The Hyundai Tucson is a very popular car in the country, which consistently placed high on sales charts in 2022 for the medium-sized SUV market. However, as with all automobiles, it comes with its fair share of known problems.
The 2022 Hyundai Tuscon does have several issues that were much worse on release. While this doesn’t mean you should avoid this car at all costs, potential buyers need to be aware of the engine, battery and transmission issues the model has had in the past.
In this article, we’ll share the commonly occurring problems and symptoms, how to diagnose them, and relevant warranty information. Continue reading to learn more.
Are there Problems with the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid?
Yes, the 2022 model of the Hyundai Tucson was plagued with several issues, including problems with the engine, battery, radio and sound systems, and transmission, among others. Multiple consumer complaints can be found in online forums from people who have experienced similar issues with the 2022 Hyundai Tucson.
Was There a Recall on the Hyundai 2022 Hybrid?
In June 2022, Hyundai recalled more than 2,500 units of the 2017-18 Tucson due to a manufacturing issue that may cause overheating and, in some cases, even caused fires.
In January of this year, several models — i30N Santa Fe (TM), Kona N (OS), i30 Sedan (CN7) and Sonata N-Line cars that were sold from 2020 to 2022 were also recalled by Hyundai Motor Company Australia due to programming issues, affecting more than 7,000 units.
What Are the Problems With the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid?
The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is known to have problems with its engine, which affects fuel economy, causing lowered miles per gallon (MPG) and other issues affecting the transmission and acceleration, among others.
1. Problems With the Radio and Sound System
Numerous reports from owners have surfaced about how their Tucson’s sound system is not functioning as intended, if at all. The problem ranges from disconnection issues with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, to the radio still playing despite plugging in the phone for navigation to suddenly playing audio from the phone and refusing to switch to the radio.
The issues are usually caused by the infotainment system’s software and could be resolved through an update or patch. A stop-gap solution that others have found is resetting the infotainment system by pressing the reset button at the edge of the screen using a pin. One press will restart the system, while a sustained press for a few minutes will reset it all the way back to factory default settings.
2. Reduced Fuel Economy and Lowered MPG
Many Tucson owners have claimed they are not getting anywhere near the advertised 35 to 38vMPG fuel economy. Aside from the fact that the Tucson Hybrid will have relatively worse fuel economy during the break-in period, the fuel economy should improve after the first 1,600 km.
Unfortunately, the problem is hard to accurately diagnose since fuel economy and mileage are highly dependent on the owner’s driving habits (such as speed) as well as the weight of the car. Temperature also plays a role since the vehicle will not run in EV mode during the winter since the engine has to keep running to ensure that heat is generated for the cabin.
3. Loud Reversing Audio Alerts
Some owners have reported that their Tucson has unnecessarily loud reverse beeping sounds, with some claiming it was loud enough to wake up their neighbours and children. Unfortunately, since hybrid vehicles are very silent (since they do not have a constant noise generated by a petrol engine), they are required by law to be equipped with an external reverse alert.
The alert has to be audible enough that pedestrians may be able to hear it. Unfortunately, there isn’t much to do regarding this. Although some owners were successful in disconnecting the speaker for the alert, this isn’t really legal and is not recommended. What some owners have begun to do instead is to put some tape over the speakers to try to slightly suppress the alert sound.
4. Engine Rattling
The engine is where a majority of Tucson owners experience problems. Some vehicle owners have reported a rattling noise from the engine when subjected to sustained loads, usually occurring between 2,000 to 3,000 RPM when accelerating. This problem has only been reported for the Hybrid models, not the PHEV units, despite both variants using the same 1.6-litre turbocharged engine.
Since not all Tucson Hybrid units are affected, and there aren’t any error codes associated with it, there hasn’t been a universally agreed upon cause for the problem. However, owners have narrowed the noise down to either the valvetrain or the injectors. Modern fuel injectors have a reputation for being quite noisy and rattling.
5. Problems With the 12 Volt Battery
Issues regarding the vehicle’s battery have also gained traction, with owners reporting difficulties unlocking their cars and struggling to get the vehicle to start due to the battery losing charge. A weak battery will cause a slew of problems, and 12 Volt batteries can easily lose their power when you:
- Only drive short distances
- Do not drive the car for extended periods
- Park the car outside in a very cold weather
- When the key fob is still within the vehicle’s range when parked
If the keyless entry refuses to work and you suspect that the battery is dead, you can manually unlock the doors by removing the rear plastic cap on the roof handle and unlock it using the emergency key inside the key fob.
Once you enter the vehicle, a reset button for the battery should be located just behind the steering wheel, and pressing it will prompt the hybrid battery to charge the 12-volt battery. This method is not available for the PHEV variant as its 12-volt battery does not charge even if the vehicle is plugged into a wall charger, as it only charges through the hybrid battery when the vehicle is running.
