This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest version.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Hyundai Tucson engine problems
moderate 94 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
94
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 94 engine complaints filed for the 2014 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
Engine accounts for 47% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 5 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 94 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H-2 (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest version.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain Tucson (LM) vehicles may have a weakened weld at the zone where the center muffler is attached to the exhaust pipe. This condition may cause the center muffler to detach from the exhaust pipe. Hyundai is extending warranty coverage for the center muffler assembly under this condition to 15 years/150,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners. Follow the procedure outlined in this bulletin to replace the center muffler assembly to correct this condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some Tucson (LM) vehicles may have a weakened weld at the zone where the center muffler is attached to the exhaust pipe. This condition may cause the center muffler to detach from the exhaust pipe. Hyundai is extending warranty coverage for the center muffler assembly under this condition to 15 years/150,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of first use (whichever occurs first) and is valid for original and subsequent owners.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs. If abnormal engine bearing noise is detected, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will blink continuously, and the vehicle will be placed in Engine Protection Mode allowing the customer to drive to the nearest Hyundai dealer for diagnosis and repair. In addition, DTC P132600 will be recorded in the ECM. The vehicle can continue to be operated for a limited time in Engine Protection Mode, but it will accelerate slower and have a reduced maximum speed. Engine RPMs will be limited to approximately 1800-2000 RPM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2014 Hyundai Tucsons—primarily those with the 2.0L direct-injection (DI) engine—describe engine failures ranging from complete seizure to stalling without warning. The most common scenario: engine dies at highway speeds (55–75 mph) with no warning lights, leaving the driver unable to steer or brake safely. Many failures occur well before 100k miles (as low as 44k–85k), putting buyers outside factory warranty if they acquire a used model.
Excessive oil consumption precedes many seizures. Owners report engines burning 1–3 quarts per 1,000 miles despite no visible leaks and regular oil changes. Dealerships respond by requiring oil consumption tests over 1,000 miles and often refuse engine replacement without documented evidence, even as oil pressure lights illuminate.
Engine knock—loud ticking or banging from the block—appears to signal imminent failure. Dealerships dismiss the noise, claiming vehicles pass knock tests, and decline repairs until catastrophic failure occurs. When engines fail, disassembly reveals metal shavings throughout, seized bearings, or thrown rods.
Owners cite widespread knowledge of defects in 2014 Sonatas and Santa Fes using the same engine and covered by recalls or class-action settlements, yet the 2014 Tucson remains absent from recall campaigns—a gap owners find inexplicable. Warranty coverage is inconsistent: original owners may receive Campaign 953 extended coverage (100k miles), but second owners typically receive none. Some owners report Hyundai denying repairs citing VIN exclusion or requiring liability waivers before covering even one repair attempt.
Same Hyundai Tucson engine reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Engine seizure / complete failure
Engine loses all power while driving, often with loud knocking or banging noise beforehand. Engine will not restart. Diagnosed with seized bearings, metal shavings in oil, thrown connecting rods, or blown engine blocks. Occurs with or without warning lights.
When: Varies from 44k to 148k miles; many failures occur near or after 100k miles, but several occur well below warranty at 48k–85k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking or banging noise from engine; Complete loss of power while driving; Engine will not restart; Metal shavings found in oil; Engine dies without warning lights; Check engine light and oil pressure light illuminate during or after failure; Steering and brake power lost
Codes mentioned: P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System)
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; many owners report engines on backorder, with wait times of months. Costs $5,000–$8,000+ for junkyard or remanufactured engine if out of warranty. Some dealers unable or unwilling to source replacement engines.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 953 (Extended Warranty on Engine, 100k miles for original owner only). Campaign 958 (Canister Inspection and Auxiliary Canister Kit Installation). Some owners denied coverage for mileage discrepancies, second ownership, or VIN not listed in recall scope. Class-action settlement (Kinnick & Coats v. Hyundai, Case No. 8:17-cv-00838-JLS-JDE) covers defects including premature bearing wear, but coverage denied to some owners whose VIN not included.
Excessive oil consumption
Engine consumes abnormal amounts of oil despite regular oil changes and no visible leaks. Oil levels drop rapidly between service intervals. Leads to low-oil conditions and oil pressure warnings. Often precedes seizure.
When: Ranges from 56k to 148k miles; consumption rates of 1–3 quarts per 1,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Oil pressure warning light flickers or stays on; Dipstick shows oil level 2+ quarts low within weeks of change; No visible oil leaks; No blue smoke from exhaust; Engine knock or abnormal sounds; Vehicle stalls or loses power
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers often perform oil consumption test over 1,000 miles. Few repairs documented; many owners told to continue driving and monitor. Some given extended warranty coverage only if engine seizure occurs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 953 extended warranty covers engine replacement if seizure occurs. Dealers often require oil consumption documentation before approving repairs; some demand owners sign liability waivers limiting coverage to one repair.
Engine knocking noise (pre-failure symptom)
Distinct knocking, ticking, or tapping sound from engine, often audible at cold start or during acceleration. Owners report dealers pass vehicles on engine knock tests despite obvious noise, refusing to act until failure occurs.
When: Reported at 20k–148k miles; often present for weeks or months before catastrophic failure
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking or tapping noise from engine; Noise increases with acceleration or RPM; Noise present continuously for 24+ hours before failure; Engine passes dealership 'knock noise test' despite owner concerns; Vehicle accelerates normally; no immediate loss of power
Codes mentioned: P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers often dismiss noise as 'normal' if knock test passes, offering no repair. Some recommend returning only if noise worsens. Owners forced to drive until engine fails catastrophically.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued specifically for knock noise. Dealers refer to Campaign 953 but decline action until engine failure confirmed via diagnostic test.
