2013 Hyundai Tucson
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 266 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 21 Tucson model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 16 involved a crash and 18 involved a fire. 12 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 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.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 23V651000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineFeb 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.
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 19V063000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsMay 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 14V245000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
266 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Jun 18, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A PIECE OF METAL FROM ROAD WORK PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A HEAD INJURY, A BLACK EYE, MUSCLE DAMAGE, AND BRUISING THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Electrical system, Engine, May 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED MULTIPLE TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE PUSH TO START FAILED INTERMITTENTLY TO START OR SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN CODE REGISTERED AND CORRECTED ITSELF HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Mar 11, 2015, crash
TL*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 MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 4/20/15*CN
Power train, Mar 9, 2015
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI TUSCAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE MOVING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE REGAINED POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
Suspension, Tires, Wheels, Nov 17, 2014
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 WEREN'T PROPERLY TIGHTEN WHICH CAUSED MY TIRES TO BECOME OUT OF LINE AND BEGIN TO TILT CAUSING THE INSIDES TO BECOME VERY WORN DOWN. I WANT TO BRING THIS TO SOMEONES ATTENTION IN HOPES THEY CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT MANUFACTURER MY VEHICLE CAME FROM TO HELP PREVENT THE SAME ISSUES FOR OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS. *TR
Tires, Jul 11, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI TUCSON EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO TIRES, TIRE LINE: SOLUS KH25, TIRE SIZE: 225/45R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE MEDIAN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DECLARED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Air bags, Traction control system, Jul 9, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TIRE TRACTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE DIVIDER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Tires, Wheels, Jun 27, 2014
I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN THE CAR FELT FUNNY AND STARTED TO SHAKE A LITTLE. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT. I GOT OUT AND SAW THAT THE SIDE OF MY TIRE WAS BLOWN OUT. MY HUSBAND CAME AND CHANGED THE TIRE. TO OUR SURPRISE IT WAS NOT ONLY BLOWN OUT ON THE OUTSIDE BUT ON THE INSIDE ALSO. IT APPEARED TO US THAT THIS TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. WE HAD ONLY HAD THE CARE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHICH INFORMED US THAT SINCE WE DIDN'T BUY THEY'RE WARRANTY PLAN FOR THE TIRES THEY COULDN'T HELP US. IF THE PEOPLE THAT SOLD US THE TIRE CAN'T HELP THEN WHO DO WE GO TO. FEELING UNSAFE DRIVING WITH THE OTHER TIRES THAT MAY BE JUST AS BAD WE DECIDED TO REPLACE THEM ALL. WE WENT TO OUR LOCAL TIRE PLACE AND BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES. *TR
Air bags, Jun 13, 2014, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR MINOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. REMAILED 07/29/14*LJ UPDATED 8/15/14*CN UPDATED 08/21/2014 *JS
Air bags, Mar 26, 2014
THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT ON DASH TURNS ON AND OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT...NOT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT. WE HAVE HAD IT "FIXED" 3 TIMES AT THE DEALER, AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. WE HAVE HAD THE DRIVERS SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR REPLACED, PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION ASSY-FR SEAT REPLACED, AND CODES RESET. SPECIFICALLY GDS CODE B1490 AND PODS RESET. THE CODES WERE RESET MARCH 14, 2014 AND ON MARCH 22, 2014 THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN TURNING ON AND OFF AGAIN. WE KNOW HYUNDAI HAS HAD AIRBAG PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. THAT IS WHY WE ARE REPORTING THIS COMPLAINT. HOPEFULLY THIS IS JUST A SINGLE INCIDENT, NOT A GIANT AIRBAG PROBLEM AGAIN! *TR
Power train, Dec 22, 2013
WHEN ENTERING AN ATTENDED AUTOMATIC CAR WASH, I PLACED THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, AS INSTRUCTED BY ATTENDANT. THE CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD, SLOWLY AND TAPPED THE CAR IN FRONT. THEY STOPPED THE CAR WASH AND SAID THE CAR HAD BEEN IN GEAR. HOWEVER, IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. WHEN THEY RESTARTED THE CAR WASH, MY CAR CONTINUED TO CREEP FORWARD, WITH MY HAVING TO TAP THE BRAKE REPEATEDLY TO MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE FROM VEHICLE IN FRONT. LATER THAT DAY I CHECKED THIS ON A LEVEL SURFACE IN A PARKING LOT. WHEN THE CAR WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, AND FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, IT WOULD CREEP FORWARD AT A SLOW WALK SPEED. WHEN IT WAS IN NEUTRAL WITH THE ENGINE TURNED OFF,AND FOOT OFF BRAKE, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. IT APPEARS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS ENGAGING TO SOME DEGREE EVEN WHEN IN NEUTRAL. THIS CONSTITUTES A HAZARD SINCE THE CAR MAY MOVE IN SITUATION LIKE A CAR WASH OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE IT IS PLACED IN NEUTRAL WITH BRAKE OFF AND ENGINE RUNNING. ON THE DAY AFTER THIS INCIDENT, I RECORDED A VIDEO DOCUMENTING THIS ISSUE. *TR
Tires, Sep 17, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI TUCSON EQUIPPED WITH KUMHO SOLUS TIRES, SIZE: 225/60/R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE SPARE TIRE WITH A NEW TIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE THE INNER FENDER LINER, UNDER BUMPER PLATE, SHOCK BOOT, AND THE MUD GUARD WOULD ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,100.
Steering, Power train, Wheels, Aug 14, 2013
CAR HAS BEEN IN SHOP ABOUT 8 TIME FOR PULLING TO RIGHT 1ST THEY SAID IT WAS BAD TIRES SWITCHED OUT BUT STILL CONTINUED TO PULL WENT IT SHOP AGAIN SAID IT WAS THE TIRES SO SWITCHED OUT AGAIN TOOK ANOTHER DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS THE CROWNING IN ROAD I DROVE OTHER TUCSON'S AND THEY DID NOT PULL THEN THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE OF ALL THE MILEAGE THAT WAS ON MY CAR NEXT THEY SAID IT WAS PULLING BC OF ELECTRONIC STEERING ID REALLY LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. I HAVE A REGIONAL PERSON COMING DOWN ON THE 28TH OF AUG TO LOOK INTO CAR PULLING TO RIGHT. ALSO HAVE TOOK MY CAR TO FIRESTONES AND THEY SAY THAT THERE IS SOMETHING DEFINITELY WRONG WITH THE TOW AND ALIGNMENT YET THE DEALER INSISTS THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. *TR
Visibility, May 30, 2013
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. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Oct 1, 2012
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED BRIEFLY ON WINDSHIELD DURING RAIN WHILE DRIVING. FOLLOWING DAY WHILE PARKED PREPARING TO DEPART WIPERS WERE TURNED ON, WIPERS MOVED UP ABOUT SIX INCHES AND STOPPED ON THE WINDSHIELD. NO RESPONSE AT WIPERS FROM CONTROLS DURING HI-LO, INTERMITTENT OR WASH SETTINGS. UNABLE TO USE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND LOOSE WIPER MOTOR WIRING CONNECTOR AND PINS. *TR