2013 Hyundai Tucson: engine failure

Filed May 30, 2026 · Engine · LA

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 the federal safety agency investigate this issue as well as Hyundai's inadequate notification practices.

Filed Sep 12, 2024 · Engine · NJ · fire

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.

Filed Aug 6, 2024 · Engine · 213,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was serviced under Technical Service Bulletin: 22-01-028H-1. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH the following day, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was scary for the contact and her minor child who was a passenger in the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with the knock sensor failure. The contact was informed that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under approval from the Manufacturer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed four days later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the software update on older Hyundai vehicles was causing the engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer informed the contact that the repair was not eligible for coverage under Warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 213,000.

Filed Jun 14, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · 115,651 miles · FL

The contact called on behalf of his father who owns a 2013 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while his father was taking the vehicle out of the car wash, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled and was not able to restart. The vehicle was left at the location until the following day. The next day the contact attempted to connect a new battery to the vehicle; however, there was white smoke coming from the battery compartment. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact's father received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the contact stated the local dealer refused to repair the vehicle under the recall. The contact stated the local dealer was in active communication with the manufacturer to find a solution. The failure mileage was approximately 115,651. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Mar 20, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · SC

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 were not notified nor aware of potential engine failure issues. The research we’ve been able to obtain regarding Service Campaign 966 (“SC966”) appears to exclude the 2013 Tucson model unless it has a Theta II engine. The service department at Dick Smith Hyundai stated that if we would have had our car serviced at the dealership, we would have been informed of SC966. As we are the second owner of an eleven-year-old vehicle, we do not typically have it serviced at a dealership. Oddly enough, we received a notification regarding the knock sensor on 3/18/24 almost one month after we contacted Hyundai Customer Support and after the vehicle was towed to Dick Smith dealership and we spoke with the service department. We have been informed by the local dealership (Dick Smith Hyundai service department) that it is unlikely that the engine will be replaced under the Hyundai Class Action Lawsuit, or any open Recalls and it will be 2-4 months before a decision is rendered regarding the matter. We are also being charged a diagnostic fee for their services of approximately $200.00. Regardless of the recall coverage, our experience with this vehicle engine seems to mimic the exact same symptoms and issues as the Make/Models that are included in the published Recall notice by Kia/Hyundai, and we would like to make this known to protect other consumers and to see if there is any recourse and/or assistance for us.

Filed Jul 9, 2023 · Engine · MI

350 miles from home the car started a knocking noise and that the engine failed. My family was in risk , i had my 2 year old son in the car and it was behind shock. No lamp no nothing. On my expenses took the car with a tow company and send it to a mechanic, he told me this cars are recalled. I got shocked again because Hyundai never send me mail or something for the KSDS update recall

Filed Sep 29, 2022 · Engine · TN

The automobile has 99,800 miles driven on it. While I was driving on the interstate, the engine seized up and shut off almost causing an accident and left me stranded 193 miles from home. The vehicle was inspected and there were metal shavings in the oil pan. A new engine is needed to repair this vehicle.

Filed Jan 29, 2022 · Engine, Steering · MN

This is in direct relation to Hyundai Recall Campaign 181. the federal safety agency recall # 19Vx-063. Engine stalled without warning - no engine light - in February of 2020. Vehicle was towed to a local certified and well known auto repair shop for $115.00. Owner of repair shop advised he looked for recalls and at that time, nothing was showing up for my vehicle and because the engine had 171,000 miles on it, we authorized him to locate the same engine (used) and install it. Cost to us, $5000.00. It wasn't until months (?) year (?) down the road that we received a recall notice from Hyundai; campaign recall 181. (Their letter's are not dated nor are the envelopes postmarked with dates, so I cannot provide those dates). My vehicle was slated to be inspected on 12/3/21; I advised the dealership that it is not the original engine, but the vehicle never made it to the inspection. The weekend prior to 12/3/21 (Thanksgiving weekend of 2021), the vehicle stalled (engine seized) on the highway at 65mph; lost power steering and it had to be towed. Our cost $310. We have a video where you can hear the awful grinding noises it made during that time. This time we towed the vehicle to the dealership where they confirmed the engine seized. Hyundai denied any claim to the engine seize. This used engine had less than 100,000 miles on it when it seized. We expected they would fix this one, but they told the dealership that since we did not get the 1st engine fixed by the dealership they won't replace the 2nd engine for us. We towed the vehicle back to our home where it is sitting. Safety was definitely a concern at 65mph and engine seizing; lost power steering. The problem has been confirmed by the dealership. No warning lights or messages; the grinding noise just came out of nowhere and the vehicle continued to lose power and stall on the side of the highway.

