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2021 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev
Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.
73 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 20, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Buy-rated alternatives from this era
Other 2019–2023 cars in the same rough price bracket with a clean, matured Buy verdict — worth cross-shopping before you commit to the 2021 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev.
Why caution?
Has a "park it / park outside" recall, the most serious kind. Verify the fix was done before buying.
Engine problems dominate (48% of complaints, typically reported near 52k miles).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#324 of 456Among the 2021 models with a matured record, the 2021 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev ranks #324, scoring higher than 14% of them. See the 2021 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2021 Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 16%
1 open NHTSA defect investigation on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2021 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Brakes (12) · Electrical system (11) · Fuel system (8) · Transmission & drivetrain (7)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
48%35 complaints · typically near 52k mi · 24 in the last 2 years
“My car is burning oil. I have returned multiple times to have it serviced and checked for leaks, but no leaks have been found. Before reaching the recommended 3,000-mi…”
Brakes
16%12 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“It appears after breaking, the brakes stick and the car won’t accelerate when pressed on the gas pedal.”
Electrical system
15%11 complaints · 5 in the last 2 years
“The AC system on my vehicle stopped working with less than 55,000 miles on it. When replacing the compressor, condenser, all AC switches, and lines (the entire AC syst…”
Fuel system
11%8 complaints · 4 in the last 2 years
“I just got an oil change and the oil was completely gone although there was no leak found. Not even a week later my oil is low again. There is smoke coming from the ba…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 1 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 73 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 8 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Park itService Brakes, Hydraulic · 20V543000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Hyundai expanded the recall population, and added certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Hyundai before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"? One is a "park it" / "park outside" order, the most serious kind, so I'd want that repair documented before I drive it.
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 52k miles). Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report brakes problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any brakes symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2021 Hyundai TUCSON HYBRID HEV beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2021? See how every Tucson Hybrid Hev model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2021 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.