YearToAvoid

2021 Hyundai Tucson Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

13/100

#14 most-complained of 16 Tucson years

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson has a Complaint Index of 13, ranking 14th-worst out of 16 model years, with a

Complaints
79
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
2 / 3
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
22 city / 27 hwy

Top 2021 Hyundai Tucson problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine43 (54%)
  2. Brakes12 (15%)
  3. Electrical System11 (14%)
  4. Other10 (13%)
  5. Fuel System8 (10%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain8 (10%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (8%)
  8. Structure & Body3 (4%)
  9. Airbags2 (3%)
  10. Lane Departure2 (3%)

What owners report

  • Engine compartment emits steam, smoke, or flames while driving at low speed or idling, sometimes escalating to visible fire under the hood.
  • Severe hesitation or delayed response when accelerating from a stop, requiring multiple attempts on the gas pedal.
  • Owners report waiting long periods for backordered parts to complete the ABS/HECU brake recall, with some told to park outside due to fire risk.
  • Forward collision warning system triggers inconsistently, sometimes failing to activate when a warning seems warranted and other times requiring hard braking.
  • Driver's side door lock and fob mechanism can jam, trapping fingers or hands when trying to open the door.
  • One airbag failed to deploy in a crash.
2021 Hyundai Tucson complaints: complaints filed per month13Jan 2021Nov 2021Mar 2023Feb 2024Dec 2024Aug 2025Feb 2026Aug 2026
110 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Mar 2021 (13).

2021 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.

2021 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.

2021 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
2019Caution73379124
2020Good33177124
2021Best1379124
2022Avoid87381329
2023Caution53133228

All Hyundai Tucson years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
Among 16 model years of the Tucson, the 2021 ranks 14th-worst with a Complaint Index of 13 and a 'Best' verdict relative to other Tucson years.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Tucson?
NHTSA complaints show the Engine is the top problem area, making up 54% of complaints (43 of 79), with a median failure mileage of 36,875.5 miles. Brakes, Electrical System, and Fuel System follow.
Does the 2021 Hyundai Tucson have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2021 Tucson, campaign 20V543000, covering a brake/ABS issue where Hyundai replaces the HECU fuse; it is not a do-not-drive recall but does carry a park-outside advisory.
How does the 2021 Tucson compare to other bad Tucson years?
The 2021 Tucson (Complaint Index 13) compares favorably to years like 2016 (93), 2017 (80), and 2025 (100), which carry 'Avoid' verdicts.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Hyundai Tucson?
EPA rates the 2021 Tucson at 24 mpg combined (22 city / 27 highway), with an 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.