Some Santa Fe (TMA) and Tucson (NX4A) vehicles equipped with a 2.5L GDI engine and 8 speed automatic transmission may have DTC U028700 (Lost Communication With Trans Fluid Pump Module) set by the transmission Electric Oil Pump (EOP). This DTC can cause the Idle Stop & Go (ISG) system to become inoperative. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the Electric Oil Pump on affected vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Hyundai Tucson powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2022 Hyundai Tucson have filed 60 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
60
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 Tucson | 99 |
| 2019 Tucson | 39 |
| 2020 Tucson | 9 |
| 2021 Tucson | 6 |
| 2022 Tucson (this page) | 60 |
| 2023 Tucson | 13 |
| 2024 Tucson | 3 |
| 2025 Tucson | 15 |
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What stands out
Owners have filed 60 powertrain 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 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 bulletin provides the procedure for updating the automatic transmission TCU (Transmission Control Unit) software to improve shift quality, judder and hesitation when accelerating.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗This bulletin provides the procedure for updating the automatic transmission TCU and ECU software (Santa Fe ONLY) to improve shift quality, judder with ISG enabled and hesitation when accelerating.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides the procedure to update the Transmission Control Module (TCM) for the 2022MY Tucson (NX4/NX4a) vehicles and the Engine Control Module (ECM) for the 2022-24MY Tucson vehicles to improve operation of the Idle Stop and Go (ISG) system. Under certain circumstances the vehicle may not restart after ISG system has engaged and require a manual restart due to the lack of intake manifold pressure recovery.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe sudden, unwarned power loss while driving—engine stalls or acceleration caps at 10-40 mph regardless of throttle input. These incidents occur at any mileage from 370 miles onward and strike without warning lights in many cases. When the check engine light appears, diagnostics point to cylinder misfires tied to faulty fuel injectors. Owners report violent engine shaking, jerking, sputtering, and burning smells; several were stranded on highways and nearly rear-ended in traffic.
The fuel injector problem is the most consistent complaint. Dealers acknowledge it as "known" and cite faulty batches, yet Hyundai replaces only the failed unit, not the whole set. Multiple owners experience second or third failures within months of the first repair. Some spent $1,500 on diagnostic work—flushing systems, replacing spark plugs and coils—without resolution.
Transmission issues also recur: harsh upshifting into 8th gear at 30-40 mph, lurching at 13 mph shifts, and grinding sounds. Software updates provide temporary relief before the problem returns. One transmission failed completely with fluid leak at 370 miles, requiring replacement.
Two owners found metallic particles in engine oil as early as 1,500 miles and continuing to 25,000 miles—a sign of internal wear. One reported low compression immediately after a dealership fuel injector repair. Dealers often cannot replicate intermittent issues during test drives and refuse to diagnose without reproduction. Hyundai has issued no recall despite the pattern across 58 complaints.
Same Hyundai Tucson powertrain reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2023 · 2025
Failure modes owners describe
Sudden Power Loss / Loss of Acceleration
Vehicle loses engine power without warning while driving, reducing speed to 10-35 mph or stalling completely. Occurs at any speed including highway merges and intersections. Engine may shake, vibrate, jerk, or make grinding sounds. Often resolves temporarily after restart.
When: Across mileage range: 370 miles to 52,000 miles; some within first month of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of acceleration; Speed limited to 10-40 mph depending on incident; Engine shaking and jerking; Vehicle stalls and will not move; Burning smell or white smoke from exhaust; Engine grinding or crunching sounds
Codes mentioned: P0302 (Cylinder 2 Misfire), P0303 (Cylinder 3 Misfire), P0191 (Fuel Pressure Sensor), P013A00 (Powertrain)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel injector replacement (often only affected cylinder, not all); transmission fluid replacement; ECU update. Many owners report repeat failures after initial repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB available for fuel injector issue (reported by one owner); no recall issued despite multiple complaints. Some dealers attempted transmission updates.
Cylinder Misfire from Faulty Fuel Injectors
One or more fuel injectors fail, causing cylinder misfires detected by check engine codes. Vehicle enters limp mode with reduced power, violent shaking, and inability to accelerate. Occurs intermittently or repeatedly at different mileage intervals.
When: Range: 1,130 miles to 52,000 miles; some owners report second/third failures within 4-6 months
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; Engine misfires and violent shaking; Sluggish acceleration; Smell of gasoline in cabin; Vehicle enters limp mode (30-40 mph max); Sputtering and loss of power
Codes mentioned: P0301 (Cylinder 1 Misfire), P0302 (Cylinder 2 Misfire), P0303 (Cylinder 3 Misfire), P0304 (Cylinder 4 Misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel injector replacement; one dealer refused to replace all four under warranty despite multiple failures. Owners report $1,500+ spent on diagnostic work (fuel system flushing, spark plug and coil replacement) without resolution. One owner reported replacement injector was seized in fuel rail.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB acknowledged by one dealership; Hyundai BlueLink alerts sent after diagnosis. No recall despite being described as 'known issue' by dealers. One owner noted dealer confirmed faulty batch but no proactive replacement program.
