2007 Hyundai Tucson Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe a persistent air bag warning light that dealers trace to a sensor, module, or wiring harness, and many report brake lights that stop working and are linked to the stop lamp switch. A recurring theme on older, higher-mileage vehicles is rear subframe and underbody corrosion found during inspection, which several owners describe as progressing to the point that a control arm or frame section is no longer sound.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Rear subframe and underbody corrosion

   • 12 complaints (18%)
   • median 129,000 mi at 12.8 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2024

   Owners describe rust holes in the rear subframe and frame rails found at state inspection, and in some cases the rear end swaying or a control arm separating from the subframe. Several mention the underbody corrosion treatment being applied but say the failed area was not covered, and that requests for assistance were declined after photos were submitted. Vehicles in this condition were sometimes taken off the road. Mostly reported between about 127,000 and 175,000 miles on vehicles in salt-belt states.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Put the vehicle on a lift and inspect the rear subframe, control arm mounts, and frame rails for flaking rust or holes, especially on a vehicle that has spent winters in a road-salt region.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Rear subframe of my 2007 Hyundai Tucson rusted through. The rear subframe was treated for rust in march 2017. October 2019 the rear subframe rusted to the point of not passing inspection. Considering this is a known issue with other Hyundai models, Hyundai wouldn't stand by their safety awards and help me with this because my car was not part of any recall pertaining to rear subframes rusting.”

   NHTSA complaint #11280391, filed 2019-11, 143,000 miles

   “My 2007 tuscon failed pa state inspection due a large hold in the left rear frame. Advised to have frame repaired but cost is more than the car is worth at this time. Was advised that this is not new damage, the dealer should have notified me, they have worked on the car for other major issues 3 times in the last year. The car had the underbody corrosion treatment in 2015 but the dealer claims this part was not part of the treatment. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11300982, filed 2020-01
2. 2
   Engine

   Stalling, revving, and unintended acceleration at low speed

   • 11 complaints (17%)
   • median 87,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2020

   Complaints describe the engine revving on its own while stopping or idling, in some cases pushing the vehicle forward before it is shifted into neutral, and other cases of stalling after highway driving or shortly after a restart. Dealers have replaced a crankshaft sensor or a transmission temperature sensor, and in several cases could not duplicate or diagnose the problem. Reported from near-new up to about 199,000 miles, with several instances under 5,000 miles.

   What to check: Test drive at low speed and at a stop, watch for idle flare or hesitation, and ask whether the crankshaft or transmission temperature sensors have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2007 Hyundai Tucson keeps stalling after being on the highway. When the vehicle comes to a stop the engine stalls out. I have had the vehicle back to the dealer in wich the changed the crank shaft sensor, that was 5 days ago , today the vehicle stalled again. As I was told by the dealer, if they can not get the vehicle to stall then they can not tell me whats going on. Reading on line it appears this is a huge issue!!”

   NHTSA complaint #10328971, filed 2010-05, 121,034 miles

   “The 'check engine' light came on. The next day as I was turning into our driveway with my foot off of the gas pedal, the car accelerated at full throttle. I immediately shifted into neutral and the engine roared. I then turned it off and restarted it and it was fine then. I took it to the dealer and they replaced a temperature sensor for the transmission. I have had no incident since then. I could have killed someone with the car lurching like that.”

   NHTSA complaint #10778297, filed 2015-09, 96,160 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Brake lights quit working (stop lamp switch)

   • 9 complaints (14%)
   • median 65,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2012–2018

   Complaints describe the brake lights failing to illuminate when the pedal is pressed, in some cases all three at once, and owners learning about it after being pulled over. Others say the ESC light comes on and the vehicle will not shift out of park. Dealers have replaced the stop lamp switch, and several owners report being told their vehicle was outside the affected recall population. Reported anywhere from near-new to about 126,000 miles, with many cases between 37,000 and 90,000 miles.

