2019 Hyundai Tucson: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed May 15, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · 49,400 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while the contact's husband was driving, the contact noticed an abnormal loud sound. In addition, the contact noticed smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact noticed an unusual odor in the interior of the vehicle. The contact's husband drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that the engine seized. In addition, the contact stated that the smoke and the unusual odor subsided. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. In addition, the contact stated that when the failure occurred, the contact's minor children were occupants of the vehicle. The contact stated that the minor children were frightened. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed of an open recall associated with the contact's VIN, the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V543000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). In addition, the contact was informed that her contact information was not updated in the database. The failure mileage was approximately 49,400.

Filed May 12, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · FL · fire

On March 21st, while driving my Hyundai vehicle, I noticed the vehicle began making a ticking sound. After stopping the vehicle, it slowly began catching on fire. The fire ultimately spread and resulted in the vehicle becoming a total loss. This created a serious safety concern and placed me at risk. I later learned there was a recall associated with the vehicle. However, I never received any recall notices because Hyundai reportedly had the wrong address on file. Had I been properly notified of the recall and potential safety risks, I would have done everything in my power to ensure the vehicle was inspected, repaired, and safe to drive. Because I was unaware of the recall issue, the vehicle continued to be operated without my knowledge of the potential danger. The incident caused significant financial and transportation hardship, including loss of reliable transportation and additional financial strain. Hyundai later reached a determination regarding the matter, but I remain concerned about the serious safety risk and the fact that I did not receive proper recall notification before the incident occurred. I am submitting this complaint because I believe the recall notification process and handling of this matter should be reviewed further due to the serious safety risk involved.

Filed Apr 13, 2025 · Engine · HI

Back in 2024 Brought car in for recall but Hyundai only scanned the vehicle and gave estimate for work done without further explanation. Left the car idle and only start it once in a while. Now when opening oil cap there’s some smoke coming out of it and a rattling sound

Filed Feb 25, 2025 · Brakes, Fuel system · VA · fire

on [XXX], we received the Tucson back from dealer from a complete engine replacement due to recall. On [XXX], our college son was returning to school from visiting a friend. He said he thought the car sounded a little different. There were no engine light warnings, so he didn't think much of it. About an hour into the trip, he started to smell gas, a few minutes later he started to smell smoke and saw smoke coming into the vehicle through the consoles. He looked behind him and saw a trail of fire and smoke. He decided to pull over but the brakes FAILED. He went into the median, applied the emergency brake and waited until the car slowed down. He was able to grab his phone that had fallen beneath his seat from driving onto the median. Once he was out of the vehicle, he could definitely see the car was on fire. It was entirely engulfed in flames within seconds. He called 911 and they were able to put out the fire within 30 minutes, but they commented that it was a difficult fire to extinguish. The car was completely destroyed front to back. We do not know if this problem started with engine, fuel tank or brakes. It is one thing when your car is on fire and you can pull over and get out. It is entirely another when you need to get out of your car but the brakes fail. You have to delay getting out of the car to ensure you don't hurt others on the road and save yourself before it explodes. We are lucky he is alive but are worried for others with this car. We thought we were done with car prolems after the engine replacement but we just moved onto another problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 22, 2025 · Engine · PA

While driving, my vehicle stopped moving forward and the engine light came on. I pulled over and called for a tow. The service department at the dealership the vehicle was towed to said that the vehicle had less than a quart of oil in it. I just had the vehicle serviced 2 months prior. The service department changed the oil, oil filter and air filter. They drove the car and heard knocking. They found the rod bearing to be bad. They said it needed a new engine. The vehicle has approximately 51,000 miles. I never had any issues prior to that day. The car manufacture is refusing to replace the engine because I am not the original owner, not because the engine isn't defective. This is a 2019 Hyundai Tuscon with engine 2.0L L4 DOHC 16V. I believe there is a known problem with this engine, but the manufacturer doesn't want to admit to anything, nor do they want to resolve the issue. My vehicle could have caught fire. I could have been in an accident. I just want the car company to replace the engine without any cost to me. I would even pay for the labor, but they need to pay for the engine and any parts or tests that come with replacing an engine.

