Used Hyundai Tucson 2021-present reliability review

What should I look for in a used Hyundai TUCSON?

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 owners of the older, third-generation Tucson 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, this latest Hyundai Tucson is exceedingly problem-free. However, several owners of the third-gen car 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.

What are the most common problems with a used Hyundai TUCSON?

At the time of writing, the Tucson has one recall listed. To check whether an affected car has been rectified, you can contact your local Hyundai dealer. You will not need to pay for anything involving the recall.

Reason for recall

The side curtain airbag could potentially be assembled in a twisted condition.

How the manufacturer will repair: Affected vehicles will be inspected to ascertain if the airbag is correctly installed. If the airbag is twisted it will be removed and reinstalled correctly.

Number of affected vehicles: 46

Date of recall: 12/07/2021

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

Is a used Hyundai TUCSON reliable?

The Hyundai Tucson is a reliable car, according to our data.

In the last What Car? Reliability Survey it appeared in, it ranked third out of 15 cars in the large SUV reliability class. Its reliability score of 95.5% makes it more reliable than the Audi Q5 and Ford Kuga, but less than the 2015-2023 Mercedes GLC.

Although 18% of the Tucsons in our survey went wrong, most issues were minor glitches with the bodywork and a range of electrical systems. Only 4% of cars were rendered undriveable by their faults, and more than half of them were sorted in less than a day. Thanks to Hyundai's five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, 84% of cars were fixed for free. Where owners were charged, no bills exceeded £200 per fault.

As a car brand, Hyundai inspires confidence, placing 10th out of 30 manufacturers. Its overall reliability score of 93.5% makes it a more reliable brand than Ford, Mazda and Seat. However, it remains less reliable than Honda and Lexus.

Used Hyundai Tucson: the owners' view

In our latest Reliability Survey, most Hyundai Tucson owners said their cars offered dependable day-to-day running, but some owners experienced notable issues. A recurring complaint concerned warning lights appearing without clear cause, sometimes linked to electrical faults or sensor errors. A few drivers also reported problems with the hybrid system, including intermittent loss of power, which required dealer intervention.

Dealer service feedback was mixed. Some praised prompt appointment scheduling and efficient repairs under warranty, but others found fault diagnosis slow or inconsistent. In a few cases, owners had to make multiple visits before issues were resolved, with occasional delays in obtaining parts.

Overall, while many Tucson owners enjoyed trouble-free motoring, those who did encounter faults sometimes faced frustrating repair processes. The hybrid models attracted slightly more reports of software or electronics-related issues than the petrol versions.