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2013 Hyundai Tucson

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Hyundai Tucson do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 180.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

159 reports with mileage · 107 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 156 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

16 crash reports18 fire reports10 injury reports

Engine complaints

156 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2024
EngineVehicle Speed Control

We experienced engine failure of a 2013 Hyundai Tucson on 2/20/24. There were no warning lights displayed on the instrument panel. There was an unidentified noise and a loss of power/compression. We are in the process of learning the difference between a Service Campaign and a Recall Notification and I can’t say we understand i…

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We experienced engine failure of a 2013 Hyundai Tucson on 2/20/24. There were no warning lights displayed on the instrument panel. There was an unidentified noise and a loss of power/compression. We are in the process of learning the difference between a Service Campaign and a Recall Notification and I can’t say we understand it yet. We were not notified nor aware of potential engine failure issues. The research we’ve been able to obtain regarding Service Campaign 966 (“SC966”) appears to exclude the 2013 Tucson model unless it has a Theta II engine. The service department at Dick Smith Hyundai stated that if we would have had our car serviced at the dealership, we would have been informed of SC966. As we are the second owner of an eleven-year-old vehicle, we do not typically have it serviced at a dealership. Oddly enough, we received a notification regarding the knock sensor on 3/18/24 almost one month after we contacted Hyundai Customer Support and after the vehicle was towed to Dick Smith dealership and we spoke with the service department. We have been informed by the local dealership (Dick Smith Hyundai service department) that it is unlikely that the engine will be replaced under the Hyundai Class Action Lawsuit, or any open Recalls and it will be 2-4 months before a decision is rendered regarding the matter. We are also being charged a diagnostic fee for their services of approximately $200.00. Regardless of the recall coverage, our experience with this vehicle engine seems to mimic the exact same symptoms and issues as the Make/Models that are included in the published Recall notice by Kia/Hyundai, and we would like to make this known to protect other consumers and to see if there is any recourse and/or assistance for us.

NHTSA ODI #11578410

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2024
Engine

With the recall in February 2023 my vehicle has a burning smell when I'm driving it which I don't feel safe in however, I have to work. Also, my vehicle will cut for now reason while driving which is so not safe as it has happened several times while on the highway. Something needs to be done or Hyundai needs to buy back my ca…

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With the recall in February 2023 my vehicle has a burning smell when I'm driving it which I don't feel safe in however, I have to work. Also, my vehicle will cut for now reason while driving which is so not safe as it has happened several times while on the highway. Something needs to be done or Hyundai needs to buy back my car. There have been several recalls

NHTSA ODI #11568247

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

I am writing about the recall on the Hyundai vehicles that apparently are at risk for catching fire. Hyundai sent a letter that told us to park it away from our house and garage structures. We got this letter in early November and I called customer service as well as emailed to find out when we would hear about a fix. First o…

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I am writing about the recall on the Hyundai vehicles that apparently are at risk for catching fire. Hyundai sent a letter that told us to park it away from our house and garage structures. We got this letter in early November and I called customer service as well as emailed to find out when we would hear about a fix. First of all, to get to a human being takes a minimum of 4 minutes. Then, they can’t tell me a darn thing. I found out from my first contact that we would hear something by the “end of the month.” That was in November. Well, November came and went and it has started to snow. No one wants to park outside nor do we care to have the house and car catch fire. I called and emailed again on December 2nd and the line was, “Well, we just don’t have a fix yet. Keep waiting.” If this is so serious, why can’t someone figure this out? Surely they have engineers working for them who have some idea as to how to fix this. It can’t be that difficult. Take out the parts that catch fire and replace them with good parts. It is my feeling that they are looking a cheap way out since this involves so many vehicles. Next, I attempted to reach the corporate office through an email. They contacted my husband on December 5th and offered him $100. What are we supposed to do with that? We need the car fixed. The snowplow cannot plow the driveway with his car outside of the garage. I really need to know what the timeline is on this. I am so disgusted with the lack of communication and the poor customer service. Please, is there anything at all that can be done?

NHTSA ODI #11558557

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2023
EnginePower Train

I have owned the vehicle for 10 months and it had about 80,000 miles on it. The engine light started flashing 2 days ago. The vehicle started running rough, so I drove 10 miles back home at no more than 40 mph. I took the vehicle to my trusted mechanic. He conducted a diagnostic test & received a code 1326, which meant there was…

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I have owned the vehicle for 10 months and it had about 80,000 miles on it. The engine light started flashing 2 days ago. The vehicle started running rough, so I drove 10 miles back home at no more than 40 mph. I took the vehicle to my trusted mechanic. He conducted a diagnostic test & received a code 1326, which meant there was a vibration indicating excessive connecting rod bearing wear. He advised me this is a common issue with this 2.4 liter engine. I had the vehicle towed to the dealer. While at the dealer, a mechanic came in with a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. We started speaking and found out the Sonata he brought in was having the same issue and is also a 2.4 litre four cylinder engine, which produced a 1326 code during a diagnostic test.

