What 169 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid

In August/September 2025 my mother's Tucson would randomly shut down on her (completely stall while driving) and she would not be able to turn it back on. If she waited a little while, then she would be able to turn the car back on but it was unknown when the issue would happen again. We took it to the dealer several times after each shutdown and the dealer stated it was not throwing a code and they could not diagnose the problem. The last time we took it to the dealer, the vehicle shut down while they were test driving it and they discovered it was a rear wheel sensor which is part of the ABS system. When the car would stall, lights on the dashboard would start flashing and the car would shudder to a stall. Since repairing that rear wheel sensor, the car has not exhibited the issue until 3 days ago when it again shut down randomly while she was in traffic. This, of course was terribly frightening for her as cars were honking at her and whipping around her vehicle. She was not able to get the car started. A police officer came and parked behind her car, calmed her down, and got her to try the car one more time and it did start up and she was able to proceed to the closest parking lot. After that we followed her home and have an appt. set to go back to the dealership. We are expecting the same run around at the dealer who charges excessive fees to diagnose and then repair the car. My Mom is [XXX] so this is a dangerous vehicle for her to be driving (really for anyone) as I am reading on line others reporting this same condition. I am expecting that they will find that a different rear wheel sensor has failed for which they will want another $800.00 to repair or maybe more now. Obviously we must get rid of this vehicle. It has less than 25,000 miles on it because she only drives to the grocery store and back. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11738618

I have experienced 4 repeated issues within 4 months with my vehicle. Starting in September 2025 and the 4th and current issue today 1/12/26. Driving when all of a sudden all of my brake components lamps come on dash oard, forward collision alert, and check engine, my vehicle struggles to accelerate accurately. Blue Link diagnostic throws various codes such as ECM, Transmission Control System, even "multiple possible issues". Each time my vehicle has been at Hyundai dealership for repair. Each time they repair something different 1st- replace ABS module and hydraulic brake, 2nd - happened out of state at my mother funeral and replaced my ECM, 3rd couldn't figure it out and guessed it was my Forward collision camera and replaced it, 4th - is today and awaiting dealership diagnosis. This issue has left me stranded several times local and long distance, occured in middle of driving including on highway, and overall uncertain of the safety and reliability of the vehicle as each time it has been the same type of issue. I have been in communication with Hyundai Corporate since October and they stated that even tho I only have 24k miles on the vehicle that it is outside the state of IN lemon laws for a buyback. If I hadn't purchased an extended warranty I would be in even more debt or unable to put it in the shop even tho I don't feel like this should be my burden when I have kept this vehicle in great shape, low mileage, frequent oil changes, etc . however the safety of my vehicles goes unresolved. At this point I am uncertain that Hyundai is properly diagnosing my vehicle and not certain how these issues are impacting other components of my vehicle such as brakes, transmission, engine, sensors. I am the only owner of this vehicle bought brand new. I have checked repeatedly for any recalls that I have not addressed and at this time none are pending. I fear that this vehicle will continue to have more safety issues.

NHTSA ODI 11710567

Was told by dealership that forward camera assist is not functioning, but could not tell me why it failed all of a sudden. No accidents. $1586 to repair because no longer under warranty. Vehicle is only 5 years old.

NHTSA ODI 11687578

At times, this vehicle will refuse to go. You will get an alert in the dash that the emergency braking system has engaged. It may be a door is not completely shut, or sometimes it's just that I don't have my seat belt on. It seems to be inconsistent, because I often times put my seat belt on after I finish backing out, and am ready to go forward. If there is any kind of incident that requires a fast escape, this "feature" could cost somebody their life, or cause them to deal with a carjacking. The car needs to go when I tell it to go.

NHTSA ODI 11654177

While driving the vehicle suddenly started alarming indicating to check "Forward Collision Warning" followed by an alert to check "Lane Keeping Assistant." Immediately pulled off the road shut the vehicle off and checked the perimeter. No issues noted. Issue continues, while waiting for service from local dealers.

NHTSA ODI 11603861

Warning lights for Lane keeping, Blind Spot, ABS, Autohold, Foward collision systems came on and will not reset. Reports of this all over hyundai forums and owner fan pages (Facebook, etc). It can fool the driver into believing the car is about to be in an accident prompting panic response in drivers.

