2013 Hyundai Tucson Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 21, 2026 · 266 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Tucson years
More complaints than other years 7th of 22 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
4 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 266 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Tucson. That ranks 7th out of 22 Tucson model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (156 complaints, 59%), typically at around 86,993 miles. Complaints mention 16 crashes, 18 fires, 12 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai Tucson (NX4, SWB) Facelift in Böblingen. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2013 Hyundai Tucson problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine156 · ~86,993 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic31 · ~144,500 mi
Unknown or Other23 · ~80,000 mi
Electrical System22 · ~37,125 mi
Power Train16 · ~60,000 mi
Air Bags11 · ~24,000 mi
Service Brakes10 · ~65,858 mi
Fuel/propulsion System6 · ~97,200 mi
Steering6 · ~37,500 mi
Structure6 · ~82,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine problems15659%86,993“oil pan” (8%)$7,400
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3112%144,500——
Unknown or Other239%80,000——
Electrical System228%37,125——
Power Train166%60,000——
Air Bags114%24,000——
Service Brakes104%65,858——
Fuel/propulsion System62%97,200——
Steering62%37,500——
Structure62%82,000——
Tires52%9,500——
Visibility52%26,800——
Wheels52%9,500——
Engine and Engine Cooling31%150,000——
Vehicle Speed Control31%99,000——
Visibility/wiper31%905——
Latches/locks/linkages21%64,500——
Firerelated10%177,407——
Lane Departure10%———
Seat Belts10%18,000——
Seats10%———
Suspension10%6,000——
Traction Control System10%15,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2019, with 63 complaints
2012: 1201212013: 442014: 6201462015: 662016: 2201622017: 14142018: 332018332019: 63632020: 222020222021: 33332022: 142022142023: 19192024: 392024392025: 442026: 620266

n = 266 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2013 Hyundai Tucson recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outsideSep 22, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V651000 · 1,649,478 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Engine and engine cooling:engineFeb 5, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V063000 · 120,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Air bagsMay 13, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V245000 · 137,500 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires (AQ23002) — opened Nov 17, 2023, still open.
  • Loss of Motive Power (DP22003) — opened Sep 12, 2022, closed Dec 12, 2023.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Engine · received Jul 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11751801

left front latch assembly. There is a recall on this for every other model except mine, yet I cannot get in my car because the cables have stretched and the latch will not open the door. I have to crawl in from the other side to open the driver's door. If this is a known issue and there are recalls…

Unknown or Other · received Jun 7, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11742565

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…

Engine · received May 30, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11741013

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…

Engine · received Apr 24, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11733552

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…

Service Brakes · received Apr 22, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11732950

Other Hyundai Tucson years

← 2012 Tucson · 2014 Tucson →

See all Hyundai Tucson problems by year, every Hyundai model, or the Hyundai VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Hyundai Tucson?

Owners most often report engine, service brakes, hydraulic, unknown or other problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 156 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2013 Hyundai Tucson?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2013 Hyundai Tucson a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Tucson model years, the 2013 has more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.