This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Hyundai Tucson powertrain problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 15 powertrain complaints filed for the 2013 Hyundai Tucson, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Hyundai has launched an anti-theft software upgrade and window decal campaign (Campaign 993), combined with an anti-theft steering wheel lock campaign (Campaign P32), in response to an increase in thefts of certain 2011-2022MY Hyundai vehicles not equipped with engine immobilizers targeted through social media. For certain vehicles that cannot be updated with the software (Campaign 993), Hyundai is offering customers steering wheel locks at the dealer (Campaign P32). This Dealer Best Practices Guide provides information to assist dealership personnel with customer questions relating to the immobilizer software upgrade, window decals and steering wheel lock ant-theft solutions available from
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with the following symptoms and DTC, follow the Service Procedure on Page 4. ï· Check Engine light on ï· DTC P0880/P088000 - TCM Power signal error open/short ï· Transmission stuck in 4th gear fail-safe ï· Harsh shift into Reverse and Drive
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The automatic transmission warranty repair policy authorizes in-dealership repairs of the following components for both OEM (new) and remanufactured automatic transmissions:
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid and oil pressure harness.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report catastrophic powertrain failures at relatively low mileage, concentrated between 30,000 and 122,000 miles. The most serious and frequent issue is rod knock and connecting rod bearing failure, occurring at 75,000–122,000 miles, often near or after the 100,000-mile warranty expires. Multiple owners describe hearing engine knocking, seeing metal shavings in the oil, and requiring full engine replacement at costs around $8,000. One owner cites a KIA/Hyundai class action lawsuit (2011–2014 KIA, 2011–2013 Santa Fe) alleging metal shavings left in the crankshaft during manufacturing that block oil passages, causing bearing starvation and rod seizure—and notes this 2013 Tucson may have the same defect but is not listed in the recall.
Transmission issues also emerge: complete transmission failure, torque converter failure, and transmission slipping out of gear reported between 31,000 and 86,000 miles. One owner reports the vehicle creeping forward in neutral with the engine running—a potential safety hazard. Serpentine belt shredding appears chronic in at least one vehicle, occurring repeatedly due to continuous oil leakage and water pump pulley defect. Engine hesitation, jerking, and acceleration lag surface in multiple reports, along with camshaft sensor failures and loss of driving power. Park lock failure caused a collision in one case. Warranty denials occurred despite regular maintenance and occurred more frequently for second owners.
Same Hyundai Tucson powertrain reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Rod knock / connecting rod bearing failure / crankshaft damage
Engine bearings wear excessively, crank pins and rod pins fail, causing loud knocking and internal damage. Owners report metal shavings in oil and catastrophic engine failure. One complaint references a KIA/Hyundai class action alleging metal shavings left in crankshaft oil passages during manufacturing that block oil flow, causing bearing wear and rod seizure.
When: 75,000 to 122,356 miles; often at or near 100,000-mile warranty expiration
Symptoms owners cite: Rod knocking sound from engine; Check engine light illuminated or flashing; Engine running rough; Metal shavings in oil; Cylinders fail (e.g., cylinder 2 and 3 damage reported)
Codes mentioned: P1326 (connecting rod bearing wear vibration)
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement; cost cited as approximately $8,000. One owner was denied warranty coverage despite regular maintenance; second owner denied coverage under powertrain warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class action lawsuit referenced for 2011–2014 KIA and 2011–2013 Hyundai Santa Fe involving identical crankshaft machining defect. No official recall found for 2013 Tucson in narratives.
Transmission failure / torque converter failure
Transmission loses ability to engage properly or completely fails. One case involved torque converter failure; another involved complete transmission failure requiring replacement.
When: 31,266 to 86,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shudders or hesitates; Vehicle stalls while changing gear; Transmission slips out of gear; Inadequate deceleration when accelerator released; Transmission or traction control warning lights intermittently illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission or torque converter replacement required; not repaired in cases reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty Coverage Campaign TXXM (Powertrain) mentioned; however, owner informed warranty was limited and vehicle not covered at 86,000 miles.
Transmission creep in neutral
Vehicle creeps forward slowly when placed in neutral with engine running and brake released, suggesting transmission not fully disengaging. Does not occur with engine off.
When: Mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle creeps forward at walk speed in neutral with engine running; No movement in neutral when engine off; Unsafe in automatic car wash or when neutral is required
Serpentine belt shredding / repeated belt failures
Belt shreds repeatedly due to oil saturation from continuous oil leak, water pump pulley defect, and alternator seizing. Occurred on multiple occasions over vehicle ownership.
When: Throughout ownership; repeated every 6–9 months
Symptoms owners cite: Serpentine belt shredding at highway speeds (50–70 MPH); Hearing belt snap or shred; Oil saturation of belt; Alternator seizing
Repairs/costs cited: Belt replaced 5 times; water pump pulley defective; alternator seized and required replacement 90 days after installation. Towing required at least twice.
Engine hesitation / acceleration lag / rev without speed increase
Engine revs when accelerator is pressed, but vehicle does not accelerate proportionally or hesitates before moving. Occurs at various speeds and can be intermittent.
When: 57,000 to 122,356 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs but vehicle does not accelerate; Hesitation when depressing accelerator; Engine light illuminates; Vehicle jerks at high speeds and drops out of cruise control with RPM gauge dropping to zero; Violent shaking at speeds below 30 MPH or at red light
Codes mentioned: P0605 (control module fault, identified once)
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs replaced by dealer without resolving issue. One case involved cylinder diagnosis by independent mechanic without resolution. Battery replacement temporarily cleared check engine light but did not resolve violent jerking.
Transmission shift/engagement issues and park lock failure
Vehicle fails to properly engage park, rolling backward after shifter placed in park. Transmission sensor failure also reported causing transmission to slip out of gear.
When: 30,000 to 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward after shifter moved to park; Transmission slips out of gear while driving; No warning light illuminated in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle crashed into parked car due to roll-back. Cause could not be determined by dealer. Transmission sensor replacement recommended in one case; vehicle not repaired.
Camshaft sensor repeated failure
Camshaft sensors fail prematurely and repeatedly. One owner replaced both sensors within one year, then received fault code again shortly after with only 881 miles driven since purchase.
When: Very low mileage (<1,000 miles in one recent case); previous replacement failure noted within ~1 year
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light coming on and off intermittently; Engine light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Both camshaft sensors replaced at cost over $500; fault reoccurred. Vehicle had minimal use (881 miles) at time of second failure.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
When entering an attended automatic car wash, I placed the car in neutral, foot off the brake, as instructed by attendant. The car continued to move forward, slowly and tapped the car in front. They stopped the car wash and said the car had been in gear. However, it was in neutral. When they restarted the car wash, my car continued to creep forward, with my having to tap the brake repeatedly…
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine revved however, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called a local dealer and was provided the cost for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2013 Hyundai Tucson?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2013 Hyundai Tucson?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 31,266 and 117,000 miles, with the median around 75,009. A quarter of owners report trouble before 31,266; a quarter make it past 117,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Hyundai/Tucson.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.