Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Hyundai Tucson engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson have filed 55 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
55
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Tucson | 157 |
| 2019 Tucson | 133 |
| 2020 Tucson | 55 |
| 2021 Tucson | 29 |
| 2022 Tucson (this page) | 55 |
| 2023 Tucson | 8 |
| 2024 Tucson | 8 |
What stands out
Owners have filed 55 engine 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 engine 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.
Some Tucson (NX4, NX4A) vehicles may have DTC P218100, P2181F0, and/or P2181F1 (Cooling System Performance) set in the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), resulting in an illuminated Check Engine warning lamp. This TSB provides instructions to replace the Integrated Thermal Management (ITM) module and update both the Engine Control Module (ECM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM), if applicable. Follow the flowchart in this bulletin to update the appropriate modules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain 20-22MY Sonata (DN8a), 21-23MY Santa Fe (TMa), and 22-23MY Tucson (NX4a) vehicles may experience a warning lamp illumination for a diagnostic trouble code P2181 that is related to the Integrated Thermal Management Module (ITM). Follow the service procedure outlined in this bulletin to replace the ITM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin is issued to provide the extended battery diagnosis procedure using GDS-M. This battery diagnosis function displays the various battery-related faults such as: ⢠Internal short circuit ⢠Battery deterioration ⢠Malfunction of electronic parts ⢠Insufficient battery charge ⢠Normal battery ⢠Charging defect Battery diagnosis uses the battery sensor history saved for the last 30 days and ICU diagnostic communication to track battery state of charge (SOC) and current parasitic draw history.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2022 Hyundai Tucsons describe a critical pattern: fuel injector failures that cause sudden engine stalls at any speed—highway, city, or stopped at a light—with little or no warning. Many stalls happen between 10,000 and 30,000 miles, well within the first year of ownership. Owners report that check engine lights often illuminate only *after* the stall occurs or after multiple restart attempts; some stalls generate no warning light at all. When stalled on interstates, owners describe terrifying situations: drifting across multiple lanes, waiting 30+ minutes for highway patrol while semi-trucks pass at 80+ mph, or becoming stranded alone at night.
Multiple dealership visits confirm what owners have learned online: high-pressure fuel injectors are failing sequentially—one, then another injector weeks later—yet Hyundai dealers will only replace the injector that currently throws a code, refusing preventative replacement of all four despite this being a known issue. Several owners report having three or four fuel injectors fail within months on a 2–3 year old car under 50,000 miles.
Beyond injectors, owners report engine misfires with specific cylinder codes (P0302, P0303), engine internal damage requiring full replacement, oil dilution with gasoline, low-RPM stalling at traffic lights, and engine control system resets that don't hold. One engine developed severe scuffing at 88,000 miles with no check engine light warning. Several owners cite service bulletins (TSB 23-FL-002H-1) and note that dealerships acknowledge the injector problem as widespread but claim no recall exists.
Same Hyundai Tucson engine reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Fuel injector failure with sudden stall and power loss
High-pressure fuel injectors fail unpredictably, causing cylinders to misfire. Vehicle stalls suddenly at any speed—highway, city, or stationary—with no warning lights until after the stall occurs or multiple restart attempts. Check engine light typically illuminates only after stall. Owners report the dealership replaces only the failed injector per diagnostic code, not preventatively replacing all four injectors despite the documented pattern of sequential failures across all four injectors in the same vehicle.
When: Between 1,355 and 88,000 miles; most commonly reported at 10,000–30,000 miles (within first 12–24 months of ownership)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stall without warning at highway or city speeds; Loss of motive power; vehicle slows to 2–25 mph or becomes immobilized; Rough idle, engine shaking, jerking, or shuddering; Engine misfire with cylinder-specific codes (P0302, P0303); Check engine light illuminates after stall or during restart attempts; No prior warning indicator lights or symptoms in many cases; Delayed check engine light or no CEL at all in some stalls
Codes mentioned: P0302, P0303, Cylinder misfire codes
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel injectors replaced under warranty; dealers confirm it is a known issue with 2022+ Tucsons but will only replace the injector code as faulty. Some owners report 3–4 separate towing and repair visits for sequential injector failures within weeks or months. TSB 23-FL-002H-1 cited for fuel injector replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Known issue acknowledged by multiple Hyundai dealership service centers. Service bulletin TSB 23-FL-002H-1 exists. No recall or preventative replacement program; warranty covers replacement but only of flagged injector per diagnostic code.
