2025 Hyundai Tucson Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the forward collision avoidance / automatic emergency braking system engaging when they did not expect it, sometimes bringing the vehicle to a sudden stop in traffic. Most of these reports come in at low mileage, often within the first few thousand miles, and a number describe the behavior continuing after dealer software updates. A second cluster of complaints covers instrument panel and infotainment screens going blank, sometimes repeatedly.

1. 1
   Forward collision avoidance

   Unexpected automatic emergency braking (phantom braking)

   • 108 complaints (37%)
   • median 5,500 mi at 1.3 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 28 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle braking hard on its own when no obstacle is in the path — on highways, freeway ramps, parking lots, and while changing lanes — sometimes with a red warning flashing first, sometimes with no warning. Several say the stop was abrupt enough that a following vehicle struck them, and a few mention the pedal going firm or to the floor during the event. Complaints describe repeated visits to the dealer where the system could not be duplicated, was described as operating as designed, or was addressed with camera or software updates that did not resolve it. Some owners say they switch the feature off at every start. Mostly reported at low mileage, commonly within the first few thousand miles and often on dry roads at ordinary speeds, though some describe rain, snow, or dusty construction zones.

   Recall 26V3160001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the front camera software recall (26V316000) has been performed and whether any front camera calibration service bulletin was applied. During a test drive, note whether the car brakes on its own near parked cars, ramps, or overhead structures.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Forward collision assist is dangerous. It engages when not necessary and has almost caused several wrecks by slamming on the brakes. There needs to be a way to permanently disable and not have to pick through a series of menus every time. Also, lately I feel like I’m fighting the lane keep assist when I’m on the highway, and it tries to move when not necessary.”

   NHTSA complaint #11739419, filed 2026-05

   “Under two occasions I was driving on the highway at a safe distance from the car in front of me and my car emergency braking system triggered and went off and caused my car to stop in the middle of the highway. This caused a collision behind me. There was no reason on either occasion for the braking to bring the car to a hault.”

   NHTSA complaint #11690715, filed 2025-10
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Instrument cluster and display screens going blank

   • 64 complaints (22%)
   • median 2,300 mi at 1.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Complaints describe the gauge cluster, infotainment screen, or head-up display turning black while driving, sometimes for seconds and sometimes for many minutes, with the radio or other functions still working. Owners report repeated dealer visits and various diagnoses, including a rear-view camera display fault, a heads-up display harness, and a coaxial cable connection, with some vehicles still not repaired. Several mention the problem returning after restarting the car. Reported from very low mileage up to roughly 13,000 miles, at various driving speeds and in some cases as a recurring daily event.

   Recall 26V400000

   What to check: Start the car and watch the cluster and center screen through a short drive; ask the seller whether any display or harness repairs were attempted and whether the instrument panel display recall (26V400000) was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My entire dashboard goes black and I lose all directions and functions in car. It happens when driving often. Additionally after taking to dealership, it's getting worse. Now warning lights come on and stay on such as master warning lights, batteries, power steering, etc. AC shuts off, the car misses out when driving between 25 and 30 mph. The dealership told me it's not safe to drive.”

   NHTSA complaint #11680436, filed 2025-08

   “The display on the dashboard that includes the speedometer and other information goes completely blank. So does the heads-up display on the windshield. This could occur at the same time or individually. It may last only a few seconds or for several minutes. This has happened since I bought the car about 1.5 years ago. I've had it to the dealership and they have noted the problem but have not been able to fix it. I know that Genesis, which is part of Hyundai has had recalls about this problem, but so far Hyundai has not. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11733923, filed 2026-04
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Drivetrain and shift faults, no-start or no-move conditions

   • 41 complaints (14%)
   • median 11,250 mi at 1.3 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners describe the vehicle failing to move after starting, warning messages for powertrain and hybrid systems, shuddering at low speed, or refusing to shift out of Park with a service warning. Reported dealer actions include replacing a transmission control module, an electric oil pump, and a shift-by-wire control unit, with at least one owner saying the problem returned after the part was replaced. One complaint describes the car rolling in reverse without accelerator input. Spread from a few hundred miles to around 15,000 miles, occurring both on startup and while driving at low speed.

   Recall 25V549000Recall 24V877000

   What to check: Ask whether any transmission control module, oil pump, or shift control unit work has been done. On a test drive, check for shuddering around 20-30 mph and confirm the car shifts out of Park normally with the brake applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Shifter malfunction, service immediately warning comes on. The car will not shift out of park and cannot be driven. It has happened 4 times now. No one has been hurt, but I have been stranded multiple times. The dealer couldn’t reproduce the issue the first time I brought it in, but they did second time I brought it in for the same issue. They replaced a part that was supposedly faulty, but the issue persists after the replacement. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11765604, filed 2026-09

   “I bought a Hyundai Tucson Hybrid 2025 on Aug. 7, 2025. My car has 1541 miles on Oct. 8. I tried to drive my car out of the garage, and the engine would start, but it wouldn't move forward or backward. There were three warnings on the dashboard: Powertrain, hybrid, and something. Hyundai headquarters called and said there was a problem with my car. They will send a tow truck. It has been one week since my car was taken to the dealer. I haven't heard back. When I called today, they said there was a problem with the TCM and they ordered a module. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11693966, filed 2025-10

Buying note. Test drive at highway speed and in a parking lot to see whether the emergency braking intervenes unexpectedly, and confirm the front camera recall and any related software or calibration updates are documented. Also check the instrument cluster, center screen, horn, and shifter operation, since owners most often describe those items on this model year.

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.