YearToAvoid

2019 Hyundai Tucson Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2019 Hyundai Tucson has a complaint index of 80 and ranks 5th worst out of 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate with 204 complaints (54% of the total) and a median failure mileage of 40,790, plus 121 brake complaints and one brake recall.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
80/100
#5 of 21 Tucson years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
379
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
1 Park Outside
Crashes
15
reported in complaints
Fires
11
Injuries
10
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2009
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
22 city / 27 hwy
Injuries / deaths
10 / 0

Top 2019 Hyundai Tucson problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine204 (54%)
  2. Brakes121 (32%)
  3. Electrical System50 (13%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain41 (11%)
  5. Other27 (7%)
  6. Fuel System25 (7%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (3%)
  8. Structure & Body10 (3%)
  9. Lane Departure5 (1%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers5 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Engine compartment smokes or catches fire, sometimes minutes after leaving the dealership with very low mileage.
  • Brake pedal is depressed but the vehicle fails to stop, in some cases leading to a crash into another vehicle or objects.
  • Vehicle loses acceleration and stalls at highway speed, then locks and cannot be restarted with a key, fob, or remote app.
  • Smoke and overheating appear under the hood while driving around 50-55 mph with no dashboard warning lights.
  • Anti-collision braking system reported inoperable at the same time the service brakes failed.
  • Front seats reported to collapse into a reclined position after being struck from behind.
2019 Hyundai Tucson complaints: complaints filed per quarter552018 Q42020 Q12021 Q12022 Q12023 Q12024 Q12025 Q12026 Q1
379 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q4 (55).

2019 Hyundai Tucson recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V543000Sep 4, 2020Brakes652,024 vehiclesPark Outside

    Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

2019 Hyundai Tucson fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,700
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2019 compared with other Tucson years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Avoid851,086327
2018Avoid75396124.5
2019Avoid80379124
2020Caution60177124
2021Caution4079124

All Hyundai Tucson years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2019 Tucson a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst among 21 model years, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Tucson years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2019 Hyundai Tucson?
Engine issues lead, with 204 complaints (54% of the total) and a median failure mileage of 40,790. Brakes are second with 121 complaints and a median failure mileage of 19,250.
Does the 2019 Hyundai Tucson have a recall?
Yes, one recall (20V543000) covers the anti-lock brake control unit fuse; it is a park-outside recall, not a do-not-drive order.
How does the 2019 Tucson compare to the 2018 and 2020 model years?
The 2018 Tucson also gets an Avoid verdict with a complaint index of 75, while the 2020 Tucson scores lower risk with a complaint index of 60 and a Caution verdict.
How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2019 Hyundai Tucson?
NHTSA lists 379 complaints for the 2019 Tucson, including 15 crashes, 11 fires, and 10 injuries, with zero deaths reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.