Is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson reliable?

The quietest third-gen year — close out the ABS-fire recall and it's a clean pick. 72 federal complaints, the lowest of the third generation. The engine story has largely settled, the bearing coverage still applies, and the only open safety recall is the ABS-fire campaign (20V543). Calm here means no expensive year-specific pattern — verify the recall.

How many complaints and recalls does the 2021 Hyundai Tucson have?

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson has 72 federal complaints and 1 recalls in the NHTSA data (updated July 2026).

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Hyundai Tucson?

Known issues, ranked by the cost of ignoring them: ABS module corrosion → engine-compartment fire (recall 20V543); Connecting-rod-bearing coverage — mostly a formality now, still worth confirming; 7-speed dual-clutch behavior (1.6T); What you no longer worry about.

What should I check before buying a used 2021 Hyundai Tucson?

Verify by VIN that recall 20V543 (ABS fire) shows completed — on 2021 it includes the ESC software update, and it's a park-outside item. Cold-start the car and listen for a knock; check the dipstick and ask about oil consumption between changes. Ask Hyundai which connecting-rod-bearing engine-warranty tier applies to the VIN — coverage is cheap insurance even on a calm year. On a 1.6T, creep in traffic and check dual-clutch smoothness; ask whether the TCM reflashes were applied. Otherwise apply normal used-car diligence — this is the calmest third-generation year we track.

2021 Hyundai Tucson Problems & Reliability — What 72 Owners Report

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

ABS module corrosion → engine-compartment fire (recall 20V543)

major

2021 is in the original 2019–2021 population of recall 20V543: the anti-lock brake control unit (HECU) can corrode and short, risking an engine-compartment fire parked or driving. The remedy is a free HECU fuse plus an electronic stability control (ESC) software update, with a park-outside advisory until complete. It's the year's only open safety recall — confirm by VIN that it's done.

Recall 20V543 fuse + ESC software

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2021 Tucson · NHTSA manufacturer communications (recall 20V543, KSDS Campaign 966, rod-bearing warranty extensions) · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (3rd-gen Tucson)

Connecting-rod-bearing coverage — mostly a formality now, still worth confirmingmoderate

The GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine bearing story is much quieter on the 2021, but the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software and the staged engine long-block warranty for rod-bearing repair (extended up to a Limited Lifetime Warranty valid for later owners) still apply. Confirm the tier for the VIN with Hyundai, cold-start the car, and check the oil history — cheap insurance even on a calm year.

KSDS software / bearing inspection

$0 if covered

Long-block under bearing warranty

7-speed dual-clutch behavior (1.6T)minor

The turbo 1.6T's 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) can still feel hesitant at very low speed. Hyundai's transmission-control-module reflashes address shift quality — ask the dealer whether they were applied and creep in traffic on the test drive. On this low-complaint year it's a drivability check, not a red flag.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2021 Tucson · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (3rd-gen Tucson)

What you no longer worry aboutminor

As the last third-generation year, the 2021 sits past the worst of the launch-era engine flood — its 72-complaint file is a fraction of 2016's. There's no year-specific recall beyond the ABS-fire campaign. The buying task is verifying that one recall and the engine coverage, then treating it as a normal used SUV.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2021 Tucson · NHTSA manufacturer communications (recall 20V543, KSDS Campaign 966, rod-bearing warranty extensions)

This generation looks great on the outside, but reliability-wise, it hasn't lived up to expectations.

7 mechanic & owner sources

Open recalls

Free fixes at any Hyundai dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

20V543ABS control unit (HECU) corrosion can short and cause an engine-compartment fire; free fuse plus ESC software update on 2019–2021. Park outside until repaired.open

What it costs to keep

The purchase price is what you negotiate. These are the numbers you live with afterward — each one sourced, none of them blended into a fake total.

The ownership picture — 2021 Tucson

Three sourced numbers. No fake total.

Fuel

25 MPG combined (22 city / 28 highway) for the FWD, 2.4L on the EPA federal fuel-economy test.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (EPA) — EPA’s federal fuel-economy test, recomputed with current gas prices. EPA record 43646 (Tucson FWD).
Other builds EPA lists: AWD, 2.4L 23 MPG · AWD, 2.0L 23 MPG · FWD, 2.0L 25 MPG.

$2,500/yr

at $4.15/gal · 15,000 mi/yr · 55/45 city/hwy · pulled Jul 12, 2026

Theft

Stolen about 44% more often than the average vehicle. Worth pricing comprehensive coverage before you buy, not after.

Source: HLDI — the insurance industry’s loss-data institute — HLDI whole vehicle theft losses, 2019–21 models, published April 2022 (report WT-21). 100 = the all-vehicle average. Series read: Hyundai Tucson 4dr 4WD.
Other series: Hyundai Tucson 4dr 98, where 100 = average.

144 vs 100

44% above average

Repair risk

What this specific year is known to need. Pulled from the issues above — the repairs owners actually report, at the costs they report them. Averages from other sites blend every year together; these are this year’s own numbers.

Source: this report — 01 Known issues.

Recall 20V543 fuse + ESC software$0

KSDS software / bearing inspection$0

Long-block under bearing warranty$0 if covered

Why there’s no single “cost to own” number: sites that promise one are guessing at your insurance quote, your annual miles, and your luck. These are the numbers we can actually source — and each one carries its receipt.

Shopping this year?

Get the printable pre-purchase checklist and an alert if this year’s recall sheet changes.

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Have a specific one in your sights?

The VIN is on the listing. We’ll check this exact car — build, open recalls, and whether the “completed” repairs stayed fixed.

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Before you buy

Print this

01Verify by VIN that recall 20V543 (ABS fire) shows completed — on 2021 it includes the ESC software update, and it's a park-outside item.
02Cold-start the car and listen for a knock; check the dipstick and ask about oil consumption between changes.
03Ask Hyundai which connecting-rod-bearing engine-warranty tier applies to the VIN — coverage is cheap insurance even on a calm year.
04On a 1.6T, creep in traffic and check dual-clutch smoothness; ask whether the TCM reflashes were applied.
05Otherwise apply normal used-car diligence — this is the calmest third-generation year we track.

Own one already?

The canary watches your VIN — new recalls and the mileage where known issues start.

Watch my VIN — free

vincanary.com/hyundai/tucson/2021

The quietest third-gen year — close out the ABS-fire recall and it's a clean pick.

Federal crash tests

01Known issues