2013 Hyundai Tucson Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine trouble: a knocking or tapping noise, loss of power, and in many cases the engine shutting off or seizing while driving, frequently on the highway. Complaints also cover door latches that stop opening, an ABS-related recall with brake and smoke concerns, and transmission shudder or slipping. Engine reports cluster in the 70,000-140,000 mile range, while brake and door concerns tend to appear later or at scattered mileages.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine knocking, stalling or seizure

   • 117 complaints (44%)
   • median 87,000 mi at 6.6 yrs old (90 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $5,850 (median of 20 quotes)
   • filed 2013–2026

   Owners describe a ticking or knocking sound that grows louder, followed by loss of power and the engine shutting off, sometimes at highway speed and without warning lights. Many say a shop or dealer then told them the engine had failed or seized and needed replacement, in some cases with metal debris found in the oil pan or on the dipstick. Several mention being told the vehicle was out of warranty or that their VIN was not covered by a recall, and some report long waits for parts or approval. Mostly reported between roughly 70,000 and 160,000 miles, often during highway driving.

   Recall 19V0630005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for a knock or tick at cold start and under load, and check the oil level and condition for a fuel smell or metal debris. Ask whether the oil pan recall work was completed and whether engine-related service campaigns or software updates were applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2013 Hyundai Tucson engine malfunctioned while in motion and this is a national thing because the dealerships can not keep up with fixing the issue and parts are on back order. I was given a 2019 Hyundai santa fe as a loaner and I had a major accident and no air bags deployed on this vehicle at all.”

   NHTSA complaint #11154445, filed 2018-11, 4,000 miles

   “On 6/25/2018, my Hyundai Tucson for the first time began making a strange knocking noise. I immediately called Hyundai to bring it in. While on my way to the dealership at 12:30 pm, it broke down on me in the middle of lunch hour traffic on one of the busiest streets, while waiting at a red light. (thankfully it wasn't a highway or interstate!) two days later, I found out that my engine had to be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11142334, filed 2018-10, 48,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS-related brake concerns after the brake module recall

   • 52 complaints (20%)
   • median 86,000 mi at 10.4 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2026

   Complaints describe brake fluid leaks, a spongy or unresponsive pedal, and in some cases a crash when the pedal was applied, with owners linking the behavior to the ABS module recall. A few report smoke or a burning rubber smell from the engine bay, and some say the recall repair part was not yet available when they came in. Others report caliper leaks or a failed master cylinder. Appears at a wide range of mileages, from under 30,000 up to about 177,000 miles in the sample.

   Recall 23V651000

   What to check: Check brake fluid level and look for leaks around the ABS module and calipers, and ask whether recall 23V651000 was completed and whether any brake hydraulic repairs were done afterward.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brakes were inoperable at time. Caliper was leaking and cause of the problem. Rear driver's side caliper replaced. Brakes still having pressuring issue with the pedal. Taken to a repair shop were it is deemed the brake master cylinder needs replaced. Suv has 65,000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #11413442, filed 2021-04, 65,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while her grandmother was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a rubber smell emanating throughout the interior of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose a failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). …”

   NHTSA complaint #11571895, filed 2024-02, 29,000 miles
3. 3
   Other or unknown

   Door locks and latches that will not open

   • 17 complaints (6%)
   • median 74,500 mi at 7.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners report a door that stops responding to the inside or outside handle, so it cannot be opened; several mention the rear passenger doors, and one mentions the trunk latch. Some note it happened suddenly with no prior warning, and one owner says a dealer quoted a repair estimate while the vehicle was in for other work. Complaints describe the lock or latch mechanism itself as the point of failure. Reported from roughly 60,000 to 82,000 miles in the sample, with no clear seasonal pattern.

   What to check: Open and close every door and the hatch from both inside and outside handles during the test drive, and confirm the power lock buttons move each lock.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Passenger rear door will not unlock from inside or outside therefore the door will not open making it a safety hazard. No accident just quit working one day. After reading the Hyundai forum I see this has happened to quite a few people and feel this should be treated as a recall”

   NHTSA complaint #11299515, filed 2020-01, 82,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the front passenger’s side door latch failed to unlock from outside the vehicle. Additionally, the passenger’s side rear door latch failed to unlock from inside or outside the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11574958, filed 2024-03, 60,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, slipping or hesitation

   • 9 complaints (3%)
   • median 58,500 mi at 9.0 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2013–2025

   Owners describe the transmission slipping out of gear while driving, shuddering or hesitating during gear changes, and the engine revving without the vehicle accelerating. In some cases the vehicle stalled and had to be restarted. According to the complaints, dealers or shops diagnosed a failed transmission sensor, torque converter, or a transmission needing replacement. Reported from about 31,000 to 117,000 miles in the sample.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test acceleration from a stop and at highway speed for shudder or delayed engagement, and ask whether any transmission diagnostic codes or repairs have been recorded.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled an anti-freeze odor throughout the vehicle. The contact then stated that the vehicle inadvertently decelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed and hesitated at approximately 40 MPH. The transmission warning light and the traction control warning light intermittently illuminated. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11551315, filed 2023-10, 86,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine revved however, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called a local dealer and was provided the cost for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11558810, filed 2023-12, 117,000 miles

Buying note. Have any example inspected for engine noise, oil leaks and oil consumption history before purchase, and confirm which open recalls and service campaigns have actually been completed. Check all door latches, windows and brakes during the test drive, since those items come up repeatedly in owner complaints.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.