Hyundai Tucson Reliability by Year
8,096 NHTSA complaints (2005–2026). Complaint rate: 63.0 per 1,000 vehicles.
Hyundai Tucson reliability varies significantly by model year. Based on 8,096 NHTSA complaints (2005–2026), the most problematic years are 2016, 2017, with high complaint volumes linked to engine problems. Better choices include 2010, 2021, 2011, which show significantly fewer reported problems.
Why these years are worse
The most common issues driving the complaint spikes:
- engine problems — 2,243 complaints (1.0% involved a crash)
- transmission issues — 1,152 complaints (2.3% involved a crash)
- unknown or other — 756 complaints (2.8% involved a crash)
- electrical faults — 637 complaints (2.5% involved a crash)
- fuel system issues — 355 complaints (1.7% involved a crash)
Hyundai Tucson Generations
Manufacturer redesigns the car every few years (a “generation”). Each generation has different engineering and common issues. Click a generation to see year-by-year breakdown.
| Generation | Years | Complaints | Crashes | Volume | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 1 | 2005–2009 | 650 | 58 | Show years | |||
| Gen 2 | 2010–2015 | 1,418 | 67 | Show years | |||
| Gen 3 | 2016–2021 | 4,865 | 95 | Hide years | |||
| 2016 | 2,134 | 23 | View 2016View→ | ||||
| 2017 | 1,420 | 23 | View 2017View→ | ||||
| 2018 | 508 | 22 | View 2018View→ | ||||
| 2019 | 497 | 19 | View 2019View→ | ||||
| 2020 | 214 | 5 | View 2020View→ | ||||
| 2021 | 92 | 3 | View 2021View→ | ||||
| Gen 4 | 2022–present | 1,163 | 121 | Show years |
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 2016–2019 Hyundai Tucson (87 crash-related complaints). The 2021 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: ENGINE.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
Too New
Need 3+ years on the road for reliable complaint data.
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Hyundai Tucson Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 2,243 | 1.0% |
| POWER TRAIN | 1,152 | 2.3% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 756 | 2.8% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 637 | 2.5% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 355 | 1.7% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 332 | 9.6% |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 332 | 3.9% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 325 | 7.7% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 325 | 0.9% |
| AIR BAGS | 163 | 41.7% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Gen 1 | 273 | 16 | 5 | View → |
| 2006 | Gen 1 | 202 | 21 | 6 | View → |
| 2007GOOD | Gen 1 | 85 | 10 | 2 | View → |
| 2008GOOD | Gen 1 | 66 | 7 | 8 | View → |
| 2009GOOD | Gen 1 | 24 | 4 | — | View → |
| 2010GOOD | Gen 2 | 78 | 4 | 3 | View → |
| 2011 | Gen 2 | 173 | 7 | 6 | View → |
| 2012 | Gen 2 | 313 | 18 | 20 | View → |
| 2013 | Gen 2 | 313 | 20 | 27 | View → |
| 2014 | Gen 2 | 237 | 4 | 5 | View → |
| 2015 | Gen 2 | 304 | 14 | 13 | View → |
| 2016AVOID | Gen 3 | 2,134 | 23 | 39 | View → |
| 2017AVOID | Gen 3 | 1,420 | 23 | 38 | View → |
| 2018AVOID | Gen 3 | 508 | 22 | 14 | View → |
| 2019AVOID | Gen 3 | 497 | 19 | 17 | View → |
| 2020 | Gen 3 | 214 | 5 | 3 | View → |
| 2021GOOD | Gen 3 | 92 | 3 | 3 | View → |
| 2022AVOID | Gen 4 | 527 | 40 | 6 | View → |
| 2023 | Gen 4 | 183 | 27 | 2 | View → |
| 2024TOO NEW | Gen 4 | 117 | 17 | — | View → |
| 2025TOO NEW | Gen 4 | 313 | 32 | 1 | View → |
| 2026TOO NEW | Gen 4 | 23 | 5 | — | View → |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
Tap any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
See also: Hyundai Tucsonaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
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