2013 Hyundai Tucson: sudden loss of power

Filed Apr 24, 2026 · Engine · VA

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 drove completely fine and has been comprehensively maintained its entire life. The problem of a rod-bearing failure has been confirmed with a local service center, One Stop Automotive in Vinton. The Service Department at Southern Hyundai based in Roanoke VA is refusing to look at the vehicle and submit a claim to Hyundai USA , even though the failure has already been confirmed by a licensed mechanic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 Feb 8, 2022 · Engine · PA

The vehicle has an engine oil leak at the oil pan gasket. This was previously recalled by Hyundai (19V063000) as potentially causing a sudden loss of power or rapid slowing of the vehicle during operation. The Hyundai dealership addressed that recall by placing RTV on the gasket. It appeared to fix the issue for a few months to a year. Then I noticed the vehicle was dripping oil and that it appeared to be coming from the oil pan gasket. The "fix" that Hyundai previously performed has stopped working resulting in the same safety issue as identified in the prior recall. My wife took the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership today and where they confirmed that it was leaking from the oil pan and quoted $396 to fix it. My wife was told that they would not remediate the safety issue since they already performed work for that recall and it had been a year. I feel this is a serious issue - that the work they did to resolve a safety recall has failed and they are unwilling to fix it. I wonder if the work to my vehicle was done correctly compared to others (did the remediation call for RTV to be used?), or if Hyundai did not take the correct approach to remediate the issue (should it have been a new, thicker gasket instead of the RTV?). In either case, the fix has failed and resulted in the same deficient safety condition stated in the prior recall.

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 Sep 12, 2021 · Engine · LA

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine failure while operating vehicle How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My wife, 2 children and myself were on a busy interstate and immediately lost all power from the engine, unable to accelerate. Had to navigate other vehicles to reach the shoulder where we were stranded for at least an hour. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The independent service center immediately cited well known issues with this specific 2.4L engine and recommended we go to the dealer. Awaiting the dealers feedback at this time. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Not at this time Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No; the vehicle was well maintained. The oil/fluid levels were appropriate before the start of the trip. No warning lamps or the like were present prior to the incident. No symptoms evident prior to the incident.

Filed Jul 27, 2021 · TX

Without warning it lost acceleration while driving on the interstate going 80mph. Barely had time to make it to the shoulder as all the panel lights came on and then total power loss. Couldnt even power the emergency flasher lights. When roadside assistance showed up 4 hours later and got it restarted the engine had a loud clanking sound. Vehicle had to be towed from the side of the interstate. Shop is saying rod and bearing have failed and engine is a total loss. This same year model of the Santa Fe has been recalled for this EXACT PROBLEM!

Filed Mar 9, 2021 · Engine · 80,000 miles · CT

I was driving on a rural road at about 45 MPH. I started hearing scratching noise from engine. The engine started losing power. I stopped my car, called aaa to have my car towed to wile hyundai. The dealer service department said my engine has to be replaced, the car is under manufacturer warranty, but they need an approval from hyundai motors USA to get a new engine. One week ago I contacted hyundai customer service to check the status of my case. I was told I would be contacted within 3-4 business day by friday, mar 5, 2021. As nobody called me, I contacted customer service again today, mar 9, 2021, and the response I received is the same, I was told I would be contacted within 4-5 business day.

Filed Feb 23, 2021 · Engine · 110,300 miles · PA

I have a 2013 hyundai tuscon that is my primary car. I was driving on a rural road going maybe 45 MPH tops and my engine and oil light came on and when right back off. They did not stay on but it seemed my vehicle was losing power. As I pulled up to a stop sign, my car just shut off. A few days later I noticed a knock under the hood. I took my vehicle to the dealership and was told my motor needed replaced. They changed the oil and it was only turned on to be moved at the dealership so it could be towed home. My warranty is refusing to pay to replace my motor and I wasn't going to have it sit in a parking lot miles away from my house. When the vehicle was back in my possession, I checked the oil dip stick and it was glittery. This tells me that something internally is wrong due to metal shavings in my oil. After doing research on my vehicle, I've come to find many complains have been filed against hyundai 2.4l motors.

