2021 Hyundai Tucson: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
78 NHTSA owner complaints · 1 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The third-generation Tucson launched for 2016 with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission on the 1.6-litre turbo, and that transmission is the reason 2016 carries 1,616 complaints: hesitation from a standstill, jerking and loss of drive. Hyundai reflashed and, in some cases, replaced the transmission, and the 2018–2021 years score between 74 and 90. Read the full note on the model page. 2021 specifically: a year the record favours — 78 complaints, score 89/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Used Hyundai Tucson, Santa Fe and Elantra: beyond the engine recall, including 2021 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 78 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 15.6
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine blew. No warning lights were illuminated. There was white smoke coming from the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 7,800.
This vehicle burns oil at an alarming rate. I am getting oil changes every 3K miles, and when I take it in, the dipstick is dry. I receive no oil lights to tell me it is low. I just had to get spark plugs and the mechanic at the garage told me this was due to the oil consumption issue in these vehicles. I am at 71,000 miles.
Forward Collision Avoidance Assist is on and will not go off. Only has 16,900 miles and is newly out of warranty except for 5yr 50,000 bumper warranty. Dealer at Allen Turner says noat way they will cover this because my Vin is not listed in the latest recall. This vehicle was purchased new and has been maintained as required by manufacture . So, I am [XXX] and have purchased new Hyandais before. I do not at thi…
Recalls: 1 campaigns (1 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 20V543000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Hyundai expanded the recall population, and added certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 23 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,650
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine38 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Service Brakes12 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
- Electrical System11 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other10 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Power Train8 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Fuel/Propulsion System8 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
Other Hyundai Tucson years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Hyundai Tucson?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (38 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 89/100, computed from 78 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2021 Hyundai Tucson's most common problem?
38 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2021 Hyundai Tucson sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2021 Hyundai Tucson cost to run per year?
About $4,316 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $21,580 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2021 Hyundai Tucson have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, 1 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 04/09/2020. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compact suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2021 Hyundai Tucson really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Moderate evidence — 78 complaints, 1 recalls on record
- 78 NHTSA complaints on record (15.6/yr of exposure) — better than a typical year of this model (39.2/yr)
- 1 recall campaigns, 1 touching safety-critical systems