2019 Hyundai Tucson cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Hyundai Tucson have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Tucson | 5 |
| 2016 Tucson | 45 |
| 2017 Tucson | 49 |
| 2018 Tucson | 8 |
| 2019 Tucson (this page) | 10 |
| 2022 Tucson | 9 |
| 2023 Tucson | 9 |
Among the 13 model years of Hyundai Tucson in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of this 2019 Tucson report a cluster of serious powertrain failures. The most dangerous complaints involve unintended acceleration: one driver experienced cruise control accelerating the vehicle to 90 mph without input, with cancel and brake buttons unresponsive; another describes sudden acceleration during a low-speed parking maneuver that caused the vehicle to travel 30 feet down a hillside, resulting in injuries. A third owner reports the vehicle accelerating down a driveway with auto hold engaged and no pedal input, at just 1,800 miles.
A second recurring problem involves the knock detection system triggering a P1326 code and forcing the vehicle into limp mode, capping acceleration at 45–50 mph. Multiple owners report this happens repeatedly despite dealership visits and a recall ECM update (campaign 966). One owner states the dealership documented oil contamination causing catalytic converter failure, yet the underlying condition wasn't resolved.
Additional complaints cite hesitation during acceleration, loud engine revving, PCV valve failure with recurring oil consumption, and pungent fuel smells. Dealers have been unable to reproduce many of these failures on first visit, and repairs have not permanently resolved the issues. Several owners report the check engine light remains on or recurs shortly after leaving the dealer.
Same Hyundai Tucson cruise control reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration / loss of cruise control authority
Cruise control accelerates vehicle beyond set speed (up to 90 mph) and does not respond to cancel button, cruise button, or brake input. Engine revs and surges in park after incident.
When: Around 2.5 hours into highway driving at 70–75 mph set speed; recurred on return trip under same conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates to 90 mph without driver input; Cruise control unresponsive to button commands or brake; Engine surges and continues revving at high RPM; Cruise indicator lights off
Repairs/costs cited: No codes found by dealership; floor mats were noted and removed
Sudden acceleration on low-speed maneuver
Vehicle accelerates and fails to stop while driver attempts low-speed parking maneuver on incline. No warning lights. Driver sustained injuries; front passenger sustained concussion. Vehicle traveled ~30 feet down hillside before striking tree.
When: At approximately 27,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden acceleration while parking at low speed; Failure to stop; No warning lights illuminated prior to event
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to police station; not repaired. Manufacturer indicated brake pedal had not been depressed but provided no further assistance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Claim number 21135585 issued; vehicle inspected by manufacturer
P1326 knock detection, reduced power / limp mode
Engine knock detection system (KSDS) triggers P1326 code and forces vehicle into reduced power mode, limiting acceleration to approximately 45–50 mph. Multiple owners report check engine light flashing and inability to maintain highway speeds. Oil contamination and catalytic converter failure documented in one case.
When: Recurrent events starting February 2023 onward; catalytic converter failure documented March 2026; one report at 85,000 miles; another at 37,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light on and flashing; Vehicle enters limp mode; Acceleration capped at 45–50 mph; Vehicle stalls on hills; Knocking sound reported; Pungent fuel smell
Codes mentioned: P1326
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports dealership documented oil contamination causing catalytic converter failure; another owner reports dealership stated engine replacement needed; catalytic converter replacement noted in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 966 (ECM update, op code 10d021r9.3, 22-01-028H-1) applied; underlying defect not resolved in affected owners; one case remains at dealer as of May 2023
Hesitation and loud engine revving during acceleration
Vehicle hesitates to accelerate while engine revs loudly and jerks forward. Abnormal rubber odor detected. Problem recurs; dealer unable to duplicate failure.
When: At approximately 10,724 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation during acceleration; Loud engine revving; Vehicle jerks forward; Abnormal rubber odor
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer opened case; vehicle remained unrepaired
Unintended acceleration with auto hold engaged
Vehicle suddenly accelerates down driveway while auto hold is engaged, driver's feet off all pedals, and no pedal input. Requires hard braking to stop.
When: At 1,800 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden acceleration without pedal input; Vehicle accelerates toward street while in driveway; RPMs and speed increase as if hard pressure on gas pedal
Oil consumption and PCV valve failure
Vehicle consumes oil; RPM rises unexpectedly (2,000 to 3,000) during normal driving. Dealer diagnosed PCV valve replacement needed. Problem recurred after repair. Vehicle later hesitated and failed to accelerate.
When: At approximately 41,580 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive oil consumption; RPM increase from 2,000 to 3,000 without warning; Vehicle hesitation; Failed to accelerate after PCV repair
Repairs/costs cited: PCV valve replaced; oil change performed; oil consumption test ordered but not completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no further assistance provided
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2019 Hyundai Tucson?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 17,021 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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.