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2023 Hyundai Tucson Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2023 Hyundai Tucson carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering pump and trailer hitches. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Panoramic sunroof spontaneous shattering.” Hyundai's owner's manual splits service into Normal and Severe schedules. Most US drivers qualify as Severe due to short trips, extreme temperatures, or stop-and-go traffic. Hyundai Assurance covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance on new vehicles. The Theta II 2.0L and 2.4L engines (2011-2019) are subject to TSBs around oil consumption — strict adherence to oil intervals matters.

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2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP

Campaign #23V526000 · Jul 27, 2023

Issue: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.

Risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starting September 7, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 246.

TRAILER HITCHES

Campaign #25V893000 · Dec 19, 2025

Issue: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Tucson vehicles equipped with an optional Mobis tow hitch wiring harness. The wiring harness may have been installed incorrectly, allowing water into the control module. Moisture accumulation may cause the trailer lighting to fail or an electrical short circuit.

Risk: Nonfunctioning trailer lights can increase the risk of a crash. A short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will remove the trailer wiring harness and install a dust cap over the wiring receptacle, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 11, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 290. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 20, 2025.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2023 Hyundai Tucson.

Reported to NHTSA

Panoramic sunroof spontaneous shattering

VISIBILITY

9 NHTSA complaints · 2023-02 → 2026-06

“The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the panoramic sunroof exploded while driving at approximately 40-50 MPH. The rear section of the sunroof glass had shattered into several pieces without impact”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11746494
“Sun roof on Tucson 2023 shattered while car was being driven. When the roof shattered there was a loud sound (like a bomb going off) in the car and then the sound of glass breaking. The vehicle is available for inspection”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11708951
“I was driving on the highway & my sunroof exploded. Glass was shattered & rained down on me & my occupants”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11509107

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Horn failure during driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

9 NHTSA complaints · 2024-08 → 2026-06

“Horn has been replaced three times and is now out for a fourth time”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11706957
“my 2023 Hyundai Tucson has had the horn replaced twice. the technician indicated this is a common problem due to the location of the horn its susceptible to water damage rendering it useless”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11668543
“After using horn on rainy highway driving it stopped working completely. Called dealer with issue and scheduled appointment. After two day they said it is a know issue and horns will take 2-3 business days to order”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11694464

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of braking function

SERVICE BRAKES

10 NHTSA complaints · 2023-01 → 2026-06

“On January 21, 2023 I stopped for a red light. After a few seconds the brake pedal started going down and went completely down. Mileage at that time was just over 1700 miles”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11503335
“on 04/16/23 I got into my car and Immediately after going into drive the brakes completely failed. The car continued accelerating even after releasing the accelerator and refused to stop even while pumping the brakes”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11517285
“I parked my car on a driveway with a slight incline. After putting the car in park, I stepped out of the vehicle and the car rolled back into the street”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11711935

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Forward collision avoidance false activation

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

14 NHTSA complaints · 2022-12 → 2026-07

“4/16/2026 at 1:35pm I was traveling north on Hwy 69 traveling +-45mph. Vehicle on my right in his lane and one vehicle in from of me about 50yrds. My vehicle auto applied the brakes and alarm indicating emergency collision to happen”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11732659
“The automatic emergency braking system has activated on four separate occasions for unknown reasons or warning. Tapped the brakes and it disengaged. In three of the situations no vehicles or pedestrians nearby”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11735952
“The contact owns a 2023 Honda Tucson. The contact stated while driving 74 MPH with the cruise control activated, the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated, after which the Automatic Emergency Braking activated, causing a rapid deceleration to the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11573456

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel injector failure causing engine stall

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

13 NHTSA complaints · 2023-04 → 2026-07

“FUEL INJECTORS FAILED AT 18523 MILES. Replaced both low and high injector on this cylinder 3 and then continued performance issues”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11656127
“This vehicle has been taken in on four separate occasions now to have know faulty fuel injectors replaced. All dealer service people acknowledge this is a know defect, all tow truck drivers have also confirmed the same, as well as thousands of people online”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11619627
“Engine would not accelerate after stopping at a store. Limped home at 15 mph. Engine light came on a few miles from home. Vehicle would not stay running the next morning and had to be towed to dealership”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11560374

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration during low-speed maneuvers

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE

11 NHTSA complaints · 2023-09 → 2026-04

“UNKNOWN - was parking in a spot and car accelerated uncommanded, stepped on the brakes and car did not stop. It stopped with parking sign cement post”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11680465
“The contact owns a 2023 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH in a parking lot and slowing down to park the vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11693557
“The contact owned a 2023 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound emanating from an unknown location of the vehicle, after which the vehicle began to accelerate on its own”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11598593

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering system failure

STEERING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2022-12 → 2026-04

“On [XXX], while driving a 2023 Hyundai TUCSON SEL, the steering wheel suddenly and completely detached from the steering column and ended up in the driver's lap”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11685540
“While driving on April 11, 2026 at approximately 1:30 PM on [XXX] , the vehicle experienced a loss of steering response while the roadway curved to the right. The driver turned the steering wheel normally in order to follow the curve”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11731406
“Power steering failed DURING vehicle operation while car was moving at speed. Steering wheel became excessively difficult to turn, severely limiting control of the vehicle and rendering the vehicle undriveable”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11527826

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal service: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson 2011-2019): never extend — oil consumption issues are documented in Hyundai TSBs.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. AWD Tucson and Santa Fe owners benefit from rotation at 5,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Elantra and Sonata front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required to maintain ABS and ESC pump life.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe service or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Hyundai SP-IV or SPH-IV — substitutes can cause harsh shifting and torque converter damage.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on Theta II, Lambda II, and Smartstream engines. 1.6T (Veloster N, Kona N): 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Hyundai Long-Life Coolant (pink): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it damages the cylinder head gasket on GDI engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on most Hyundai models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Replace at 90,000 miles on most models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

13 crashes 1990–2024

How the 13 occupant deaths break down

11

driver deaths

2

passenger deaths

13

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2023 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

12

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2023 Hyundai Tucson reflects Hyundai's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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