IllustrationTRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY VEHICLE MADE LOUD NOISE PULLED OVER AND TURNED VEHICLE OFF WAITED 10 TO 20 MINUTES TRIED TO START VEHICLE AND IT MADE LOUD NOISE AGAIN AND SHUT DOWN WOULD NOT STAY RUNNING.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tucson years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
1825–50K
3550–75K
4075–100K
37100–150K
11150K+
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 reportsVEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. RPMS WENT TO 0. COULD NOT ACCELERATE ANYMORE AND HAD TO COAST OFF THE ROAD TO GET OUT OFF TRAFFIC. VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP SAYS THE VEHICLES ENGINE HAS LOCKED UP AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 77946 MILE…
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VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. RPMS WENT TO 0. COULD NOT ACCELERATE ANYMORE AND HAD TO COAST OFF THE ROAD TO GET OUT OFF TRAFFIC. VEHICLE TURNED OFF AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP SAYS THE VEHICLES ENGINE HAS LOCKED UP AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 77946 MILES. HAS HAD NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS. JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE ONLY HAD IT A WEEK AND HALF. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS OR DEADLY ACCIDENT IF THIS HAPPENED IN A BUSY HIGHWAY OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A #3 PISTON CONNECTING ROD CYLINDER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A #3 PISTON CONNECTING ROD CYLINDER BOLT DETACHED WHICH CAUSED THE PISTON TO LOOSEN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000.
ON JUNE 13, 2017, THE ENGINE IN THE TUCSON COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT RUSH HOUR. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN A HOLE IN IT DUE TO NO FAULT OF THE OWNER AND WOULD NEED A COMPLETE REBU…
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ON JUNE 13, 2017, THE ENGINE IN THE TUCSON COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT RUSH HOUR. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN A HOLE IN IT DUE TO NO FAULT OF THE OWNER AND WOULD NEED A COMPLETE REBUILD. IN MY RESEARCH I CONTACTED BOTH VANDERGRIFF HYUNDAI AND HYUNDAI MOTORS AMERICA SINCE THE EVENT THAT CAUSED MY VEHICLE ENGINE TO BLOW WAS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. DURING MY RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE ENGINE IN MY VEHICLE WAS THE SAME ENGINE PUT INTO SEVERAL MODELS OF HYUNDAI VEHICLES. THIS SPECIFIC ENGINE MODEL WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT REGARDING THE 2011-2013 HYUNDAI MODELS. IN APRIL 2019 A RECALL OF THE OIL PAN AND SEAL WAS ISSUED. THE VEHICLE RECALL REPLACEMENT WAS DONE AND A CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE ENGINE WAS SENT TO HYUNDAI. ALL DOCUMENTS REQUESTED WERE FURNISHED AND AFTER 3 CASE MANAGERS WERE ASSIGNED I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE CLAIM HAS GONE TO UPPER MANAGEMENT A/K/A WAIT UNTIL THE STATUTE RUNS. AS A CONSUMER I FEEL I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUNAROUND AND STILL AM NOT REIMBURSED FOR AN ENGINE. I NEED HELP!!!
