2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid problems

STEERING

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint #11758141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint #11758141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I WAS DRIVING DURING DAYLIGHT AND THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY BECAME BARELY VISIBLE, AND THEN ALTERNATED BETWEEN VISIBLE AND BARELY VISIBLE SEVERAL TIMES. IF IT WERE NIGHTTIME THE DISPLAY WOULD BE UNREADABLE AND I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SEE MY SPEED OR OTHER IMPORTANT INDICATORS WHICH WOULD PUT ME AND OTHER DRIVERS AT RISK.

NHTSA complaint #11756466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I WAS DRIVING DURING DAYLIGHT AND THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY BECAME BARELY VISIBLE, AND THEN ALTERNATED BETWEEN VISIBLE AND BARELY VISIBLE SEVERAL TIMES. IF IT WERE NIGHTTIME THE DISPLAY WOULD BE UNREADABLE AND I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SEE MY SPEED OR OTHER IMPORTANT INDICATORS WHICH WOULD PUT ME AND OTHER DRIVERS AT RISK.

NHTSA complaint #11756466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

While driving on the turnpike, the driver seat moved backward. Both of my hadds were on the steeeringwheel during the entire time. The seat motor was clearly engaged in moving the seat. There was no coat, cloth, or any obstruction near the seat control switch. I tried to move the seat up, however the seat would not move up or back. About 20 minutes later I was able to move the seat forward with the switch. Then about 3O minutes later while traveling accross a large bridge, again the seat moved back on its's own with the seat motor clearly engaged. Both times this was very scarry and since I am not tall I had to reach forward to keep my arms on the stering whell and the gas and brake pedals. Since this is clearly a safety matter I imediately contacted the dealer where the car was purchased. They told me to bring the car in. However they then called me saying that since they could not reproduce the problem I should pick up he car. I am very scared to drive this car. Chatgbt reports other owners have repoted the same problems, but they apperar to be relativly uncommon,

NHTSA complaint #11755935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

While driving on the turnpike, the driver seat moved backward. Both of my hadds were on the steeeringwheel during the entire time. The seat motor was clearly engaged in moving the seat. There was no coat, cloth, or any obstruction near the seat control switch. I tried to move the seat up, however the seat would not move up or back. About 20 minutes later I was able to move the seat forward with the switch. Then about 3O minutes later while traveling accross a large bridge, again the seat moved back on its's own with the seat motor clearly engaged. Both times this was very scarry and since I am not tall I had to reach forward to keep my arms on the stering whell and the gas and brake pedals. Since this is clearly a safety matter I imediately contacted the dealer where the car was purchased. They told me to bring the car in. However they then called me saying that since they could not reproduce the problem I should pick up he car. I am very scared to drive this car. Chatgbt reports other owners have repoted the same problems, but they apperar to be relativly uncommon,

NHTSA complaint #11755935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I was traveling on the highway at approximately 75 mph, in TX with my wife, mother in law, and my two pets when the emergency breaking system triggered suddenly. There were no cars or obstacles in front of me. But there was a long line of vehicles, including 18 wheelers right behind me. The vehicle went from about 75 mph to about 55 in less than a second or so it seemed. This was terrifying for everyone. I pulled up to a gas station and restarted the vehicle and it seemed to go back to normal. I got back on the highway, still shaken, and at about 15 or 20 minutes later, the main screen blacked out for about 2 seconds. Then, I was doing about 70, and again the automatic breaking system suddenly slammed, almost causing an accident. The car prompted me to contact Hyundai blue link and as I got off the highway, the vehicle started to loose power until it totally died; leaving stranded in the middle of nowhere with my family and pets under the extreme Texas heat. This horrific, traumatizing experience, has led me to decide to stay as far away from these vehicles. These vehicles are dangerous, a death trap, and I feel lucky to be alive after these incidents.

NHTSA complaint #11752955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

I was traveling on the highway at approximately 75 mph, in TX with my wife, mother in law, and my two pets when the emergency breaking system triggered suddenly. There were no cars or obstacles in front of me. But there was a long line of vehicles, including 18 wheelers right behind me. The vehicle went from about 75 mph to about 55 in less than a second or so it seemed. This was terrifying for everyone. I pulled up to a gas station and restarted the vehicle and it seemed to go back to normal. I got back on the highway, still shaken, and at about 15 or 20 minutes later, the main screen blacked out for about 2 seconds. Then, I was doing about 70, and again the automatic breaking system suddenly slammed, almost causing an accident. The car prompted me to contact Hyundai blue link and as I got off the highway, the vehicle started to loose power until it totally died; leaving stranded in the middle of nowhere with my family and pets under the extreme Texas heat. This horrific, traumatizing experience, has led me to decide to stay as far away from these vehicles. These vehicles are dangerous, a death trap, and I feel lucky to be alive after these incidents.

