2021 Hyundai Tucson engine problems
38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson — 49% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine blew. No warning lights were illuminated. There was white smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or…”
filed Aug 11, 2026
“I was driving down [XXX] from my house.My engine light started to flash.I tried to accelerate my car barely went 10 miles an hour.I got Home 2 minutes later.There was major knocking.I had the car towed to [XXX], Hyundai, the only code that is showing up on the diagnostics, is P1326 there is an open…”
filed Jul 18, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these…
26-01-013H-2 DN · Service Campaign · issued May 21, 2026Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation. If present, this condition is…
9C2 060518 · Service Campaign · issued May 19, 2026Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation. If present, this condition is…
9C2 DCS 260518 · Service Campaign · issued May 19, 2026Certain 2019 – 2020 model year Santa Fe, 2017 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2015 – 2019 model year Sonata, and 2018 – 2021 model year Tucson vehicles may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. Hyundai is conducting…
9C2 OL · Service Campaign · issued Apr 14, 2026
Engine problems in other Tucson years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tucson | 2 | 3% |
| 2025 Tucson | 12 | 4% |
| 2024 Tucson | 14 | 15% |
| 2023 Tucson | 23 | 17% |
| 2022 Tucson | 115 | 30% |
| 2020 Tucson | 71 | 40% |
| 2019 Tucson | 196 | 52% |
| 2018 Tucson | 243 | 61% |
| 2017 Tucson | 594 | 55% |
| 2016 Tucson | 423 | 26% |
| 2015 Tucson | 118 | 52% |
| 2014 Tucson | 110 | 55% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.