I FINANCED THIS VEHICLE ON 12/22/19, I STARTED TO NOTICE A LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE DATE. BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD IT WAS A VACUUM LOOSE, THEY TIGHTENED IT AND SAID IT SHOULD BE GOOD. STILL HEARD THE TICKING JUST NOT AS LOUD. I STILL HAVE CONTINUED TO HEAR THE TICKING, BROUGHT…
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I FINANCED THIS VEHICLE ON 12/22/19, I STARTED TO NOTICE A LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE DATE. BROUGHT IT IN TO DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD IT WAS A VACUUM LOOSE, THEY TIGHTENED IT AND SAID IT SHOULD BE GOOD. STILL HEARD THE TICKING JUST NOT AS LOUD. I STILL HAVE CONTINUED TO HEAR THE TICKING, BROUGHT IT IN TODAY AND WAS TOLD BY ONE PERSON WHO DIDNT ACTUALLY INSPECT THE VEHICLE THAT IT WAS A PURGE VALVE AND ITS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR AND AGE.. WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC AT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP LOCATED ON OCALA FL, (AND WITH A STRAIGHT NO EMOTION FACE) "THERE'S NO METAL TOUCHING" ASKED TO BE PROVIDED PROOF THAT NOTHING CAME UP IN HIS COMPUTER, AND SAID THEY DIDNT HAVE THE CORRECT DIAGNOSING EQUIPMENT FOR THIS SPECIFIC CAR. SHOWED THE SALES MANAGER A VIDEO SO SHE COULD HEAR THE NOISE AND EVEN SHE SAID HERSELF THAT WAS NOT NORMAL. THEY DECIDED TO KEEP THE CAR OVERNIGHT. NOT SURE WHAT WILL COME FROM THIS AND DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS RELATED BUT ACCORDING TO GOOGLE, THESE TUSCON'S ARE KNOWN FOR THE "TICK OF DEATH" WHICH MEANS SHORTLY AFTER, THE ENGINE FAILS...
AFTER RETURNING TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL NOTICE, 4 DAYS LATER TURNING INTO A FUELING STATION ENGINE STALLED AND SIEZED. VEHICLE NEVER HAD AN ISSUE PRIOR TO RECALL PERFORMANCE BEING COMPLETED. OH AND RECALL NOTICE STATED THE EXACT ISSUE IT WAS TO PREVENT ENGINE FROM STALLING AND SEIZING. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED.
TL* THE CONTACT'S SON-IN-LAW OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE THE SON-IN-LAW WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF ANY WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HYUNDAI OF GREELEY (4533 W 29TH ST,…
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TL* THE CONTACT'S SON-IN-LAW OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE THE SON-IN-LAW WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF ANY WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HYUNDAI OF GREELEY (4533 W 29TH ST, GREELEY, CO 80634, 970-330-3801) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE ENGINE LEAK WAS REPAIRED. DAYS LATER, THE SAME FAILURES RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY THE MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO ACTIVE RECALLS. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURES WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V063000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
THE CAR STALLED. WHEN I GOT IT RUNNING THE ENGINE IS MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING.
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, NO INDICATION, NO SOUND/NOISE, THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED. TOWED CAR TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED, THAT THEY WERE HAVING ISSUES WITH THESE ENGINES. ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. WAITING FOR HYUNDAI'S DECISION TO SEE IF THEY WILL COVER THE REPLACEMENT.
ON AUGUST 3, 2019, I WAS DRIVING AND MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING A WEIRD NOISE AND WAS FLUTTERING, NOT ACCELERATING LIKE NORMAL. I TURNED ONTO A SIDE STREET AND WAS PULLING OVER, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND THE ENGINE H…
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ON AUGUST 3, 2019, I WAS DRIVING AND MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING A WEIRD NOISE AND WAS FLUTTERING, NOT ACCELERATING LIKE NORMAL. I TURNED ONTO A SIDE STREET AND WAS PULLING OVER, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT GIVE ME ONE REASON WHY THIS HAPPENED SINCE I REGULARLY GOT THE CAR SERVICED. APPROXIMATELY, TWO HOURS PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SEIZING I HAD MY EMISSIONS AND INSPECTION PERFORMED AND THEY DID NOT PICK UP ANYTHING. THIS VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 94,000 MILES. NOW I AM STUCK WITH A BROKEN CAR THAT THE REPAIR COSTS AS MUCH AS THE VEHICLE BLUE BOOKS FOR, WHILE STILL OWING AROUND $15,000. EVERYTHING THAT I HAD PURCHASED TO PROTECT MYSELF FROM THIS SITUATION HAS NOT PROTECTED ME AT ALL SUCH AS, THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, GAP INSURANCE, THE BANK WILL NOT EVEN DO A VOLUNTARY REPOSSESSION ON THE VEHICLE.
Official recalls
323V651000 · 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
2AQ23002 · 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.