2013 Hyundai Tucson Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 87,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 116,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

Dear NHTSA, I am the owner of a 2013 Hyundai Tucson. On March 28, 2026, my husband took our vehicle to Keyes Hyundai Van Nuys dealership for a recall repair. However, the repair was not completed because a required part (brake fuse) was not available and had to be ordered. It has now been several weeks, and we have made multiple…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 37,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The electric window switches have quit working on the passenger side front and back doors and the driver side passenger window only rolls down and has to be rolled up by the driver panel. The vehicle was not in motion sitting in my drivewayOwner complaint, filed 2020, at 42,300 miles

The contact owned a 2013 hyundai tucson. While operating the vehicle, smoke was present coming from the rear tail lights and the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to chapmen payson (100 n. Beeline highway, payson, az) before becoming engulfed in flames. The flames were extinguished by workers at the dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. The…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 37,125 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving and exceeding 30 MPH, the transmission was slipping out of gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer located in Canada, where it was diagnosed that the transmission sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 60,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of a failure with the transmission. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and shuddered while attempting to change gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle; however, the…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 31,266 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 24,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

Airbags failed to deploy in moderate collision. Impact was by a chevy silverado to left front of 2013 tucson. Air bag deployed on truck. No airbags deployed on tucson (side or steering column). Drivers left side,hip and head made direct impact with door and window. Force of impact was enough to snap an axel and shift entire engine block.…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 50,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 hyundai tucson. While driving 35 MPH in inclement weather, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a pole. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained back and neck pain. The passenger sustained body aches. The contact stated that the infant child located in the…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 43,000 miles

Parts named most: Body (6).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 60,000 miles

Drivers side rear door. Quit opening by either outside or inside handle. Tried repeated locking unlocking, hitting door outside and inside. Safety issue as my wife in a wheelchair must ride in back seat. Now cannot get door open. Afraid it will happen in other side aswell or maybe front doors as well. Extreme Safety issue if I was…Owner complaint, filed 2022

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

Hyundai panoramic sunroof exploded father's day 2015, we were traveling westbound on hwy 70 from little rock to hot springs ar around 10:45 am. It was not excessively hot, and it was a bit overcast. There was no noise alerting us to the impending explosion. And that explosion sounded just like a gunshot at very close range. Thankfully…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 26,800 miles

My hyundai tucson 2013, has dual sunroofs. The rear one exploded while I was driving on the highway. It could have caused me to crash and seriously injure myself.Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 4,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 10,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

The driver side front sidewall developed a shake then a crack appeared in the sidewall about 4 inches long. The other tires show signs of dry rott. They have worn away to nothing in 21k miles less than a year. Can provide mechanic reports of the validity of my car's parts cause ive had a horrible vibration and sound. Turns out the tires…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Tuscan. The contact stated that the air pressure in all four tires had continued to leak causing the tire air pressure warning to display. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that all four wheel air valves were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 60,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026

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…Owner complaint, filed 2024

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 hyundai tucson. While driving 25 MPH, the contact attempted to make a turn, but the wheels did not turn in the direction the vehicle was steered. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a tree and caught on fire. The air bags deployed. A police report was not filed. The local fire department extinguished the fire.…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 36,000 miles

The contact owned a 2013 hyundai tucson. While operating the vehicle and attempting to make a shallow turn, the steering column was turned, but the vehicle did not respond. As a result, the vehicle drove over an embankment, collided with a tree, and caught fire. A police report was filed. The fire department was contacted and the flames…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 70,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2024

I was driving at high speed of 55 MPH and experienced a high-speed stall on my 2013 hyundai tuscon. I heard a knocking sound and then all my lights came on (oil,engine,etc.). I was so scared and made it to the shoulder safely. Thank god. I tried to start the car but it wouldn't start. I also, saw smoke so I didn't know what was…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 99,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

My power controls for windows no longer work. I'm only able to control windows using driver controls. In addition, the power control on my driver seat no longer work. My seat is stuck in an uncomfortable position. Vin: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).Owner complaint, filed 2019

The contact owns a 2013 hyundai tucson. The contact stated that after crashing into another vehicle, the air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt failed to retract. A police report was filed. The passenger suffered a facial laceration and a black eye. The vehicle was taken to a yard where no inspection had been performed. The [VIN]…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 18,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

I noticed my tires had been extremely worn, virtually no tread left for only having the car for 6 months. I began noticing that driving was much more difficult than expected in rain and snow, until I realized my tires weren't in line like they were supposed to. Once I brought it to the dealership they had realized that my camber bolts…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 6,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

When I back up, you cannot see what is behind you. April 2022 I was leaving my rehab building and got into my car in the parking lot and there was no one behind me. I got into the car and made several phone calls before I backed up. I always honk my horn and back up slowly because there is no clear visual of what is behind me. As I…Owner complaint, filed 2022