YearToAvoid

2020 Hyundai Tucson Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 75 engine complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Tucson, 42% of its 177 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 76,000. No related recall is listed for this engine issue. One fire was reported, but no crashes or injuries.

Engine complaints
75
42% of 177
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
76,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe sudden loss of power or deceleration while driving, sometimes with the engine unable to go past 50 mph on the highway.
  • Check engine light illuminates, flashes on and off, and in some cases stays on after ECM software updates or catalytic converter replacement.
  • Some report engine knocking, shaking, or a struggling sound during acceleration, in one case tied to a diagnosed knock sensor failure.
  • Cold-weather starts sometimes produce a clicking sound and a burning smell instead of the engine turning over.
  • One owner reported the engine burning through oil quickly between changes, with dealer service finding it nearly dry each time.
  • A separate case involved smoke and an under-hood fire while the vehicle was being driven.

When 2020 Hyundai Tucson engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 2, 2021, latest Sep 18, 2026.

2020 Hyundai Tucson engine complaints: complaints filed per month7Jan 2021Feb 2023Mar 2024Feb 2025Jul 2025Nov 2025May 2026Sep 2026
75 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Nov 2025 (7).

Engine recalls for the 2020 Hyundai Tucson

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Tucson model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201010 (17%)
  2. 201147 (38%)
  3. 2012172 (67%)
  4. 2013160 (60%)
  5. 2014114 (57%)
  6. 2015126 (56%)
  7. 2016504 (31%)
  8. 2017662 (61%)
  9. 2018256 (65%)
  10. 2019204 (54%)
  11. 202075 (42%)
  12. 202143 (54%)
  13. 2022124 (33%)
  14. 202333 (25%)
  15. 202423 (24%)
  16. 202524 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Tucson?
NHTSA has logged 75 engine complaints for the 2020 Tucson, which makes up 42% of the 177 total complaints filed for this model year.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Hyundai Tucson engine?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for the engine complaints in this model year.
At what mileage do 2020 Tucson engine problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for these engine complaints is 76,000 miles.
Have any 2020 Tucson engine complaints involved fire or injury?
NHTSA data shows one fire reported among the 75 engine complaints, with no crashes and no injuries recorded.

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.