Kia Sportage vs Hyundai Tucson: known faults compared
Korean compact SUVs built on shared engineering, so the same engines and gearboxes turn up in both.
The catalogue documents 42 faults for the Hyundai Tucson and 28 for the Kia Sportage. That is a measure of how much has been recorded, which grows with how many were sold and for how long, not a reliability score.
At a glance
| Measure | Kia Sportage | Hyundai Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| Documented faults | 28 | 42 |
| Rated major or critical | 25 | 39 |
| Rated common or very common | 20 | 24 |
| Typical repair | $600–$2,400 | $600–$2,800 |
| Model years covered | 2004–2023 | 2004–2024 |
| Fuel types with documented faults | diesel, petrol | petrol, diesel, hybrid |
| Service schedule on the model page | No | Yes |
Where the Kia Sportage goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- D4EA CRDI EGR Valve Carbon Clogging
- Brake Caliper Guide Pin Seizure
- D4HA High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
Most expensive to fix
Where the Hyundai Tucson goes wrong
Most likely to turn up
- ABS module short circuit fire risk recall (TL Tucson, 2015-2020)
- Front Brake Disc Warping from Thermal Cycling
- Theta II GDI piston ring land cracking & bearing failure
Most expensive to fix
Where the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson differ
- Electrical: 1 documented on the Kia Sportage, 7 on the Hyundai Tucson. The costliest on the Hyundai Tucson is PHEV High-Voltage Battery Electric Coolant Pump Failure, at up to $4,500.
- Engine: 11 documented on the Kia Sportage, 15 on the Hyundai Tucson. The costliest on the Hyundai Tucson is Theta II GDI piston ring land cracking & bearing failure, at up to $20,000.
- Transmission: 5 documented on the Kia Sportage, 7 on the Hyundai Tucson. The costliest on the Hyundai Tucson is 7-speed DCT harsh cold engagement and low-speed shudder, at up to $9,000.
Both carry several documented faults in engine, transmission, suspension and brakes, so check those areas on either car.
Fault areas side by side
| Area | Kia Sportage | Hyundai Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11 | 15 |
| Transmission | 5 | 7 |
| Suspension | 5 | 3 |
| Electrical | 1 | 7 |
| Brakes | 3 | 3 |
| Body & Rust | 1 | 3 |
| Fluid Leaks | 1 | 2 |
| Cooling | 1 | 2 |
How to read this comparison
These are documented faults, not failure rates. A car sold in bigger numbers, for more years, has more written about it. Neither list tells you about the car in front of you: that depends on its history and how it has been looked after. Use the lists to know what to check, then check it.
Checking one of these cars?
Type the plate for the free basics and the faults that apply to that exact car. The full history and the guided inspection are one-off paid checks, no subscription.
Questions
Which has more known problems, the Kia Sportage or the Hyundai Tucson?
The catalogue documents 42 faults for the Hyundai Tucson and 28 for the Kia Sportage. That is a measure of how much has been recorded, which grows with how many were sold and for how long, not a reliability score. Of those, 25 on the Kia Sportage and 39 on the Hyundai Tucson are rated major or critical. What matters more is whether the car in front of you has the specific faults its model is known for.
Which is cheaper to fix?
A typical documented repair runs $600 to $2,400 on the Kia Sportage and $600 to $2,800 on the Hyundai Tucson, at New Zealand independent workshop rates. The expensive exceptions are listed on this page for each car, and they are the ones to check for before you buy.
What is the most expensive known fault on each?
On the Kia Sportage it is Theta II 2.4 GDI / Nu 2.0 MPI Excessive Engine Oil Consumption, documented at up to $9,500. On the Hyundai Tucson it is Theta II GDI piston ring land cracking & bearing failure, documented at up to $20,000.