2021 Hyundai Tucson

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

URGENT ADD TO OPEN NHTSA COMPLAINT NUMBER: 11776255. On Monday, November 9, 2026, I presented my 2021 Hyundai Tucson to Service Advisor Grant Bode at Napleton Hyundai due to severe engine knocking. I have explicit photographic evidence of the advisor physically inspecting the vehicle's dipstick on the dealership lot and identifying that the engine oil was heavily overfilled past the maximum limit line. Despite this visual confirmation, the dealership issued a fraudulent Repair Order that completely omitted the oil overfill complaint and falsified the vehicle's drop-off timeline (stating 17:00 hours when the car was left at 7:45 AM). I refused to sign this inaccurate documentation and formally text-messaged the service advisor to dispute the omissions; the advisor has refused to reply. The vehicle currently remains parked on the side of the dealership lot overnight in this exact overfilled condition for a cold-start mechanical evaluation on Tuesday morning, November 10, at 7:00 AM. I am alerting the NHTSA to active dealer manipulation and omission of safety defect evidence while an active federal complaint is open.

NHTSA ID

11776854

Incident

Nov 9, 2026

Hyundai issued a emissions software update. To which in the state of [XXX] if not done you cannot get car registered. Had update done at lia hyundai of hartford ct on XXX at 2pm. Hyundai did the update and as soon as i got a mile down the road my vechile was sluggish unresponsive and that's with sport mode on. Next morning start suv up wait about a minute drive out and suv is shifting irradicly, I call lia hyundai they have me bring suv back. Before I bring suv back look up issue after software update and cone to find out hyundai knew of the software issue and still performed the update never informed me of the issue nothing. After they looked over suv hyundai told me they are aware of the issue corporate has to send out new software update to fix this update that was performed service men said would be end of the month possibly to get the new update informed me to warm car up for 3 minutes but even when car is warm idles rough sluggish and nonresponsive INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11776573

Incident

Oct 30, 2026

on at least 4 different occasions this vehicle has at highway speeds been taken over by the engine vibration control which places the vehicle into a low power mode fortunately this did not happen while passing a semi other wise I would and my wife would not be alive .each time the vehicle was taken to the dealership and the sensor was replaced. and reset still keeps happening it is not the sensor when I first purchased this car Hyundai sent a letter requesting that they would compensate for taking this vehicle to their test facility to check it out I filled out the the paper work and sent it back wish I had saved copies.this car is a death trap and undriveable I never heard back

NHTSA ID

11776447

Incident

Dec 26, 2024

COMPONENT FAILED: Engine / Powertrain assembly suffering from severe, documented manufacturing internal oil consumption. Available for inspection upon request. SAFETY RISK: My safety was severely put at risk by Napleton Hyundai (2600 Michigan Ave). On XXXX, Service Manager Heliose explicitly instructed me to deliberately drive the vehicle with known severe fluid loss until the engine completely "locked up" and seized on the road so Hyundai would replace it under warranty (Campaign TXXM). Advising a consumer to drive a vehicle until catastrophic engine seizure occurs at high speeds on public highways creates an extreme hazard—risking sudden stalling, loss of control, and major collisions. Furthermore, the dealer falsified a "goodwill" oil test by completely omitting mandatory tamper-evident safety seals on the dipstick and cap, releasing an unverified, unsafe vehicle into traffic. CONFIRMATION/INSPECTION: Severe oil burning was confirmed by Valvoline on XXX, where a fresh oil change ran completely dry within weeks with no external leaks. Napleton Hyundai acknowledged the engine warranty extensions (T6G, TXXM, DTC P132600) on XXX, but held the test hostage behind an unauthorized $1,400 chemical cleaning fee. The car has not been inspected by police or insurance as a crash has been avoided through manual monitoring. The service intake person ([XXX]) put on my invoice oil consumption check. I checked my engine to see if they placed any (Tamper-Evident Sealing) and the technician did not apply security seals, tape, or paint marks to the oil filler cap, dipstick, and drain plug! They fix this so they would not be responsible for my car engine WARNING SYMPTOMS/TIMELINE: Rapid internal oil depletion causing the engine to run dry within a 30-day window. Symptoms started after a routine oil change on XXX. No dashboard warning lamps are active, making the sudden dry engine an invisible, highly dangerous mechanical hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11776255

Incident

Oct 30, 2026

loss of info system loss of all dash lights when I turn the engine off most of the time I loose all electrical systems (will not start for at least 15 minutes) if doors lock I can only unlock the drivers door with the auxiliary key. Has tried to shift in to park while driving (one time) Lost all power (engine and steering while crossing a highway (once only)

NHTSA ID

11770328

Incident

Oct 5, 2026

I took my car in to Allen Samuals Hyundai dealership to have the 9C2 recall update completed on May 15th 2026. Ever since then my vehicle has had a rough hesitation or sputtering when driving. On May 18th Hyundai released a statement stating there was an issue with the update completed on the 9C2 campaign. However no resolution at the moment and to allow the car to warm up prior to driving it. I have only had my car for a little over 2 years and maintained everything a responsible car owner should. It only has 90k miles on it and had zero issues at all prior to the 9C2 campaign. I have spoke woth dealer and corporate numerous times nobody can give me a solution nor does it seem that anyone wants to. Since then the campaign has been closed and its almost as if it never existed. I do have an active case open with Hyundai 43228380 however they act as if they dont know anything about it. They are empathetic to the situation but can't really help or give a solution. All I want it my car that had zero issues prior to this update to run properly again. I dont even drive it much anymore for fear that it will mess my engine up.

NHTSA ID

11766298

Incident

May 15, 2026

Engine knock sensor went off and now the engine needs replacement due to faulty cylinder rod.

NHTSA ID

11760640

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11758305

Incident

Jun 27, 2026

Some Hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (PDW) sensor(s) that may trigger various DTCs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the PDW sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. This condition may be a result of external damage to the PDW sensor membrane or sensor cover from rock chips or road debris, a collision, or previous vehicle repairs or modifications.

Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. All internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operation, depending on driving conditions and mileage, and this procedure should only be performed when deemed necessary based on inspection and diagnosis of the vehicle as outlined in TSB 26-EM-015H, Engine Oil Consumption – Inspection & Repair Guidelines, or the latest revision.

Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. All internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operation. Oil consumption rates may vary based on mileage, operating conditions, driving habits, and maintenance history. Hyundai recommends following the prescribed maintenance schedule and periodically checking the engine oil level using the dipstick to maintain proper engine oil level.

Some Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine may exhibit a continued DTC P132600 after an ECM logic update has been performed per TSB 24-01-068H, Engine Monitoring Logic (Service Campaign 966). This bulletin provides instructions to inspect and resolve other engine mechanical issues and if DTC P132600 remains, then a procedure and manual mode passwords are given to perform the update again in manual mode to resolve this condition.

Certain vehicles may exhibit excessive paint peeling or bubbling of the primer/paint film on the exterior metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. This warranty extension only applies to factory-applied paint and does not cover collision-related paint repairs or vehicles with a salvaged title. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for certain white paint colors under these conditions from 3 years and 36,000 miles, to 10 years with unlimited miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use, and is valid for original and subsequent owners.

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 vehicles may be releasing air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards.