2015 Hyundai Tucson Complaints

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 06/21/2026

While driving on a US highway, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle lost the ability to start/run normally, requiring the vehicle to be pulled off the road and towed to an authorized Hyundai dealership. Dealer diagnostic testing found the engine failed a bearing/performance test, consistent with connecting rod bearing wear. This failure mode — Check Engine light, DTC P1326, abnormal noise, or a no-crank/no-start condition caused by connecting rod bearing wear — is described in the manufacturer's own internal dealer service bulletin covering an engine warranty extension program for multiple engine families (Theta II MPI and Nu GDI engines) across several model years and vehicle lines. That bulletin acknowledges the failure as a known condition and extends coverage to 15 years/150,000 miles for original and subsequent owners. The failure occurred suddenly and without warning while the vehicle was in active use on a highway, creating a stall/loss-of-power hazard in moving traffic — the vehicle could not be restarted at the roadside. The dealership's own multi-point inspection performed shortly after intake confirmed engine fluid levels and oil grade were within normal range, indicating the failure was not attributable to a lack of lubrication at the time of failure. Despite this, the manufacturer denied warranty coverage for the repair, citing an inability to produce maintenance receipts for a prior period, even though the dealership's own inspection findings do not support a maintenance-related cause. This report is submitted because of the safety hazard posed by unwarned loss of engine power/starting capability while driving, and because this failure pattern appears consistent with a defect the manufacturer has already acknowledged for closely related engine platforms, raising the question of whether additional vehicles with this engine design should be included in that existing warranty/defect campaign.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE — Filed 04/01/2026

The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The engine turned over but failed to restart. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic shop and then to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine seized; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer advised that there was no warranty coverage. The Better Business Bureau was contacted and informed that the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed, but a request for repair coverage was declined due to a failure to have the recall remedy completed; however, both the contact and the previous owner were unaware of the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

ENGINE — Filed 03/16/2026

My 2015 Hyundai Tucson with the 2.4L engine developed a loud engine knocking sound while driving. The knocking became worse and the vehicle became unsafe to drive due to the possibility of sudden engine failure. The vehicle is currently at a Hyundai dealership and has been there for over a month. The dealership denied the warranty claim stating that a different engine component failed instead of the connecting rod bearing. This engine is part of the known Theta II engine defect issue that has caused engine failures in many Hyundai vehicles. A sudden engine failure while driving could result in loss of power, difficulty steering or braking, and could increase the risk of a crash. I am filing this complaint because the engine failure symptoms match the known defect pattern, and the vehicle may be unsafe if the issue is not properly addressed. Hyundai Tucson with 113,000 miles and failing engine. I’ve been told repairs have amounted to $10,000. I was told my car has severe engine failure and must be replaced by Hyundai of the shoals in Tuscumbia, AL. Engine failure is dangerous as a fire may start from a metal piece and also loss of control of vehicle is possible. Hyundai has denied warranty as they say the exact part in theta 2 engine settlement is not failing. I have had to complete recalls on this car since the first payment I made on it. The engine knocking began a month ago and that’s about how long the dealership has had my car.

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS — Filed 03/13/2026

On March 13, 2026, I was operating my 2015 Hyundai Tucson when the steering locked up, causing me to crash into a tree head-on. In the course of this head-on crash, my airbags failed to deploy. As a direct result of my airbags not deploying in a serious car crash, my head hit the steering wheel, causing a confirmed concussion diagnosis of Post Traumatic Headache and Post Concussion Syndrome in a hospital emergency room. There were no lights or symbols on the dashboard prior to the accident. My car had a prior repair for a front end collision in a body shop and a replacement of the engine in a Hyundai dealership prior to the accident. My car is currently in a tow yard. There has been no inspection of my car by the manufacturer. I have since discovered that there are a number of complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA") from other Hyundai Tucson owners for the model years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2019, and 2023 complaining of the same defect in their Hyundai Tucsons – the failure of the airbags to deploy in serious car accidents. I believe this represents a systemic safety defect in the Hyundai Tucson airbag system that has not been addressed for the 2015 model year. This failure put my safety at serious risk and resulted in significant injuries that could have been prevented had the airbag system functioned as designed.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 01/07/2026

On January 7, 2026, shortly after delivery of a used 2015 Hyundai Tucson (VIN [XXX] ), the vehicle experienced immediate mechanical failure while being driven, resulting in sudden loss of power and drivability. Multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard at the time of failure. The vehicle became disabled and left the occupants stranded roadside in Fairhope, Alabama. The exact component that failed is UNKNOWN at this time. The failure appears related to the engine, powertrain, fuel/propulsion, and/or electrical systems. The vehicle was not operable after the incident. On January 8, 2026, the selling dealership (Sandy Sansing Nissan, Pensacola, Florida) towed the vehicle back to their dealership. The vehicle has remained in the dealership’s possession since that date and is available for inspection upon request. This sudden failure created a significant safety risk due to loss of propulsion while in traffic and exposure to roadside hazards. The problem has not been independently repaired or evaluated by the consumer. No manufacturer inspection has occurred to the consumer’s knowledge. The dealer has not provided a diagnostic report or repair findings. No warning lights or symptoms were disclosed prior to delivery. The failure occurred almost immediately after delivery. The vehicle was sold and delivered by a licensed dealership. The sale is currently in dispute because the vehicle became disabled almost immediately after delivery due to this safety-related failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINE — Filed 01/09/2026

At the time of engine failure, my husband was on the offramp between 140N and 24N at approximately 8:30pm. This ramp is under construction and narrow, but state troopers stopped and were able to push the car to the side of the road. As it was nighttime, my husband and /or other motor vehicle drivers/passengers could've been seriously injured. The car did not display any warning lights or signals. The car was then towed home and then to Empire Hyundai in Fall River, where it was assessed. It was determined that there were 5 outstanding recalls on the vehicle. Hyundai fixed all, with the exception of Recall #966, which was issued and not repaired PRIOR to my purchasing the vehicle. Hyundai Corporate was contacted by Aaron at Empire Hyundai. They (Corporate) refuses to replace the engine. According to Corporate, this should've been fixed by the independent dealer or owner PRIOR to being sold to me.

ENGINE — Filed 10/25/2025

Driving on interstate for approx 30min and the car stopped accelerating. We safely merged off to the side and the car completely shut off. The car would not start. We put oil in and it started up by engine light was on. We got vehicle towed 1hr back into town. We are lucky no cars were behind us to cause an accident. We are also lucky engine did not catch on fire. This happened completely out of the blue. I get my vehicle serviced regularly and serviced at Hyundai dealerships for major repairs. The engine failed us and is available for inspection. Our claim was denied by Hyundai due to my mileage being 10k over the warranty. However they installed the faulty engine so regardless of mileage this needs to be resolved.

ENGINE — Filed 01/07/2025

The engine failed two years ago at 86000 miles. Hyundai replaced the engine for it to start knocking and stop working a year later. I completed all of the first oil changes, slow driving, ect. Seems like an engine problem with Hyundai itself.

ENGINE — Filed 07/10/2021

I started having oil issues 3 years after purchasing my hyundai Tuscan 2015. I took my vehicle to hyundai several time all of which I was told by service guy and I quote “Hey its Hyundai, just following up so right now we have a consumption issue. It is currently 2.5 quarts low. The tech recommends re doing the oil change and returning in 1000miles and recheck. When you return and we see that the oil level is more than a quote low then we would have you reduce the service interval from 5000miles to 3000miles, let me know if you have any questions. I had many questions and also wanted to know why it was my responsibility to do all these things if they know the engine is faulty. Had another diagnostic and the code P1326 populated. That means indicates an issue with the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS), often pointing to actual engine knocking caused by worn connecting rod bearings, but also potentially to a faulty knock sensor, wiring problems, outdated ECM. The Theta II engines are documented to have clogged oil galleys, preventing proper lubrication and causing premature wear. They do everything the can NOT to fix the issue even with a lifetime warranty on that engine.

ENGINE — Filed 07/03/2025

Without any notice, the crankshaft seized while driving 55 mph on the highway. We were on a highway with one lane in each direction and a shoulder. No warning lights appeared until after the engine failed. We were barely able to coast to the shoulder at the time. The incident blew a baseball size hole in the engine. The vehicle was towed to over 60 miles to Noller Hyundai of Lawrence, Kansas. The repair was paid for under the Hyundai warranty without me providing any maintenance records. The engine is not in our possession for you to inspect, but I'm sure you could reach out to the dealership where it was replaced.