2011-2021 Hyundai Tucson engine problems: which settlement fits your engine

Last reviewed 2026-10-09 · Data: NHTSA, official settlement and manufacturer documents · Independent site, not affiliated with Hyundai, Kia or NHTSA

Short answer

The Tucson splits three ways, and the year alone won't tell you which one is yours. The 2.4L GDI in 2014-2015 and 2018-2019 (2019 only if built before KSDS went into production) is on the Theta II settlement list, which gives a lifetime short-block warranty once KSDS is done. The 2010-2013 2.4L MPI and the 2014-2021 2.0L are on the Engine II settlement list: 15 years or 150,000 miles for damage from connecting-rod bearing failure, again with KSDS first. The 1.6L turbo isn't on either list.

Check your VIN to see recalls and which programs list your exact engine.

Which engines and years are involved

2011-2013, 2.4L Theta II MPI: Engine II settlement.
2014-2015, 2.4L Theta II GDI: Theta II settlement and Hyundai Campaign 953 (KSDS).
2014-2021, 2.0L Nu: Engine II settlement (the site lists it as "Nu 2.0-liter GDI").
1.6L turbo: not listed in either settlement.
2018-2019, 2.4L Theta II GDI: Theta II settlement (2019 only "certain" builds) and Campaign 953.
2020-2021, 2.4L: not on the Theta II class list or Campaign 953's list. Ask Hyundai if you have one with symptoms.

The 8th character of the VIN encodes the engine, and our checker reads it through NHTSA's decoder. Your window sticker or registration is the tiebreaker.

What the two settlements and KSDS say

KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) is free dealer software that listens through the knock sensor for the vibration pattern of a worn connecting-rod bearing. If it hears it, it turns on the check-engine light and limits engine power so the car can be driven to a dealer instead of the engine failing on the road. Kia's dealer letter names the trouble code P1326 for this condition.

Theta II settlement (2.4L GDI only): Hyundai's notice lists 2014-2015, 2018 and certain 2019 Tucson with a genuine Theta II GDI engine. Lifetime short-block warranty for consumer-owned vehicles with KSDS done at a Hyundai dealer. Past-repair reimbursement closed August 9, 2021.
Hyundai Engine II settlement (In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation II, C.D. Cal.): the official site says judgment was entered April 26, 2024. It extends the powertrain warranty to 15 years or 150,000 miles from original retail delivery, whichever comes first, for short-block or long-block damage caused by connecting-rod bearing failure.
Condition: the KSDS update must be done at a Hyundai dealer before any covered failure. Vehicles under Hyundai recalls 198 and 209 (NHTSA 20V-746 and 21V-727) are exempt from that requirement, per the site.
Later owners: the site says the extended warranty carries over to later private owners. It is not available to commercial entities such as used-car dealers or auction houses.
Deadlines: cash claims (towing, rental, inconvenience, fire losses, rebates) expired July 8, 2024. The extended warranty itself needs no claim form.
Recall 21V-727 covers certain 2017 Tucsons for early connecting-rod bearing wear (inspect, replace the engine if damaged, install KSDS).
Anti-theft: Hyundai's Campaign 993 bulletin lists this model for the free anti-theft software, but only on turn-key cars with no immobilizer. If your car has a push-button start or an immobilizer light in the cluster, the software doesn't apply. Check by VIN at hyundaiusa.com/anti-theft.

Engine and fire recalls

Three of these are anti-lock brake (ABS) module recalls. NHTSA's remedy text for 20V-543, 22V-056 and 23V-651 tells owners to park outside and away from structures until the repair is done, because the module can short and start an engine-compartment fire even with the car off.

19V-063 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Tucson vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.
21V-727 · ENGINE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Tucson and Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.
20V-543 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
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.
22V-056 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.
23V-651 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.

Recall text quoted from NHTSA. Whether a recall is still open on a specific car can only be checked by VIN at NHTSA or the manufacturer.

What owners report to NHTSA

4,822 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011-2021 Tucson. 2,216 of them name an engine component.