Hard Shifting and Transmission Engagement Issues
Transmission shifts harshly, shifts into too-high gears prematurely, or disengages intermittently during driving. Vehicle lurches, jerks at specific speeds (13 mph, 30-45 mph), and makes crunchy/growling sounds. Manual shifting by driver prevents some occurrences.
When: Starting around 12,000-15,000 miles for some; also reported early in ownership (under 5,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Hard, aggressive upshifting to 8th gear at low speeds (30-40 mph); Downshifting at inappropriate times; Lurching and jerking when accelerating; Crunchy, growling sounds during shifts; Engine struggles against high gear; Shaking and vibration during shifting; Vehicle shifts too high too early
Codes mentioned: P013A00 (Powertrain)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission software/firmware update attempted (temporary improvement lasting ~1 week before reoccurrence); manual transmission control used by owners as workaround. One transmission required full replacement due to fluid leak at 370 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Transmission software updates provided by dealers; Hyundai corporate initiated case after complaint. One dealer stated 'transmission needs update' but issue recurred after update.
Transmission Fluid Leakage
Transmission fluid leaks from transmission housing, visible as red oil dripping beneath vehicle. Occurs very early in vehicle ownership with minimal mileage.
When: Under 400 miles; within first month of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Red fluid dripping from underneath transmission; Hard shifting (in conjunction with leak)
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required; dealer initially instructed customer to continue driving with leak until replacement part arrived (customer refused).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner obtained replacement vehicle after refusing to drive with known safety issue.
Metallic Particles in Engine Oil
Significant buildup of rolled metal and metallic material found in engine oil during early oil changes. Indicates internal engine wear or component failure during break-in period.
When: Present at first oil change (1,500 miles); still present at 25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rolled metal pieces in oil; Metallic material visible during oil changes; Substantial amount on first change (more than normal break-in wear)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner changed oil every 2,000 miles to document accumulation; dealer did not acknowledge or address concern.
Engine Stalling at Idle and Under Load
Engine stalls while slowing to stops, idling at red lights, or attempting to accelerate from standstill. Requires shifting to neutral and restarting. Repeats on subsequent incidents.
When: Early ownership; incidents continue intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at lights; Violent shaking before stall; Engine dies when decelerating; Will not restart without shifting to neutral first; Recurring across multiple incidents
Repairs/costs cited: Owner placed vehicle in neutral at every light to prevent stalling; no repair documented.
Uncontrolled Acceleration
Vehicle accelerates without driver input while at low speeds or in reverse. Occurred when driver lightly tapped gas pedal or removed foot from brake.
When: Multiple incidents at highway speeds and during parking
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle surges forward unexpectedly; Collision with parked vehicle while parking; Unexpected acceleration at highway speeds up to 60 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles towed for repair after collisions; no diagnosis details provided by owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hyundai Blue Link sent email recommending full Engine Control System check after uncontrolled acceleration incident.
Inadequate Oil Pressure / Low Compression After Repair
Engine develops low compression immediately after fuel injector replacement at dealership, suggesting possible internal damage. Compression levels not documented with PSI values.
When: Immediately following fuel injector replacement (October 16-17, 2025)
Symptoms owners cite: Low compression detected post-repair; Engine damage suspected after repair work
Repairs/costs cited: Seized fuel injector removed; engine low compression discovered next day during repair. Incomplete diagnostic documentation provided.
Synthesized from 60 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
While driving uphill, the car lost power, beginning to spurt and stalling. Then the car was not able to accelerate while car kept spurting and stopping. It was a dangerous situation as this happened while we were driving, in the middle of the road, while going uphill. Thankfully it was at night and there were no cars behind us but if there was we would have clashed into it. Towed the vehicle to…
Within the first year of purchase, my power train system has beeb throwing codes. I took it to the dealership where they assured me nothing was wrong. My fuel injectors then gave out. The dealership replaced them and told me “yes these things are faulty and we see it a lot”. After replacing it, they did not seal the fuel injectors, causing gas to gush out and set my car to smoke. I was ill from…
At the end of May 2024 my car was diagnosed with a faulty fuel injector that caused sputtering and problems accelerating. I was driving on a busy freeway when my car began to shake and sputter and lose power. A check engine light came on when the car first started to shake and sputter. I was able to pull off the freeway but, in an area, where I was unfamiliar. I was able contact family nearby who…
The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH, the transmission was shifting hard, and was upshifting and downshifting independently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had recurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was test-driven, but the failure could not be duplicated.…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2022 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 2022 Hyundai Tucson?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 60 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 60 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 17,250 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/2022/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.