Hyundai Tucson Problems: Used Buyer's Guide for TL and NX4 Models

The Hyundai Tucson is a mid-size SUV with a few known things to check. The 1.6 turbo's dual-clutch gearbox can hesitate or judder at low speed, 2015–2021 cars had an ABS module recall for fire risk, and petrol engines are named in a class action. Confirm the recalls by VIN, read the service history, then get it inspected.

Which Hyundai Tucson generation are you looking at?

TL (2015–2021). carsales says the Tucson name returned in mid-2015, replacing the ix35 that had been sold from 2010 to 2014. The 2.0-litre petrol was front-drive only. The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel (136kW) and 1.6-litre turbo-petrol (130kW) were all-wheel drive. carsales lists a six-speed manual on the front-drive Active and Active X, the 1.6 turbo came only with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and the diesel gained an eight-speed auto from 2018 (carsales, buying a used Tucson 2015–21).

NX4 (2021 on). CarExpert's May 2021 launch drive lists three engines: a 2.0-litre petrol with 115kW and 192Nm, a six-speed auto and front-wheel drive; a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol with 132kW and 265Nm, a seven-speed dual-clutch auto and all-wheel drive; and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel with 137kW and 416Nm, an eight-speed auto and all-wheel drive. Servicing is every 12 months or 15,000km on the 2.0 petrol and diesel and every 12 months or 10,000km on the 1.6 turbo, with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty (CarExpert, 2021 Tucson).

Hybrid (2025 model range on). CarExpert's July 2024 drive of the updated range covers the Tucson Hybrid arriving in Australia. It pairs the 1.6 turbo with an electric motor for 172kW and 367Nm, uses a six-speed automatic and a 1.49kWh battery, and comes in front-drive or AWD with 1,900kg braked towing. Servicing is every 12 months or 10,000km, and the high-voltage battery has an eight-year/160,000km warranty (CarExpert, 2025 Tucson Hybrid).

What are the most common Hyundai Tucson problems?

These are reported by Australian motoring writers, owners, the federal recall register and court documents. They aren't failure rates.

Dual-clutch hesitation and judder (1.6 turbo)

carsales says RedBook Inspect finds dual-clutch hesitation on TL cars when accelerating from a standstill or low speed, and that owners report the gearbox being slow to drop a gear when the pedal is floored (carsales). On the NX4, CarsGuide answered a 2022 owner with judder from a stop and slow gear engagement that had got worse. It said the symptoms match common dual-clutch faults, that Hyundai has issued a software update, and that a fault left alone could end in a costly gearbox replacement (CarsGuide, Tucson problems). On the NX4, the 2.0 petrol, diesel and hybrid use conventional automatics.

ABS module fire risk (2015–2021 cars)

In February 2021 Hyundai recalled 93,572 Tucsons because a circuit board in the ABS module can short when exposed to moisture. The register says this could start an engine bay fire even with the car switched off, because the circuit is always powered, and tells owners to park in the open, away from structures, until a relay kit is fitted free by a dealer (REC-000603; CarExpert, Tucson recalled for engine fire risk).

The same defect is the subject of a class action in the Supreme Court of Victoria, where the claims are allegations, not findings. The court's page says it covers 2015–2021 model year Tucsons acquired before 4 February 2021, among other Hyundais, and that an amended defence was filed in May 2026. As at November 2026 the page lists no trial date (Supreme Court of Victoria, Hyundai group proceeding).

Petrol engine failures and the engine class action

carsales reports engine knocking and total failures overseas, which it doesn't describe as widespread in Australia, and warns that a pre-purchase inspection may not detect an engine that fails later (carsales). That's true of any inspection, ours included. WhichCar reported class actions filed in the Federal Court against Hyundai and Kia over four-cylinder petrol engines, with the 2015–21 Tucson on the list of models. The claims allege sudden loss of power, higher oil and fuel use, smoke and, in some cases, fire. Hyundai said it stands by its vehicles (WhichCar, class action over engines). A 2024 Federal Court ruling in engine class actions against Hyundai and Kia dealt with document discovery only (Federal Court, 2024 FCA 983). These are allegations, not findings. As at November 2026 we haven't seen a final judgment, so check the current status yourself.

