# Hyundai Tucson check engine light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 705 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (196) - **Related recalls:** 2 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 705 owner complaints about the check engine light on the Hyundai Tucson (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (196). There are **2 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: With a steady light and a car that drives normally, yes, it is usually safe to keep driving for a few days while you get the code read. ## Hyundai Tucson check engine light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the check engine light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 38 | 229 | 17% | | 2016 | 113 | 1626 | 7% | | 2017 | 196 | 1096 | 18% | | 2018 | 74 | 398 | 19% | | 2019 | 96 | 385 | 25% | | 2020 | 29 | 179 | 16% | | 2021 | 17 | 80 | 21% | | 2022 | 111 | 502 | 22% | | 2023 | 15 | 171 | 9% | | 2024 | 6 | 149 | 4% | | 2025 | 7 | 449 | 2% | | 2026 | 3 | 99 | 3% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Hyundai Tucson recalls related to the check engine light **[23V526000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V526000)** (2023-2024 models, reported 2023-07-27): An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire. **Remedy:** 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. **[16V628000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=16V628000)** (2016 models, reported 2016-08-30): Inability to move the vehicle while in traffic may increase the risk of a crash. **Remedy:** Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the Transmission Control Module software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 28, 2016. Recall repairs are free at any Hyundai dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Hyundai Tucson owners report - "It will also have every light come on when it does come back on all of the check engine lights, and every other diagnosis light comes on. It continues to do this while driving. I have already had the safety recall done and it is still failing." -- owner of a 2026 Hyundai Tucson, complaint filed 2026 - "Warning lamps/symptoms: There are no warning lamps, check engine lights, or error messages on the dashboard prior to or during the failure. The sole symptom is the immediate and spontaneous green or blue screen takeover on the center display precisely when the vehicle engages the reverse gear." -- owner of a 2025 Hyundai Tucson, complaint filed 2026 - "Then the check engine light came on. I was afraid to drive it, so I parked it in a church parking lot and had it towed to Burlington Hyundai on Sunday February 1, 2026. On Monday February 2, 2026 Burlington Hyundai said there was a problem with the spark plugs and that was why the check engine light came on. They..." -- owner of a 2024 Hyundai Tucson, complaint filed 2026 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the check engine light means The check engine light means the engine computer has stored a diagnostic trouble code for an emissions, engine or transmission fault. Common causes include a loose gas cap, a failing oxygen sensor, a worn catalytic converter, and misfires from plugs or coils. A steady light is usually not an emergency, but a flashing light means a severe misfire and you should reduce speed and get it checked right away. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Loose gas cap or EVAP system leak** (common) 2. **Failing oxygen sensor** (common) 3. **Catalytic converter efficiency below threshold** (common) 4. **Misfire from worn spark plugs or ignition coils** (common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Check engine light](/warning-lights/check-engine). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Hyundai Tucson check engine light? Yes. NHTSA lists 2 related recalls (23V526000, 16V628000) covering 2016-2024 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Hyundai Tucson years have the most check engine light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2017 and 2022 Tucson model years have the most complaints mentioning the check engine light, with 196 for 2017. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Hyundai Tucson with the check engine light on? Drive to a shop this week. With a steady light and a car that drives normally, yes, it is usually safe to keep driving for a few days while you get the code read. If the light is flashing, the engine runs very rough, or the temperature or oil light also comes on, stop driving and have it checked. ### How do I check if my Hyundai Tucson has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Hyundai dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Hyundai Tucson warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-tucson): 25 complaints - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/hyundai-tucson): 37 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/hyundai-tucson): 26 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/hyundai-tucson): 83 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/hyundai-tucson): 66 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/hyundai-tucson): 202 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/hyundai-tucson): 35 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/hyundai-tucson): 18 complaints ## Check engine light on other models - [Ford Escape](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/ford-escape): 2245 complaints - [Ford Edge](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/ford-edge): 1380 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chevrolet-silverado): 911 complaints - [Kia Soul](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-soul): 785 complaints - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-sonata): 731 complaints - [Chevrolet Malibu](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chevrolet-malibu): 666 complaints - [Chrysler Pacifica](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/chrysler-pacifica): 630 complaints - [Hyundai Santa Fe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-santa-fe): 602 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/jeep-cherokee): 587 complaints - [Kia Sorento](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-sorento): 578 complaints ## Hyundai Tucson - [Hyundai Tucson specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/hyundai-tucson) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/hyundai-tucson Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.