Hyundai Tucson harsh shifting problems

Filed Oct 3, 2026 · Transmission · CA

Pulled out of a parking lot into the street and there was an unusual clunking noise coming from the drivetrain of the car. Had the car towed to the dealer for diagnostics. The diagnosis from the Dealer was the transfer case splines no longer are engaging with the transmission. This problem is already known to the Manufacture and for some reason nothing has been done to address the safety issue.

Filed Jan 13, 2026 · Brakes, Suspension · PA

We have had a suspension clunk since we bought this in April 2025. Something is loose in the right rear. They have replace the right and left rear shock mount, the right rear shock and it still persists. There is a clunk or grabbing noise when the brakes are applied as it almost comes to a stop, it appears to be in the front. This has not been found, the last mechanic that looked at this said all new vehicles do this.

Filed Aug 26, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · MI

The engine experienced catastrophic failure. A piston punctured the engine block, likely due to failure of the connecting rods, an issue known to be associated with the recalled Theta II engine. The engine is still in the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. We were scared and felt seriously endangered during the incident. The engine failed suddenly while we were driving on a busy highway. After a loud clunk, the vehicle immediately lost acceleration and would not respond to throttle input. We had to quickly pull over onto the shoulder while traffic sped past us at high speeds. The sudden loss of power in fast-moving traffic put us at serious risk of being rear-ended or causing an accident. It was a frightening experience that could have resulted in injury or worse. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed there is a hole in the engine block caused by a piston. We brought the vehicle to a Hyundai dealership for further inspection. Still, their communication has been poor, and they have not yet confirmed whether they acknowledge the issue or its relation to the Theta II engine recall. Our independent mechanic has inspected the vehicle and is currently with a Hyundai dealership for inspection. It has not been checked by police or insurance representatives. No third-party inspector has been involved beyond the dealer and mechanic. There were no warning lights, error messages, noises, or performance symptoms before the failure. The engine failure was sudden and occurred without any prior indication of a problem.

Filed Oct 19, 2024 · Steering · OH

Purchased a used 2016 Hyundai Tucson, approx. 79,000 miles. A few weeks later I noticed a rattling in the steering column when driving over railroad tracks, rough roads, etc. When sitting stationary, I could rock the steering wheel back and forth and got a clunking sound. Took to the dealership, they wanted $250 just to diagnose. Did my own investigating. With the car turned on I would hold the steering wheel with one hand and hold the steering shaft with the other and work them in opposite directions. This replicated the clunking and knocking noise I would hear while driving. I determined it was a faulty upper pinch bolt. Replaced the bold and all noise went away. Fast forward a few months later and the sound returned. Slightly at first, then the sound became very pronounced again. Tightened pinch bolt again, went away. Seems to either be a problem with the shaft itself or the upper pinch bolt. Either way, my fear is the steering shaft is going to loosen and fall off of the steering column resulting in a loss of steering and potential accident. Hyundai dealership seems to act clueless about issue.

Filed Oct 4, 2024 · Visibility · CO

The component that failed are the visibility with headlights being completely snow packed and covered in a snow storm. The lights themselves did not fail, but the design causes snow to get stuck over all the headlights, which continues building to a point where 99%+ of light blocked. This has occurred numerous times since owning the car, easily 20+ times. VERY dangerous, oncoming cars will flash their headlights because the Tucson headlights are completely covered. Visibility is greatly decreased. Have to pull over multiple times driving in snow storms to break the snow and ice free from the headlights, only to build up again once driving. This puts not only our lives, but other drivers lives at risk. Just imagine driving in winter conditions, at night, with no headlights. Mentioned to dealer, but not documented anywhere and was not given any serious consideration. At that point we were focused on trying to get the power loss/hesitation and extremely rough shifting fixed. Big design flaw with the combination of headlights built into the grill, and with new technology, the lights must not get hot enough to melt the snow. Anyone who thinks that driving in a snow storm, at night, and no headlights isn't a huge safety issue or that this is exaggerated, I invite you to come take a ride with us this winter.

