Certain 2014 – 2015 model year Tucson 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. At Hyundai, we are committed to providing vehicles of outstanding quality and value. In an effort to meet this commitment, Hyundai is extending the 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 and is valid for original and subsequent owners.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Hyundai Tucson powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Hyundai Tucson have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Tucson | 21 |
| 2011 Tucson | 20 |
| 2012 Tucson | 24 |
| 2013 Tucson | 15 |
| 2014 Tucson (this page) | 11 |
| 2015 Tucson | 20 |
| 2016 Tucson | 511 |
| 2017 Tucson | 284 |
| 2018 Tucson | 99 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 11 powertrain complaints filed for the 2014 Hyundai Tucson, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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.
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.
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 ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Tucson powertrain exhibits multiple failure modes, with the most severe being catastrophic engine failure. Owners describe sudden loud clunking noises during highway driving followed by total loss of acceleration and power. Independent inspection and dealership diagnostics confirm piston-to-block contact from connecting rod failure—a defect owners associate with Hyundai's recalled Theta II engine platform. No warning lights or symptoms preceded these failures in several cases.
Rod bearing failures accompany engine knock that forces vehicles into limp mode, restricting power and speed. Owners report diagnostic code P1326 (knock sensor/glow relay) appearing alongside severe engine knock and jerking. One owner's vehicle failed a rod bearing test confirming the defect.
Transmission failures requiring complete replacement occurred at varying mileages. One case involved simultaneous failure of transmission and 4WD transfer case after engine knock, complicating repair.
Knock sensor issues triggered limp mode in multiple vehicles, with ECU reprogramming attempted but unsuccessful in limiting power and speed. A shift control malfunction left one vehicle stuck in Reverse after selecting Drive, with dealership unable to diagnose the fault.
Engine replacement costs ranged $2,300–$4,000 when out of warranty. Settlement coverage and extended warranty extensions were inconsistent across owners, with some denied based on mileage overage or model exclusion from recall programs.
Same Hyundai Tucson powertrain reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Catastrophic engine failure (piston-to-block contact)
Piston punctures engine block, typically preceded by connecting rod failure. Owners report sudden loss of engine power on highway, loud clunk, then total loss of acceleration. One case confirmed via independent mechanic inspection showing hole in block.
When: Sudden, no prior warning; one case at approximately 70,702 miles on second ownership; another at 129,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loud clunking noise; Immediate loss of acceleration; No throttle response; No warning lights or noises before failure in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; one owner paid $4,000 for used motor out of warranty; another received remanufactured short block under settlement after rod bearing test failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Theta II engine recall referenced by owners; Hyundai dealership inspection initiated but communication poor; engine replacement approved under settlement for some; other owners denied coverage due to mileage overages
Rod bearing failure with engine knock
Engine knock detected followed by limp mode and check engine light. Rod bearing test failure confirmed in at least one case. Loss of power during highway driving forces emergency stops.
When: During highway operation, one case at 65 mph; varying mileage between 21,794 and 129,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine knock or knocking noise; Limp mode activation; Check engine light (blinking); Noise like 'card in bicycle tire'; Loss of acceleration; Engine shaking
Codes mentioned: P1326
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement; remanufactured short block provided in 10 days under settlement; one owner received replacement after rod bearing test confirmation; costs $2,300 to $4,000 for replacement engines
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GDI Theta II settlement acknowledged by some owners; rod bearing test performed; engine replacement approved; one owner denied warranty coverage 702 miles over limit; settlement reimbursement for towing available but required owner outreach
Knock sensor malfunction with limp mode and power loss
Check engine light and knock sensor codes trigger limp mode and engine power limitation. One case involved ECU reprogramming for knock sensor without resolution. Vehicles restricted to 60 mph or 2000 rpm.
When: At varying mileages; one case at 83,000 miles; another recently purchased used vehicle with 105,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light (blinking or steady); Jerking on acceleration; Power limited to 60 mph or 2000 rpm; Engine knock or knocking sound; Engine squealing; Engine dies while moving with accelerator pressed
Codes mentioned: P1326
Repairs/costs cited: ECU reprogramming for knock sensor performed in one case without fixing underlying issue; no solution offered by dealership in another case; replacement engines received by some owners
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall for knock sensor completed in one case without resolving P1326 code; no recall extension offered for Tucson per owners; no lifetime warranty extension given to some owners despite engine replacement availability in other models
Transmission malfunction and limp mode
Transmission requires complete replacement after harsh jerking and clunking. One case involved transmission replacement alongside engine and transfer case replacement after engine knock led to transmission failure.
When: One case at 129,000 miles; another case involved seizure of 4WD transfer case into transmission during engine failure
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking while beginning to drive; Harsh jerking and loud clunking; Limp mode activation; Vehicle will not exceed certain speed
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement; one case also required transfer case replacement ($2,300 cited); 4WD transfer case seizure complicated engine removal requiring replacement of transmission and transfer case as well
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage or recall stated for transmission issues in these narratives; engine and transmission replacement approved under settlement in one multi-component failure case
Shift control malfunction (Reverse stuck)
Vehicle remains in Reverse after shifting to Drive, forcing driver to shift back to Park then Drive again. Backup camera turns off simultaneously in one case. Dealership unable to diagnose root cause.
When: Occurred twice within one week on different driving occasions
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stuck in Reverse after shifting to Drive; Backup camera turns off; D gear indicator illuminated on dash but reverse persists
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to determine cause or repair after full-day inspection
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
While driving on street lost power in traffic then a loud knocking noise.pulled over to a mechanic shop and they told me that it was engine pulleys was bad plus 2 transmitters was bad . I only had the vehicle 4months .The dealership that sold me the vehicle I don't believe they had the car inspected tried to contact them but no reply . I believe the dealership ripped me off and I'm making…
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the vehicle would not exceed a certain speed and would jerk upon the depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where he was given an appointment to have the vehicle serviced but the dealer had not yet inspected the vehicle.…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2014 Hyundai Tucson?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 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?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 72,822 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/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.