   Recall 13V113000Recall 09V280000Recall 09V122000

   What to check: Have someone watch the rear lights while you press the brake, check that the shifter releases from park, and ask whether the stop lamp switch has been replaced and under which campaign.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My stop lamp switch failed may 2009 and failed again july 2012. Called Hyundai today and they say my VIN is not covered by the recall listed below. Since the part has failed twice I would like to know why my 2007 Tucson is not covered by the recall. Since I have had the problem twice I think the recall should be expanded to cover my car and possibly others. Posted: apr 21, 2009 10:06 a.m. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10469100, filed 2012-08, 68,830 miles

   “I bought the 2007 Hyundai Tucson a couple of weeks ago. Last week the ESC off light started to come on from time to time. I noticed that there was a recall going on the tucsons because of a faulty stop lamp switch which can cause the ESC off light to illuminate. I contacted the local Hyundai dealer but they told me my car wasn't covered under the recall. Is there anything I can do to get them to replace the stop lamp switch as part of the recall?”

   NHTSA complaint #10566965, filed 2014-03, 50,358 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light stays on

   • 8 complaints (12%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2013–2024

   Owners describe the air bag warning indicator staying lit, sometimes coming on and off before remaining on continuously. Dealers have diagnosed a faulty passenger-side or driver-side air bag harness, a seat belt sensor, or an air bag module requiring replacement, and in several complaints the repair was quoted at a significant cost or not performed. Some owners report no deployment in a collision and connect this to the warning light. Reported from roughly 45,000 to 130,000 miles, with several cases under 70,000 miles.

   Recall 07V197000Recall 06V445000

   What to check: Turn the key to the on position and confirm the air bag light bulbs and then goes out; if it stays lit, ask for the stored codes and whether the harness or module was replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Air bag system totally disabled. Faulty sensor in seatbelt causes total shutdown of all airbags. Dealer refuses to fix 45 days beyond warranty. Dealer wanted to charge for repair when problem identified 3 months ago while in warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #10490966, filed 2013-01, 45,000 miles

   “Front passenger air bag lights lit constantly. Had computer checked and codes cleared, with same result. Now advised by dealer car needs new air bag harness after tool diagnostics done at cost of $2,265.00. Milage at 137861. 2007 Tucson. . . ,”

   NHTSA complaint #10853529, filed 2016-04
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, harsh shifts, and solenoid codes

   • 9 complaints (14%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 8.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2011–2021

   Owners report the check engine light after extended highway driving with codes pointing to the torque converter solenoid or transmission temperature sensor, along with rpm fluctuating at a stop and jerking while driving. Others describe a leaking transmission main seal leading to replacement, and one owner had the transmission replaced twice without the hesitation going away. Reported from about 45,000 to 175,000 miles, often after several hours of highway driving.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for any stored transmission codes, check for leaks at the bellhousing, and note whether the fluid was changed with the specified type at the recommended interval.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After 2 hours of highway driving at 70 MPH, check engine light comes on. I drive for another hour and then have the code scanned. The code reader says torque converter solenoid . Hyundai will not pay for any of the repairs. I know there is a tech. Service bulletin for this, so I wanted to NHTSA to make note I have problems with this such that it may turn into a recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10705793, filed 2015-04, 106,000 miles

   “After 3 hours of highway driving after buying certified used car check engine light comes on. I drive for another hour and then have the code scanned. The code reader says torque converter solenoid .as well as transmission temp sensor car has 87000 miles roughly... As well as sitting at a stop rpms are all up and down engine revs with foot on break and not even touching gas. Vehicle jerks forward when driving on highway and occasionally while parked”

   NHTSA complaint #11097833, filed 2018-05, 87,000 miles

Buying note. Have any candidate inspected on a lift for rear subframe and frame rust before anything else, and verify the brake lights and air bag warning light work. Service records showing sensor, switch, and transmission work help separate a sorted example from one with open faults.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.