Engine misfire and loss of power due to spark plug and fuel injector combination
Bad spark plugs paired with fouled or failing fuel injectors cause engine misfire and sudden power loss, sometimes within 2 weeks of prior fuel injector replacement. Vehicle loses the ability to accelerate above safe merging speed or becomes immobilized.
When: Reported from 1,355 miles to 72,000 miles; some cases 2 weeks after fuel injector repair
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfire and rough running; Sudden inability to accelerate or maintain speed; Check engine light illumination; Power loss while merging or at highway speed; Shaking and vibration
Codes mentioned: Check engine codes related to spark plug and fuel system
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs and fuel injectors replaced under warranty. Some owners report the same failure recurring within 2–4 weeks after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repaired under warranty at dealership. No preventative action documented.
Engine internal mechanical failure—cylinder scuffing and loss of compression
Engine develops severe internal damage with cylinder scuffing, loss of compression, or non-contributing cylinder(s). One case documented cylinder #3 not contributing properly, requiring full engine replacement. No check engine light warns the driver beforehand. Audible engine noise and significant power loss appear suddenly.
When: Reported at approximately 88,000 miles (late September 2025); one case at 69,000 miles requesting cylinder replacement; another at 55,000 miles with cylinder failure diagnosed
Symptoms owners cite: Audible engine noise or scuffing from internal source; Rough idle; Significant loss of power; Engine shutdown or inability to produce motive power; No check engine light prior to symptom onset
Codes mentioned: No CEL prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required. Diagnosis confirmed by Hyundai service center and independent service centers. Hyundai refuses to provide diagnostic data (Power Balance Test, Endoscopic Inspection, DTCs) or root cause documentation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai confirms failure but refuses to provide critical diagnostic data or root cause analysis, limiting warranty transparency.
Engine stall on incline or under load with vehicle rollback hazard
Vehicle shakes, jolts, and abruptly shuts off while driving up inclines or under acceleration, with recurrence after dealership repair attempt. Smoke observed from exhaust during one towing event. Vehicle begins rolling backward when stalled on incline, creating hazard.
When: July 2023 (initial); November 2023 (recurrence); vehicles 1–2 years old at failure
Symptoms owners cite: Continuous shaking and jolting before shutdown; Abrupt engine shutdown; Vehicle rollback on incline; Smoke from exhaust (in one case); Check engine light illumination on second incident; Continued shaking and jolting while driving home after first restart
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership repaired; issue recurred within 4 months despite being marked as 'resolved.'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or preventative action documented. Owner requested recall.
Engine will not start—push-button ignition system malfunction
Vehicle fails to start despite having a functional key fob with live battery. No mechanical override available with push-button ignition. After several hours, alarm may sound and system resets, allowing restart. Issue reproduces 3 times in one week but dealer unable to replicate in 6 days of holding vehicle.
When: Intermittent; 3 occurrences in one week
Symptoms owners cite: Engine will not start despite functional key fob and live battery; No warning lights or error codes prior to failure; Alarm sounds after several hours, then system resets; Vehicle eventually restarts after reset
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to replicate issue despite 6-day hold; no parts replaced documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Unknown; issue not resolved.
Oil dilution—gasoline mixing into engine oil
Gasoline contamination of engine oil occurs repeatedly. Engine hesitates, jerks to near-stop unpredictably. Vehicle develops burning smell and reaches abnormally high temperatures. Multiple dealership visits result in dismissal of concern; owner reports distinct gasoline smell in oil and fire risk from extended overheating.
When: Fourth occurrence as of March 2026; pattern spans months/years
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light; Extreme hesitation and jerking motion; Burning smell from engine; Elevated engine temperature; Gasoline odor in oil (owner observation); Risk of engine seizure or fire per owner
Codes mentioned: Check engine code
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealership visits; repairs not documented. Dealerships claim no issue found despite visible oil contamination.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships dismiss concern; no repair performed.
Cylinder misfire with reduced engine power and hesitation
Specific cylinders (e.g., cylinder 2) misfire, causing reduced engine power, hesitation during acceleration, and rough idling. Misfire code illuminates check engine light. Problem recurs within weeks after repair.
