HyundaiTucson2006Overview/hyundai/tucson/2006/base/

2006 Hyundai Tucson

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Tucson.

Body SUV

The 2006 Hyundai Tucson is a compact SUV whose service requirements are modest, calling for a 4.7-quart engine oil fill of either 5W-20 or 5W-30 API viscosity. In the model's broader 2005-2026 complaint history, this particular year accumulated 135 owner complaints, topped by air bag concerns and accompanied by five recalls, which situates it as a relatively low-complaint vintage compared to the 2016 high-water mark of 1,612 issues. The 2006 count still exceeds the 2009 floor of 18 complaints, meaning even this quieter year was not without safety-system scrutiny. For a researcher, the data positions the 2006 as one of the stronger early reference points in the Tucson's reliability record, though its air bag category and recall tally remain the principal caveats worth flagging.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.7 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-65R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Battery371102E100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length170.5 in
Overall width72 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase103.5 in
Curb weight3547 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Tucson of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.0–10.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.00 sec — 2005 GLS V6
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2005GLS V6 2.7L V69.00 sec16.10 sec173 hpAWD
2005GLS V6 2.7L V69.60 sec17.20 sec173 hpFWD
2007Limited V6 2.7L V610.30 sec17.70 sec173 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.7 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidHyundai SP-III
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.2
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.7 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs10-11 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsM6 Bolts: 7-9 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 15-19 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings37-39 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts116-123 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts130-138 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts87-94 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-55 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12-17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub148-207 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub148-207 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.52-.64 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance7480-10,120 ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.86-1.06 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,625-14,375 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerHyundai
Spark Plug Gap.039-.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.12-1.17 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.0 L
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number124R

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-19 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177 °F
Pressure Test14-19 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-19 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)49.8 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)45.5-50.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle59-73 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.001 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.024 in / 0.394 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.024 in / 0.394 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
118 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
260 ft. lbs.60 ft. lbs
345
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
118 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
260 ft. lbs.60 ft. lbs
345
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head bolts. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket. Both the upside and the down side. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120-23 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-6520–23 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miFuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 25,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 30,000 miTiming Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (replace)
Every 52,500 miFuel Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 miTiming Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2006 Hyundai Tucson falls early in the first generation, where complaint and recall counts were declining from the 2005 launch year. With 135 complaints and 5 recalls, it shows a clear improvement over the 2005 model (185 complaints, 8 recalls), but it remains notably higher than the 2007–2009 models, which saw complaints drop to 65, 43, and 18 respectively. The top complaint area for 2006 is air bags (24), though the data does not specify root causes. This year sits on a downward trend within its generation, suggesting that later first-generation years ironed out more issues. A 2006 Tucson is a reasonable choice if well-inspected, but a 2007 or 2008 would likely present fewer reported problems.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
46
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
135
Owner complaints
15 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 135 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags24
Engine & Engine Cooling7
Engine6
Electrical System6
Unknown Or Other5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic5
Structure4
Suspension4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09V122000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 15/04/2009

HYUNDAI IS RECALLING 532,633 MY 2006-2007 ACCENT, ENTOURAGE, SONATA, MY 2007 AZERA, ELANTRA AND SANTA FE, MY 2005-2007 TUCSON AND MY 2007-2008 VERACRUZ VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

13V113000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 01/04/2013

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz… Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 46 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
25-BD-012H TSB2025-11-05Exterior LightingThis bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…
24-BD-001H2024-02-14VisibilityThis bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade…
23-EM-005H2023-10-13Engine And Engine CoolingThis bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tucson. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Tucson take?

4.7 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Tucson have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.