What 369 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev

On March 21st, while driving my Hyundai vehicle, I noticed the vehicle began making a ticking sound. After stopping the vehicle, it slowly began catching on fire. The fire ultimately spread and resulted in the vehicle becoming a total loss. This created a serious safety concern and placed me at risk. I later learned there was a recall associated with the vehicle. However, I never received any recall notices because Hyundai reportedly had the wrong address on file. Had I been properly notified of the recall and potential safety risks, I would have done everything in my power to ensure the vehicle was inspected, repaired, and safe to drive. Because I was unaware of the recall issue, the vehicle continued to be operated without my knowledge of the potential danger. The incident caused significant financial and transportation hardship, including loss of reliable transportation and additional financial strain. Hyundai later reached a determination regarding the matter, but I remain concerned about the serious safety risk and the fact that I did not receive proper recall notification before the incident occurred. I am submitting this complaint because I believe the recall notification process and handling of this matter should be reviewed further due to the serious safety risk involved.

NHTSA ODI 11737337

The contact's daughter owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that his daughter had parked the vehicle and left it unattended while in the on position. After approximately 10-15 minutes, the daughter attempted to shut off the vehicle by turning the ignition key from the front passenger side, but after powering off the vehicle rolled backwards down the driveway, also dragging the daughter. While rolling backwards, the front passenger door hit the concrete mail box, and the vehicle continued to roll across the street before stopping in the neighbor's yard. During the incident, the daughter attempted to activate the emergency brake, but was unsuccessful. As a result, the daughter sustained several bruises to the right leg/knee and the back area, which did not require medical treatment. The passenger side door and the concrete mail box were damaged. The police were called to the scene, but no report was filed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the incident. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11705009

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! After looking on line concerning the malfunction it seems there are abundant claims from other 2017-2019 Hyundai Tucson owners that have experienced this exact mechanical defect under this frightening description of a surge or acceleration out of the drivers control! It's the craziest, scariest thing ever. We have taken the car in for a recall concerning the check engine light regarding the catalytic converter prior to this incident. The car is well cared for and maintained and has never been in any accident.

NHTSA ODI 11682968

on [XXX], we received the Tucson back from dealer from a complete engine replacement due to recall. On [XXX], our college son was returning to school from visiting a friend. He said he thought the car sounded a little different. There were no engine light warnings, so he didn't think much of it. About an hour into the trip, he started to smell gas, a few minutes later he started to smell smoke and saw smoke coming into the vehicle through the consoles. He looked behind him and saw a trail of fire and smoke. He decided to pull over but the brakes FAILED. He went into the median, applied the emergency brake and waited until the car slowed down. He was able to grab his phone that had fallen beneath his seat from driving onto the median. Once he was out of the vehicle, he could definitely see the car was on fire. It was entirely engulfed in flames within seconds. He called 911 and they were able to put out the fire within 30 minutes, but they commented that it was a difficult fire to extinguish. The car was completely destroyed front to back. We do not know if this problem started with engine, fuel tank or brakes. It is one thing when your car is on fire and you can pull over and get out. It is entirely another when you need to get out of your car but the brakes fail. You have to delay getting out of the car to ensure you don't hurt others on the road and save yourself before it explodes. We are lucky he is alive but are worried for others with this car. We thought we were done with car prolems after the engine replacement but we just moved onto another problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11644763

I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding the recent theft of my 2019 Hyundai Tucson, which I believe was exacerbated by a software update provided by Hyundai. Several months ago, I had my vehicle updated with a software patch at a Hyundai dealership, specifically intended to address vulnerabilities related to vehicle theft. However, despite the update, my vehicle was stolen on August 8, 2024, and later totaled in a crash. I have been informed by police and insurance company officials that thieves are now exploiting a method involving breaking a window and popping the ignition, as demonstrated in online videos. This method remains effective despite the software update. Adding to my frustration, Hyundai placed a sticker on my driver’s window to indicate the software update. This inadvertently advertised to thieves that my vehicle was among those with the known vulnerability, potentially making it a target.

NHTSA ODI 11614909

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH and making a left turn a second vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. 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. The local dealer was contact regarding the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 39,000.