Model year	All complaints	Engine complaints	Engine + fire	Typical mileage mentioned (engine)
2011	124	45 (36%)	0	too few (n=5)
2012	255	168 (66%)	13	82,000 (n=27)
2013	266	159 (60%)	10	80,000 (n=38)
2014	203	114 (56%)	1	99,947 (n=27)
2015	228	121 (53%)	4	69,000 (n=31)
2016	1,621	429 (26%)	17	82,328 (n=90)
2017	1,090	614 (56%)	21	70,000 (n=143)
2018	396	249 (63%)	8	65,000 (n=74)
2019	382	201 (53%)	8	43,196 (n=56)
2020	178	74 (42%)	1	65,692 (n=24)
2021	79	42 (53%)	2	too few (n=6)

Source: NHTSA complaints API, pulled 2026-10-09. "Engine complaints" are complaints where the owner picked an ENGINE component (one complaint can list several components). Mileage is the median of mileages owners typed into their complaint text, shown only when at least 10 complaints mention one. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and counts reflect how many owners filed, not how many cars failed.

2016 and 2017 carry most of the complaints in this range. In 2016 the top component is the power train (the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission paired with the 1.6 turbo has its own 2016 recall, 16V-628), while 2017 is mostly engine. From 2012 on, more than half of complaints in most years name the engine. Many complaints also name the brakes, which lines up with the ABS module recalls above.

Warning signs to take seriously

Knocking from low in the engine that gets louder as RPM rises.
A flashing check-engine light with the car stuck at low power. On a car with KSDS, that is the software catching bearing wear. Get it to a dealer, don't keep driving it.
Oil spots under the car on a 2011-2013 (recall 19V-063 covers oil-pan leaks).
A burning smell or smoke from the engine bay while parked. Several ABS recalls above involve fires with the engine off.

What to do, step by step

Run your VIN at NHTSA and at Hyundai for open recalls. Do the ABS fuse recall first if it's open, and park outside until it's done.
Work out which engine you have. The answer decides which program to ask about.
Check that KSDS is done. For a 2.4L GDI, use the Campaign 953 VIN check. For a 2.0L or 2011-2013 2.4L, ask the dealer to confirm it on your VIN; both settlements require it before a failure.
With symptoms, call a Hyundai dealer service department with the VIN and ask which extended engine warranty is on file for the car, before agreeing to a paid diagnosis.
Keep oil-change receipts. "Exceptional neglect" is a reason the settlements can refuse a claim.

Dealer insider note

The guide above splits the Tucson three ways, and the model year alone will not tell you which one is yours. The 2.4L GDI in 2014-2015 and 2018-2019 is on the Theta II list, the 2.4L MPI and the 2.0L are on the Engine II list, and the 1.6 turbo is on neither. So the first question at the desk is: "Which engine does the VIN say this car has?"

Bring the VIN. Ask the advisor to run the open campaign and recall check, and to tell you whether KSDS has been done. If a campaign applies, ask that the repair order show its number.

On a Tucson with KSDS installed, limp mode can look like this: the check-engine light comes on and the engine is held back so the car can still get to a dealer. If that happens, do not push the car. Call the service department, give the VIN, and ask when they can look at it. Ask about a loaner or rental, and ask for the written result of any engine inspection.

Buyers of a used Tucson should ask the seller for: the KSDS record, recall history, any engine replacement paperwork, and maintenance records. Ask a Hyundai dealer to run the VIN for open campaigns and give you the printout.

Until the campaign check is done, do not sign a customer-pay repair order or anything blank, and do not approve a paid engine repair or diagnostic fee without asking whether a campaign or settlement applies to your VIN.

A reasonable outcome is free software and a written answer saying which program, if any, covers your engine. If you get stuck, ask for the service manager, then call the manufacturer's customer-care line with your VIN and repair order. Ask for a case number.

Questions

Is my 2017 Tucson 2.0 in an engine settlement?

The 2014-2021 Tucson 2.0L is on the Hyundai Engine II settlement list, which extends coverage to 15 years or 150,000 miles from original retail delivery for damage from connecting-rod bearing failure, if KSDS was done first. Certain 2017 Tucsons also have recall 21V-727. Confirm your VIN with Hyundai or the settlement site.

Is the 1.6 turbo Tucson covered?

We didn't find the 1.6L turbo on either settlement list. Check your VIN for open recalls anyway.

Why does the ABS recall say to park outside?

NHTSA's remedy text for the Tucson ABS module recalls says the module can short circuit and cause an engine-compartment fire, including while parked, so owners are told to park outside and away from structures until the fuse repair is done.

I bought my Tucson used. Does the Engine II warranty carry over?

The Hyundai Engine II settlement site says the 15-year/150,000-mile warranty carries over to later owners for personal use, but not to commercial entities like used-car dealers. Ask Hyundai to confirm it on your VIN.