Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2015 Hyundai TucsonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 229 owner complaints for the 2015 Hyundai Tucson. Most complaints involve engine (120) and service brakes, hydraulic (52). The EPA rates it 22–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
22–25mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Feb 2022
Owner complaints
229
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Service brakes

Park outsideFree remedy

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Feb 3, 2022NHTSA 22V056000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

229 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2015 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine120
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic52
  3. Power train21
  4. Electrical system20
  5. Service brakes14
  6. Fuel/propulsion system12
  7. Vehicle speed control9
  8. Structure7
  9. Air bags5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Tucson model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2005185
2006135
200765
200843
200918
201059
2011124
2012255
2013266
2014203
2015229
20161,626
20171,096
2018398
2019385
2020179
202180
2022389
2023136
202499
2025295
202664
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
8
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

120 reports1 crash4 fires
“Warning lamp included oil for several months prior. I added oil often. No oil was ever seen under car or leaking in any way. Car had been serviced several times during the oil warning lamp warning. Nothing was ever found. I continued adding oil on a regular basis. Engine completely stopped in the middle of a busy street.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2026EngineODI 11771103

Service brakes, hydraulic

52 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The engine turned over but failed to restart. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic shop and then to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine seized; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer advised that there was no warranty coverage. The Better Business Bureau was contacted and informed that the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed, but a request for repair coverage was declined due to a failure to have the recall remedy completed; however, both the contact and the previous owner were unaware of the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2026Service brakes, hydraulic, EngineODI 11749344

Power train

21 reports1 crash
“Pulled out of a parking lot into the street and there was an unusual clunking noise coming from the drivetrain of the car. Had the car towed to the dealer for diagnostics. The diagnosis from the Dealer was the transfer case splines no longer are engaging with the transmission. This problem is already known to the Manufacture and for some reason nothing has been done to address the safety issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2026Power trainODI 11768768
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tucson 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
232825$2,550351
Tucson 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212823$2,800376
Tucson AWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
202522$2,900402
Tucson AWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
212522$2,900395
  • Tucson 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    23 city · 28 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Tucson 2WD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Tucson AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Tucson AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    21 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.6%
Overall
4 / 5
Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
18.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 9158Vehicle 9157
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 Tucson questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Hyundai Tucson have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Hyundai Tucson problems?

Owners filed 229 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (120), service brakes, hydraulic (52), power train (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Hyundai Tucson get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Hyundai Tucson at 22–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Hyundai Tucson?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Hyundai Tucson 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026