NHTSA ODI #11550502

Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2023
Engine

350 miles from home the car started a knocking noise and that the engine failed. My family was in risk , i had my 2 year old son in the car and it was behind shock. No lamp no nothing. On my expenses took the car with a tow company and send it to a mechanic, he told me this cars are recalled. I got shocked again because Hyunda…

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350 miles from home the car started a knocking noise and that the engine failed. My family was in risk , i had my 2 year old son in the car and it was behind shock. No lamp no nothing. On my expenses took the car with a tow company and send it to a mechanic, he told me this cars are recalled. I got shocked again because Hyundai never send me mail or something for the KSDS update recall

NHTSA ODI #11531121

Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2023
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

Camshaft Sensors keep going bad. I just replace both sensors last year cost me over $500 and now I'm getting a readout that its bad again. Check engine light has been coming on & off intermittently ever since. vehicle only has 881 miles on it. it was hardly driven.

NHTSA ODI #11515239

Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2022
Engine

The automobile has 99,800 miles driven on it. While I was driving on the interstate, the engine seized up and shut off almost causing an accident and left me stranded 193 miles from home. The vehicle was inspected and there were metal shavings in the oil pan. A new engine is needed to repair this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11487094

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2022
Engine

I was driving on the freeway and my engine started making a knowing sound. Then my car died. I pulled over to the side and couldn't even brake and I had to put the emergency brake on. Then when I tried to start my car it made a loud screeching noise from the engine so I turned it back off. I have had it checked out by a mechanic…

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I was driving on the freeway and my engine started making a knowing sound. Then my car died. I pulled over to the side and couldn't even brake and I had to put the emergency brake on. Then when I tried to start my car it made a loud screeching noise from the engine so I turned it back off. I have had it checked out by a mechanic who says it's a rod bearing went out. It is common with my vehicle but my specific year hasn't been recalled but other years have been recalled for the same problem.

NHTSA ODI #11479262

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2022
Engine

Engine made some rattling noise, then smoke came from muffler while driving on a highway. The vehicle stalled and the vehicle needed to be towed. The vehicle was inoperable (unable to start the engine)..

NHTSA ODI #11457622

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2022
Engine

The vehicle has an engine oil leak at the oil pan gasket. This was previously recalled by Hyundai (19V063000) as potentially causing a sudden loss of power or rapid slowing of the vehicle during operation. The Hyundai dealership addressed that recall by placing RTV on the gasket. It appeared to fix the issue for a few months to …

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The vehicle has an engine oil leak at the oil pan gasket. This was previously recalled by Hyundai (19V063000) as potentially causing a sudden loss of power or rapid slowing of the vehicle during operation. The Hyundai dealership addressed that recall by placing RTV on the gasket. It appeared to fix the issue for a few months to a year. Then I noticed the vehicle was dripping oil and that it appeared to be coming from the oil pan gasket. The "fix" that Hyundai previously performed has stopped working resulting in the same safety issue as identified in the prior recall. My wife took the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership today and where they confirmed that it was leaking from the oil pan and quoted $396 to fix it. My wife was told that they would not remediate the safety issue since they already performed work for that recall and it had been a year. I feel this is a serious issue - that the work they did to resolve a safety recall has failed and they are unwilling to fix it. I wonder if the work to my vehicle was done correctly compared to others (did the remediation call for RTV to be used?), or if Hyundai did not take the correct approach to remediate the issue (should it have been a new, thicker gasket instead of the RTV?). In either case, the fix has failed and resulted in the same deficient safety condition stated in the prior recall.

NHTSA ODI #11451071

Official recalls

3

23V651000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 22, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.

19V063000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Feb 5, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai has notified owners, and dealers will inspect for an oil pan leak, replacing it if necessary, and install an updated oil pressure switch, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 181.

14V245000 · Air Bags

May 13, 2014

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Hyundai Tucson vehicles manufactured January 3, 2011, through December 23, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the air bag assembly installed in the steering wheel may come loose from its mounting.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An air bag assembly that is not properly mounted may result in an increased risk of injury to the driver in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts that secure the driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 118.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

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