Is the Hyundai Tucson reliable?
89% of the 26 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 75/100 — it scores noticeably better than the typical used car we inspect.
26
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections75/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10089%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 26 used Hyundai Tucsons we inspected, this model scores noticeably better than the typical used car we inspect — average condition 75/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
42%
Oil leaks · Engine
42%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
38%
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
23%
Signs of recent repair · Engine
19%
Share of inspected Hyundai Tucsons where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 35%
Good 54%
Mediocre 8%
Poor 4%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
77%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
0%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
12%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
More on Hyundai
Other Hyundai models we've inspected — or see the full Hyundai profile.
Straight from recent Hyundai Tucson reports
2017 Hyundai Tucson · 149k mi — flagged: low coolant / cooling system issues, fuel trim out of range, lights not working. Inspected Sep 16.
2020 Hyundai Tucson · 56k mi — flagged: power windows. Inspected Aug 21.
The bottom line
The Tucson's weak spot is the engine, not the body. Fuel trim and oil leaks each hit 42 percent of cars, with low coolant and recent engine work close behind, so start under the hood: look for wet oil, confirm the mixture isn't out of spec, and make sure the cooling system isn't a patch job. Worn tires are the other frequent bill—price in replacements or negotiate. Repaints are typical and structural repairs aren't showing up, so don't panic over a respray; walk if the engine is already leaking or recently worked.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems on a used Hyundai Tucson?
The items we flag most often are fuel trim out of range (42%), oil leaks (42%), tires condition & wear (38%). Have these checked before buying.
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Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 12% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
Thinking of buying a Hyundai Tucson? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 26 inspections · updated Oct 7, 2026