NHTSA ODI 11607901

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle slowed down. 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. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced. Additionally, while driving, an unknown vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle, and it continued to move forward. The steering wheel became stuck and was uncontrollable. The driver shifted the gears to park and neutral. The vehicle was idling high and low. The driver depressed the push-to-start button, but the vehicle continued to move and drove onto the lawn over a flower bed and fence, went across a two-way highway, slowed down, and stopped. The vehicle was towed to a body shop. A police report was filed. There were no reported injuries, fire, or air bag deployment. The manufacturer was contacted to obtain the EDR box, and they sent an engineer who reported that the air bags were not supposed to deploy and was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

NHTSA ODI 11605477

I was driving approx 55mph on [XXX] in my 2019 hyundai tucson when the check engine light came on and the engine started to stall. I felt the acceleration dying down in the middle of busy highway traffic. Gray smoke started coming from the hood cracks. I luckily was in the right lane already, so when I could I veered off to the shoulder and the car quit. The smoke was increasing badly. Ppl from the highway were yelling its going to blow up get away from it! I was so scared. I grabbed my phone and keys and ran as far as I could while dialing 911. Within a couple minutes flames were swallowing the entire engine and front of the car. I am furious. I researched online and hyundai has had many similar incidents with this car and other with this engine ! These need to be banned and taken off the road before they kill anyone else. Ppl have been injured and killed from similar situations just like mine. I thank God I made it out of this horrific situation alive. But now I have no car and am at risk of losing my job and then housing . I thought I would have this car for years. Now I'm traumatized and without transportation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11594075

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. My safety was compromised both when I was T boned by the first car on the passenger side of my car, which no air bags deployed at that time, and then from that car, I was pushed into oncoming traffic, where I was hit head on from another car. I was jilted to the left and sustained injuries, and then when I was struck head on, I was jilted forward towards the steering wheel, and then jilted backwards, also resulting in injury. I believe all other airbags on the other 2 cars were deployed. However, my car, and myself received the most severe damage to my car and myself. The car has been inspected by the police, and the Tow Truck owner in person. The insurance company, and hospital personnel has viewed the vehicle by pictures only. However, I am awaiting communications from the claims adjuster. I am unaware of any waring lamps etc. as the wreck happened less than a second. I was doing 35-40 mph, and she pulled out in front of me, and I had no chance or opportunity to apply my brakes. I have a chest wall, and left shoulder contusion, a concussion, an a hairline fractured collarbone. I do believe that if the airbags had deployed, I would not have suffered these injuries, or the severity.

NHTSA ODI 11583313

The contact owned a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while the contact's wife was driving and parking the vehicle, the contact's wife depressed the brake pedal and the service brakes were inoperable. In addition, the contact stated that the anti collision braking system was inoperable and did not function as intended. The contact stated that due to the failure, the vehicle crashed into several oversize planters in the parking lot. In addition, the vehicle crashed into a wooden fence and then crashed into a tree. The contact's seventeen-year-old granddaughter was seated in the front passenger seat of the vehicle. 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's wife sustained an injury to the mouth due to the deployment of the air bag. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.

NHTSA ODI 11569111

I was driving on the highway. The engine began making a ticking noise that momentarily went away and then quickly got louder. I saw white smoke out of the back, pulled over, and then saw black smoke from the front. The check engine light only momentarily came out AFTER the white smoke was visible and I was actively pulling over. I ran out of the car, and turned to look only to see a fire under the engine bay. I did not have a collision nor hit anything on the road. Engine had full synthetic oil in it, and the oil was changed less than 10,000 miles precious. (Also checked oil level/condition the week before). The car went from driving fine, to entirely engulfed in flames within 2-4 minutes. Maine state police: case# 245000657 The vehicle has not been inspected by the insurance company yet. The report will be sent to me, and it is currently available for inspection upon request. I literally could have burned alive. My family could have been trapped. I was on the highway, LUCKILY I decided to pull over when I did. If I did not, within 40 seconds I would’ve been engulfed in flames. I have most certainly not been sleeping well in the least bit. The only warning sign happened 5-10 seconds before I was out of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11563969

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH and slowing the vehicle, she observed that the vehicle in front was braking. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the pedal went to the floorboard as she was depressing it. 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. The contact stated that the hood was dented and the grill was broken, also there was damage to her headlights, and both lights were cracked. The damage to the other vehicle was minimal, only scratches. The contact's vehicle had to be towed. The contact stated she and the other driver were not injured. The police were on the scene and filed a report. The vehicle was towed to a collision center and was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

NHTSA ODI 11563826

The contact called on behalf of the owner who owned a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle caught fire. The fire marshals extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V543000 ( Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The contact stated the goal is to recover costs for Dollar General for this damage.

NHTSA ODI 11529534

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at low speeds, pulling into a parking spot on an incline, the vehicle accelerated and failed to stop. Then the vehicle traveled through several 15-gallon pots with trees, a patio, elliptical machines, and a wooden fence. The driver veered to the left, went down a mountain approximately 30 feet, continued down the hill, and crashed into a pine tree where it came to a halt. The occupant in the front passenger seat sustained a concussion. The driver sustained injuries to her lip and medical attention was provided. 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. The manufacturer was contacted, who provided claim number 21135585, and had the vehicle inspected but indicated the brake pedal had not been depressed but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 27,000.

NHTSA ODI 11522591

Car caught fire on the expressway.

