2020 Hyundai Tucson Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2020 Tucson report two very different clusters: engine oil consumption and engine noise/failure, which mostly appear at higher mileage, and brakes/ABS recall complaints that owners filed early in the car's life while waiting for remedy parts. Electronics and driver-assistance complaints (forward collision warnings, backup camera image quality, airbag warning lights) also recur, usually on low-mileage vehicles.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS recall remedy delays (HECU corrosion)

   • 56 complaints (31%)
   • median 4,300 mi at 1.2 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2020–2026

   Many owners filed complaints mainly because parts for the ABS hydraulic control unit recall were not available and dealers could not say when the repair could be done. Some describe the accompanying instruction not to park indoors or near structures, and a few report brake-related symptoms such as a pedal that went to the floor, odd smells or sounds, or warning lights. Filed mostly within the first few thousand miles, often within months of purchase.

   Recall 20V543000

   What to check: Ask for documentation that recall 20V543000 was completed, and have the ABS system checked for corrosion or stored faults if there is no record.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Iam waiting for dealers to take care about a recall for Tucson model years 2019,2020 and 2021from the month of september 2020 . Is suppose my tucson2020 could be infire because of it,but I don't see dealers are interested fixing the problem now I am waiting for kendall dealer in miami because definittly homestead dealer do not want to do it.”

   NHTSA complaint #11395097, filed 2021-02, 20 miles

   “I was notified in september of 2020 that there was a recall to install a fuse kit into the ABS module electrical circuit and update the ABS software on my vehicle. It is now march 2021 and Hyundai still does not have the parts to correct this problem. Since this is a fire hazard, I see this as an issue that they need to promptly correct. 6 months is too long to be waiting when they know there is a problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #11399615, filed 2021-03, 4,300 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Excessive engine oil consumption

   • 46 complaints (26%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Owners describe having to add oil between changes, often finding the dipstick at or below the low mark or the shop reporting the pan nearly empty at an oil change. Several say there are no warning lights and that dealers asked them to return every 1,000 miles to monitor the level, or quoted a diagnostic fee. Some reports tie the low oil to catalytic converter replacement and to later engine noise or seizure. Reported mostly from roughly 50,000 to 100,000 miles, though a few owners noticed it earlier.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for oil change records and check the dipstick level and condition yourself; ask whether an oil consumption test was ever started and what it found.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The oil is burning up so fast. Every oil change that is within the mileage limits they tell me my car is bone dry. If the oil in my car runs out my car engine can blow up or it can stop working. The only way it has been reproduced is that every oil change for 2 years now they have told me it’s bone dry. It has not been inspected by manufacturer. They told me it would cost about $400 for them to even just check it out. There are no warning lights at all.”

   NHTSA complaint #11571228, filed 2024-02

   “The car has been burning oil for about two years . Noticed when my oil was changed by my mechanic , he told me oil level was about a quart low . Since that time I have had to add oil every 1000 miles . Approximately 4 quarts between oil changes , which I have done every 5 to 6 thousand miles . I have read that many other people have had same problem. This is a 2020 Tucson, Unlimited Model . Which at the time of purchase was the top model Tucson on the lot . …”

   NHTSA complaint #11711727, filed 2026-01
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine noise, stalling or seizure

   • 17 complaints (10%)
   • median 92,348 mi at 5.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe loud knocking or unusual noise, loss of acceleration, check engine lights and, in several cases, the engine shutting off or seizing and needing a tow. Owners report dealer diagnoses such as bearing damage, knock sensor failure or foreign material in the oil, and some had the engine replaced after further failures. Mostly between about 70,000 and 122,000 miles, often while driving at speed.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for knocking on a cold and warm start, ask about any engine replacement or campaign work done, and have a pre-purchase inspection check for stored codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When driving my check engine light started to blink and my car would not accelerate. I made it home and plugged in a diagnostic reader and got the code P1326 glow relay short circuit. My car along with my friends 2021 Hyundai Tucson both have this same issue. There needs to be a recall for these years. There is a recall out for this specific problem in sonatas and Tucsons and need to cover these years as well.”

   NHTSA complaint #11687119, filed 2025-09

   “I went to Thompson Automotive to finance a vehicle and within a month and half my engine blew. There were no engine lights, no lost of oil, no warning, no signs of any error, before this series of malfunctions took affect. I was on my way to the dealership and my car being slowing down to a complete stop as I was getting off the highway ramp. I was traveling at the speed of 25mph, when the car started to make loud noises that I never heard before that day, and completely shut down in front of a huge tractor trailer in traffic. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11611908, filed 2024-08
4. 4
   Back-over prevention (rear camera)

   Backup camera blurry or obstructed

   • 8 complaints (4%)
   • median 200 mi at 0.6 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2024

   Owners describe a rearview camera image that is blurry or hard to see, especially in low light and when wet, and say the audible backing warning does not sound. Some had the camera replaced under dealer service with no improvement, and report being told the image quality is normal for the design. Reported from very low mileage, often within the first few thousand miles, and in rain or at night.

   What to check: Test the camera in a dark garage or in rain before buying, and confirm the reverse warning chime actually sounds.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The backup camera is blurry and fuzzy during the day and even worse at night. Almost useless at night time. The camera system is supposed to be a safety feature but it is not very good when you can't make out objects and there isn't a warning noise when you are about to back up into something. I have taken to service dept at dealership 3 times now and they have installed a new camera and it is still the same as the first one. I think Hyundai needs to get a much better quality camera system for the 2020 Hyundai Tucson ultimates. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11315942, filed 2020-03, 350 miles

   “I am complaining about my car's rearview camera, I can literally not see what's going on behind me in low light. The entire purpose of the camera is to promote safety so people can see what is behind them, this is not the case with my vehicle. I also have an option in the menu to have an audible warning when backing up, this is not working either. I have raised the issue with Hyundai and they just tell me that is how the car is designed and there is nothing they can do. How do you design a car to have a useless back up camera? …”

   NHTSA complaint #11399007, filed 2021-03
5. 5
   Forward collision avoidance

   Forward collision and camera warning faults

   • 9 complaints (5%)
   • median 24,500 mi at 2.3 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Complaints describe forward collision or lane departure warnings appearing with no obstacle present, or the systems disengaging on their own while driving. Owners report dealer visits where sensors or the multifunction camera were diagnosed as failed, sometimes with parts on backorder, and one repair estimate was quoted at owner expense once out of warranty. Mostly under about 50,000 miles, with several reports in the first few thousand miles.

   What to check: Switch the systems on during a test drive and watch for false warnings or dropouts; ask whether any camera or sensor has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “For at least the last 60 days, the blind spot warning camera system will disengage while driving. Took the vehicle to the local dealer, who had the car for 2 days and could not determine the cause. They did discover it will disengage after driving the car for 18 miles. They have called Hyundai for assistance. So far, no information received back from Hyundai on how to correct this issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11448361, filed 2022-01

   “Was told by dealership that forward camera assist is not functioning, but could not tell me why it failed all of a sudden. No accidents. $1586 to repair because no longer under warranty. Vehicle is only 5 years old.”

   NHTSA complaint #11687578, filed 2025-09

Buying note. For this model year, the engine is the item to inspect closely: check oil consumption records and listen for knocking, and confirm the ABS recall was completed. Electronics and camera complaints are usually less costly but worth testing during a test drive.

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.