What you can do is read the service history for oil changes done on time.

Diesel smoke, soot and blow-by

carsales lists excessive smoke at start-up or under acceleration as a diesel check. CarsGuide warns that short suburban trips can cause particulate filter problems, mentions intake soot that needs cleaning by hand, and suggests a highway run of about an hour once or twice a month. It also answered a 2022 diesel owner whose dipstick was being pushed out, which it put down to crankcase pressure from worn rings or a clogged ventilation system (CarsGuide).

Suspension, steering and underbody

carsales lists suspension clunks and rattles from worn components, rear suspension corrosion, stiff steering and a noisy power steering pump, clicking driveshaft joints on tight turns (mainly front-drive cars after 70,000km) and underbody scrapes that can promote rust (carsales).

Infotainment, locking and air conditioning

carsales lists infotainment glitches and air-conditioning faults that cause weak airflow. CarsGuide says multimedia screen faults on a 2015 car are usually software a dealer can reload, and has answered a 2017 owner whose car wouldn't unlock (CarsGuide, page 2).

What Hyundai Tucson recalls should I check?

We read each of these on the federal register. The list is as at November 2026 and may not be complete, so check the VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au and with a Hyundai dealer.

What this means for you: on a TL, get written confirmation the ABS relay kit is fitted. On a 2023-on NX4, ask the dealer whether the software recalls have been applied.

What our inspectors check on a Hyundai Tucson

This is what we look at, and which package includes it. It's a list of checks, not a claim that the car has these faults.

1. 1.OBD-II scan for stored and pending fault codes, including engine, transmission and ABS codes. (Every package)
2. 2.Engine bay: oil level and condition, leaks, start-up behaviour and idle quality. (Every package)
3. 3.Brakes, steering and tyres. (Every package)
4. 4.Full mechanical inspection: engine, cooling, gearbox, driveshafts and CV boots, suspension, mounts, exhaust and steering. (Comprehensive and Elite)
5. 5.Underbody photos, with the undertray removed where fitted, safe and permitted, covering scrapes, rear suspension corrosion and leaks. (Comprehensive and Elite)
6. 6.Interior and electronics: infotainment, locking, air-conditioning airflow, instrument cluster and driver-aid warnings. (Every package. Comprehensive and Elite add a full electrical test)
7. 7.Exterior paint and body repair indicators. (Comprehensive.) Elite adds a paint thickness gauge on every panel. Essential has no paint check.
8. 8.PPSR check. (Comprehensive and Elite. Essential doesn't include one)
9. 9.Senior inspector, a cold start when the seller leaves the engine cold, history deep-dive, valuation and on-site negotiation. (Elite only)

Road tests are 3–5 km on Essential, 6–10 km on Comprehensive and 10–12 km on Elite. See our Hyundai pre-purchase inspection page for the wider range.

How should you test-drive a used Tucson?

• Ask the seller to leave the engine cold, and listen for knocking as it starts.
• Crawl in traffic and pull away gently several times in a 1.6 turbo. Feel for hesitation or judder.
• Watch a diesel's exhaust at start-up and under acceleration.
• Full-lock turns each way at walking pace, listening for clicks.
• Connect your phone and test the screen, locking and every air-conditioning setting.
• On a 2023-on car, check the instrument cluster and head-up display show everything they should.

What paperwork and PPSR checks do you need?

• A PPSR check for finance owing, write-off and stolen status. It's in Comprehensive and Elite. See PPSR check NSW.
• Full service history with invoices, showing oil changes on time.
• Recall completion by VIN, using the table above. On a TL, the ABS relay kit comes first.
• Gearbox records on a 1.6 turbo: any software update or clutch work.
• Warranty. Confirm the start date and what's left with Hyundai by VIN, including the hybrid battery cover.