NHTSA ODI 11531096

The contact's father owns a 2020 Hyundai Tucson. The contact's father stated that while driving at various speeds, the Forward Collision Avoidance message was displayed; however, there was no other vehicle nearby. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that an unknown sensor needed to be replaced; however, the contact's father was made aware that there was a backorder on the part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

NHTSA ODI 11497327

Both waning lights came on for lane assist and forward collision warning. I took the vehicle to the dealership. They said the camera was not working and I would have to pay $1700.00 to install a new one. It appears there are 2 separate cameras involved. I was asked if I struck anything. I did not and the camera in the grill is I damaged as is the forward collision camera in the rear view mirror. The paperwork I received from the dealer says “software error” I have not had the work done due to the cost. I was also told by the dealer that they are aware of other customers with the same problem.

NHTSA ODI 11493220

It happened on two different occasions but only when driving at high speed using the Cruise Control. Here is what happened. Driving on the Cruise Control I “Set” it to 70 mph. Driving on the two lane highway with both lanes blocked by other vehicles, I pressed the “brake” pedal. The car slowed down and I continued driving at a lower speed. When traffic in front of me cleared, I pressed the “Resume” button on Cruise Control. With no obstacles in front of me, my car was supposed to accelerate to the previously set speed of 70 mph. Instead, it was slowing down. When pressing the gas pedal the car was not accelerating. It felt like the car “lost power.” It felt like the automatic transmission shifted to a Neutral or may be the lowest gear. Pushing the gas pedal did not do anything and on both occasions I managed to steer the car to a road shoulder. It was a scary situation with heavy fast moving traffic on a narrow mountain highway. I stopped the car, then tried to go again. It would go very slow on, what felt like, the lowest gear without acceleration. I then stopped the car again and turned off the engine. Turning the ignition off resets the electronics and I was able to get back on the road. The car continued to drive normally on Cruise Control until the same happened again the next day. As I said, it happened on two different occasions. From there on I avoided pushing the “Resume” button on Cruise Control and I am afraid of using it from now on to avoid potential accidents. I consider this to be a life threatening malfunction and I reported it to Hyundai’s Customer Care. They opened the Case Number and suggested going to the nearest dealer. I took the car to the nearest dealer. They kept it for several days, drove 40 miles and, as I expected, were not able to replicate the problem. In my opinion, this problem needs to be analyzed by the engineers not a dealership's technician. Is speed a factor? Is temperature a factor? What is the factor?

NHTSA ODI 11454373

Hyundai Tucson Sport 2020, this happens always, while driving in the highway, long distance the forward collision warning activates (no cars in front of me or any objects) and the SUV make a sudden stop and it sound a loud scary noise, then I have to park, turn it off and then start the SUV again because the rpm starts going up. This is a safety hazard, luckily no one was behind me or I could get hit in the middle of the highway. I took the SUV to the Hyundai dealership where I bought it in San Juan, Kennedy, but they said they didn’t find anything. I took it then to the Hyundai dealership in Caguas, P.R. to have it check and still waiting on a response. It’s been a year and still no one finds what’s the problem. I feel my life is at risk when driving in the highway.

NHTSA ODI 11443301

I WAS NOTIFIED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2020 THAT THERE WAS A RECALL TO INSTALL A FUSE KIT INTO THE ABS MODULE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT AND UPDATE THE ABS SOFTWARE ON MY VEHICLE. IT IS NOW MARCH 2021 AND HYUNDAI STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. SINCE THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD, I SEE THIS AS AN ISSUE THAT THEY NEED TO PROMPTLY CORRECT. 6 MONTHS IS TOO LONG TO BE WAITING WHEN THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11399615

RECEIVED RECALL 195 NOTICE PERTAINING TO ELECTRICAL SHORT IN ABS SYSTEM AND THAT VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE PARKED IN GARAGE OR NEAR ANY STRUCTURES DO TO POTENTIAL FIRE. WENT TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, WAS TOLD THAT PART WOULD BE IN AND REPLACED IN A WEEK TO TEN DAYS. THREE WEEKS LATER I NOW HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT HYUNDAII DOES NOT HAVE THE PART AVAILABLE. WAS TOLD PART MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2021. THIS IS HUGE DANGEROUS RECALL! I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR BUT I AM STUCK PAYING FOR A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. I ONLY HAVE 2,100 MILES ON THIS CAR. IT IS INEXCUSABLE THAT HYUNDAI DOES NOT HAVE THIS RECALL PART. MEANWHILE I HAVE TO KEEP PAYING FOR THIS DANGEROUS BRAND NEW CAR MONTHLY. I UNDERSTAND RECALLS UNFORTUNATELY HAPPEN BUT THIS CORPORATION SHOULD HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11378288