Filed Apr 29, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · WI

We fist noticed a problem with the car having a hard time accelerating and a hard shift at 25-35 mph back at the end of November. We then got a check engine light that came on that said P013A00 Powertrain. We brought it to the dealership the first week of December and were told that the transmission just needed an update. Upon taking the car home it was better for about a week then the issue came back sporadically. Then on March 20th my wife was driving the car and it would not accelerate past 35 mph while getting onto the interstate. Cars were going by her at 70+MPH as she sat there helplessly pressing the accelerator. Eventually she got the car up to 50 mph but it would not go any faster. We brought it into the dealership that day and once again they said the transmission needed an update. I then contacted Hyundai corporate and submitted a complaint and they started a case for the issue. After the second time at the dealership the car was ok for a week and then started with the same issues. After taking it to several other dealerships they all tell me that it’s a transmission issue that they don’t know how to fix but they change what they say once Hyundai corporate talks with them. Presently the car will have very high RPM and jump forward almost colliding with cars in front. It will also not accelerate such as the peddle is on the floor and the RPMs are high but the car will barely move until it shifts gears and jumps forward.

Filed Jan 20, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · FL

My car started to slightly jerk when beginning to drive, the next day, while crossing a very busy road, it made a loud clunking noise and harsh jerking. This happened 3 times and then subsided. I took my car to be looked at and was told I needed a brand new transmission. I have 129,000 miles on my car and never had any issues. This makes no sense! It's going to cost me $2300. The sunroof has also stopped working. This is my 3rd Hyundai, I've never had to have my transmission replaced with low miles. I work remote and live in Fl, I drive my car responsibly and never beat on it. I love Hyundai so much and my next car will be a Hyundai, but this is not right and could have caused me great harm when crossing the road. It is currently in the shop at Hyundai New Port Richey, Fl

Filed Jul 29, 2023 · Transmission · NC

Back in January of 2023, car would not go into reverse. While out driving the engine light came on and went into safety mode. I had no power to merge onto highway and make it up hills to get to Hyundai service repair. They said the gear actuator failed. They repaired, but within a week the car was not going into reverse and engine light came back on. They had my car for over a month with no loaner car. They replaced transmission. Car only had 32,000 miles on it. Yesterday, July 28, car started losing power in traffic. Sometimes car would lurch. Engine light on so I pulled into grocery store parking lot. Turned car off and when I turned back on a loud clunking noise. Called Hyundai and drove to service. The entire time the car struggled to merge or go up hills. They ran test and said the gear actuator failed. So this is a trend. It is under warranty but that is not the point, this is dangerous and you can get stranded or the car can lurch or loose power at any time. I complained to Hyundai the first time and they did nothing except repair under warranty guidelines.

Filed Jun 2, 2023 · Engine · 169,374 miles · NV

The contact owns a 2012 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard a grinding sound under the hood. The contact then stated that he heard a loud clunk sound and the vehicle then swerved across the road almost causing a crash. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle then stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to navigate the vehicle off the roadway. The contact then stated that he smelled an oil odor and a noticed a trail of oil on the ground and pieces of the piston rods. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that, the day before the failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under Manufacturer Recall Number: 993,999,966. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number and advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 169,374.

Filed Dec 1, 2022 · Transmission · IL

Leaving a parking lot, vehicle was hard-shifting at 10mph, 20mph, 30mph and was not gaining typical acceleration. Every slow down or stop sign/stop light this behavior continued with automatic hard shifting between gears and lethargic acceleration to the point where I felt this may cause an accident or cause another vehicle to have an accident due to lag response of my vehicle. Upon home arrival, I attempted to back vehicle into my parking spot but after shifting into Reverse, the R indicator on console was flashing but vehicle would not move. I drove back around the complex parking circle and again attempted to back vehicle in to a different parking space but experienced the same issue where R indicator was flashing but vehicle would not back up. My daughter and 2 grandsons then had to push my vehicle back in to the parking spot. I turned vehicle off, waited approximately 90 seconds and restarted the engine. When I shifted into Reverse gear, the car abruptly and harshly shut down. At that point, I put the vehicle back into Park gear and turned off ignition. Had the vehicle towed to closest dealership on Nov 28th - they have not been able to replicate issue nor find any fault codes when running diagnostics. No dashboard errors appeared, only the flashing Reverse indicator light on shift console. No prior issues earlier in the day when using vehicle, nor has this issue occurred in the 4 years I have owned it. It was severe enough I wasn't sure the vehicle would clear intersections in a timely manner, and worried it may leave myself and my daughter and grandsons stranded on the 20 minute ride to home.