How do you negotiate on a used Tucson?

• Dual-clutch judder on the test drive is a reason to walk away or to get a specialist's quote before you talk price.
• An unconfirmed ABS recall on a TL should be fixed before you pay.
• Patchy oil-change history on a petrol is your strongest lever, given the engine claims.

Our Elite inspector can negotiate on the spot using the findings.

Is a used Hyundai Tucson a good buy? Our verdict

Yes, if you pick the drivetrain carefully and the paperwork stacks up.

• TL 2.0 petrol (front-drive): the simple one, without the dual-clutch gearbox. Service history is everything.
• 1.6 turbo (TL and NX4, AWD): only if the dual-clutch is smooth from a standstill on a long test drive.
• TL diesel (AWD): carsales says the diesel auto will be the pick for many buyers.
• NX4 2.0 petrol and diesel: conventional automatics. Check the software recalls on 2023-on cars.
• Hybrid: the newest. Check what's left of the battery warranty.

Hyundai Tucson FAQs

What are the most common Hyundai Tucson problems?

carsales and CarsGuide report dual-clutch hesitation and judder on the 1.6 turbo, diesel smoke and soot on short-trip cars, suspension clunks, rear suspension corrosion, infotainment glitches and weak air-conditioning airflow. The 2015–2021 TL had an ABS module recall for fire risk, and petrol engines are named in a class action. These are reported issues, not failure rates.

Is the Hyundai Tucson dual-clutch gearbox a problem?

It can be. carsales says RedBook Inspect finds hesitation from a standstill on TL cars, and CarsGuide says judder and slow engagement on a 2022 car match common dual-clutch faults and that Hyundai has issued a software update. Only the 1.6 turbo uses the seven-speed dual-clutch. Test it in slow traffic before you decide.

What is the Hyundai Tucson fire recall?

REC-000603 covers 93,572 Tucsons. A circuit board in the ABS module can short when exposed to moisture, which could start an engine bay fire even when the car is switched off. The register tells owners to park in the open until a dealer fits a free relay kit. Confirm completion by VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.

Are Hyundai Tucson engines covered by a class action?

WhichCar reported class actions filed in the Federal Court over four-cylinder petrol engines in Hyundai and Kia models, with the 2015–21 Tucson listed. The claims are allegations, and Hyundai has said it stands by its vehicles. As at November 2026 we haven't seen a final judgment. Check the current status before relying on it.

Do you test the battery on a Tucson Hybrid?

No. Hybrid battery tests are available for Toyota and Lexus models only, so our EV/Hybrid Battery Test add-on doesn't cover the Tucson Hybrid. Comprehensive and Elite still include the OBD-II scan, full mechanical inspection and road test. CarExpert lists eight years/160,000km of battery warranty, so ask Hyundai what's left.

Which inspection should I book for a Tucson?

Comprehensive ($329) is our minimum. It includes full mechanical inspection, underbody photos, exterior paint and body repair indicators and PPSR. Elite Buyers' Protection ($449) suits a late Highlander, N Line or hybrid. Essential ($199) has the 150+ Point Checklist and a 3–5 km road test, but no PPSR and no paint check.

Aussie Auto Care Pty Ltd · ABN 19 701 853 090 · 02 8320 1246 · Mobile pre-purchase inspections.

Sources

carsales, Buying a used Hyundai Tucson (2015–21)

CarExpert, 2021 Hyundai Tucson launch drive

CarExpert, 2025 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid drive

CarsGuide, Hyundai Tucson problems (owner Q&A)

CarsGuide, Hyundai Tucson problems (owner Q&A, page 2)

CarExpert, 2015–21 Hyundai Tucson recalled for engine fire risk

Supreme Court of Victoria, Hyundai group proceeding (ABS class action)

WhichCar, Class action launched against Hyundai and Kia over engines

Federal Court of Australia, Torley v Hyundai Motor Company Australia (No 4) [2024] FCA 983

REC-000603

REC-000617

REC-006717

REC-006615

REC-006589