HyundaiTucson2021Overview/hyundai/tucson/2021/base/

2021 Hyundai Tucson

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Tucson.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson is maintained with 4.2 quarts of engine oil in 5W-20, 5W-30, or 10W-30 viscosity. This model year has recorded one recall and 73 total owner complaints, with the engine cited as the top complaint area. Within the model's 2005-2026 history, these figures place the 2021 version well below the peak of 1,612 complaints seen in 2016, though it remains above the historical low of 18 complaints recorded in 2009.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 / 10W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque79.0-94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 640 CCA battery, OE oil filter 2630035505. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 640 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnONOEM · verified
Tire size225/55R18 98VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter2630035505
Spark plug1884911070
Front wiper blades98360S1000

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176.4 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height65 in
Wheelbase105.1 in
Curb weight3602 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Tucson of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.4–9.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.40 sec — 2016 Eco
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019Ultimate 2.4L I-48.40 sec16.60 sec181 hpAWD
2019Ultimate 2.4L I-48.80 sec16.80 sec181 hpFWD
2019Ultimate 2.4L I-48.80 sec16.70 sec181 hpAWD
2017Limited 1.6L Turbo I-47.90 sec16.20 sec175 hpAWD
2016Eco 1.6L Turbo I-47.40 sec15.90 sec175 hpAWD
2016Limited 1.6L Turbo I-47.60 sec16.00 sec175 hpAWD
2016Limited 1.6L Turbo I-48.10 sec16.30 sec175 hpAWD
2016Limited 1.6L Turbo I-48.30 sec16.50 sec175 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 / 10W-30 engine oil, GL-5 · 75W-85 in the differential, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 79.0-94.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use new gasket: 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.0 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-85
Differential Gear OilGL-5 · 75W-85

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts145.0-152.0 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36.0-40.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse new gasket: 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse new gasket: 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential drain PlugFinal Drive: 36.0-51.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFinal Drive: 36.0-51.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts79.0-94.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugUse a new gasket: 29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugUse a new gasket: 43.0-58.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugUse a new gasket: 29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugUse a new gasket: 43.0-58.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)640 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)660 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.16-1.27 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type30
Oil Capacity3.88-4.58 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance640 cca

Service checks

RPM71.8-73.2 @ Idle rpm
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumHigh Pressure Fuel Line: 2,900 psi
RPM42.0 @ Idle rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16.0-23.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque58.0-72.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.5
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .921; Rear: .331
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0002"
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0016; Rear: .0012

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
140.0-48.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 78-82°40–48 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0-27.0 ft. lbs., Step 2" 90-95°, Step 3: 90-95°24–27 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0-27.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-95°, Step 3: 90-95°24–27 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect)
Every 22,500 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 30,000 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson sits at a notable inflection point in the model's federal record: complaints peaked dramatically in 2016 (1,612) and 2017 (1,074) before declining each year, reaching the lowest level in the entire dataset at just 73 complaints for 2021. This downward trajectory is accompanied by minimal recall activity—only 1 recall in both 2020 and 2021, compared to 5 recalls in the troubled 2016 model year. The 85 TSBs recorded for 2021 also represent a continued decline from 102 in 2020, suggesting the manufacturer addressed many of the earlier technical issues. However, the 2022 model year shows a sharp reversal, with complaints surging to 364 and recalls increasing to 3, indicating the generation shift introduced new concerns. For the 2021 Tucson specifically, engine-related complaints dominate (25 of 73), with only 2 crash-related complaints and 3 fire-related complaints on record. Given its position at the tail end of a improving trend before the 2022 resurgence, the 2021 model year appears to be one of the more reliable options within this generation, offering the benefit of reduced complaint volume while still being recent enough to have remaining warranty coverage for any emerging issues.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
85
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
73
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 73 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine25
Forward Collision Avoidance4
Service Brakes4
Unknown Or Other3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Electrical System,Engine2
Electrical System2
Engine & Engine Cooling2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V543000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModuleReported 04/09/2020

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… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 85 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
26-01-013H-2 DN2026-05-20Electrical SystemCertain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles…
26-01-013H-2 TSB2026-05-20Electrical SystemCertain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles…
9C2 0605182026-05-18Electrical SystemFollowing completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain…
9C2 DCS 2605182026-05-18Electrical SystemFollowing completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain…
26-BD-002H TSB2026-04-28Unknown Or OtherCertain Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tucson. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Tucson take?

4.2 qt of 5W-20 is preferred. 5W-30 may be used if 5W-20 is unavailable. Temperatures above 0°F: 10W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Tucson have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.