Hyundai ix35 problems, reliability and years to avoid
If you are considering buying a used Hyundai ix35, these are the common problems worth knowing about first. Our garage database tracks 2 known faults for this model, 2 of them rated high severity. Every one below is a repair bill a seller has good reason not to mention.
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Is the Hyundai ix35 reliable?
The Hyundai ix35 has 2 known faults in our database, 2 of them rated high severity. The most serious are engine (timing chain tensioner failure causing the chain to jump teeth and damage the engine) and engine (turbocharger failure caused by blocked oil feed pipes/strainers due to carbon buildup). None of them makes the car a bad buy on its own; the risk is a seller who knows and says nothing.
That is a count of the faults we hold, not a reliability score. Popular cars get written about more, and a newer generation has had less time to show its faults.
Which Hyundai ix35 years should you avoid?
No year is a write-off on its own. What matters is which serious faults a given year and engine can have, and whether the car in front of you has had them fixed.
Years and engines with a serious known fault
2010 to 2018, 1.6 GDi Petrol: timing chain tensioner failure causing the chain to jump teeth
2010 to 2018, 1.6 & 1.7 CRDi Diesel: turbocharger failure caused by blocked oil feed pipes/strainers due to carbon
Each one is set out in full below, with the symptoms, the typical mileage and a rough repair cost.
Generation 1 of 12 known faults · 27 owner reports · 3 good notes
Hyundai ix35 2010-2018 Models (2010 to 2018) problems
Engine/EmissionsHigh severity📝 Editorial
Timing chain tensioner failure causing the chain to jump teeth and damage the engine
Rough guide
£800-2000
Typical symptoms
rattling noise on cold start
engine management light
loss of power and misfires
Affected vehicles
Engines:
1.6 GDi Petrol
Typical mileage:
60000-100000 miles
🔍 We have a specific pre-purchase check for this faultCheck an advert →
Engine/EmissionsHigh severity📝 Editorial
Turbocharger failure caused by blocked oil feed pipes/strainers due to carbon buildup from infrequent oil changes
Rough guide
£800-1500
Typical symptoms
loud whining or 'siren' noise from turbo
loss of power
blue smoke from exhaust
Affected vehicles
Engines:
1.6 & 1.7 CRDi Diesel
Typical mileage:
70000-120000 miles
🔍 We have a specific pre-purchase check for this faultCheck an advert →
What owners report on the 2010-2018 Models
27 single reports, unconfirmed
One owner each, in their own words rewritten as a line, and not counted in our risk scoring. A fault joins the list above once a second report or an editorial source backs it.
Engine · June 2020An EGR valve failed on a 2012 ix35 2.0 CRDi at 85,000 miles, requiring replacement.
Gearbox and clutch · November 2019A September 2013 Hyundai ix35 experienced failure of its hydraulic coupling and rear differential at 41,000 miles.
Fuel system · October 2019A 2013 Hyundai ix35 1.7 CRDi suffered sudden power loss twice, at 30,000 and 55,000 miles, due to a blocked fuel filter.
Suspension and steering · August 2019A 2010 Hyundai ix35 1.6 GDi required a replacement steering rack due to excessive play and occasional clunking.
Engine · August 2019A 2012 Hyundai ix35 2.0 CRDi automatic experienced a number three connecting rod bearing failure at 45,000 kilometres.
Electrics · July 2019A 2014 Hyundai ix35 had repeated battery drain, traced first to a glovebox light, then to the radio.
Electrics · March 2019A Hyundai ix35 with keyless ignition occasionally failed to start, displaying a flashing key symbol.
Electrics · October 2018A 2013 Hyundai ix35 1.7 CRDi developed a dashboard clicking sound, with reverse lights flashing intermittently.
Fuel system · April 2018A 2014 Hyundai ix35 1.7 CRDi suffered five sudden power losses due to diesel waxing on the fuel filter.
Suspension and steering · November 2017Track rod end gaiters on a 2012 Hyundai ix35 failed at 41,000 miles, but were not covered by warranty.
Electrics · August 2017A 2012 Hyundai ix35 experienced persistent electrical problems as its five-year warranty was ending.
Interior · August 2017A Hyundai ix35 experienced serious air conditioning problems in high temperatures, even after compressor replacement.
Engine · May 2017A Hyundai ix35 engine required a complete rebuild under warranty after cracked piston rings were discovered.
Engine · May 2016An Emissions Warning Light appeared on a 2011 Hyundai ix35, diagnosed as a manifold runner sensor issue.
Gearbox and clutch · April 2016A 2011 Hyundai ix35 2WD CRDi 134 suffered clutch failure at 37,000 miles.
Gearbox and clutch · April 2016A Hyundai ix35 clutch and dual-mass flywheel failed at 62,000 miles; Hyundai rejected a warranty claim.
Gearbox and clutch · December 2015A 2010 Hyundai ix35 experienced rear differential failure four months after its warranty expired.
Interior · August 2015An air conditioning problem on a Hyundai ix35 was resolved by fitting a new sensor into the system.
Exhaust · March 2015A 2013 Hyundai ix35 1.7 CRDi repeatedly entered limp mode, possibly due to a blocked DPF.
Interior · October 2014The air conditioning on a Hyundai ix35 1.7 CRDi failed on long trips, with fan speed slowing and warm vents.
Bodywork · January 2014A water leak was reported into the load area of an April 2013 ix35, possibly from stuck cabin vent flaps.