6. Delayed Acceleration
Another common issue drivers encounter in the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid is a delay in acceleration when coming to a stop or cruising at low speeds, even if the drivers stepped on the accelerator aggressively and even when they heard the engine rev. It took a couple of seconds before the vehicle started moving.
A secondary issue here is, in some cases, when the drivers step on the pedal aggressively, the car would suddenly lunge forward as a delayed response, which has caused some accidents. This is actually a known characteristic of Hyundai’s hybrid system itself and has been an issue since the introduction of the Sonata Hybrid more than ten years ago.
Surprisingly, the issue is actually not felt by most drivers. Since the ‘issue’ is inherent to Hyundai’s hybrid system, there really isn’t any widely accepted resolution outside of ‘getting used to it’.
7. ‘Refill Inverter Coolant’ Error Code
According to owners, earlier Tucson Hybrid builds tend to repeatedly show a ‘Refill Inverted Coolant’ error on the dash. The error message should normally only show up when the inverter coolant tank is low. However, some owners have claimed to have been getting the error even when the tank is full.
These false error codes are known to show up when the weather is too hot, and owners who have brought their vehicles to the dealers have reportedly stopped getting the error after replacing the original coolant that came with their Tucsons with a different type of coolant. Hyundai released a Technical Service Bulletin stating that the issue should only affect Tucson Hybrids manufactured up to September 2021.
8. ‘Check Hybrid System’ Error Code
The vehicle’s Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid variants have been reported to suddenly show the ‘Check Hybrid System’ error on the dash. This usually appears when the vehicle loses power or goes into limp mode. Owners have reported suddenly losing acceleration and stalling on the road after the error appeared on the dash.
For most owners, turning the engine off and letting it rest for 15 to 30 minutes removes the error, allowing a normal drive right after. However, some owners have claimed the need to have their car towed after the error appeared. One owner claimed that the error stopped appearing after the dealer replaced his vehicle’s charging port, which could suggest some internal defect.
9. Whining Transmission Sounds
Some owners have complained about a whining or howling noise they hear whenever they take their foot off the pedal, particularly when they let their vehicle coast the roads at low speeds. The sounds are allegedly similar to that of a bad wheel bearing or a whirring electric motor. In some cases, the whining sounds are accompanied by a low MPG.
Some owners have brought their vehicles to the dealer to be checked, and the diagnosis was that it was an issue with either the all-wheel-drive transfer case or the transmission itself. Unfortunately, many owners have claimed that the noise remained despite having their vehicle’s transmission replaced, with others claiming that the noise eventually completely disappeared without doing anything.
What is the Warranty on the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid?
Hyundai Australia offers a 5-year unlimited km warranty for electric and hybrid vehicles and an 8-year or 160,000 km battery warranty, whichever is reached first. In addition, Hyundai also offers genuine parts and accessories warranty — backed by a 12-month warranty and a 5-year warranty, respectively.
What Issues Are Covered in the 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Warranty?
Generally, issues that are not the owner’s fault, such as defects and malfunctions that were out of the owner’s control are included in the 2022 Tucson Hybrid warranty. However, this may vary across vehicle models.
Some notable inclusions to the warranty are the engine and the battery of the Tucson. Should you require some warranty assistance for a problem in your Tucson, it is highly recommended that you call the dealership to schedule an appointment so that they may diagnose the issue and determine its warranty eligibility.
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid FAQs
Does the Hyundai Tucson Have Automatic Braking?
Yes, the Hyundai Tucson has automatic braking from its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), called the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). The Hyundai Tucson has built-in systems that send audio and visual cues or warnings before engaging the AEB and other related ADAS functions.
Does the Hyundai Tucson Boot Open Automatically?
Yes, the Hyundai Tucson has a hands-free power liftgate with an automatic open function. However, this feature needs to be enabled as it may be disabled from the dealership. It can be found in the cluster display; go to Settings, select Door, and then enable the Smart Liftgate with the checkbox.
Is the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Fast?
Although ‘fast’ is relative, the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid does pack some power with a top speed of 200 km/h and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.9 seconds. The hybrid is actually a tad faster than the non-hybrid model.
Related Questions
What Are the Brake Issues With the Hyundai Tucson 2022?
The brake issues plaguing the Hyundai Tucson 2022 stem primarily from its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) – Autonomous Emergency Braking (EAB). Owners have reported sudden brakes triggered by the ADAS-AEB causing them more harm than good, sometimes even causing an accident.
Due to the complexity of the factors causing the ADAS-AEB to trigger and considering the possibility of human error, it has not been a cause of recall or investigation.
How Long Will a Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Last?
We expect the Tucson Hybrid’s average lifespan to be around ten years, given the eight-year or 160,000 warranty. However, reviews from previous owners and feedback on the vehicle’s history show that a modern Tucson will last up to 15 years or around 320,000 km.
