This bulletin provides best practice recommendations when performing brake service procedures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Hyundai Tucson brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Hyundai Tucson have filed 100 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 16,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
100
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Tucson | 57 |
| 2016 Tucson | 27 |
| 2017 Tucson | 34 |
| 2018 Tucson | 34 |
| 2019 Tucson (this page) | 100 |
| 2020 Tucson | 33 |
| 2021 Tucson | 9 |
| 2022 Tucson | 18 |
| 2023 Tucson | 14 |
4crashes
3fires
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 100 brakes complaints filed for the 2019 Hyundai Tucson, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 21 model years of Hyundai Tucson we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 100.
Owners have filed 100 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect and identify fluid which may appear around the brake caliper area.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid and oil pressure harness.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a (Check Engine Light on) and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the input/output speed sensor and oil pressure harness.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Brake failures dominate this cluster. Owners describe brake pedals that go soft or sink to the floor with light pressure, pedals that don't respond to firm application during emergency stops, and in one case a bent pedal assembly keeping brakes partially engaged while driving. One collision resulted from a brake failure at normal driving speed; another happened at 10 mph while parking but still caused injuries—a passenger hit their head hard enough to develop a concussion, and the driver sustained mouth injury from airbag deployment.
A second vehicle failed to stop at highway speed after the owner just had the engine replaced under a separate recall. The brakes gave out while the car was already on fire—the driver had to use the emergency brake to slow down enough to exit before the vehicle was completely engulfed. A parked Tucson also caught fire.
The real operational problem is that Hyundai issued recall 20V543000 for hydraulic brake system and ABS defects in November 2020, but repair parts were not stocked at dealers. Owners who called multiple dealerships across weeks or months in early 2021 were repeatedly told the parts were backordered—some dealers were even reported to have installed incoming parts on showroom inventory instead of on customer vehicles needing the recall. One owner was told parts might not arrive until 2021, months after notification. Owners express fear about driving without the repair in place, and many held up appointments for weeks hoping inventory would arrive.
Same Hyundai Tucson brakes reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2020 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Brake pedal assembly bending/deformation
Brake pedal bends or deforms, keeping brake pads applied while driving or preventing normal braking function.
When: Reported at 25,000-38,000 miles and at very low mileage (1,750 miles in one case)
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal below gas pedal height; Brake pedal sinks to floorboard with minimal pressure; Spongy brake feel; Inability to stop vehicle in emergency; Brake pads remain applied while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Body shop found bent pedal assembly; dealer unable to source replacement part for recall repair; mechanic noted brake assemblies don't normally bend
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V543000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); ABS recall noted; parts unavailable at dealer level for extended periods (weeks to months)
Brake failure during emergency braking
Vehicle fails to stop or slows inadequately when brake pedal is firmly depressed, leading to collision. Can occur with or without warning lights.
When: 8,600 to 55,000 miles; one case immediately after engine replacement recall
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle does not stop or slows inadequately despite firm brake pedal pressure; Brake pedal goes to floorboard; Brake warning light may illuminate; No warning before failure in some cases; Vehicle requires excessive brake pedal pressure to achieve any braking effect
Repairs/costs cited: Police and fire reports filed; vehicles towed; one involved t-bone collision, one multi-object collision with injuries (concussion and airbag-related mouth injury); one crash at 10 mph into planters, fence, and tree
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V543000; no assistance provided in most cases; one manufacturer instruction to park vehicle outside due to fire risk
Brake pedal pressure loss and spongy feel
Brake pedal loses pressure and sinks toward floor with light or moderate pedal pressure; braking becomes unreliable or unpredictable.
When: Early in ownership; one case at 1,750 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal sinks 2 inches or more from normal position; Spongy or soft brake feel; Loss of brake pressure after cycling; Vehicle may stop but with uncertainty about emergency capability; No fluid leaks visible
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to obtain factory support; part ordered but out of stock; mechanic suspected defect being covered up
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V543000; Hyundai out of replacement parts
ABS system malfunction and warning light
Anti-lock brake system fails to function; ABS warning light illuminates. Customers report concern about braking safety but limited detail on actual failure modes.
When: Varies; some noted at 12,000-37,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ABS warning light illuminated; Brakes failed to engage properly when pedal depressed; Multiple warning lights on instrument panel; One case of brakes working but with concern for emergency function
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 20V543000 (ABS/Anti-Lock Brake System)
Repairs/costs cited: Recall notification sent; parts unavailable to perform repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V543000; one owner instructed to park vehicle outside; parts unavailable across multiple dealers
Fire or smoke in engine compartment
Vehicle catches fire or produces smoke coming through interior vents during or after driving. One case involved brake failure during fire emergency.
When: Approximately 1-2 hours into highway trip after engine replacement recall; one parked vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Smell of gasoline inside vehicle; Smoke entering vehicle through console vents; Trail of fire and smoke behind vehicle; Vehicle entirely engulfed in flames within seconds; Brakes failed during fire emergency (one case)
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 20V543000
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle completely destroyed; fire department noted difficulty extinguishing fire; vehicle towed after fire extinguished; second parked vehicle caught fire and deemed total loss by insurance
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V543000 related to hydraulic brake system and fire risk; customers report owner instructed to park outside; recall note mentions risk of electrical short resulting in engine compartment fire
Extended delay in recall parts availability
Recall parts (fuse kit, ABS module, hydraulic system components) remain unavailable through dealer network for weeks or months after recall notification, preventing owners from completing mandatory repairs.
When: Recall issued November 2020; complaints span January 2021 through March 2021 and beyond; some dealers indicated parts might not arrive until 2021
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received but parts not in stock at dealer; Multiple dealer contacts show no parts availability; Repeated appointment cancellations due to missing parts; Owners placed on waiting lists with no timeline; One report of dealer putting received parts on showroom vehicles instead of performing recalls
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 20V543000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report calling multiple dealers; parts remain unavailable weeks to months after recall notice; some dealers assured owners parts were in stock, then reversed that claim upon visit
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V543000; parts distribution described as disconnected; manufacturer offered no alternative timeline or interim safety measures in most cases; one instruction to park outside
Synthesized from 100 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
I recieved a recall on my 2019 Hyundai tucson but the dealership tells me they are unable to get the part to fix it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 Hyundai tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v543000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Superior Hyundai north (5665 dixie hwy, fairfield, oh 45014, (513) 870-9800) was…
Hyundai issued a recall october 9, 2020 and is refusing to provide parts to the dealer. When I call Hyundai they tell me they have no information about when the part will be available. Recall 195
The contact stated his vehicle is not safe to be driving .the contact stated he is afraid that it may catch fire.the dealer has been contact about the situation.
Had brakes trouble with your 2019 Hyundai Tucson?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2019 Hyundai Tucson?
It's a meaningful issue. 100 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 8,400 and 35,000 miles, with the median around 16,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,400; a quarter make it past 35,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Hyundai/Tucson.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.