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.
2015 Hyundai Tucson engine problems
122 complaints (53% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 69,800. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 122
- of this car's complaints
- 53%
- typical mileage
- 69,800
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Hyundai Tucson engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2015 Hyundai Tucson engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Engine failure 55Check engine light 39Knocking 28Loss of power 17Oil consumption 17Stalling 16Won't start 8
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Loss of Motive Power
the federal safety agency received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitionersâ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODIâs evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to the federal safety agency which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. Â There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in the federal safety agency's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, the federal safety agency does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing the federal safety agencyâs reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to the federal safety agency cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
DP22003
What 2015 Hyundai Tucson owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
ENGINE and RECALL NOTIFICATION MALFUNCTION: My 2015 Hundai Tuscon exerperienced a catastrophic engine failure/seizure while driving. Hyundai is denying an engine replacement under their extended warranty under the KSDS software update (Campaign 966) because the software update wasn't completed. However, Hyundai failed to notify me of this requirement; I purchased the automobile in Jan 2024. The KSDS recall was sent out in 2021. I recently received an official physical mailer from Hyundai Motor America titled 'IMPORTANT VEHICLE SERVICE REQUIRED' for my VIN. On that official notice, there is a dedicated section explicitly titled 'OTHER RECALLS AND/OR IMPROVEMENT REPAIRS NEEDED (associated with my VIN).' Hyundai corporate left this b ox completely blank, officially misinforming me that no other active campaigns existed for my vehicle. This represents a critical malfunction in Hyundai's automated recall and campaign notification mailing systems, which actively misleads consumers and keeps them in the dark about mandatory preservation updates. Either Hyundai's automated notification systems completely failed to inform me of mandatory nature of Campaign 966 - which is directly proven by my official printed mailer leaving the open campaign box completely blank - or the service was performed during a prior dealership visit and failed to register in the corporate database due to an administrative tracking error. I am requesting an audit of the vehicle's engine control module ROM ID to confirm if the calibration updates is physically present on the vehicle computer
We have a 2015 Hyundai Tucson that we bought brand new. It has 80k miles on it. The car started using oil about three years ago. The dealer recommended replacement of the catalytic converter, which we did. The car continued to use oil, and the dealership had us replace the catalytic converter two more times, so three times total. Now the problem is occurring again and they are recommending replacement of the catalytic converter for a FOURTH time. We have filed a claim with the manufacturer and have been going in circles with the dealership for months. It is our position that the repeated catalytic converter failure is caused by an underlying motor issue, which should be covered by the manufacturers warranty, but the dealer treated the symptoms instead and waited for the warranty expiration. This car is owned by my father, an [XXX] disabled veteran. He bought this car thinking it would be a safe and reliable vehicle for him to drive into his retirement years. Instead, Hyundai is repeatedly making him pay to replace the same part when it is clearly not resolving the oil consumption issue. He is being taken advantage of. Hyundai should honor their warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While driving on a US highway, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle lost the ability to start/run normally, requiring the vehicle to be pulled off the road and towed to an authorized Hyundai dealership. Dealer diagnostic testing found the engine failed a bearing/performance test, consistent with connecting rod bearing wear. This failure mode — Check Engine light, DTC P1326, abnormal noise, or a no-crank/no-start condition caused by connecting rod bearing wear — is described in the manufacturer's own internal dealer service bulletin covering an engine warranty extension program for multiple engine families (Theta II MPI and Nu GDI engines) across several model years and vehicle lines. That bulletin acknowledges the failure as a known condition and extends coverage to 15 years/150,000 miles for original and subsequent owners. The failure occurred suddenly and without warning while the vehicle was in active use on a highway, creating a stall/loss-of-power hazard in moving traffic — the vehicle could not be restarted at the roadside. The dealership's own multi-point inspection performed shortly after intake confirmed engine fluid levels and oil grade were within normal range, indicating the failure was not attributable to a lack of lubrication at the time of failure. Despite this, the manufacturer denied warranty coverage for the repair, citing an inability to produce maintenance receipts for a prior period, even though the dealership's own inspection findings do not support a maintenance-related cause. This report is submitted because of the safety hazard posed by unwarned loss of engine power/starting capability while driving, and because this failure pattern appears consistent with a defect the manufacturer has already acknowledged for closely related engine platforms, raising the question of whether additional vehicles with this engine design should be included in that existing warranty/defect campaign.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
My 2015 Hyundai Tucson with the 2.4L engine developed a loud engine knocking sound while driving. The knocking became worse and the vehicle became unsafe to drive due to the possibility of sudden engine failure. The vehicle is currently at a Hyundai dealership and has been there for over a month. The dealership denied the warranty claim stating that a different engine component failed instead of the connecting rod bearing. This engine is part of the known Theta II engine defect issue that has caused engine failures in many Hyundai vehicles. A sudden engine failure while driving could result in loss of power, difficulty steering or braking, and could increase the risk of a crash. I am filing this complaint because the engine failure symptoms match the known defect pattern, and the vehicle may be unsafe if the issue is not properly addressed. Hyundai Tucson with 113,000 miles and failing engine. I’ve been told repairs have amounted to $10,000. I was told my car has severe engine failure and must be replaced by Hyundai of the shoals in Tuscumbia, AL. Engine failure is dangerous as a fire may start from a metal piece and also loss of control of vehicle is possible. Hyundai has denied warranty as they say the exact part in theta 2 engine settlement is not failing. I have had to complete recalls on this car since the first payment I made on it. The engine knocking began a month ago and that’s about how long the dealership has had my car.