When: Multiple occurrences; one case shows less than 5,000 miles between first and second failure
Symptoms owners cite: Reduced engine power during acceleration; Hesitation when accelerating or merging; Rough idle; Check engine light illumination; Unsafe for highway merging or passing
Codes mentioned: P0302 (Cylinder 2 misfire), Cylinder-specific misfire codes
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel injector or spark plug replaced; issue returned within weeks with less than 5,000 additional miles driven.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repaired under warranty; no root-cause investigation or preventative action documented.
Idle start/stop (ISG) system malfunction with battery drain
ISG system becomes inoperable after alternator replacement service. Radio fails to shut off, draining battery. Dealer states battery requires six weeks to recalibrate. Mileage discrepancy also noted after service.
When: Post-service at 29,000–45,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: ISG system stops functioning; Radio remains on, draining battery; Battery drainage issue
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer claims battery recalibration needed over six weeks; no parts replaced documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advises prolonged recalibration period.
Engine overheating due to manufacturing defect—loose water pump bolts
Engine overheats in normal driving conditions well before 3,000 miles due to water pump compressor bolts not tightened correctly during factory assembly.
When: Before 3,000 miles (brand new vehicle)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating in normal conditions (below 80 mph, flat terrain, 60–70°F weather); Severe water pump damage
Repairs/costs cited: Water pump repair required; traced to loose bolts from manufacturing assembly.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership identified manufacturing defect.
Engine control system malfunction with no-start and repeated resets
Engine control system code appears multiple times, rendering vehicle undrivable with shaking and no RPM. Dealership resets system multiple times but issue recurs. Vehicle has no motive power.
When: Reported mid-2022; vehicle relatively new
Symptoms owners cite: Engine control system code illumination; Complete engine loss of power; Shaking with no RPM; Unable to restart properly
Codes mentioned: Engine control system code
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership reset system; no permanent repair achieved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership resets; no investigation of root cause.
EGR valve failure—second failure denied coverage
EGR valve fails twice. First failure covered under warranty; second failure at 73,000 miles denied coverage despite argument that 80,000-mile emissions warranty should apply.
When: First failure during warranty; second failure at 73,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: EGR valve malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: First EGR valve replaced under warranty; second replacement denied by Hyundai.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai refused second warranty claim, stating second EGR valve failure not covered despite emissions warranty claim.
Reduced power during acceleration—hesitation and lack of responsiveness
Vehicle hesitates to respond when accelerating from stops or when merging onto highways. Hesitation occurs intermittently, making it unsafe to merge or pass. Vehicle is inconsistent—responsive every other time.
When: Reported during ownership after initial purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation during acceleration from 20 mph or stop; Hard time accelerating; Inconsistent responsiveness (every other time vehicle is quick); Safety concern for merging and passing; Engine will not respond to gas pedal or delays response
Repairs/costs cited: Not documented as repaired; ongoing issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Unknown; no repair documented.
Low RPM engine stall—stalling at traffic lights and low speeds
Engine shuts off at low RPM, particularly at traffic lights or when starting from a stop. Vehicle must be restarted by turning off key and waiting 30 seconds. Occurs more than 20 times per owner report. One incident involved brake failure risk when engine shut off while exiting highway at 15 mph.
When: Intermittent across ownership; 20+ occurrences reported
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shutdown at traffic lights; Engine shutdown during low-speed driving; Restart required after 30-second wait; Loss of power steering and braking when engine shuts down at speed
Repairs/costs cited: Owner took video documentation; no repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Unknown.
Synthesized from 55 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Spring and Summer 2023: Multiple safety sensor malfunctions during highway rides pose a risk. The official dealership reset the system, but issues have persisted over the last few months. August 9, 2023: Sudden and intense shaking, poor driving performance. The vehicle was serviced at the official dealership (LITHIA Hyundai of New Port Richey #396). Replaced Parts: QQH Injector Assembly Fuel…
While operating the vehicle, the engine shut down. Complete loss of power. Engine would restart, stall and then not restart. Vehicle immobile. Vehicle towed to dealership since could not be driven. Strong smell of gasoline.
System Failed: Shut off in traffic. Vehicle can be inspected upon request. Safety risk: Potential for collision. Input from Dealership: Dealerships error code/diagnostic code was P213800. Reset system and recharge battery. Warning lights came on at the same time as the car shut down. One month prior check engine light came on, but car was operating normally. Dealership ran diagnostic test…
Had engine trouble with your 2022 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 engine problem on the 2022 Hyundai Tucson?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 55 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 55 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 35,848 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2022/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.