Sold as the ix35 across most of Europe, the Tucson LM was Hyundai's first genuinely competitive compact SUV. The 1.7 CRDi is the entry-level diesel, offering modest power but reasonable economy. The D4FD engine, developed under licence from VM Motori, uses a timing chain rather than a belt, removing one common maintenance concern. Parts are widely available and independent garages handle them easily, keeping routine costs low for the segment.· more· less
Affordable parts and servicing5-year factory warranty coverage
DPF and EGR issues on short tripsTie rod ends wear prematurely
Buy if: You want a practical compact SUV with low running costs and can verify ABS recall completion and service history.
Avoid if: You mostly drive short urban trips (DPF clogging) or need more than 115 hp for frequent motorway merging and hill climbs.
Price & maintenance
Used price
€7,100
median asking price, typically 145,000 km
Typical range€6,000 – €8,500
Kilometres drivenAll
Maintenance cost
€700 – €1,300/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€400 – €700 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€300 – €600 /yr
Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Used price
€7,100
Typically €6,000 – €8,500, at around 145,000 km.
Kilometres driven
Maintenance
€700 – €1,300per year
€400 – €700
service, tyres, brakes
€300 – €600
repair buffer
Price & maintenance
Used price
€7,000
median asking price, typically 185,000 km
Typical range€6,000 – €8,300
Kilometres drivenAll
Maintenance cost
€700 – €1,300/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€400 – €700 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€300 – €600 /yr
Price estimates are based on French asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on French asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Diesel particulate filter blocks up when the car rarely reaches motorway speeds for regeneration · more· less
The 1.7 CRDi is particularly susceptible to DPF clogging because its lower exhaust gas temperature (compared to the 2.0 CRDi) makes passive regeneration harder to trigger. Cars used predominantly for urban commuting often fail to complete active regeneration cycles, causing soot buildup that eventually triggers warning lights and limp mode. A forced regeneration at a workshop costs around €100-150. If the filter is too blocked, professional chemical cleaning runs €300-500, and a full DPF replacement with fitting costs €1,000-1,500. Regular motorway runs of 20-30 minutes at steady speed help prevent this issue.
EGR valve carbon buildup
up to €8002 of 7
Exhaust gas recirculation valve clogs with carbon deposits, causing rough idle and power loss · more· less
The EGR valve on the D4FD engine tends to accumulate carbon deposits, particularly on cars that do frequent short trips or spend a lot of time idling. Symptoms include rough idle, reduced power, and the engine warning light. Cleaning the valve (removal, soaking, reinstallation) costs €150-300 at an independent garage. If the valve is seized or the internal motor has failed, replacement runs €500-800 including labour, as the valve can be difficult to access and may require several hours of work to remove from the manifold.
Turbocharger wastegate actuator failure
up to €2,0003 of 7
Variable geometry turbo actuator sticks or fails, causing limp mode and limited boost · more· less
The variable geometry turbocharger on the 1.7 CRDi uses an electronic wastegate actuator that can stick or fail due to carbon buildup or electrical faults. Symptoms include limp mode with RPM limited to around 2,000, loss of power under acceleration, and turbo-related fault codes. If caught early, an actuator-only repair at a turbo specialist costs €400-600. If the turbo internals are worn or damaged, a full turbo replacement with a remanufactured unit runs €1,200-2,000 including labour. Cars driven gently without occasional higher-RPM use are more prone to actuator sticking.
Clutch and dual mass flywheel wear
up to €1,5004 of 7
DMF develops rattle and judder, typically between 80,000-120,000 km on manual models · more· less
Manual transmission models use a dual mass flywheel that has a limited service life on diesel engines due to the inherent vibration characteristics. Many owners report judder when pulling away, vibration under acceleration, and a rattling noise at idle. The DMF on the 1.7 CRDi is widely reported to need replacement between 80,000 and 120,000 km. Best practice is to replace the clutch kit and DMF together, as fitting a new clutch onto a worn flywheel risks premature failure. Parts (clutch kit + DMF) run €400-700, with labour adding another €400-800 depending on the workshop.
Tie rod end and steering joint wear
up to €5005 of 7
TUV reports show significantly above-average failure rates for steering tie rod ends · more· less
The Hyundai ix35 consistently scores poorly on TUV inspections for tie rod end wear. At the 10-11 year mark, the ix35 shows substantially higher steering joint defects than the SUV class average. Worn tie rod ends cause play in the steering, clunking noises over bumps, and uneven tyre wear. Replacement is relatively inexpensive at €100-250 per side including labour and a wheel alignment. However, the frequency makes this a near-certainty on higher-mileage examples, and neglected steering joints are an MOT/TUV failure point and a safety concern.