NHTSA ODI 11519665

I needed to stop quickly, but not unreasonably fast. I had time to consider my passenger and that this would be a quick stop for them. I then firmly applied the brakes and it felt like something kicked in causing the car specifically not to stop or slow down as expected. I subsequently had to push harder and harder to try to get the car to stop, which it didn't in time and I t-boned another vehicle (minor) that then left the scene. My passenger, who I do not have a relationship with and had just met that night, turned to me and said "you're car didn't stop." She noticed this as well. Upon having it fixed at the auto body shop, they found that "the brake pedal is below the gas pedal and keeping brakes applied when brake pedal is released. The brake pedal assembly is bend and holding brake pads applied when driving." I spoke to the technician (owner?) who said that "if the pedal assembly is bending instead of stopping then it is possible that this caused it." He also suggested that "brake assemblies don't bend" and that he has never seen or heard of one bending in his decades of work. All I know is that I applied the brakes quickly, but not unreasonably and the car reacted in a way causing it not to stop when it should have. Whether this was a problem with the ABS or the brake pedal assembly bending, I am not sure. I do want to document that this car did not stop as it should have and feel that a mechanical problem caused this collision. Fortunately we made light contact with the other vehicle, the air bags did not go off and there were no injuries. There was, however serious risk of injury should cars have been only a few feet further in any direction. This car was repaired by a body shop.

NHTSA ODI 11492958

The contact leased a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph and making a turn, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and she crashed into an unknown vehicle. The brake warning light was illuminated. There was smoke detected in the vehicle. The air bag deployed. The contact sustained injuries to the arm and medical attention was provided. The passenger occupant did not sustain any injuries. There were no reported fires. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 8,600.

NHTSA ODI 11489544

The contact leased a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated on four separate occasions while driving and without warning, the vehicle jerked and lunged forward. The contact then stated that the second time while idled in line behind another vehicle, the vehicle jerked and then lunged forward. As a result, the vehicle rear-ended another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The contact then stated that the third time while stopped at a stop light, the vehicle jerked and lunged forward almost causing the vehicle to rear end another vehicle. The contact also stated that a fourth time while idle, the vehicle jerked and lunged forward without warning. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the jerk happens. The manufacturer was notified of the failure where it confirmed that the vehicle jerked but did not offer any further assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 22,800

NHTSA ODI 11480966

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

NHTSA ODI 11472109

The contact owned a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH the vehicle started smoking and overheating. The contact was able to pull over safely. There were no warning lights on the instrument panel. Once the vehicle stopped the doors were automatically locked. The nearby drivers notified the contact of the fire under the vehicle. Once the contact exited the vehicle, the engine was destroyed by the fire. The inside of the vehicle was still functional. The state police arrived on the scene; however, a police report has not been obtained. The fire department also arrived and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a wrecking yard. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. There were no injuries or medical reports. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

NHTSA ODI 11462245

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE BY HER INSURANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO HYUNDAI OF ST. AUGUSTINE, 2898 U.S. 1, ST. AUGUSTINE, FL 32086, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL NOTIFICATION RECEIVED WAS NOT RELATED TO FAILURE THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCING OF THE SMOKE. THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V543000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) ABS UNIT MAY CAUSE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,933.

NHTSA ODI 11378269

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2019 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS MOTHER IN LAW WAS DRIVING 55 MPH OVER A SLIGHT HILL, THE DRIVER REACHED AN ICY PATCH AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER AND STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING IT TO SHATTER. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCONSCIOUS FOR A BRIEF MOMENT AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION VIA AMBULANCE ON THE SCENE. THE DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONE D THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RENTED VIA ENTERPRISE. THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY TOWED TO BERGLUND CHEVROLET BUICK (1824 WILLIAMSON RD NE, ROANOKE, VA 24012, (540) 344-1461), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 19,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11291025

DRIVING HWY SPEEDS 65MPH, CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION AND ALMOST KILLED BY TRUCK WHILE CHANGING LANES. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CAR THEN DIED, LOCKED, AND CAN NOT BE OPENED WITH PHYSICAL KEY, KEY FOB NOR BLUELINK REMOTE. CAR IS BRAND NEW JULY PURCHASE 1800 MILES. BLUELINK SHOWS 0 PROBLEMS UNDER DIAGNOSTICS.

NHTSA ODI 11270466

1.3 MILES AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE 2019 HYUNDAI TUCSON IT STARTED TO SMOKE. 5 MINUTES LATER IT WAS ON FIRE!! IT HAD LESS THAN 400 MILES ON IT AND I'VE YET TO FIND OUT WHAT EXACTLY CAUSED THE FIRE. HYUNDAI OR THE DEALERSHIP WON'T TELL ME. THE FIRE CAME FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START IT AND CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11265995