NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2026 Hyundai Tucson Safety Ratings
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson scores 77 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 5 recalls, and 42 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson presents a mixed safety profile, reflected in its Average NHTSA Safety Index of 77/100. While its NHTSA crash-test scores are robust, the vehicle is subject to five recall campaigns. A particular area of concern is its notably weak performance in avoidance technology, which prevents the 2026 model from matching the prior year's Strong band rating.
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson holds a 5-star NHTSA overall crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 77/100, derived exclusively from NHTSA crash-test, recall, and complaint data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 143 SUVs from 2026 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2026 Hyundai Tucson ranks 139 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 77 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 17.4% |
| Recalls on file | 5 |
| Owner complaints | 42 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 139 of 143 SUVs tested for 2026 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2026 Hyundai Tucson?
The 2026 Tucson arrives with a notable decline in its overall safety standing, earning a Safety Index of 77 out of 100. This places it in the "Average" band, a seven-point regression from the 2025 model's 84 out of 100. Its crash protection remains a strong point, with 66 out of 70 possible points, supported by 5 out of 5-star frontal and side crash-test results published by NHTSA. However, the vehicle's avoidance technology scores a low 2 out of 10. This is especially concerning given a May 2026 recall specifically addressing the automatic emergency braking system. Owner complaints further underscore this weakness; 23 of the 42 reported allegations directly cite forward collision avoidance as the problem. The defect record sub-score is 9 out of 20, reflecting five active recall campaigns issued across a compressed timeframe. These include an engine connecting rod bolt issue and two separate instrument cluster campaigns. For a vehicle of the current model year, this concentration of early recall activity defines its safety profile.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2026 Hyundai Tucson perform in crash tests?
The 2026 Tucson earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, achieving perfect 5-star scores in both frontal and side crash tests. Its rollover protection, while not matching the full 5-star performance of other categories, still received a commendable 4-star rating, with a measured rollover risk of 17 percent. The dynamic tip test specifically recorded No Tip. All star categories for the 2026 Tucson are fully rated.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 21143
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2026 Hyundai Tucson have any recalls?
Yes, five recall campaigns cover the 2026 Tucson. Components involved include the instrument cluster and panel (two separate campaigns), automatic emergency braking within the forward collision avoidance system, side-impact airbag sensors, and engine connecting rod bolts flagged for potential looseness. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is noted in the available campaign data, but owners should verify remedy status by VIN.
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?
Owners have filed 42 unverified complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently alleged problem area is the forward collision avoidance system, cited in 23 reports, followed by service brakes at 12. Electrical system and unknown or other issues each account for 5 alleged reports. These are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
42 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2026 Hyundai Tucson?
Five open recall campaigns are active for the Tucson, covering the airbag sensor, automatic emergency braking system, instrument cluster, and engine fasteners. Shoppers considering this model must run the vehicle's VIN through NHTSA's online lookup tool and confirm that all necessary remedy work has been completed prior to purchase.
- The 2026 Tucson's Safety Index fell seven points year over year, from 84/100 (Strong) in 2025 to 77/100 (Average), driven primarily by a 2-out-of-10 avoidance-tech sub-score and a 9-out-of-20 defect record sub-score.
- A May 2026 recall specifically targets the automatic emergency braking component of the forward collision avoidance system, the same system that accounts for 23 of the 42 unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA.
- An engine recall issued in August 2025 flags connecting rod bolts in the engine as potentially loose on certain 2025-2026 Tucson and Santa Fe vehicles, making VIN-level remedy verification a priority for any buyer.
- Despite the recall and complaint concerns, NHTSA crash-test performance is genuinely strong: 5 stars overall, 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side, and a 4-star rollover result with a 17 percent rollover risk and a No Tip dynamic result.
RANKINGSWhere the 2026 Hyundai Tucson places
The 2026 Hyundai Tucson qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2026 Hyundai Tucson safety questions
Was the 2026 Hyundai Tucson crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2026 Hyundai Tucson, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 77 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2026 Hyundai Tucson crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2026 Hyundai Tucson earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 17.4%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2026 Hyundai Tucson have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 5 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2026 Hyundai Tucson. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2026 Hyundai Tucson?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 42 owner complaints are on file for the 2026 Hyundai Tucson. 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.
Other Tucson years
Rivals in SUV (2026)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lexus GX 550 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus Rz 350e BEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus Rz 550e BEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander MHEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 21143), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Hyundai Tucson 2026.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 139 of 143 in the SUV class for 2026.
- 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.