High-pressure fuel pump failure
up to €2,5006 of 7
Fuel pump can shed metal particles into the common rail system, contaminating injectors · more· less
While not extremely common on the 1.7 CRDi, high-pressure fuel pump failures are documented. When the pump fails, it can release metal filings into the fuel system, contaminating the common rail, injectors, and fuel lines. If caught early with just the pump affected, replacement costs €800-1,200. If metal contamination has spread through the system and injectors need replacing as well, the total can reach €2,000-2,500. Using quality diesel fuel and changing the fuel filter on schedule (every 30,000 km) helps protect the fuel system.
ABS module electrical fault (fire risk)
€0 (recall repair)7 of 7
ABS control unit can short-circuit from moisture ingress, posing a fire risk even when parked · more· less
Two separate recalls cover ABS module fire risk on the ix35. The first affects cars built January 2010 to November 2013 (recall 41DC27, 362,438 vehicles worldwide), and the second covers June 2013 to June 2015 production (recall 21DC11, 291,087 vehicles). Impurities in the brake fluid can cause O-ring degradation, allowing fluid to reach the ABS circuit board and cause short circuits. The repair is free under recall, but verifying completion is essential before purchase. Until confirmed fixed, Hyundai advised parking outdoors away from structures.
Moderate reliability with predictable weak points
The D4FD 1.7 CRDi engine is fundamentally sound and many examples reach 200,000+ km without major powertrain failure. The main ownership risks are diesel-specific (DPF, EGR, turbo actuator) and are largely preventable with regular motorway driving and proper servicing. Steering components wear faster than average for the class, and the dual mass flywheel is a known wear item on manual models. The ABS fire risk recall is the most critical check. Overall, this is a straightforward car to maintain at independent garages, with no unusually expensive weak points.
Service history
Complete Hyundai dealer or specialist records. Verify oil changes every 15,000 km or 12 months.
Tyres
Check tread depth, age (date codes on sidewall), and look for uneven inner-edge wear indicating alignment or suspension issues.
Cold start
Start engine cold. Listen for unusual rattles, knocking, or excessive smoke in the first 30 seconds.
Test drive
Drive for at least 20 minutes including varied speeds. Check clutch engagement, gearbox smoothness, and listen for turbo whine.
Specific for this vehicle
Verify both ABS fire risk recalls completed
Critical safety recall. Contact Hyundai with VIN to confirm recalls 41DC27 and 21DC11 have been completed. Do not purchase without confirmation.
Check DPF condition with diagnostics
Connect a diagnostic tool and read DPF soot loading percentage and regeneration history. High soot loading or frequent failed regenerations indicate a clogged filter.
Test clutch and flywheel
Pull away slowly in 2nd gear from standstill to feel for judder. At idle in neutral, listen for DMF rattle. Any vibration through the pedals under load suggests worn flywheel.
+ 3 more checksShow less
Check steering for play
Rock the steering wheel at standstill and feel for looseness. Drive over speed bumps and listen for clunking. Worn tie rod ends are very common.
Inspect rear wheel arches for rust
Look for paint bubbling or surface rust at the rear wheel arch panel joins. Check underside for corrosion on springs, subframe, and suspension arms.
Check for turbo boost
During test drive, accelerate firmly from low RPM. The turbo should spool smoothly without hesitation, unusual noise, or warning lights. Limp mode under load indicates actuator problems.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
ABS module fire risk - early production (Jan 2010 - Nov 2013, recall 41DC27)Critical - verify completed
ABS module fire risk - later production (Jun 2013 - Jun 2015, recall 21DC11)Critical - verify completed
Seatbelt pretensioner crimp defect (Aug 2011 - Feb 2012)Verify completed
Brake power assistance failure (1.7 CRDi, selected production dates)Verify completed
The ABS fire risk recalls are particularly important as they affect the majority of ix35 production. Contact Hyundai with the VIN to verify all recalls have been completed before purchase.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (5 years / unlimited km)Expired on all ix35 models
Rust perforation warranty (12 years)May still be active on 2014-2015 models
Extended warrantyAvailable through Hyundai dealers and third-party providers
All ix35 models are now outside their original 5-year factory warranty. The generous Hyundai warranty was a strong selling point when new, but used buyers should budget for out-of-pocket repairs. Check whether the 12-year rust perforation warranty still applies to later models.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.
