2014 Hyundai Tucson Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine problems, typically a knocking or rattling noise that develops into stalling, loss of power, or engine seizure requiring replacement, and many also mention high oil consumption. A second cluster of complaints concerns the brakes, mostly tied to an ABS recall campaign and warning lights, and some owners report slow or unavailable recall repairs. Most reports come in between roughly 60,000 and 130,000 miles, with some engine failures reported well below that.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine knocking, stalling, and engine failure

   Mentioned in 30 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints frequently describe a knocking or rattling noise from the engine, sometimes after a cold start, followed by limp mode, loss of power, or a stall while driving. Several owners report the engine would not restart and was towed, with mechanics or dealers diagnosing internal engine failure and recommending replacement, sometimes citing metal debris in the oil. A number of complaints mention that the diagnosis came only after repeated visits, and some say the replacement did not resolve the problem. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 130,000 miles, though some complaints describe failure under 30,000 miles.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the engine has been replaced or inspected for bearing noise, and whether any service campaign software for the knock sensor has been applied. Listen for a knock or rattle at cold start and on acceleration during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Same thing as the others listed, engine completely locked up going down the road, had to have it towed, and the mechanic said that it was totally gone because of the oil. Hyundai would not pay for any of it, since I am the second owner and there was no recall on my car. The recall was for the same exact motor, same exact problem, just a different model car.”

   NHTSA complaint #11133051, filed 2018-10, 100,000 miles

   “I purchased this 2014 Hyundai Tucson as a second owner from a Hyundai dealership for my daughter in january of 2018 with 70,223 miles. Car had been inspected and serviced by the dealership Hyundai technicians. On 9/13/2019 while driving the vehicle started making loud banging noises from the engine and experienced difficulty shifting. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11266975, filed 2019-10, 93,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS recall, warning lights, and brake noise

   • 50 complaints (25%)
   • median 81,000 mi at 8.5 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2025

   Many brake complaints reference NHTSA campaign 22V056000 for the ABS module, with owners saying they were notified but parts were not available for the repair. Others describe the ABS, ESC, and traction control warning lights coming on, a grinding or rattling sound when the brake pedal is pressed, and in some cases the dealer replacing an ABS assembly after the recall work. Some report burning odors or difficulty stopping. Spread across the sample, with several reports between about 40,000 and 120,000 miles.

   Recall 22V056000

   What to check: Confirm whether the ABS module recall (22V056000) was completed and ask for documentation; watch for ABS, ESC, or traction control lights staying on after startup.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle had previously had the brakes and rotors replaced at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”

   NHTSA complaint #11463373, filed 2022-05, 114,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Tucson. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated on several occasions, when the brake pedal was depressed, he had to apply pressure for the vehicle to stop. The contact also stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, his wife heard a rattling noise and the vehicle started to shake when all the warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11480203, filed 2022-08, 79,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Excessive oil consumption and low oil warnings

   • 27 complaints (13%)
   • median 101,500 mi at 7.5 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe needing to add oil regularly, in some cases a couple of quarts every few weeks, often with no visible leak and sometimes with gray smoke from the tailpipe. Complaints mention the low oil or oil pressure light coming on, and that dealers either advised an oil consumption test or replaced an oil line without resolving the usage. Several owners connect the oil loss to later engine noise or failure. Reported from roughly 70,000 miles upward, and often at higher mileages.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and condition before purchase and ask whether an oil consumption test has been done; look for blue or gray smoke at startup or under acceleration.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was coming home from work friday night and was almost home and lost power . It sputtered and when I pulled into parking lot it started to knock. I turned off engine.checked the next day and I had no oil and never got any warning signs on the dash the drive was an expressway ride 65 MPH. I just checked the oil 1 week before this happen not really happy with what happened and it seems like this complaint happens alot and I hope things turn out good”

   NHTSA complaint #11388525, filed 2021-01, 57,200 miles

   “My wife purchased her 2014 Hyundai Tucson brand new and we have maintained regular oil changes and kept up with maintenance schedules. Her Tucson is at 115k miles and is burning a lot of oil with no leak and no additional white smoke from the tail pipe. Its burning about 2.5 to 3 quarts of oil every 1500 miles (conservatively). I have tried high mileage oils and thicker weights to reduce the burning. I have tried lucas heavy duty oil stabilizer. Nothing seems to keep this vehicle from chugging down oil. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11203014, filed 2019-04, 115,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Stalling and power loss traced to sensors or fuel delivery

   • 40 complaints (20%)
   • median 80,570 mi at 6.9 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2026

   Some complaints describe the vehicle stalling at stops or losing power at speed and restarting after several attempts, with owners reporting crankshaft sensor replacement, spark plug replacement, or a NOx sensor, after which the problem sometimes returned. Others describe a strong fuel smell and a fuel leak from a line while driving at highway speed, and one report describes smoke coming from under the hood. Reported from about 20,000 to over 120,000 miles, with no clear single pattern in the sample.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the crankshaft sensor or any fuel lines have been replaced, and check for a fuel smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving the car at 55 MPH, the engine died completely and I lost all control of the cars functions. It could not be that the battery died, since even though the car would not start back up, the lights, navigation and radio we all still on and working. I though it was a strange and dangerous situation but figured it was a one time occurrence. This happen on september 9th of 2016. Since then, the car has died while in motion 4 more times, becoming more frequent after each occurrence. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10906952, filed 2016-09, 27,500 miles

   “The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that cylinder four misfired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,890. ...updated 02/04/16 . Updated 04/30/18”

   NHTSA complaint #10807620, filed 2015-11, 9,890 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Electrical quirks: door locks, shift lock, steering assist

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe intermittent electrical behavior such as doors that will not lock or unlock, doors that only open from inside, and the shifter refusing to come out of park. A few early-mileage complaints describe all dashboard warning lights coming on together and a loss of power steering assist, with repeated dealer visits. Some complaints also mention the anti-theft software campaigns, though most electrical reports here are about basic function. Reported both at very low mileage (under 10,000) and around 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

   Recall 14V2450005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test each door lock and handle, try shifting in and out of park several times, and ask whether the anti-theft software update has been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My car will not shift out of park. I was getting gas and when I started the car I could not move it out of park. I checked the manual and followed the instructions to press the shift lock system and then it moves out of park. If I put it back in park it locks again. It was running fine no issues prior. I know there were recalls for my car so am worried this is a huge safety issue for myself and children.”

   NHTSA complaint #11342724, filed 2020-08, 98,584 miles

   “Vehicle has less than 9k miles; purchased new in february 2014. Thirteen (13) months after owning, all the warning lights on the dashboards came on and off randomly and then were on permanently (city driving); also power steering was gone. Brought vehicle to the dealer with no vehicle for 4 days. Picked vehicle up, drove home and three (3) days later (city driving), all lights back on. Brought vehicle to dealer; given loaner car for 9 days. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10806179, filed 2015-11, 8,900 miles

Buying note. Give any example a careful mechanical inspection focused on engine noise, oil consumption, and service history, and verify that open recalls and service campaigns have been completed. Documents showing regular oil changes and any engine or ABS work are worth asking for.

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.