Hyundai Tucson Timing Belt: Intervals, Fitment & Warning Signs

A genuinely serious, real safety issue: a confirmed US recall covers premature connecting rod bearing wear that can cause the engine to stall — with an honest warning that UK cars aren't automatically covered.

Illustration of a timing belt and pulleys

Illustration for editorial purposes

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OEM Part Number: 24351-2F000

Genuinely important to know: Hyundai/Kia moved from belt-driven to chain-driven engines around 2010 — older models genuinely used a belt with a 60,000-mile interval, while more recent petrol and CRDi diesel engines (D4HA/D4HB, Theta) are chain-driven, generally rated for the engine's lifetime with no fixed replacement interval. Confirm your exact engine and build year before assuming either applies.

2.0/2.2 CRDi diesel (D4HA/D4HB), genuine timing chain kit	Genuine reference: 24351-2F000 (also referenced as 243512F000) — shared across Tucson, Sportage, Sorento, Santa Fe

A Genuinely Serious, Real Safety Issue Worth Knowing About — Hyundai Tucson Timing Belt

This is genuinely important to understand if your Tucson has the 2.4-litre Theta II engine: Hyundai issued a genuine US safety recall (reference 21V727) covering a defect where connecting rod bearings can wear prematurely, causing an abnormal knocking noise, illumination of the oil pressure warning light, and in the worst case, the engine stalling or seizing entirely while driving. If you hear an unusual knock from the engine or see an oil pressure warning, it's genuinely worth having this checked immediately rather than continuing to drive, given how the American recall notice describes this specific failure progressing.

A genuinely important, honest warning worth knowing if you're in the UK: this is confirmed as a US-market recall, and documented UK cases show it does not automatically extend to identically-affected UK cars, even where the exact same fault occurs. One documented case saw a UK 2016 Tucson owner face this exact bearing failure, only to be told it fell outside the recall, and be left facing the cost of a full engine replacement themselves — with the dealer described as having gone silent on all correspondence. If you're facing a similar bearing failure on a UK car, it's genuinely worth writing directly to Hyundai Motor UK's head office (rather than relying solely on a single dealer) to pursue a goodwill claim, given how directly comparable UK and US manufacturing often is for this engine family.

It's also worth knowing that Hyundai has, in some documented cases, issued a software update specifically to warn drivers of a developing bearing failure before it becomes catastrophic — worth asking a dealer directly whether this update has been applied to your specific car, since an early warning via this software could mean the difference between a contained repair and a fully seized engine.

Hyundai Tucson Timing Belt: The Part Where Missing a Deadline Gets Expensive

On the Hyundai Tucson, there's a shorter list of maintenance items where skipping the schedule is genuinely risky, and this is near the top of it. Failure here tends to cause damage well beyond the part itself on affected engines, which is why sticking to the interval matters more than it does elsewhere on the car.

Hyundai Tucson Timing Belt reference plate

Before you buy: some engines in the Tucson range use a timing belt, others use a timing chain with different maintenance needs entirely. Always confirm which system your specific engine uses via your VIN before assuming a service interval.

Hyundai Tucson Timing Belt: What It Does

Keeping valve timing perfectly matched to piston position is the Hyundai Tucson's timing belt or chain's job, synchronising the camshafts and crankshaft. On "interference" engines — a common design — a belt failure means pistons and valves can physically collide, causing serious damage inside the engine.

Hyundai Tucson Timing Belt: Generations & Engines: Belt or Chain

Accuracy note: these are documented patterns by generation and engine family, not a substitute for confirming your exact engine code — always verify against your V5C or engine code before assuming.

JM (2004–2010), all petrol (2.0/2.7 V6) & diesel	Timing belt — conventional dry belt, every JM engine uses a belt
LM/ix35 (2009/2010–2015), all petrol & diesel	Timing chain — see confirmation above
TL (2015–2020), all petrol & diesel (incl. N Line trim)	Timing chain — N Line is a cosmetic/handling package, not a different engine
NX4 (2020–present), all petrol, diesel & hybrid/PHEV (incl. N Line)	Timing chain — no scheduled replacement interval

The clear dividing line is 2010 — every JM-generation Tucson (2004-2010) uses a belt, and every generation since has used a chain. If you're looking at a used Tucson, the year alone tells you almost everything you need to know about which system it has, which is unusually clean-cut for this site.

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Hyundai Tucson Timing Belt: Watch: Chain Tensioner Replacement (Not a Routine Job)

🎬 Watch: Hyundai/Kia Nu engine timing chain tensioner replacement — this exact video covers i30 and Tucson

Watch on YouTube ↗

Since this is a chain, not a scheduled belt job, this video is only relevant if you're diagnosing or responding to symptoms of tensioner wear — commonly reported from around 130,000km on these engines.

Hyundai Tucson Timing Belt: Warning Signs, DIY Difficulty & Aftermarket Advice

These are the same regardless of make or model — see our full Timing Belt Guide for symptoms to watch for, confirming fitment against your VIN, and which aftermarket brands are worth trusting.

More Hyundai Timing Belt

The same part, covered across other Hyundai models.