the diagnosis and 2 day after they ended up saying that the vehicle is burning 1 quart every 2660 miles (which is below what we observed) and they asked me to pay $1235 for a combustion chamber cleaning to which they added it might not work. I am submitting this request for you to solve this safety problem on my car. Thank you

NHTSA ODI 11599872

The base of the car seat which has recline positions that must be set depending on the weight of the child and whether they are rear or forward facing is faulty. The recline does not lock in place, causing the car seat to slip into an unsafe recline position with any movement of the vehicle or the child in the car seat.

NHTSA ODI 11596524

There are two issues. Acceleration failure while driving and excessive oil leaks that require continually adding oil to the engine. Yes, it is available for inspection on request. The acceleration failure is a safety risk and does put others in danger when I cannot accelerate when needed. For example, entering a freeway. The car has stalled and cut out going only 15 mph. This never happened while stopped, just as I was accelerating from a stopped position. I cannot get on roads where the speed limit is above 50 mph because the car will not go over 50 mph. The manufacturer has inspected these problems. Charged me to correct them, and a month later the problems returned. NO warning lights, or anything, at any time.

NHTSA ODI 11595597

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to work as intended. The contact was unaware if there were any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 24,919.

NHTSA ODI 11594866

On [XXX] my 2017 Hyundai Tucson check engine light came on on [XXX] in Atlanta. Just moments afterward my car began to reduce its speed. It was not driving nearly like it should. My exit was approximately 4 miles from when the check engine light came on. At my exit car started vibrating, I did not think I was going to make it through the light. Even though my car was not driving right and the check engine light being on I did not want to stop and be stuck on the side of the road. I was headed to my daughters house about 2 and half miles off the interstate. With my emergency flashers on I made to her subdivision. As I proceeded up the hill it would not go, it started going in reverse. Needless to say I was starting to panic. My son in law was the first car to come, he told me to turn the engine off and restart. That didnt help. So he got in my car and put in Neutral. We were a few yards from their house. I had car towed to dealership on INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11594363

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine, and the contact was unable to keep driving the vehicle. The contact was able to pull the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to a local dealer where the failure was related to an engine malfunction and oil leaking. The contact was advised that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced twice. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

NHTSA ODI 11594456

Driver Seat (where your bottom sits) has lateral movement during cornering. Dealer repaired /replaced parts initally under warranty, but issue is reoccuring again... As a senior citizen; this gives an uncomfortable feeling with driver postioning.

NHTSA ODI 11593276

Tucson currently has 98,000 miles on the engine and is burning extreme amounts of oil. Oil consumption issues became known as early as 75,000. Per 1,000 miles of driving, the Hyundai dealership notes the car is losing over 2 quarts of oil. I have been having to return to the dealership every 1,000 miles to be monitored. I have already had to pay replace my catalytic converter, which I believe was a result of the excess rate of oil burn from the engine. I have also had to pay to replace the oil gaskets in the oil pan even though there was no noticeable sign that the engine was leaking oil. I am now being told I am going to need to have an engine head cleaning repair that will take several days. Once that is complete, I will have to undergo continued oil consumption testing to determine the results. They are requesting I produce my service records or Hyundai will not cover the repairs. Almost all of the service on this vehicle was done at the dealership and I was never notified of any issue with oil consumption. A separate mechanic, while performing a quote, did an oil change and noted the car was completely out of oil. This engine is well known for its oil consumption issues and Hyundai does not seem to want to take responsibility for their defective engine.

NHTSA ODI 11592883