Engine · July 2013All four injectors failed on a January 2010 ix35 2.0 CRDi, followed by a leaking sump seal, all fixed under warranty.
Gearbox and clutch · December 2012A Hyundai ix35 experienced difficult engagement of first and second gear when the weather was very cold.
Suspension and steering · June 2012Noisy driveshafts were reported on 2WD GDi versions of the Hyundai ix35.
Gearbox and clutch · March 2012This ix35 experienced difficulty engaging first and second gears when the ambient temperature was very cold.
Electrics · March 2011A 2.0 diesel 4x4 ix35 suffered from mysterious electrical faults that temporarily immobilised the vehicle.
Electrics · March 2011The trip meter on a Hyundai ix35 sometimes reset upon refuelling, but not consistently.
What owners like about the 2010-2018 Models
3 notes
The Hyundai ix35 offers a great range of engines for various driving needs.
The Hyundai ix35 offers commendable fuel economy and produces low exhaust emissions during operation.
The ix35 offers a spacious, comfortable cabin with a fully adjustable driver's seat and steering wheel.
Sellers rarely admit these faults outright
We track 5 specific phrases sellers use in adverts to soft-pedal these exact issues. Paste any Hyundai ix35 advert and we check it in seconds.
Recall work is done by the manufacturer, and GOV.UK says you will not usually have to pay for it. These are the 2 DVSA recalls for the ix35, newest first. They do not tell you whether this particular car has had the work: for that, put the registration into the free GOV.UK MOT history check, which shows a recall status where the manufacturer shares it, or ask a franchised dealer to check the VIN.
🏛️ June 2022Cars built August 2013 to June 2015
The ABS control unit within the affected VIN range could experience an electrical short
The ABS control unit within the affected VIN range could experience an electrical short. Hyundai have put advice in the interim letter for the registered keeper is to park the vehicle in an outdoor location allowing space around it until the recall is complete.
Put right by: Replace the under-bonnet fuse box multi-fuse which controls the ABS control unit to a lower fuse amperage rating.
DVSA R/2022/12880,559 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ May 2014Cars built October 2011 to June 2012
Seat belt pre-tensioner may fail to work properly
The driver's seat belt pre tensioner may fail to function during a collision.
Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check the driver's seat belt pre tensioner code and where necessary replace the pre tensioner.
DVSA R/2014/0314,284 vehicles affected in the UK
Recall data published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence v3.0. A recall listed here may not apply to every car of this model: the build dates and the registration check are what decide it.
Hyundai ix35 timing chain, and service intervals
A timing chain has no change interval, which is not the same as lasting for ever. Listen for it on a used ix35, and check the oil has been changed on time. These are the figures UK specialists work to.
Timing chainChain
IX35 2.0, 2.0 THETA, G4KD
No fixed replacement interval
The 2.0 Theta II petrol engine drives its camshafts by chain, with no scheduled replacement. Some Theta II engines suffered connecting rod bearing wear, which led to large recall programmes in the United States; no UK recall for that fault on the ix35 has been found. Worn bearings put metal into the oil, and old or overdue oil wears the chain guides and tensioners, so an unbroken record of oil changes matters more than the chain itself.
Always confirm against the vehicle handbook. Intervals vary by engine, and several manufacturers revised theirs after failures in service.
Repair costs are typical UK ranges, not quotes. Actual cost depends on condition and garage.Data last verified: September 2026
Hyundai ix35 buying questions
Which Hyundai ix35 years should I avoid?
No Hyundai ix35 year is a write-off, but the 2010-2018 Models (2010 to 2018) carries the most serious faults: engine. Year matters less than whether the specific car has had the known fixes, so check the history for them.
What should I check when viewing a used Hyundai ix35?
Ask the seller about the engine faults on this page and whether they have been fixed, with invoices. On the test drive watch for rattling noise on cold start and loud whining or 'siren' noise from turbo. Read the MOT history for repeat advisories, then paste the advert into the free check, which reads it against its known faults before you travel. Check a Hyundai ix35 advert →
Are there any recalls on the Hyundai ix35?
The DVSA lists 2 safety recalls for the Hyundai ix35 issued between 2014 and 2022. The most recent, from June 2022, is "The ABS control unit within the affected VIN range could experience an electrical short". Recall work is done by the manufacturer, and GOV.UK says you will not usually have to pay for it. This list is by model, so it cannot tell you whether one particular car has had the work: the free GOV.UK MOT history check shows a recall status from the registration where the manufacturer shares it, and a franchised dealer can check the VIN.
What is the real MPG of a Hyundai ix35?
Owners report 39.9 mpg on average across the Hyundai ix35 engines with data, about 83% of the official combined figure. The gap between official and real-world economy varies a lot by engine, so the Real MPG page lists every engine and generation separately, from 588 owner submissions. Hyundai ix35 Real MPG by engine →
If you used to check the Honest John “Good & Bad” section before the site closed in 2026, this page is where that information now lives. We rebuilt the Hyundai ix35 owner-report history from the archived Honest John dataset, added our own research, specialist and owner-club sources and DVSA recall data, and we keep it free. Each fault above is badged with its source. The same data feeds our free advert check, which reads a listing against every known fault for the exact engine and year.
Knowing what a Hyundai ix35 goes wrong with is half of it. The rest is reading the advert and checking the car's history before you hand any money over.