Home · 2013 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev · Complaints

What 265 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (265)Crash / fire / injury (31)Engine (155)Brakes (41)Electrical system (22)Transmission & drivetrain (16)Airbags (11)Visibility & wipers (8)Body & structure (6)Steering (6)Fuel system (5)Tires (5)

6 of 265 complaints match · Steering · clear filters

Jan 29, 2022SteeringEngine

This is in direct relation to Hyundai Recall Campaign 181. NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ODI 11449399

Dec 14, 2018SteeringCrashFire1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, BUT THE WHEELS DID NOT TURN IN THE DIRECTION THE VEHICLE WAS STEERED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT FOOT, HAND, SPINE, AND NECK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SALVAGE YARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AN UNKNOWN EXPERT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD POSSIBILY BE DUE TO THE RACK AND PINION; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOO DAMAGED TO DETERMINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI 11161390

Aug 17, 2017SteeringSpeed controlBrakes

I WAS ORDERING AN OIL CHANGE ONLINE APPT. AND THERE WAS A NOTE SATING A RECALL ON AIRBAGS FOR MY VEHICLE. I VE BEEN SERVICING MY VEHICLES AT DEALERSHIPS IN 3 STATES AND NEVER ONCE TOLD OR SENT AN EMAIL OR LETTER. I LIVE IN GA AS OF MARCH 2017.

NHTSA ODI 11015889

Aug 11, 2017SteeringCrashFire1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SHALLOW TURN, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS TURNED, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER AN EMBANKMENT, COLLIDED WITH A TREE, AND CAUGHT FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND THE FLAMES WERE EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SUFFERED BROKEN BONES IN THE FOOT AND MODERATE BRUISING FROM THE CRASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI 11014693

Apr 22, 2017Steering

THE BLUETOOTH ANSWER BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT WORK NOR DOES THE VOLUME DOWN. THEREFORE, I AM HAVING TO TAKE MY EYES OFF OF THE ROAD TO ANSWER A PHONE AND TURN VOLUME DOWN. THIS MAKES THE HANDS FREE FEATURE NON EXISTENT. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 10979931

Aug 14, 2013SteeringTransmission & drivetrainWheels

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

NHTSA ODI 10535384

Working with the data? Download all 265 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 20, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev verdict →