Hyundai Tucson Radiator: Specs, Fitment & Common Faults

A genuinely useful diagnostic detail: a leak specifically from the weep hole near the A/C compressor points toward a failing water pump seal — plus why checking the timing belt tensioner matters even after a recent pump replacement.

Illustration for editorial purposes

Find Hyundai Tucson Radiator Here!

Opens live listings in a new tab.

Hyundai Tucson Radiator: OEM Part Number

Manual gearbox, all engines	Standard radiator with no transmission cooling circuit — the transmission cooler lines can simply be left capped if fitting an automatic-spec radiator to a manual car
Automatic, older/mid generations	Transmission oil cooler is built into the radiator itself as a "concentric" internal chamber, confirmed shared across Hyundai and Kia's related platform — genuinely a different radiator from the manual version, not a bulb-out add-on
Current generation (2022+), critical fitment note	Radiator compatibility depends on both engine and build location (USA vs Korea) as well as transmission type — confirm all three via VIN before ordering, since fitting the wrong build-location variant is a genuine, documented source of mismatched parts on this generation

Accuracy note: genuinely worth knowing: whether a Tucson has air conditioning or a larger optional engine can change radiator sizing on some variants — fitment guides that only ask for model and year can still get this wrong, so cross-check the engine code where possible.

A Genuinely Useful Diagnostic Detail Worth Knowing — Hyundai Tucson Radiator

If you're trying to pin down exactly where a coolant leak is coming from, this is genuinely worth knowing: a leak specifically from the small weep hole in the engine block near the A/C compressor points toward a failing water pump seal rather than a more general leak from a hose or the radiator itself. This specific location is deliberately designed to show early signs of a failing pump seal before it becomes a larger problem, so finding coolant here is a fairly reliable, specific sign of what actually needs replacing.

A genuinely honest point worth knowing even after a recent water pump replacement: if a leak returns despite the water pump having been replaced relatively recently, it's worth knowing that internal seals or bearings within even a new pump can occasionally be compromised from the factory, or the pump can be damaged by an unrelated issue rather than the part itself being faulty. It's worth checking the timing belt tensioner and pulleys for wear at the same time, since improper belt tension can itself cause damage to a water pump that would otherwise have been perfectly fine.

It's also worth knowing that the thermostat housing, commonly made from plastic on many models, sits toward the front of the engine, higher up than where normal air conditioning condensation would appear — worth checking this specific area directly if you're seeing what looks like water underneath the car but aren't certain whether it's genuinely coolant or simply harmless AC condensation.

Hyundai Tucson Radiator: The Part That Keeps Everything Else From Cooking

Few parts get less attention than this one, but on the Hyundai Tucson, a neglected cooling system is behind the vast majority of avoidable serious engine failures. Noticing the early warning signs costs nothing and can save a genuinely large repair bill down the line.

Before you buy: radiator size and design vary significantly by engine size, transmission type, and whether your car has air conditioning. Always confirm against your VIN before ordering.

Hyundai Tucson Radiator: What It Does

On the Hyundai Tucson, coolant runs through the radiator to shed engine heat into the airflow, keeping temperatures in check. On many automatics, a separate internal circuit inside the same unit also cools the transmission fluid — one more reason a mismatched part number causes more than just a cooling problem.

Find Hyundai Tucson Radiator Here!

Opens live listings in a new tab.

Hyundai Tucson Radiator: Faults, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice

These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Radiator Guide for the three common failure modes, confirming fitment against your VIN, and OEM vs aftermarket guidance.

More Hyundai Radiator

The same part, covered across other Hyundai models.