2020 Hyundai Tucson: engine failure

Filed Sep 25, 2026 · Engine · CA

On XXX, while driving at freeway speed in [XXX] with my [XXX] son in the back seat, the engine of my 2020 Hyundai Tucson (2.4L Theta II GDI, approx. 99,108 miles) seized suddenly and without warning. I lost all motive power in moving traffic and coasted to the shoulder, where my son and I sat stranded for 30 minutes with smoke and a burning smell coming from the engine while waiting for a tow. No warning lamps or messages appeared before the failure. COMPONENT FAILED: Engine. Tustin Hyundai ([XXX]) diagnosed the failure on RO XXX: engine seized; connecting rod pierced through the bottom of the engine block due to internal catastrophic failure at the crankshaft/bearings; starter had a burnt smell. The dealer recommends full long block replacement. The vehicle remains at Tustin Hyundai and is available for inspection upon request. CONFIRMED BY: Hyundai dealership technician (diagnosis on RO XXX) and an insurance adjuster (National General/Allstate claim XXX, Estimate of Record on file). A goodwill request was submitted to Hyundai Motor America and denied. RELEVANT DEFECT HISTORY: This is the same connecting rod bearing failure mode for which Hyundai extended a Limited Lifetime Warranty on 2018-2019 Tucson vehicles with the same Theta II 2.4L GDI engine (TSB 22-EM-001H-1/TXXI). Hyundai Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II ECU software update, issued XXX) was open and incomplete on my VIN at the time of failure and was performed only at the post-failure service visit. Oil consumption without external leaks, a documented characteristic of this engine defect, was present before the failure. SAFETY RISK: Sudden total loss of motive power at highway speed in traffic with a child aboard created a serious risk of collision, and the 30-minute roadside wait exposed us to passing traffic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Engine · 80,000 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while the vehicle was receiving a routine oil change, the contact was informed that the oil pan was empty. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The contact was informed about a possible oil consumption test. The contact was informed that there was carbon blowing out of the vehicle. The contact stated that three months later, the oil pan was empty. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and engine oil was added; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormally loud sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the bolts for the driveshaft were missing. The contact was informed that the bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the dealer was negligent when the engine was replaced and the bolts to secure the driveshaft were not properly installed. The contact stated that the negligence needed to be reported. The contact was later advised by an associate to take the vehicle back to the dealer and requested an overall inspection of the driveshaft. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the inspection was completed. The contact was informed that the vehicle had passed the inspection. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Engine · NC

While driving on the highway with adaptive cruise control on, car began decelerating without any vehicle in front. Started to get off highway, check engine light began flashing and came to a full stop. Car died. Tried restarting and car died. Check engine, oil and battery lights then on. Total engine failure and no warning lights prior.

Filed Jun 7, 2026 · Engine · IL

The engine consumes oil which is a known problem at Hyundai with the Tucson for the year 2020. The car has ~51,000 miles on it. When we took the car to the dealer at which we bought the car they diagnosed that the engine was burning oil. We were told that the engine is covered by standard warranty (10 yr. 100,000 miles). there is a process Hyundai has established for engines suspected of having this issue - first we had to have them check the oil and engine and then we had to drive the car 1000 miles and bring it back to them. when we brought it back they confirmed the the engine was consuming oil. They asked us to provide our maintenance records on the car (oil changes). We were able to find evidence of 5 oil changes but we know the we changed the oil on the car every 3-5k miles as we always do. The next step in the process is a combustion chamber cleaning which costs $1400 which would normally be covered by warranty but since we did not have all records of oil changes they will not cover it so we are being told we have to pay the $1400 out of pocket and also the the cleaning is not assured to fix the issue with the engine. If it fails to fix the issue the car will need a new engine which Hyundai is telling us they will not do under the warranty and it will be our financial obligation ($10-15K additional paid by us). It is clear that Hyundai is trying to shirk their warranty obligation to us. So we are stuck - we have to pay out of pocket for a service that may not resolve the issue and if it does not the car needs a new engine. If we sell the car back to the dealership they will only pay us $6000 when the car with a good engine is worth $15K. We take our obligation of regular maintenance seriously and have been loyal buyers at this dealership for >20 years never having an issue with proper maintenance. We think it unconscionable that Hyundai is leaving us holding the bag for a problem they know exists with theses engines

Filed Jun 1, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · PA

While driving, the engine began making a loud knocking/rattling noise and the check engine light began flashing. The vehicle experienced a loss of power and was unsafe to continue operating normally. The vehicle was taken to a Hyundai dealership for diagnosis. The engine requires replacement. Hyundai denied coverage, claiming excessive oil consumption and/or maintenance concerns. However, upon inspection, the dealership removed the valve cover and advised that the engine was internally clean and showed no significant sludge buildup consistent with severe neglect. I am concerned that this engine failure may be related to known Hyundai engine issues involving the 2.4L GDI engine. The failure occurred well before the expected service life of the engine and created a potential safety hazard due to the loss of power while driving. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review this failure and determine whether similar failures are occurring in 2020 Hyundai Tucson vehicles equipped with the 2.4L GDI engine.

