Used Hyundai Tucson 2015-2020 reliability

When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.

While the Tucson isn’t a massive car, it feels quite bulky from the driver’s seat, and it’s hard to spot where it ends. Given that not every model was fitted with rear parking sensors and comparatively few had them at the front, it will pay to check carefully for body damage or signs of a hasty repair.

Check, too, that the alloy wheels haven’t been kerbed excessively, especially the larger-diameter versions, which will be costly to renovate if necessary. Bigger chips and grazes could be indicative of expensive damage to the suspension.

It’s also worth checking the electrics over carefully, because a few Tucson owners have noted electrical glitches. Don’t forget there are a few electrical features where you might not expect them to be, such as in the button that opens the boot.

Happily, the Tucson is relatively problem-free. However, several owners have reported excessive clutch wear and/or flywheel faults that have led to costly repairs, even under warranty. Make sure, therefore, that any manual Tucson you’re viewing has a clutch pedal that operates freely and shows no sign of slippage, and keep an eye out for any odd sensations through the clutch pedal or sluggish starting during your ownership.

Hyundai’s five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty when it was new means you shouldn’t have to pay for too many repairs. However, do be careful to check the terms and conditions, though, because cover can decrease in the last couple of years of the warranty. In short, the Tucson should be a cheap car to run, even once the warranty has run out, though, the Tucson shouldn’t cost the earth if it goes wrong.

Secondary bonnet catch

The secondary bonnet catch might not be strong enough to hold the bonnet at speed if it isn't closed properly. This recall applies to Tucsons built between 6 January 2015 and 15 March 2016, and if your car is affected, it'll need to have a stronger catch installed at a Hyundai dealer and some updated software uploaded for the open bonnet warning message in the driver's instrument cluster.

Click here for more information. Contact your local Hyundai dealer if you believe your vehicle is involved in a recall.

The Hyundai Tucson is a very reliable car. In our 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, it ranked 27th out of 48 cars in the family SUV class. Its reliability score of 93.2% makes it more reliable than the rival Seat Ateca. An even more reliable alternative would be the Lexus NX.

Issues with the exhaust system were the only faults that owners told us about, and only 7% of the cars reported on were affected by these issues. All cars were fixed for free, being covered by Hyundai’s five-year warranty, and two-thirds of vehicles were back on the road in less than a week.

As a car brand, Hyundai impressed, placing 11th out of 34 manufacturers featured in the same survey. Its reliability score of 93.5% makes Hyundai a more reliable brand than Kia and Ford, but less reliable than Honda and Lexus.

Used Hyundai Tucson: owners' reliability data

Overall, our readers reported the Hyundai Tucson to be a highly reliable vehicle, with owners experiencing minimal issues. The few reported problems were promptly addressed by Hyundai's dealerships, thus reducing the negative impact of them and pleasing owners.

Dealer service received high praise for its efficiency and customer care, with many readers satisfied with the quick and professional resolution of their issues. The cost of repairs, when necessary, was considered reasonable, adding to the positive ownership experience.