YearToAvoid

2019 Hyundai Tucson Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

73/100

#5 most-complained of 16 Tucson years

The 2019 Hyundai Tucson has 379 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 73, and ranks 5th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 54% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 40,790 miles.

Complaints
379
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
15 / 11
Injuries / deaths
10 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
22 city / 27 hwy

Top 2019 Hyundai Tucson problems

NHTSA owner 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%)

What owners report

  • Engine compartments emit smoke and can catch fire, sometimes with no warning lights on the dash, even at low mileage.
  • Brake pedals reportedly fail to stop the vehicle during low-speed parking or turning maneuvers, in some cases leading to a crash.
  • Some owners report sudden loss of acceleration at highway speed followed by the vehicle stalling and doors locking.
  • Anti-collision braking systems reportedly stop functioning at the same time as the regular service brakes.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a head-on crash into an embankment.
  • Front seats reportedly collapsed into the reclining position after being struck from behind in a collision.
2019 Hyundai Tucson complaints: complaints filed per quarter682018 Q42020 Q12021 Q12022 Q12023 Q12024 Q12025 Q12026 Q1
512 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q4 (68).

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)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Avoid801,086327
2018Caution67396124.5
2019Caution73379124
2020Good33177124
2021Best1379124

All Hyundai Tucson years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
NHTSA lists 379 complaints for the 2019 Tucson with a complaint index of 73, giving it a Caution verdict. It ranks 5th worst among 16 Tucson model years covered.
What is the biggest problem with the 2019 Hyundai Tucson?
Engine issues are the top problem area, making up 54% of complaints (204 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 40,790 miles and 8 fire reports.
Does the 2019 Hyundai Tucson have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 20V543000) covers the brakes. Hyundai dealers replace the HECU fuse; the recall does not require park-outside for all affected units but does list park-outside as a precaution.
How does the 2019 Tucson compare to other years?
The 2019 model's complaint index of 73 is lower than 2016 (93), 2017 (80), and 2025 (100), all rated Avoid, but higher than 2020 (33) and 2021 (13), which are rated Good and Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Hyundai Tucson?
The EPA rates the 2019 Tucson at 24 mpg combined (22 city/27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700.

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.