Filed Jun 13, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NC · fire

I was driving approx 55mph on [XXX] in my 2019 hyundai tucson when the check engine light came on and the engine started to stall. I felt the acceleration dying down in the middle of busy highway traffic. Gray smoke started coming from the hood cracks. I luckily was in the right lane already, so when I could I veered off to the shoulder and the car quit. The smoke was increasing badly. Ppl from the highway were yelling its going to blow up get away from it! I was so scared. I grabbed my phone and keys and ran as far as I could while dialing 911. Within a couple minutes flames were swallowing the entire engine and front of the car. I am furious. I researched online and hyundai has had many similar incidents with this car and other with this engine ! These need to be banned and taken off the road before they kill anyone else. Ppl have been injured and killed from similar situations just like mine. I thank God I made it out of this horrific situation alive. But now I have no car and am at risk of losing my job and then housing . I thought I would have this car for years. Now I'm traumatized and without transportation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 13, 2024 · Engine · NE

On [XXX], my wife and I were traveling westbound on [XXX] in the left hand lane approximately 30 miles from Lincoln, NE. I noticed blue smoke coming from my exhaust. I had to maneuver to avoid traffic in the right hand lane to exit. The engine and oil light came on about 30 yards from where we were able to stop safely. There was a large amount of oil on the ground under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the nearest dealership in Lincoln, NE. On [XXX], the service manager called and asked who last changed my oil. He explained that the oil plug "was left loose, upon diagnosis for the oil light being on, removing the underbody shield to drain the oil out to inspect it, the plug fell out as it was laying on the shield." Prior to the vehicle becoming disabled there was not any indication of the oil plug being lose such as oil residue on the car or leakage appearing in any driveway. The oil was last changed in early September with over 5000 miles driven. The oil change was completed by Walmart prior to the issuance of the TSB #[XXX] to replace the one time use crush type gasket and to confirm no old washer is stuck in the opening. The dealership has not submitted this for a warranty repair and claims Walmart is the responsible party. The TSB #[XXX] indicates that if engine damage occurs from not following the guidelines is subject to warranty chargeback. However, at the time of the oil change, TSB #[XXX] was not yet issued. It seems odd that there was no oil leakage or oil residue on the car prior to [XXX] that the oil plug would suddenly back out unless the oil plug/pan has some sort of defect. It may be reasonable to believe that Hyundai does not want to upload the warranty on engines that are known to have issues. We have submitted a claim to our insurance company to investigate if this was caused by hitting something on the road and have submitted a claim with Walmart. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 6, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · ME · fire

I was driving on the highway. The engine began making a ticking noise that momentarily went away and then quickly got louder. I saw white smoke out of the back, pulled over, and then saw black smoke from the front. The check engine light only momentarily came out AFTER the white smoke was visible and I was actively pulling over. I ran out of the car, and turned to look only to see a fire under the engine bay. I did not have a collision nor hit anything on the road. Engine had full synthetic oil in it, and the oil was changed less than 10,000 miles precious. (Also checked oil level/condition the week before). The car went from driving fine, to entirely engulfed in flames within 2-4 minutes. Maine state police: case# 245000657 The vehicle has not been inspected by the insurance company yet. The report will be sent to me, and it is currently available for inspection upon request. I literally could have burned alive. My family could have been trapped. I was on the highway, LUCKILY I decided to pull over when I did. If I did not, within 40 seconds I would’ve been engulfed in flames. I have most certainly not been sleeping well in the least bit. The only warning sign happened 5-10 seconds before I was out of the vehicle.

Filed Jun 29, 2023 · Brakes · NY · fire

The contact called on behalf of the owner who owned a 2019 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while parked, the vehicle caught fire. The fire marshals extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V543000 (Â Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The contact stated the goal is to recover costs for Dollar General for this damage.

Filed May 28, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · OH

At approximately 69000 miles my engine stalled as I was pulling onto a highway and would not accelerate beyond a low mph. I turned back into gas station I had left and checked the oil. It did not register any oil and had a burning smell. There were never any dash lights indicating low oil. I put almost 2 quarts in vehicle. I then proceeded to drive as it seemed okay. I have had oil changes where the technicians have told me I was low on oil even though it was a normal time frame for oil change. I recently checked my oil just right as my oil change is due and the oil level did not register, nor were there any low oil indicators on dash. I had to add a quart of oil. This poses a hazard/safety problem. If not checked more often than normal, oil could go low and stall again. If pulling into a busy traffic area and a stall occurs, there could be an accident etc not to mention damage to the motor/engine itself. I have to frequently check the oil levels which should not have to happen for a vehicle with 70k+ miles.

Filed Apr 30, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · FL · fire

Car caught fire on the expressway.

Filed Feb 24, 2022 · Engine · MA

On 2-23-2022 , I was driving approximately 30 MPH when all of a sudden there was a noise that kept getting louder which sounded like a knocking or broken fan, the vehicle RPM increased, the vehicle hesitated, did not accelerate, stalled, the check oil and engine light came on, I coasted into parking lot. When I opened the hood, there was no signs of smoke, oil leak, or smells, however, when I went to check the oil, smoke came out of where the oil dip stick goes. I attempted to have the vehicle jump started with no luck, just a clicking sound. I had the vehicle towed to be serviced.