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2015 Hyundai Tucson Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2015 Hyundai Tucson carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering control unit/module. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Excessive oil consumption.” Hyundai's owner's manual splits service into Normal and Severe schedules. Most US drivers qualify as Severe due to short trips, extreme temperatures, or stop-and-go traffic. Hyundai Assurance covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of complimentary maintenance on new vehicles. The Theta II 2.0L and 2.4L engines (2011-2019) are subject to TSBs around oil consumption — strict adherence to oil intervals matters.

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1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Campaign #22V056000 · Mar 2, 2022

Issue: 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.

Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2015 Hyundai Tucson.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

  • Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

    Action #AQ23002 · opened Nov 17, 2023

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electron…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Excessive oil consumption

ENGINE

13 NHTSA complaints · 2019-07 → 2026-08

“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that after reaching 100,000 miles, the vehicle started consuming an excessive amount of engine oil”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11530158
“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that 2-quarts of engine oil was added every other week. The contact stated the vehicle was consuming 8-quarts every month without evidence of an oil leak”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11512037
“MY CAR IS CONSUMING OIL - APPROXIMATELY 1 QUART PER EVERY 300 - 500 MILES. A REPAIR SHOP SAID THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11397576

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Door failing to open from inside or outside

STRUCTURE

9 NHTSA complaints · 2021-05 → 2024-09

“Rear passenger door handle stopped working. Door locks and unlocks but the door won't open. This is a serious safety issue that could lead to entrapment of a passenger”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11436293
“The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the rear driver’s and passenger’s side doors failed to open from the inside and outside of the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11506026
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, SHE BECAME AWARE THAT THE DRIVER’S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11417514

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall or seizure while driving

ENGINE

88 NHTSA complaints · 2018-12 → 2026-07

“At the time of engine failure, my husband was on the offramp between 140N and 24N at approximately 8:30pm. This ramp is under construction and narrow, but state troopers stopped and were able to push the car to the side of the road”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11712080
“While driving the vehicle suddenly went into a limp mode and had a flashing check engine light. The vehicle was in limp mode for approximately a half mile prior to having complete engine failure and shutting off completely”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11473092
“COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE AT ONLY 47,000 MILES! WHILE DRIVING MY ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND I CAN TELL I WAS LOOSING POWER, I HEARD A "KNOCKING" SOUND SO I PULLED OVER AND ALL OF MY LIGHTS COME ON MY DASH AND THE CAR IS DEAD!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11396270

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS module recall repair parts unavailable

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

67 NHTSA complaints · 2022-02 → 2022-12

“They have been sending me notices for months now saying that my car could catch fire...even when parked but cannot come up with a resolution. I have to keep my car outside and take a risk every time I have to drive it”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11477982
“I own a 2015 Hyundai Tucson and was notified by letter of the Safety Recall, Campaign 218 for the defect on the ABS system and campaign 966 for a software update”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11463509
“There is an open safety recall on my vehicle, which has been in place since February 2, 2022. At this time, Hyundai has advised that they have no remedy and don't know when they WILL have one”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11470597

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine compartment fire while driving or parked

ENGINE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2018-12 → 2022-10

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH, A NOISE WAS HEARD AND ANOTHER DRIVER ALERTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11330367
“Vehicle was being driven and was alerted that smoke was emerging from the engine and then a pop was heard, car was pulled to the side and shut off”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11419653
“THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY FRIDAY 11/23/2018 AT ABOUT 3:30 PM. THE NEXT DAY, SAT, 11/24/2018 ABOUT 12:45, A BOY BANGED ON THE FRONT DOOR OF THE HOUSE AND TOLD WIFE THE CAR WAS ON FIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11155753

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,750 mi

Severe service: every 3,750 miles. Normal service: 7,500 miles. Theta II 2.0L/2.4L (Sonata, Santa Fe, Tucson 2011-2019): never extend — oil consumption issues are documented in Hyundai TSBs.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. AWD Tucson and Santa Fe owners benefit from rotation at 5,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Elantra and Sonata front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 24 months. Required to maintain ABS and ESC pump life.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Severe service or dusty conditions: 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Severe service: every 30,000 miles. Normal: 60,000 miles. Use Hyundai SP-IV or SPH-IV — substitutes can cause harsh shifting and torque converter damage.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on Theta II, Lambda II, and Smartstream engines. 1.6T (Veloster N, Kona N): 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Hyundai Long-Life Coolant (pink): first change at 60,000 miles, then every 30,000. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it damages the cylinder head gasket on GDI engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on most Hyundai models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Replace at 90,000 miles on most models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

20 crashes 1990–2024

How the 20 occupant deaths break down

17

driver deaths

3

passenger deaths

20

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2015 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

8

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2015 Hyundai Tucson reflects Hyundai's published service intervals and the Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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