2020 Hyundai Tucson
Gas Compact SUV
The 2020 Hyundai Tucson is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Tucson FWD, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 176 complaints, most often about engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
Specs & fuel economy (EPA)
| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson FWD | Gas | FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 23 | 28 | 25 | $2,500 |
| Tucson FWD | Gas | FWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 22 | 28 | 25 | $2,500 |
| Tucson AWD | Gas | AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 22 | 25 | 23 | $2,700 |
| Tucson AWD | Gas | AWD | 2.4L 4-cyl | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,700 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year and EPA reference fuel/electricity prices. Source: fueleconomy.gov vehicle records.
Out of factory warranty soon?
The 2020 Hyundai Tucson is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.
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Recalls (1)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
criticalProblem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Hyundai expanded the recall population, and added certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.
NHTSA investigations
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module — Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires (open)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V
Opened Nov 17, 2023 · action AQ23002
Owner complaints
176 complaints filed
5 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 5 injuries, 0 deaths reported by owners.
Filed by year — 2020: 19 · 2021: 34 · 2022: 20 · 2023: 10 · 2024: 24 · 2025: 40 · 2026: 29
Most-cited components
- Engine — 71
- Unknown Or Other — 28
- Service Brakes — 26
- Electrical System — 19
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic — 17
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Crash ratings
| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 16% |
| SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | 16% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning.
Compare the 2020 Tucson with
Other Tucson model years
2026 Tucson
5 recalls · 82 complaints
F2025 Tucson
7 recalls · 416 complaints
F2024 Tucson
4 recalls · 143 complaints
C2023 Tucson
2 recalls · 174 complaints
C2022 Tucson
3 recalls · 499 complaints
B2021 Tucson
1 recalls · 78 complaints
B2019 Tucson
1 recalls · 377 complaints
B2018 Tucson
1 recalls · 394 complaints
D2017 Tucson
3 recalls · 1,084 complaints
F2016 Tucson
5 recalls · 1,616 complaints
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records (ids 41439, 41440, 41443, 41444). Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.