Filed Feb 5, 2021 · Engine · 106,000 miles · PA

Driving at highway speed, car was driving fine, when suddenly the engine began to make tapping noise, which progressively got louder within seconds, and then completely lost power. I coasted to the shoulder of the road, and opened the hood to look for any obvious sign of trouble. I found nothing unusual. I called a tow truck and the car was taken to my local mechanic. I got a call informing me that there were metal shavings on the dipstick, and that he wanted to drop the oil pan. I told him not to , because I was aware of a recall on other hyundai's, that were having the same type of engine failure. The oil pan bolts appear to have never been removed in the past, despite an the federal safety agency recall that instructed hyundai technicians to remove the pan, replace the gasket, and the oil pressure sensor. Despite the federal safety agency website indicating that my car has already been examined for this issue, the pan appears to have never been removed from the car.

Filed Nov 23, 2020 · Engine · 81,000 miles · NY

My engine lost power and started to knock. Contacted hyundai USA to be told to bring my car in for a diagnosis. I had my car towed to the dealership(advantage hyundai). They called to tell me "why is my car there"?? In utter shock I mentioned that I had called the dealership to arrange for arrival and have it diagnosed. Then was mentioned a fee, which wasn't mentioned from anyone prior to having my car towed. I had updated my ref # from hyundai USA only to speak with someone telling me that because the car is out of warranty he cant help. Why did it take opening a case with hyundai, updating the case with info, having my car towed to the dealership(suggested by hyundai USA) to be told there nothing they can do?? My car is in great shape with 81k. Why are these engines failing?? And why are the consumers victims to inferior product?? Btw hyundai consumer affairs don"t help the consumer. It's more of hyundai explaining there warranty.

Filed Aug 15, 2020 · Engine · 108,000 miles · MD

Bought 2013 hyundai tucson on 11/2012. Within 2 yrs of buying the car I started to hear a knocking sound from the front of the car, loss of power and it felt like it was going to shut down.I would stop and then push the gas to go and it was fine. This continued to happen intermittantly ever since I have continued over the yrs telling the service department of the issue but they could never replicate the problem.they tried a few things like a computer update/reboot.the issue was a little less frequent but it still continued. Over the years several family members witnessed this and were very concerned! Recently 08/7/2020 we were driving interstate 70 in md, considerable traffic, and numerous tractor trailors all traveling at high speeds! All of a sudden there was a consistant knocking sound even more intense than the ones I had heard over the years since buying the car.the front of the car was shacking and loosing power! My husband was driving in the left lane and struggled to get it to the shoulder where the engine still making the loud knocking sound completely shut down.there was a tractor trailor behind us when we got to the right lane and if it had died then we would have been killed! Standed for 40 minutes in a dangerous location! It was towed to a hyundai dealer in hagerstown md. When they tried to turn it on there was smoke and they were quick to prevent it from catching fire. We were told it exploded, a bearing broke off hit the piston creating a hole in the engine and there were metal shavings in oil pan. We are the orig owners and have kept up maintenance at our dealership, it has 108k miles on it, a comprehensive ext warrentee but they will only put in a 77k miles used engine.could have the same issues and may not be safe. Numerous complaints with the 2013 tucson 2.4l engine.other yrs that have the same engine have recals, inexcusable 2013 is not included!

Filed Jun 29, 2020 · Engine · 77,936 miles · VA

Vehicle was operating normally when all of a sudden the engine lost power. Rpms went to 0. Could not accelerate anymore and had to coast off the road to get out off traffic. Vehicle turned off and would not restart. Hyundai dealership says the vehicles engine has locked up and needs to be replaced. Vehicle only has 77946 miles. Has had no previous problems. Just bought the vehicle. We have only had it a week and half. Car had to be towed back to dealership. This could have caused a serious or deadly accident if this happened in a busy highway or in heavy traffic.