Filed Jan 25, 2022 · Engine · 121,600 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that after her husband made a right turn at a low rate of speed, the engine ceased without warning. The vehicle failed to restart after multiple attempts. Due to the failure, her husband had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The manufacturer had been notified and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle; they offered no further assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the mechanic. The failure mileage was 121,600.

Filed Jan 5, 2022 · Engine · 150,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the catalytic converter was stolen, and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for repair. The vehicle remained in its possession for a month before being returned to the contact. While the contact was driving home from the mechanic shop at an unknown speed, the engine shut off without warning. The contact initially towed the vehicle back to the independent mechanic who then informed her of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V063000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact then had the vehicle towed to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed, and it was determined that the vehicle experienced engine failure. The results were sent to the manufacturer who informed the dealer that the failure was not a result of the recall and that they would only cover half the cost of a new engine. The contact called the manufacturer directly and was given the same information. A case was filed. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Dec 15, 2021 · Engine · NE

My engine failed without any check engine lights prior. Started making a REALLY loud flapping noise when accelerating and would get worse the higher the RPM and the higher MPH. Even while coasting the noise was still prominent. It started around 12pm on 12/11/2021 and at 1:07pm (approximately 1 hour later) on the same day, it officially failed. The noise had started and gradually got worse while I was on the highway going approximately 65-70mph. I had stopped and pulled over shortly after it had started and made some calls to some certified Hyundai dealers to try and see what to do. I had made an appointment for first thing on Tuesday morning, 12/14/2021. I told them I would drop it off as soon as possible because I was sure it was going to blow. Tuesday appointment was the earliest appointment available at ANY Hyundai dealer within an acceptable/safe range. After I had made the calls, I proceeded to try and make it home. I was about 35-40 miles to home and my engine got EXTREMELY loud and not running properly. I was approximately 10 minutes from the dealership I bought my car from and I decided, if I made it there that I would leave the car there and not drive it home because I did not feel safe. About 45-60 seconds after the noise got so loud I couldn’t hear the radio. I was trying to find a safe spot to pull over but apparently didn’t make the decision in time because at 65-70mph (cruise control set at 67mph) my engine made a crash/boom sound then every light on my car’s dash lit up and car longer was functioning. I got pulled off to the curb immediately and shut the car off. Approx 5/2021, check engine came on, code read all cylinders were misfiring, spark pugs were changed because no engine failure was detected. My KDS recall serviced 11/27/2021, approximately 78,000-79,000 miles. Shop never mentioned and concerns with my car while it was there. Engine failed just over 80,000 miles.

Filed Nov 10, 2021 · Engine · IL

Was driving at 70mph on the highway when the failure occurred. The engine began making a very loud knocking noise and I was thankfully able to safely pull over before the car completely shut down. No check engine or oil lamps turned on and there were no signs that the engine was failing. It just all of a sudden started knocking while driving on the highway and I was lucky to get to the side of the road without causing an accident or being stuck in the middle of the highway with a broken engine. Checked the oil and found metal shavings on the dipstick so I called a tow truck to have the vehicle towed to the dealership that last serviced it. The dealership initially kept telling me it was upper engine noise until I pushed them to actually tell me which part failed. They then finally admitted that it was one of the engine bearings. This failure was also 2 months after that same dealership had pulled the oil pan off and replaced the gasket and oil pressure sensor for an active recall. This seems to be a VERY common problem for this 2.4theta engine from Hyundai. Hyundai is refusing to warranty the engine and wants $9600 to replace the engine that failed and left me stranded on the highway 2hrs away from home. The vehicle has now been at the same dealership for over 2 months while I fight with Hyundai's warranty and customer service dept who keep denying my claim that the engine is defective and should be warrantied. While my car has been at this same dealership they have preformed another NEW active recall for programming the knock sensor to sense bearing failures on these engines. THIS NEW RECALL WORK WAS DONE WITHOUT MY CONSENT AND I DID NOT SIGN OFF ON THEM PREFORMING THIS WORK BECAUSE THE ENGINE HAS ALREADY HAD A BEARING FAILURE!!!