2022 Hyundai Tucson

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

While driving at night, the headlights on my 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid shut off randomly, including when using the turn signal. The lights will turn off without warning at highway speeds, creating a serious safety hazard. Using the turn signal can cause the headlights to turn off, and sometimes using the turn signal will temporarily turn them back on. The headlight mode also changes by itself while driving (AUTO to OFF to ON to OFF). Additionally, when the vehicle is turned off, the headlights often stay on no matter what mode the switch is in. I have to restart the vehicle and manipulate the turn signal/headlight stalk multiple times to get the lights to turn off. This is a recurring and dangerous failure that affects nighttime visibility and safety for me and my family. No other electrical issues are present. This is available for inspection. Safety for my family and all others on the road put at risk as the headlights randomly shut off at night. The problem was reproduced by the dealer. The dealer quoted a $1,500 repair, but this a safety‑critical defect in the lighting control system.

NHTSA ID

11755276

Incident

Jul 1, 2026

Front brake rotors warped causing violent brake pedal pulsating and steering wheel vibration. My vehicle has only 18000 miles. The dealership Hyundai reported problem as a service bulletin TSB 23-BR-004H. I believe this a safety issue and a recall should be annouced.

NHTSA ID

11755025

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

While driving the car stalled and then the engine shutdown, caused by a misfired fuel injector. Myself and the passengers in the car were minorly safe, as this incident occurred while driving through the Yellowstone National park; having to pull over on the side of the road with no shoulder. The Woody Smith Hyundai Dealership in Idaho Falls confirmed that the feul injectors had misfired, and then replaced them. Prior to the failure, there was no warning until the car was actively stalling and failing (battery light and check engine light came on).

NHTSA ID

11754564

Incident

Jul 5, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while his wife was operating the vehicle, the vehicle lost headlight functionality without warning. In addition, the contact stated that the radio intermittently failed to operate while driving the vehicle. The contact stated that the headlight became operable when his wife was near to her destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V938000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,800.

NHTSA ID

11754364

Incident

Aug 2, 2026

Mileage

25,800 mi

Unintentional and unexpected activation of emergency collision or adaptive cruise control, causing the vehicle to stop and become immobile in the lane of traffic. I was driving down the interstate with the adaptive cruse control on and the lane keeping assistance on. These both were on for about 20 minutes as I was driving down the highway. There were no vehicles in front of or behind me for a quarter mile or so. I as all alone with nothing around me. All of a sudden it seemed like the collision avoidance system activated. The car came to a complete stop in the right lane of the highway. I tried to proceed and could see the emergency brake was on, the engine was running the car was in drive but it would not move. Flipped on the hazard flashers and traffic caught up to me while sitting in the right lane of the highway waiting to get rear ended. Vehicles were barely getting by at 70 MPH. The car would I pressed the accelerator and the car move d forward enough to get off the highway, this took a minute or two. Once off he highway, I could see the emergency brake would not release. I turned the engine off went out to inspect all the forward sensors. There was no visible issue. I restarted the car after a minute or so and it proceeded normally. That was Saturday, this is Sunday, I am taking the vehicle to Hundai tomorrow for inspection.

NHTSA ID

11754276

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

On July 24, 2026, while driving on a marked city street with no vehicle, pedestrian, or obstruction ahead, the Forward Collision-Avoidance system on our 2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited AWD applied emergency braking on its own, three to four separate times, each lasting one to two seconds. Traffic behind us nearly struck our vehicle. My family was in the car. This is the latest event in a progressive electrical fault history. In June 2025, under warranty at 48,037 miles, a Hyundai dealer documented recurring multi-system warning cascades (forward safety, lane keeping, high beam assist, speed limit warning) and a failed auto start/stop system. The dealer's listed resolution was "battery voltage / replace battery"; their invoice records that no repair was performed. We replaced the battery at our own expense. The faults continued. In June 2026, the start/stop system shut the engine off at a red light and the vehicle would not restart, leaving us disabled in a live traffic lane. Power was only restored by cycling the hood release. Since then, TCM and ECU software updates and a battery harness replacement (our expense, approx. $1,200) have been performed. The faults persisted after these repairs and have now escalated to uncommanded emergency braking. Date- and time-stamped video and photographs exist for multiple events. Two Hyundai dealerships have not identified a root cause. Similar phantom braking reports exist from other owners of this model year. We no longer consider the vehicle safe to drive.

NHTSA ID

11753589

Incident

Jul 24, 2026

On XXX, while approaching a stop sign, the vehicle did not engage the brakes as expected. I had to press the brake pedal multiple times, and the vehicle jerked several times before it came to a stop. Given that a brake failure of this kind poses an immediate risk to my safety and the safety of others on the road, I had the vehicle towed in for service right away. I took the vehicle to Courtesy Hyundai of Tampa (3810 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33614) on Monday, XXX (Repair Order #XXX). Service Advisor Dominick DeLeva documented the complaint and had the vehicle test driven. The dealership's notes state that the issue could not be duplicated, no fault codes were present, and the brake fluid level was correct. A multi-point inspection was also completed. The vehicle was returned to me on July 14, 2026, with no repairs made and no explanation for the braking irregularity I experienced. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11750511

Incident

Jul 11, 2026

Phantom braking while driving under a bridge. No cars around but Tucson warned collision while driving under a bridge and slammed on the brakes! This has happened multiple times. This fake safety feature is actually a hazard!

NHTSA ID

11749738

Incident

Jul 11, 2026

Some Tucson (NX4A and NX4M) and Santa Cruz (NXT) vehicles may have front wipers that do not return to the designated park position due to a loose wiper motor crank arm nut. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the wiper motor crank arm nut under this condition to 10 years / 100,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever comes first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners.

Some Tucson (NX4A and NX4M) and Santa Cruz (NXT) vehicles may have front wipers that do not return to the designated park position due to a loose wiper motor crank arm nut. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the wiper motor crank arm nut under this condition to 10 years / 100,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever comes first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the wiper motor crank arm nut to address this condition.

Some Tucson (NX4A and NX4M) and Santa Cruz (NXT) vehicles may have front wipers that do not return to the designated park position due to a loose wiper motor crank arm nut. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for the wiper motor crank arm nut under this condition to 10 years / 100,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever comes first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. Follow the procedure in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 26-BD-007H to replace the wiper motor crank arm nut to address this condition.

Some Palisade (LX2), Tucson (NX4), and Tucson Hybrid (NX4 HEV) vehicles may experience battery drain due to continuous operation of the cooling fan after vehicle ignition has been turned off, potentially resulting in a no-start condition. The continuous cooling fan operation is caused by a stuck relay in the engine room PCB block. This bulletin provides instructions to replace the engine room PCB block to ensure the proper operation of the cooling fan.

Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and underwent airbag replacement using non-genuine parts. These dangerous inflators have ruptured during deployment, posing a serious risk of injury or death due to metal fragments entering the vehicle cabin. To date, Hyundai is aware of three people who have died while driving a Hyundai vehicle with one of these substandard replacement airbag inflators that deployed in what likely would have been a survivable crash. NHTSA has issued a public advisory urging vehicle owners and service professionals to have vehicles inspected if there is reason to believe that a non-genuine replacement airbag may have been installed. Vehicles with salvage or rebuilt titles, prior airbag deployments, or unknown repair histories may present a higher risk. NHTSA strongly cautions against self-inspection by vehicle owners and recommends inspection by trained technicians.