[Crow]

On several occasions, I have noticed the 1.6T engine will significantly ping (a rattling-tin-can-like sound coming from the engine).

This condition is reproducible and ONLY occurs when the vehicle has been driven for a significant amount of time on a long distance trip (say, 50 mi or more) where the engine is allowed to reach normal operating temperature AND the vehicle is subsequently shut off for a short period of 10-30 minutes (about the time for a typical store visit). After restarting the vehicle and beginning to drive after that short period is when the noticeable pinging begins (I'll call this the "second drive").

It's as if a sensor or computer module is misinterpreting engine conditions during that "second drive" described above and not calculating the correct air/fuel mixture. When the pinging is experienced, it is quite noticeable and I have tried different drive modes and increasing the RPMs using the paddle shifters with no improvement. I have also tried pulling over and restarting the vehicle, and again with the same pinging outcome. Of course in EV mode, this condition doesn't apply.

If the Tucson Hybrid is allowed to completely cool down, it drives normally again (no engine pinging).

After some research, others describe having had the same experience with the 1.6 Turbo engine as far back as 2012. The vehicle is not throwing any codes based on my scan tool, but it's possible the vehicle is too new for my scanner.

If anyone else notices a similar condition on the Tucson Hybrid, please report here. My concern taking this to a dealership at this point is that it's challenging for a service center to reproduce because of the time it takes, and, I don't want to hear, "we couldn't reproduce the scenario". If enough others are experiencing the same, it demonstrates a systematic problem. Otherwise, it could be an isolated problem on my vehicle that just needs to be addressed.

 

[KN2]

I have the exact issue you’re describing. The sound is worse when driving uphill,especially if you have the windows down. I took it in to the dealer. They drove it around and didn’t hear anything. I had to sit with the tech to point out the noise. He drove another hybrid and said the noise is occurring on it too, so they chalked it off as normal operating noise. May have to wait for a TSB I suppose.

 

[Crow]

Do you experience the pinging all the time or only under the "second drive" condition mentioned above?

 

[KN2]

Do you experience the pinging all the time or only under the "second drive" condition mentioned above?

Pinging happens all the time once the engine is warm, but only when accelerating. The noise is more noticeable with the passenger window down.

 

[Crow]

Pinging happens all the time once the engine is warm, but only when accelerating. The noise is more noticeable with the passenger window down.

Keep us posted if you find a resolution.

 

[Albarton]

Keep us posted if you find a resolution.

What grade of gas are you using?

 

[Crow]

In my case, 87 octane (the Owner's Manual specifies 87 to 91 octane). I just read about the CVVD technology recently implemented in this 1.6T engine and the valve management complexity is a bit concerning. I mention this because the engine behavior symptoms sound valve related based on my experience.

 

[KN2]

I’ve tried 91 octane gas and it does not make a difference at all. So now, I’m back to 87

 

[Crow]

I’ve tried 91 octane gas and it does not make a difference at all. So now, I’m back to 87

Since my initial post above, I have also noticed what you describe (engine/drivetrain chatter while accelerating uphill). It was faint at first. But now, quite pronounced over the past week. This is in addition to the condition I describe in Post #1 above, which is hard to reproduce given the time it takes.

To baseline the issue KN2 describes and validate my recent experience, I test drove another Tucson Hybrid (from a different dealership). And that Tucson Hybrid did NOT experience the same engine chatter while under a load. Then again, neither did mine when new.

I took my Tucson to my dealership's service dept today to have it checked out. No Codes have been thrown and their test drive of course indicates it drives normally. In fairness to them (all nice tech's with great customer service skills), this was the first 2022 Tucson brought in for service, much less a Tucson Hybrid. So, they had no basis for comparison. By the way, they had also asked me to try 89 or 91 octane gas. So, thanks for saving me a few cents.

I have to admit, I'm bummed about this. It's been a gradual degredation of the 1.6T engine over the 6 weeks and 1400 mi we've owned it. While in EV mode, it drives great and really like the rest of the vehicle. Let's see if others begin to experience the same.

 

[Deuce2295]

I guess since we have a 10 year power train warranty, keep on keeping on and if the motor blows, Hyundai can give us another....

 

[JLM]

On several occasions, I have noticed the 1.6T engine will significantly ping (a rattling-tin-can-like sound coming from the engine).

This condition is reproducible and ONLY occurs when the vehicle has been driven for a significant amount of time on a long distance trip (say, 50 mi or more) where the engine is allowed to reach normal operating temperature AND the vehicle is subsequently shut off for a short period of 10-30 minutes (about the time for a typical store visit). After restarting the vehicle and beginning to drive after that short period is when the noticeable pinging begins (I'll call this the "second drive").

It's as if a sensor or computer module is misinterpreting engine conditions during that "second drive" described above and not calculating the correct air/fuel mixture. When the pinging is experienced, it is quite noticeable and I have tried different drive modes and increasing the RPMs using the paddle shifters with no improvement. I have also tried pulling over and restarting the vehicle, and again with the same pinging outcome. Of course in EV mode, this condition doesn't apply.

