NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Safety Record
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 5 recalls and 42 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has not undergone crash testing by NHTSA, leaving its structural safety unrated and without a computed Safety Index. However, the vehicle's record does present a Moderate burden in both recalls and owner complaints. Five open recall campaigns address significant safety systems, including automatic emergency braking and side-impact airbag sensors. Further, 42 owner complaints have been registered, with 10 alleging crash incidents and 6 reporting injuries. While these figures warrant close consideration from prospective buyers, the absence of crash-test data precludes any definitive assessment of the vehicle's crashworthiness.
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries five recall campaigns, and falls in the Moderate recall and complaint burden band according to NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Moderate |
| Recalls on file | 5 |
| Owner complaints | 42 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In?
The 2026 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid exhibits a concentrated complaint picture, with 23 of 42 alleged complaints specifically citing forward collision avoidance issues. This aligns with an active AEB recall campaign covering 2025-2026 models. An additional 12 service brake complaints further compound this concern, given the interrelation between braking and collision-avoidance systems. Beyond these active safety system issues, other distinct safety exposures are present. A side-impact airbag sensor recall indicates a separate protective system vulnerability. An engine connecting rod bolt campaign addresses a mechanical failure mode independent of the vehicle's electrified powertrain. Furthermore, two instrument cluster campaigns point to a recurring electronic display issue within the same production period. Without crash-score context from adjacent model years in NHTSA data, a complete picture of structural safety is not available. The overall evidence suggests safety-critical active systems are under active correction by the manufacturer.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In have any recalls?
The five recalls for this model year touch five distinct safety areas: the instrument cluster and panel (covered by two separate campaigns), automatic emergency braking within the forward collision avoidance system, side-impact airbag sensors, and engine connecting rod bolts described as potentially improperly fastened. NHTSA has not issued a park-outside or do-not-drive order reflected in the provided data, but the airbag sensor and AEB campaigns in particular address systems that are active in a crash event.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL26V400000
Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 22, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 304. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 25, 2026.
Reported 2026-06-24
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING26V316000
Risk: Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the front camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 302. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 20, 2026.
Reported 2026-05-19
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:SIDE IMPACT26V254000
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the impact sensor(s), as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 11, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 299. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 22, 2026.
Reported 2026-04-21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL26V047000
Risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 24, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai's customer service at 855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 293. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 28, 2026.
Reported 2026-01-27
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:CRITICAL FASTENERS25V549000
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 23, 2025. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 281.
Reported 2025-08-26
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In?
The 42 owner-reported complaints are unverified allegations submitted to NHTSA. The most frequently alleged problem areas are the forward collision avoidance system, cited in 23 reports, followed by service brakes in 12 reports. Electrical system, unknown or other causes, exterior lighting, and lane departure each account for smaller shares of the alleged incidents.
42 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In?
Before purchasing a used 2026 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid, prospective owners should consult the NHTSA website and enter the specific vehicle's VIN to verify the status of its five open recall campaigns.
- The 2026 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, meaning no federal star ratings or Safety Index score exists for this specific model year.
- An active recall targets the automatic emergency braking system on 2025-2026 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles, a system directly relevant to crash prevention.
- A separate recall covers side-impact airbag sensors on 2026 Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles, affecting a system designed to deploy protection during a side-impact crash.
- Twenty-three of the 42 unverified owner complaints on record allege problems with the forward collision avoidance system, the single highest concentration of any component category in this model year's complaint file.
FAQ2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In safety questions
Was the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 5 recalls and 42 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 5 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 42 owner complaints are on file for the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Plug-In. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Hyundai Tucson Plug-In 2026.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.