Filed Mar 10, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · IL

My car has been burning through about 2 quarts of oil every 1000 miles. Hyundai will NOT replace the engine. If this continues My engine could malfunction while driving. This is a serious safety concern and there's plenty of information on it. They refuse to recall it.

Filed Feb 28, 2026 · Engine · PA

Complete engine failure. Car was burning oil, wasn't aware. Since I am an on the road salesman I travel alot and get oil changes consistently. Then recently the engine oil light keeps coming on when rounding bends or stopping on a hill. I checked the dip stick and see oil is Half gone in between oil changes. The car stalled as I was approaching a dangerous intersection. Thankfully I was able to stop the car.

Filed Jan 25, 2026 · Engine · KS

2020 HYUNDAI Tucson Engine blown @ 89,307 miles and 1,265 miles after oil change due to missing oil plug. Daughter drives about 5 miles per day for college and groceries. The day before Thanksgiving 2025, her 2020 HYUNDAI Tucson died about 48 miles down the Highway without warning, no prior warning lights or sounds before shutting down. I had the car towed to the local HYUNDAI dealer in the town where her college is, where they told us the engine was totaled due to a lack of oil and a missing oil plug. I discussed with the HYUNDAI service advisor about having an extended warranty; however, they would not work with me or the company I had the extended warranty with, mentioning they would not cover the engine failure due to the oil plug being missing. I asked the service advisor in a separate conversation whether an oil pan drain plug that was not properly torqued during an oil change could remain in place for some time—particularly during short, low-speed driving—and then gradually work loose over additional miles. The service advisor mentioned that in situations like my daughter’s, where only about 1,265 miles were driven after the oil change (mostly short trips), it would be within reason for an improperly installed drain plug to stay in place until a longer highway drive with higher RPMs, at which point it could back out completely and result in a sudden oil loss and engine shutdown. The service advisor also mentioned that this is something they had seen before and is not unheard of on these vehicles.

Filed Jan 14, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · OH

On December 27, 2025, while driving, the engine suddenly lost power and the vehicle entered limp mode and became undriveable. A warning light appeared and diagnostic code P1326 was later confirmed, indicating engine bearing failure. The vehicle could not be driven safely and required towing to a Hyundai dealership the following day. The engine failure caused a loss of propulsion safety risk. The vehicle remains out of service pending a full engine replacement. The vehicle is available for inspection at a Hyundai dealership.

Filed Nov 18, 2025 · Engine · PA

the engine failed without warning. While going up a hill the car lost power. Yes, the dealership said it was a known problem. Yes, the dealership fixed the problem by putting in a new engine which I was responsible for 5% of the cost which was 739.66. The only warning that was given was after the car failed, the engine light and the oil light went on.

Filed Nov 13, 2025 · Engine · PA

My engine is burning excessive amounts of oil, which is a "known issue" of Hyundai Tucsons. After an oil change with full synthetic oil, I cannot drive my vehicle more than 4,000 miles without reaching dangerously low oil levels. Most importantly, there is no clear indicator of this low oil level—no light that comes on and STAYS on to tell me as the driver to check the oil and see if there is a problem. Instead, if I brake too hard or take a turn to sharply a red oil light will turn on for 1-2 seconds and then turn off again. It is easy to miss. The first few times this happened in May I thought perhaps there was a loose wire on the sensor. After it appeared 3 or 4 times I took it to a mechanic who told me the oil level was so low that they had to add 2 quarts of oil just to have it register on the dip stick. The excessive oil burning is a known issue that Hyundai fights tooth and nail to avoid correcting. But to not have a warning indicator that the oil is at a dangerously low level is reckless on Hyundai's part. The engine could have seized up, thrown a rod, or any number of consequences. I had my oil replaced by Hyundai in May as part 1 of their oil consumption test. My car passed their 1000-mile test and 4,000 miles later I was in dangerously low oil territory again. Thankfully, I knew what to look for this time. Cars should not consume oil at this rapid of a rate but even if they do drivers should be notified about low oil levels via car sensors to keep them and their passengers safe.

Filed Aug 12, 2025 · Engine · 83,500 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Tucson. While the contact’s daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle before the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 83,500.