Hyundai Tucson years to avoid (and the best years)

5,810 NHTSA owner complaints and 28 recalls across 17 model years, 2010 to 2026. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

Compared with: Kia Sportage

5,810complaints
28recalls
204reported crashes
127reported fires
183reported injuries
1reported deaths

Which Hyundai Tucson years should you avoid?

By NHTSA owner complaints, the Hyundai Tucson years to avoid are 2016 and 2017. The typical Hyundai Tucson year has 226 complaints on file.

2016: 1,617 complaints, 7.2 times the typical year. Most complaints name the transmission and drivetrain (32% of complaints) and the engine (27% of complaints).
2017: 1,084 complaints, 4.8 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (56% of complaints) and the transmission and drivetrain (27% of complaints).

What are the best Hyundai Tucson years?

The Hyundai Tucson years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2010 (58), 2021 (78) and 2011 (124). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	vs typical year	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2026	61	0.3×	5	14	7	Some concerns to check	Forward collision avoidance system
2025	280	1.2×	6	32	19	Some concerns to check	Forward collision avoidance system
2024	96	0.4×	4	12	6	Some concerns to check	Forward collision avoidance system
2023	133	0.6×	2	12	5	Few red flags	Forward collision avoidance system
2022	381	1.7×	3	25	54	Some concerns to check	Fuel system
2021	78	0.3×	1	2	7	Few red flags	Engine
2020	176	0.8×	1	5	5	Few red flags	Engine
2019	379	1.7×	1	15	10	Some concerns to check	Engine
2018	395	1.7×	1	13	10	Some concerns to check	Engine
2017	1,084	4.8×	3	13	14	Approach with caution	Engine
2016	1,617	7.2×	5	14	7	Approach with caution	Transmission and drivetrain
2015	226	1.0×	1	7	7	Few red flags	Engine
2014	201	0.9×	2	4	3	Few red flags	Engine
2013	266	1.2×	3	16	12	Some concerns to check	Engine
2012	255	1.1×	3	12	9	Some concerns to check	Engine
2011	124	0.5×	5	5	7	Few red flags	Engine
2010	58	0.3×	4	3	1	Few red flags	Transmission and drivetrain

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 2,120 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Engine & powertrain1,099 (52%)
Brakes327 (15%)
Electrical & infotainment279 (13%)
Structure & body225 (11%)
Other systems89 (4%)

Recalls (28)

Electrical system · 26V400000 · Jun 2026 · model years 2025, 2026
An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 26V316000 · May 2026 · model years 2025, 2026
Unexpected braking increases the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 26V254000 · Apr 2026 · model year 2026
Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Electrical system · 26V047000 · Jan 2026 · model year 2026
An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V893000 · Dec 2025 · model years 2022, 2023, 2024
Nonfunctioning trailer lights can increase the risk of a crash. A short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Airbags · 25V809000 · Nov 2025 · model year 2025
Side curtain air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Engine · 25V549000 · Aug 2025 · model years 2025, 2026
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Electrical system · 24V877000 · Nov 2024 · model year 2025
A transmission that can shift out of Park without applying the brake pedal can result in a vehicle roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 24V691000 · Sep 2024 · model year 2025
Without the glove box label, operators may be unaware of the increased risks that an air bag poses to an infant or child in the front seat, increasing the risk of injury to occupants.
Steering · 24V412000 · Jun 2024 · model year 2024
A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 23V651000 · Sep 2023 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Safety · 23V556000 · Aug 2023 · model year 2024
A label that incorrectly states spare tire pressure when there is no spare tire on-board may cause confusion during an emergency tire replacement, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Transmission · 23V526000 · Jul 2023 · model years 2023, 2024
An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Structure · 23V038000 · Jan 2023 · model year 2022
A detached roof molding could become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 22V056000 · Feb 2022 · model years 2014, 2015
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 21V938000 · Dec 2021 · model year 2022
Inoperative headlights or taillights can decrease visibility for both the driver and surrounding traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 21V727000 · Sep 2021 · model year 2017
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 20V543000 · Sep 2020 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Engine · 19V063000 · Feb 2019 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 16V842000 · Nov 2016 · model years 2016, 2017
If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 16V628000 · Aug 2016 · model year 2016
Inability to move the vehicle while in traffic may increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 16V348000 · May 2016 · model year 2016
If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch cannot secure the hood, the hood may unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 16V147000 · Mar 2016 · model year 2016
Failure to illuminate the trailer's turn signal lights would prevent the communication of the driver's intent, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 16V057000 · Jan 2016 · model year 2011
If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 14V245000 · May 2014 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
An air bag assembly that is not properly mounted may result in an increased risk of injury to the driver in the event of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 13V113000 · Apr 2013 · model years 2010, 2011
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 11V259000 · Apr 2011 · model year 2010
THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED VISIBILITY OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Airbags · 10V061000 · Feb 2010 · model year 2010
IF "AIR BAG" WARNING LAMP IS ILLUMINATED, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IF A CRASH OF SUFFICIENT FORCE TO REQUIRE FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS EXPERIENCED, AND WILL NOT BE DEACTIVATED IF A CHILD IS SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEATING POSITION, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A CHILD FRONT PASSENGER.