Engine stalling / loss of power while driving
Engine dies or severely loses power without warning while vehicle is in motion, often accompanied by loss of steering and brake boost. Vehicle may or may not restart immediately. Occurs repeatedly in some cases.
When: 40–148k miles; multiple stalls occurring over weeks or months in some vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies without warning while driving at highway or city speeds; No check engine light prior to stall; lights come on during or after; Loss of power steering and brake assist; Vehicle coasts to shoulder after stall; Vehicle restarts after waiting a few minutes or after key cycle; Stalls repeat multiple times in same vehicle; No diagnostic trouble codes stored after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose when stall does not recur; no codes present after restart. Owners forced to drive vehicle knowing it will stall again.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; dealerships unable to repair without repeatable failure or stored codes.
Engine harness and electrical failures
Engine control module (ECM), wiring harness, or electrical components fail, causing limp mode, power loss, or engine stall. Multiple electrical repair attempts often required.
When: 85k–130k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle enters limp mode and fails to accelerate; Engine stalls at stop sign or low speed; Check engine light illuminates; Electrical shutdown of engine during operation
Codes mentioned: P1326 (Knock Sensor)
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs include crankshaft sensor replacement, knock sensor replacement, engine wiring harness replacement, ECM software updates. Multiple visits to dealership required; some repairs temporary.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer opened cases and provided case numbers. No systematic recall or extended warranty for these failures. Campaign 953 and 958 may apply but not automatically offered.
Engine block scoring / internal wear
Cylinder walls scored or damaged internally, detected via compression test or borescope. Indicates severe wear or manufacturing defect.
When: At 2–5 years of ownership; one case at 103k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shutdown or stall; Compression test reveals scored cylinder walls; Internal damage found on engine scope
Repairs/costs cited: Requires short-block or complete engine replacement ($5,000–$6,000+).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner advised that specific engine was recalled but vehicle did not meet recall qualification criteria despite exhibiting recall symptoms.
Engine smoking and fire hazard
Engine produces heavy smoke from under hood during operation. No fire reported but risk present.
When: 104k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Heavy smoke from under hood and through grille; Vehicle pulling over safely possible; No warning lights prior to smoking; Engine non-functional after smoking incident
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not taken to dealer; diagnosis and repair unknown.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Acceleration hesitation and bucking
Vehicle jerks, bucks, or hesitates during acceleration. Engine light flashing. Power loss during passing or merging.
When: First week of ownership in one case; recurring over months in others
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jerks or bucks during acceleration; Engine light flashing; Car will not accelerate properly; Power drops from 80 MPH to 50 MPH unexpectedly; Limp mode activation
Repairs/costs cited: Engine light resets do not fix underlying issue. Repairs attempted multiple times without permanent resolution. Warranty restrictions limit coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty providers reset light without diagnosing root cause. Dealers at competing franchises also only reset light. Hyundai warranty company allegedly dropped some customers; one referred to Nissan dealership (incorrect brand).
Synthesized from 94 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
On 10/28/2021 had car towed to dealer for blinking engine light.Iwas told needed a new engine. The beginning of December got the car back and was told it was the knock sensor on 12/16/2021 light started blinking brought back to dealer and then was told it was the engine harness. They shut off light I was told I could drive car home,they shut off blinking. Light got to highway passing into another…
Within 24 hours of hearing knocking and ticking in my engine (with no codes or signals showing any issues) the engine failed. The noise could be heard continuously at any speed for 24 hours. Once the engine failed while I was trying to drive it to the dealership, the service engine light and oil light came on. I've had the vehicle for 4 years and it's at 103,000 miles with constant oil changes…
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Tucson. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact's wife was able to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine…
At 7500 I reported engine was unusually they told me it was characteristic of the car at 18000 miles they replaced the short block. At 26000 miles they replaced it a 2nd time. The car also hesitates on occasion when from a stop I step on the gas then takes off. They says it's characteristic of the car and we could not duplicate in the 3 mile ride we took they sent me home with it I feel this is…
Just like everyone else on here.... Engine started making a rattling noise and got significantly louder. Car locked up while driving. Brought to mechanic and engine is blown. Same problem as the Hyundai lawsuit. But because there is no recall on this model (even though it has the same engine) it isnt covered
A recall caused my engine to fail, and needs replacing. it is i believe “campaign 966” They are claiming that i needed to have the system software updated PRIOR to the engine failing. they know that their recall is responsible for the engine failing, but they are trying to go around it by saying that it needed to be fixed before the engine gave out. They NEVER, not one time, reached out about…
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of an unknown manufacturer's engine recall. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a knocking sound and the vehicle would not accelerate properly. The vehicle then stalled without warning. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming excessive amounts of oil. The vehicle was towed to the dealer.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Hyundai tucson. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that cylinder four misfired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 9,890. ...updated…
While traveling 67 MPH on an interstate, vehicle completely shut down and engine locked up. It is a 2014 with only 81,000 miles on it?
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while at a stop sign, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart after several attempts. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the crankshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact…
Had engine trouble with your 2014 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 engine problem on the 2014 Hyundai Tucson?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 94 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 52 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 72,000 and 113,000 miles, with the median around 96,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 72,000; a quarter make it past 113,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2014/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.