NHTSA complaint #11752955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I purchased my vehicle from Ideal Hyundai on 04/23/26. On 06/22/26 (less than 2 months later), I was driving to work and the car started to lose power. The display said to check hybrid system and stop safely. After 10 minutes, I was able to drive the car 3 more miles to work. I took it to Ideal Hyundai the next day. I got the car back on 06/26/26 after they said they address the issue and the open recall. Two weeks later, on 07/23/26 I was driving home on a busy highway when the car began to lose power again. We were able to get to the side of the road but were still in a dangerous position. Within minutes, the car's power went out and fuel drained from the car. We used Hyundai Roadside Assistance and they towed it to the nearest Hyundai dealer (Antwerpen). They told me the next day that the car had serious issues and another recall. They said they'd repair it by the end of the week. I also had called the Hyundai corporate office on 07/13/26. They said someone would get back to me in 2-3 business days. They have not done so yet. When I called yesterday, they said someone will get back to me tomorrow (9 business days after my initial call). No one from Antwerpen is answering the phone. I just got a text from them on 07/17/26 saying the car would be ready on 07/20/26 (it's not ready). Because the car lost power in the middle of a busy highway and has lost power twice in less than a month, I am afraid to drive it and believe it has issues that make it unsafe.

NHTSA complaint #11751767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I purchased my vehicle from Ideal Hyundai on 04/23/26. On 06/22/26 (less than 2 months later), I was driving to work and the car started to lose power. The display said to check hybrid system and stop safely. After 10 minutes, I was able to drive the car 3 more miles to work. I took it to Ideal Hyundai the next day. I got the car back on 06/26/26 after they said they address the issue and the open recall. Two weeks later, on 07/23/26 I was driving home on a busy highway when the car began to lose power again. We were able to get to the side of the road but were still in a dangerous position. Within minutes, the car's power went out and fuel drained from the car. We used Hyundai Roadside Assistance and they towed it to the nearest Hyundai dealer (Antwerpen). They told me the next day that the car had serious issues and another recall. They said they'd repair it by the end of the week. I also had called the Hyundai corporate office on 07/13/26. They said someone would get back to me in 2-3 business days. They have not done so yet. When I called yesterday, they said someone will get back to me tomorrow (9 business days after my initial call). No one from Antwerpen is answering the phone. I just got a text from them on 07/17/26 saying the car would be ready on 07/20/26 (it's not ready). Because the car lost power in the middle of a busy highway and has lost power twice in less than a month, I am afraid to drive it and believe it has issues that make it unsafe.

NHTSA complaint #11751767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I purchased my vehicle from Ideal Hyundai on 04/23/26. On 06/22/26 (less than 2 months later), I was driving to work and the car started to lose power. The display said to check hybrid system and stop safely. After 10 minutes, I was able to drive the car 3 more miles to work. I took it to Ideal Hyundai the next day. I got the car back on 06/26/26 after they said they address the issue and the open recall. Two weeks later, on 07/23/26 I was driving home on a busy highway when the car began to lose power again. We were able to get to the side of the road but were still in a dangerous position. Within minutes, the car's power went out and fuel drained from the car. We used Hyundai Roadside Assistance and they towed it to the nearest Hyundai dealer (Antwerpen). They told me the next day that the car had serious issues and another recall. They said they'd repair it by the end of the week. I also had called the Hyundai corporate office on 07/13/26. They said someone would get back to me in 2-3 business days. They have not done so yet. When I called yesterday, they said someone will get back to me tomorrow (9 business days after my initial call). No one from Antwerpen is answering the phone. I just got a text from them on 07/17/26 saying the car would be ready on 07/20/26 (it's not ready). Because the car lost power in the middle of a busy highway and has lost power twice in less than a month, I am afraid to drive it and believe it has issues that make it unsafe.

NHTSA complaint #11751767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The vehicle was taken to the dealership for Recall 304 (NHTSA Campaign 26V400), which was supposed to fix an instrument panel/heads-up display (HUD) communication loop crash. However, the software update merely isolated the crash so that only the HUD goes black and reboots while driving. The underlying signal drop or hardware defect is still actively occurring. The issue may appear to be a loose physical connection or faulty wiring harness, as the HUD loss may be triggered after hitting a bump or uneven road surface, though it remains intermittent. The driver's safety is compromised due to sudden, unpredictable driver distraction. Vital safety information, including vehicle speed, blind-spot monitoring alerts, and forward collision warnings, is instantly lost. The vehicle was returned to the dealership, but technicians stated they "did not find anything on their test drives (<15miles)" because the hardware dropout is intermittent. The vehicle was inspected and worked on by an authorized Hyundai dealership service center for the initial recall but they failed to diagnose the persistent post-recall failure.

