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Reliability report · 2023 Hyundai Tucson · Updated July 2026 · ~$2,200/yr fuel · what it costs to keep →

Settling down after the launch — but the oil-pump fire recall and injector pattern still need checking.

The 2023 Tucson's combined complaint volume drops to 162 across the gas (122), hybrid (31), and plug-in-hybrid (9) versions — the redesign is finding its feet. But three patterns keep it from being fully calm: a fire-risk recall on the Idle Stop & Go oil pump (23V526), the carried-over 2.5L direct-injection fuel-injector misfire, and a cluster of panoramic sunroofs shattering with no impact.

The hybrid also carries the generation's low-speed hesitation and a nagging oil-pan leak. Most items are covered under warranty or by recall; a 2023 with the recalls closed, the injector history known, and the sunroof intact is a sound buy.

Evidence: 162 NHTSA complaints · 2 recall campaigns · 7 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Chirping

What that means: 162 federal complaints across the gas, hybrid, and plug-in-hybrid versions — well down from the 2022 launch. The redesign is calming, but a new fire recall (23V526, the Idle Stop & Go oil pump), the 2.5L injector pattern, and a spontaneous-sunroof-shatter cluster keep it above Calm.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

162

Federal complaints (all powertrains)

2

Recalls

Federal crash tests

5-star scale
Overall
Frontal crash
Side crash
Rollover

Tested variant: 2023 Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD (NHTSA VehicleId 17093)

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) →

Known issues

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

Idle Stop & Go oil-pump controller overheat → fire risk (recall 23V526)

major

Recall 23V526 covers certain 2023–2024 Tucsons (with Palisade, Sonata, Elantra, and Kona): the electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil-pump assembly can contain damaged components that overheat, increasing the risk of a fire. Owners are advised to park outside until repaired, and the dealer inspects and replaces the oil-pump controller free of charge. Owner letters began September 2023. This is the year's key safety item — verify by VIN that it shows completed.

Recall 23V526 oil-pump controller

$0

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) · NHTSA manufacturer communications (recalls 23V526/25V893, 2.5L GDI injector bulletin)

2.5L GDI fuel-injector failure → cylinder misfiremajor

  • 2.5L GDI Theta III (gen 4, gas)

The gas Tucson's 2.5L Theta III direct-injection engine carries the same injector problem as the 2022: a broken internal filter lets the injector leak, and the cylinder misfires — check-engine light, shaking, and power reduction, sometimes with a burning smell. Hyundai's bulletin replaces all four injectors. One owner describes fuel injector #3 failing on a highway trip, the engine chugging and losing power to 40 mph in traffic. Under warranty it's covered; out of warranty it's an expensive direct-injection repair. Pull codes, and ask whether the injector bulletin was performed.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) · NHTSA manufacturer communications (recalls 23V526/25V893, 2.5L GDI injector bulletin) · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (4th-gen Tucson)

$0

All four injectors under warranty

expensive; get a quote

Injector job out of warranty

Spontaneous panoramic-sunroof shattermoderate

One of the most striking 2023 patterns, concentrated on the hybrid: the panoramic sunroof shattering with no impact — owners describe a sound 'like a gunshot' at highway speed in clear weather, typically around 19,000–23,000 miles, with the cloth liner catching the glass. Several owners report Hyundai declining a warranty claim and cite an owner-community class-action effort. There is no recall; comprehensive insurance is the practical backstop. Inspect the glass and ask about any prior glass claims.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (4th-gen Tucson)

verify with insurer

Sunroof glass (typically an insurance claim)

Hybrid low-speed hesitation and oil-pan leakmoderate

  • 1.6L turbo hybrid / plug-in (gen 4)

The hybrid's defining 2023 complaint is a delayed response accelerating from a stop — the gas engine hangs for several seconds during the electric-to-gas handoff, producing near-misses at intersections and traffic circles; dealers often can't duplicate it. Separately, owners report an oil-pan or oil-pan-gasket leak that dealers chase across repeat visits (gasket first, then the pan). Both are typically warranty repairs on a 2023 — confirm the leak is resolved and test low-speed acceleration deliberately.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (4th-gen Tucson)

Phantom automatic emergency braking and brake-module warningsmoderate

Carried over from 2022: the automatic emergency braking (AEB) / forward-collision system braking or warning 'radar blocked' with nothing ahead, and integrated electronic brake (IEB) module warning lights that send cars back for repeat module replacements. Test the driver-assist suite on the drive, check for a history of false activations, and know how to set AEB to warning-only.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, and Tucson Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) · Independent mechanic channel transcripts (4th-gen Tucson)

Driving on the road when passengers hear what sounded like a gunshot… noticed the sunroof had spontaneously shattered.
7 mechanic & owner sources

Open recalls

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

  1. 23V526Idle Stop & Go electric oil-pump controller can overheat — fire risk (2023–2024 Tucson and other models). Free inspection/replacement of the controller; park outside until repaired. Letters from 9/2023.open
  2. 25V893Optional Mobis tow-hitch wiring harness may let water into the control module — trailer-light failure or short/fire. Free wiring cap. 2022–2024; park outside until repaired. VINs searchable 12/2025.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 — 2023 Tucson

Three sourced numbers. No fake total.

Fuel

28 MPG combined (25 city / 32 highway) for the FWD, 2.5L on the EPA federal fuel-economy test.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (EPA) — EPA’s federal fuel-economy test, recomputed with current gas prices. EPA record 46375 (Tucson FWD).
Other builds EPA lists: AWD, 2.5L 25 MPG · Hybrid AWD, 1.6L turbo 37 MPG · Plug-in hybrid AWD, 1.6L turbo 35 MPG.

$2,200/yr

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

Theft

Stolen about 68% less often than the average vehicle. One less thing to price into coverage.

Source: HLDI — the insurance industry’s loss-data institute — HLDI whole vehicle theft losses, 2022–24 models, published May 2025 (report WT-24). 100 = the all-vehicle average. Series read: Hyundai Tucson 4dr 4WD.
Other series: Hyundai Tucson 4dr 26 · Hyundai Tucson hybrid 4dr 4WD 17, where 100 = average.

32 vs 100

68% below 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 23V526 oil-pump controller$0
All four injectors under warranty$0
Injector job out of warrantyexpensive; get a quote
Sunroof glass (typically an insurance claim)verify with insurer
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?

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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
  1. 01Verify by VIN that recall 23V526 (Idle Stop & Go oil-pump fire) shows completed — it's the year's key safety item and a park-outside recall.
  2. 02On the gas 2.5L, pull codes and ask whether the fuel-injector bulletin (all four injectors) was performed.
  3. 03Inspect the panoramic sunroof and ask about any prior glass insurance claims — spontaneous shatter is a real 2023 pattern.
  4. 04On the hybrid, test acceleration from a full stop for the electric-to-gas hesitation, and confirm any oil-pan leak was resolved.
  5. 05If it has a tow hitch, verify recall 25V893 (wiring-harness fire) is closed.
  6. 06Test the automatic emergency braking and check for a history of false activations.

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