2021 Hyundai Tucson Engine Problems
Engine problems account for 43 of 79 total complaints (54%) on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, with a median failure mileage of 36,875. Owners report engine fires, stalling, limp mode, and sudden power loss, though NHTSA lists no engine recall specific to this year's complaints.
- Engine complaints
- 43
- 54% of 79
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 36,876 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Engine bay fires or smoke appear at low speeds, sometimes preceded by a clicking or steam smell before flames break out.
- Check engine light flashes with a knock sensor code, putting the car into limp mode and limiting RPM to about 2,000 with little to no acceleration.
- Vehicle hesitates or refuses to accelerate from a stop, requiring repeated throttle presses before it responds.
- Sudden loss of power or stuttering while merging onto highways, with owners pulling over out of caution.
- Engine seizes or shuts off unexpectedly while driving, sometimes diagnosed as a rod bearing failure requiring a new engine.
- Vehicle fails to exceed roughly 20 MPH on a busy highway after the check engine light illuminates.
When 2021 Hyundai Tucson engine complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 1, 2021, latest Sep 23, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2021 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.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are engine problems on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson?
- NHTSA lists 43 engine-related complaints out of 79 total complaints for the 2021 Tucson, making engine issues 54% of all reported problems for this model year.
- At what mileage do 2021 Hyundai Tucson engine problems usually appear?
- The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2021 Tucson is 36,875 miles.
- Is there a recall for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson engine?
- The JSON data shows no related recalls listed specifically for this year's engine complaints, though several owners reference prior recall campaigns in their complaint narratives.
- Did any 2021 Hyundai Tucson engine complaints involve fires or injuries?
- Yes, NHTSA data shows 2 fires and 2 injuries among the 2021 Tucson's engine-related complaints, with no crashes reported.
- How does the 2021 Tucson compare to other years for engine complaints?
- The 2021 Tucson's 54% share of engine complaints is lower than the 2012 (67%), 2018 (65%), and 2017 (61%) model years, but higher than 2022 (33%) and 2025 (8%).