NHTSA complaint #11751104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

The vehicle was taken to the dealership for Recall 304 (NHTSA Campaign 26V400), which was supposed to fix an instrument panel/heads-up display (HUD) communication loop crash. However, the software update merely isolated the crash so that only the HUD goes black and reboots while driving. The underlying signal drop or hardware defect is still actively occurring. The issue may appear to be a loose physical connection or faulty wiring harness, as the HUD loss may be triggered after hitting a bump or uneven road surface, though it remains intermittent. The driver's safety is compromised due to sudden, unpredictable driver distraction. Vital safety information, including vehicle speed, blind-spot monitoring alerts, and forward collision warnings, is instantly lost. The vehicle was returned to the dealership, but technicians stated they "did not find anything on their test drives (<15miles)" because the hardware dropout is intermittent. The vehicle was inspected and worked on by an authorized Hyundai dealership service center for the initial recall but they failed to diagnose the persistent post-recall failure.

NHTSA complaint #11751104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

The vehicle was taken to the dealership for Recall 304 (NHTSA Campaign 26V400), which was supposed to fix an instrument panel/heads-up display (HUD) communication loop crash. However, the software update merely isolated the crash so that only the HUD goes black and reboots while driving. The underlying signal drop or hardware defect is still actively occurring. The issue may appear to be a loose physical connection or faulty wiring harness, as the HUD loss may be triggered after hitting a bump or uneven road surface, though it remains intermittent. The driver's safety is compromised due to sudden, unpredictable driver distraction. Vital safety information, including vehicle speed, blind-spot monitoring alerts, and forward collision warnings, is instantly lost. The vehicle was returned to the dealership, but technicians stated they "did not find anything on their test drives (<15miles)" because the hardware dropout is intermittent. The vehicle was inspected and worked on by an authorized Hyundai dealership service center for the initial recall but they failed to diagnose the persistent post-recall failure.

NHTSA complaint #11751104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

My 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid has lost drive/propulsion three times at freeway speed within the first month of ownership. The loss of power is sudden, and the vehicle does not re-engage drive for approximately 15–20 seconds. On July 5, 2026, at approximately 60 mph, the vehicle lost propulsion entirely and went limp in live freeway traffic, forcing me to coast off the freeway. Drive was only restored by shutting the engine off and restarting it. Two earlier occurrences happened on July 5, 2026 (earlier in the same drive) and on June 14, 2026. The vehicle is currently at the dealer service department; no fault codes were found and the technician could not reproduce the condition. This is an intermittent but repeatable loss of vehicle control at highway speed and I consider it a serious safety hazard with crash potential. Hyundai Consumer Affairs case #xxxxxxx is open on this vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11748907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

After purchase, I drove home on the highway and noticed an obvious rattle/vibration. I returned the vehicle 3 times before it was finally discovered that there was a defect in the drive shaft. To hide the defect, during manufacturing multiple balance weights were installed on the same side of the drive shaft to allow it to pass safety checks, despite posing a major safety risk. The vehicle has been declared a Lemon and they must repurchase, but I suspect this problem will extend beyond my one vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11746828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

There was a recent recall for the forward collision cameras that were causing breaking issues. This happened 4 or 5 times with the vehicle slamming on the brakes violently. I took it into Tustin Hyundai last month and had the software recall applied. The issue happened again on the 55 highway on June 20th at 6pm going approximately 35mph. Vehicle in front of me hard braked and applied brakes under control coming to a stop when the car took over and slammed on the brakes skidding the vehicle sideways

NHTSA complaint #11745419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Camera malfunction sign with "NO CAMERA SIGNAL RECEIVED. PLEASE TRY AGAIN LATER" pops up at random times when trying to backup, or park in a lane.

NHTSA complaint #11744122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

An alarm keeps going off warning the driver to take a break. The vehicle has an infrared sensor watching your eyes. If you look right or left it keeps sounding an alarm for you to take a break. It has gone off as many as eleven times in fifty miles even though I NEVER cross the center line or the fog line. I’m not doing anything but paying attention to my driving which includes looking right and left for cross traffic, pedestrians, animals, etc. I’ve driven over a million miles and have never been charged with an accident, have a clean license, and take a safe driving course every three years. On 6/2/26 a young child on an electric bike pulled right out in front of me and I nearly hit him. He was about five years old and didn’t look. I was watching to my left and saw him coming and stopped in time. This device/warning warns against looking for anything to either side of the road. I’m a retired automotive quality engineer and this feature is the antithesis of safety. I can’t believe it ever passed a DFMEA design review. The dealer says it can’t be shut off. There’s already alerts/alarms to warn against leaving your driving lane. This serves no useful purpose and poses a hazard to defensive driving.

NHTSA complaint #11743151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.