If the Tucson Hybrid is allowed to completely cool down, it drives normally again (no engine pinging).

After some research, others describe having had the same experience with the 1.6 Turbo engine as far back as 2012. The vehicle is not throwing any codes based on my scan tool, but it's possible the vehicle is too new for my scanner.

If anyone else notices a similar condition on the Tucson Hybrid, please report here. My concern taking this to a dealership at this point is that it's challenging for a service center to reproduce because of the time it takes, and, I don't want to hear, "we couldn't reproduce the scenario". If enough others are experiencing the same, it demonstrates a systematic problem. Otherwise, it could be an isolated problem on my vehicle that just needs to be addressed.

Since my initial post above, I have also noticed what you describe (engine/drivetrain chatter while accelerating uphill). It was faint at first. But now, quite pronounced over the past week. This is in addition to the condition I describe in Post #1 above, which is hard to reproduce given the time it takes.

To baseline the issue KN2 describes and validate my recent experience, I test drove another Tucson Hybrid (from a different dealership). And that Tucson Hybrid did NOT experience the same engine chatter while under a load. Then again, neither did mine when new.

I took my Tucson to my dealership's service dept today to have it checked out. No Codes have been thrown and their test drive of course indicates it drives normally. In fairness to them (all nice tech's with great customer service skills), this was the first 2022 Tucson brought in for service, much less a Tucson Hybrid. So, they had no basis for comparison. By the way, they had also asked me to try 89 or 91 octane gas. So, thanks for saving me a few cents.

I have to admit, I'm bummed about this. It's been a gradual degredation of the 1.6T engine over the 6 weeks and 1400 mi we've owned it. While in EV mode, it drives great and really like the rest of the vehicle. Let's see if others begin to experience the same.

Hello. I’m in the Baltimore suburbs and just spoke to a Tucson owner while we were pumping gas at Costco. He mentioned the same situation you’re experiencing. I’m wondering how prevalent this issue is? I’m about to buy the same vehicle, but this gives me pause.

 

[Stealthboost]

I noticed the same issue yesterday on mine. Uphill under load it sounded similar to an Jetta TDI. Once the road leveled out it was all good.

The engine is usually really quiet under normal driving. Maybe we just are not used to the smaller turbo engine noise while under load.

 

[Crow]

I noticed the same issue yesterday on mine. Uphill under load it sounded similar to an Jetta TDI. Once the road leveled out it was all good.

The engine is usually really quiet under normal driving. Maybe we just are not used to the smaller turbo engine noise while under load.

Mine didn't do it for the first 4 weeks. It's gotten worse since. At first, only after warming up. Now, all the time (almost 8 weeks old now). I test drove another Tucson Hybrid from a dealership and it did not drone while accelerating under a load or going uphill.

 

[Crow]

Hello. I’m in the Baltimore suburbs and just spoke to a Tucson owner while we were pumping gas at Costco. He mentioned the same situation you’re experiencing. I’m wondering how prevalent this issue is? I’m about to buy the same vehicle, but this gives me pause.

It drove great when first new. But seems to have gotten worse. Sounds like a bag of marbles when going uphill especially in sport mode and accelerating. Hyundai needs to identify the cause and fix this.

 

[dinesht]

I noticed the same issue yesterday on mine. Uphill under load it sounded similar to an Jetta TDI. Once the road leveled out it was all good.

The engine is usually really quiet under normal driving. Maybe we just are not used to the smaller turbo engine noise while under load. have driven 1400 miles as of now.

I have faced something similar as well. I have the same droning sound while uphill and it becomes quiet once it levels.
I also owned the 2020 Sonata(which i think shares the same 1.6T engine) and it did not have that issue btw.

 

[MyNewToy]

add me to the list. ive had my hybrid for a few weeks and just started doing what others are describing here. in my case it started all of a sudden when i switched drive modes the other day. when it happened a component sounded like it failed and from that time on -- its pinging struggling or whatever you describe the sound when i go up a hill. the engine doesnt sound right.

 

[BlueOwl]

Watching this issue, Vancouver, Canada.

I love this car and had a test drive last week, I'm currrelntly waiting the car to be available next month. However this issue sounds so concerning that I have to pause my purchasing plan.

 

[sendtosajith]

2022 Tucson Engine/Transmission Jerk

Hello, I’ve had my 2022 Tucson SEL with convenience for about six weeks now. I absolutely love this car, however; I’m noticing that while driving it jerks. It doesn’t matter if I am accelerating or if my foot is still in the same position on the pedal it will jerk randomly as I’m driving it...

www.tucson-forum.com

Recent post... Please try this with dealer. Pls share your experience after...

I made a reservation a month back, confused now if to cancel the reservation...

 

[bpnjensen]

The Turbo 1.6 liter engine uses a very light grade of oil, which should be changed very often - but even that may not be enough for this engine. The highest octane fuel might be necessary to prevent pinging when working hard. It's s shame if this is the case.

 

[rbreeze]

I'm not experiencing any engine pinging in my '22 Tucson Ultimate (Limited) Hybrid. I use 87 octane gasoline which I typically buy at the Costco (Canada) gas station nearby where I live.