Problems · by component

2013 Hyundai Tucson engine problems

156 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Tucson cite engine, 59% of all 266 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
156
59% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I was driving on the highway going 65 mph and scared when the engine started clicking and shaking a tiny bit. Plus it was slowing down no matter what i did. Well in a 4 lane highway. There was No engine light, no previous issues. The car drove great until this issue. I had the car only 3 months. Now i am afraid to drive it because i had seen theres an engine recall online for my car. Once i saw the recalls i tried calling alot of my local Hyundai dealer ships and they denied me because of the mileage.when i bought the car it was at 180 mileage. At this point i am not sure what to do with the car, i am hoping it can get fixed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11751801
“My 2013 Hyundai Tucson with 89,417 miles experienced complete engine failure due to severe rod knock from connecting rod bearing wear. This vehicle was brought to our local Hyundai dealership with confirmed diagnosis. This is a well-documented manufacturing defect in the 2.4L Theta II engine. This vehicle was bought 10/28/205 with 29,494 miles. The vehicle was properly maintained with regular oil changes from time of purchase- records attached. Hyundai denied warranty coverage under the TXXM extended program citing incomplete Campaign 966 (KSDS software update) and improper maintenance. However, I never received any recall notices or campaign notifications. When inquiring about notices, Hyundai cited an address that I have not lived at for over 10 years. This sudden engine failure has left me without a vehicle with Hyundai refusing to address this known problem with their engines. I request that NHTSA investigate this issue as well as Hyundai's inadequate notification practices.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2026EngineODI 11741013
“On Monday, [XXX], I was traveling northbound on [XXX] headed towards Roanoke from Salem at an approximate speed of 65 MPH. At approximately mile marker [XXX], before the exit to [XXX] , the vehicle started to lose power rapidly, and the car began to go into what I perceived as "limp mode" and was shaking. In an attempt to not be stranded on one of busiest and most dangerous highways in VA, I was able to get the vehicle pulled onto the shoulder of the on ramp of [XXX] going towards Roanoke. By this time, the vehicle had completely lost power and was not able to move, so I shut it off. At this point, I was stranded on the side of [XXX] , and extremely busy highway. This was a great safety concern, as the shoulder was very narrow and cars were moving through 2 lanes of traffic with many drivers exceeding 75 mph. My own personal safety was greatly jeopardized with the failure occurring with absolutely no warning and shutting off the car while on [XXX]. The vehicles failure was catastrophic and was undriveable. The vehicle was then towed to a nearby shop. There were no warnings whatsoever before this failure occurred. No engine lights were on beforehand, and the car…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 24, 2026EngineODI 11733552
“I am having issues with the main window switch for the second time. 1 out of 3 windows goes down but not back up. Also I took it for a check up and found nothing but the engine is making a loud noise and shakes the car when in drive. I don’t feel safe driving this car sometimes.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 3, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11715376
“FIRSTOF ALL I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THE RECALLS WHICH NEED TO BE COMPLETED. WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY THE ENGINE BLEW UP AND CAR BROKE DOWN. THERE IS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE, I TOWED THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT THE ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE OCCURED BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS NOT COMPLETED. I TOWED THE CAR TO HYUNDAI IN PARAMUS WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THIS DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO FIX MY CAR CLAIMING I NEED TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE OF $800. I ADVISED THEM THAT I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBE FOR THIS FEE AS THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO MANUFACURER ISSUE. THEY HAVE MY CAR FOR 2 WEEKS NOW AND EVERYTIME I CALL THEY ASK FOR MONEY AND HANG UP THE PHONE. RECALLS SHOULD BE FOR FREE, ITS THE LAW.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2024EngineFire reportedODI 11614134
“I recently had a car accident, which has made dealing with my car issues even more stressful. On April 23rd, I went for a recall appointment at Kerry Hyundai in Florence. While the anti-rust recall was covered, the mechanic informed me that the remedy for my specific issue wasn't available. This was surprising, as I received a letter stating that the remedy for my Tucson, identified by its VIN, was available as of April 3, 2024. This seems like clear negligence, and I need assistance from www.safercar.gov. Here is the message I sent and the responses from the Kerry representative. Unfortunately, I can't attach the screenshot. **Recall Notice:** - Date: 2024-04-03 - Manufacturer recall issued - NHTSA: #23V651000 - Recall: #251 ABS FUSE REPLACEMENT (VARIOUS MODELS) - Status: Remedy Available I urgently need an appointment before 9 am at the soonest available time for my 2013 Tucson recall. Despite my visit for another recall and this recall on April 23rd, the agent's responses were negligent. They claimed the Tucson is not under Hyundai Recall Number: 251 as of April 23, 2024, which contradicts the recall notice. Here are the responses: - "So I just checked it…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 6, 2024Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11606679

Showing 6 of 156 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2013 Tucson problem areas