Is the Hyundai Tucson reliable?
89% of the 28 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 75/100 — it scores noticeably better than the typical used car we inspect.
28
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections75/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10089%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 28 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
46%
Oil leaks · Engine
43%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
36%
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
25%
Signs of recent repair · Engine
18%
Share of inspected Hyundai Tucsons where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 32%
Good 57%
Mediocre 7%
Poor 4%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
75%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 74%
0%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
11%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
2021 Hyundai Tucson · 66k mi — flagged: low coolant / cooling system issues, fuel trim out of range, parking brake. Inspected Oct 19.
2022 Hyundai Tucson · 70k mi — flagged: oil leaks, fuel trim out of range, key fob. Inspected Oct 17.
The bottom line
The Tucsons that come through look solid on paper, but the trouble clusters under the hood, not in the structure. Paint work is common and not a reason to walk by itself — none of these cars showed structural repair — so spend your time on the engine. Ask for a live fuel-trim reading and look hard for oil seepage and low coolant before you talk price; those three show up often enough that a clean bill there is the real green light. Worn tires are a bargaining chip, not a deal-breaker. If fuel trim is out and oil is already leaking, negotiate hard or leave — stacking engine faults is how a tidy score turns into a repair bill.
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 (46%), oil leaks (43%), tires condition & wear (36%). Have these checked before buying.
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Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 11% 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 28 inspections · updated Oct 27, 2026