On January 7, 2026, shortly after delivery of a used 2015 Hyundai Tucson (VIN [XXX] ), the vehicle experienced immediate mechanical failure while being driven, resulting in sudden loss of power and drivability. Multiple warning lights illuminated on the dashboard at the time of failure. The vehicle became disabled and left the occupants stranded roadside in Fairhope, Alabama. The exact component that failed is UNKNOWN at this time. The failure appears related to the engine, powertrain, fuel/propulsion, and/or electrical systems. The vehicle was not operable after the incident. On January 8, 2026, the selling dealership (Sandy Sansing Nissan, Pensacola, Florida) towed the vehicle back to their dealership. The vehicle has remained in the dealership’s possession since that date and is available for inspection upon request. This sudden failure created a significant safety risk due to loss of propulsion while in traffic and exposure to roadside hazards. The problem has not been independently repaired or evaluated by the consumer. No manufacturer inspection has occurred to the consumer’s knowledge. The dealer has not provided a diagnostic report or repair findings. No warning lights or symptoms were disclosed prior to delivery. The failure occurred almost immediately after delivery. The vehicle was sold and delivered by a licensed dealership. The sale is currently in dispute because the vehicle became disabled almost immediately after delivery due to this safety-related failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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. As it was nighttime, my husband and /or other motor vehicle drivers/passengers could've been seriously injured. The car did not display any warning lights or signals. The car was then towed home and then to Empire Hyundai in Fall River, where it was assessed. It was determined that there were 5 outstanding recalls on the vehicle. Hyundai fixed all, with the exception of Recall #966, which was issued and not repaired PRIOR to my purchasing the vehicle. Hyundai Corporate was contacted by Aaron at Empire Hyundai. They (Corporate) refuses to replace the engine. According to Corporate, this should've been fixed by the independent dealer or owner PRIOR to being sold to me.
Driving on interstate for approx 30min and the car stopped accelerating. We safely merged off to the side and the car completely shut off. The car would not start. We put oil in and it started up by engine light was on. We got vehicle towed 1hr back into town. We are lucky no cars were behind us to cause an accident. We are also lucky engine did not catch on fire. This happened completely out of the blue. I get my vehicle serviced regularly and serviced at Hyundai dealerships for major repairs. The engine failed us and is available for inspection. Our claim was denied by Hyundai due to my mileage being 10k over the warranty. However they installed the faulty engine so regardless of mileage this needs to be resolved.
The engine failed two years ago at 86000 miles. Hyundai replaced the engine for it to start knocking and stop working a year later. I completed all of the first oil changes, slow driving, ect. Seems like an engine problem with Hyundai itself.
Questions about the 2015 Hyundai Tucson engine
Does the 2015 Hyundai Tucson have engine problems?
Owners have filed 122 complaints about the engine of the 2015 Hyundai Tucson, 53% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2015 Hyundai Tucson engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 69,800 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2015 Hyundai Tucson engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Hyundai Tucson have bad engine?
The Hyundai Tucson model years with the most engine complaints are 2017 (619 complaints), 2016 (430 complaints) and 2018 (250 complaints).
Other 2015 Hyundai Tucson problems
Brakes 66Transmission 21Electrical 20Fuel system 13Acceleration 9Body 7Airbags 5Driver assistance 4Locks 3Steering 3Lights 2Tires 2Visibility 2Seat belts 1Seats 1Wheels 1
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