Hyundai Tucson Problems by Year
NHTSA has 6,302 owner complaints and 36 safety recalls on file for the Hyundai Tucson, across 22 model years (2005–2026). The 2016 model year has the most complaints (1,622). The most reported problem area overall is engine.

Hyundai Tucson years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Tucson year: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2016 Tucson: 1,622 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2017 Tucson: 1,090 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2018 Tucson: 399 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2009 Tucson: 18 complaints, 1 recall
- 2008 Tucson: 43 complaints, 1 recall
- 2010 Tucson: 59 complaints, 4 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Hyundai Tucson problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 2,376 | 22 | 23 |
| Power Train problems | 1,213 | 21 | 30 |
| Electrical System problems | 729 | 22 | 21 |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 388 | 18 | 7 |
| Structure problems | 384 | 22 | 17 |
| Service Brakes problems | 379 | 21 | 44 |
| Vehicle Speed Control problems | 358 | 22 | 31 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 341 | 19 | 5 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance problems | 318 | 14 | 58 |
| Latches/locks/linkages problems | 192 | 12 | 0 |
| Air Bags problems | 187 | 21 | 78 |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 142 | 20 | 2 |
| Steering problems | 112 | 22 | 8 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 104 | 16 | 2 |
| Suspension | 77 | 18 | 5 |
| Visibility | 71 | 16 | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 58 | 14 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 53 | 15 | 1 |
| Lane Departure | 51 | 12 | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 50 | 19 | 14 |
| Tires | 39 | 16 | 2 |
| Wheels | 37 | 18 | 4 |
| Seats | 30 | 14 | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention | 26 | 6 | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 25 | 10 | 0 |
| Equipment | 16 | 7 | 3 |
| Trailer Hitches | 11 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 7 | 5 | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Firerelated | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Carry Handle, Shell, Base | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Rollover | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Autohold Brake System/brake Hold | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Hyundai Tucson problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2025: forward collision avoidance (149) · electrical system (65)
- 2022: fuel/propulsion system (132) · engine (115) · power train (64) · electrical system (54)
- 2020: engine (73)
- 2019: engine (199) · service brakes, hydraulic (62) · service brakes (53)
- 2018: engine (244) · power train (101)
- 2017: engine (599) · power train (290) · vehicle speed control (88) · electrical system (84) · fuel/propulsion system (75)
- 2016: power train (517) · engine (423) · structure (227) · electrical system (216) · latches/locks/linkages (157) · vehicle speed control (111) · fuel/propulsion system (55)
- 2015: engine (119) · service brakes, hydraulic (52)
- 2014: engine (110)
- 2013: engine (156)
- 2012: engine (160)
All Hyundai Tucson model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tucson | 63 | 5 | 5★ | Forward Collision Avoidance | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2025 Tucson | 288 | 6 | 5★ | Forward Collision Avoidance | More complaints than other years |
| 2024 Tucson | 98 | 4 | 5★ | Forward Collision Avoidance | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2023 Tucson | 135 | 2 | 5★ | Unknown or Other | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2022 Tucson | 386 | 3 | 5★ | Fuel/propulsion System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2021 Tucson | 80 | 1 | 5★ | Engine | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2020 Tucson | 178 | 1 | 5★ | Engine | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2019 Tucson | 383 | 1 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2018 Tucson | 399 | 1 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2017 Tucson | 1,090 | 3 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2016 Tucson | 1,622 | 5 | 5★ | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 Tucson | 228 | 1 | 4★ | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2014 Tucson | 202 | 2 | 4★ | Engine | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2013 Tucson | 266 | 3 | 4★ | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2012 Tucson | 255 | 3 | 4★ | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2011 Tucson | 124 | 5 | — | Engine | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2010 Tucson | 59 | 4 | — | Power Train | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2009 Tucson | 18 | 1 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2008 Tucson | 43 | 1 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2007 Tucson | 65 | 5 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2006 Tucson | 135 | 5 | — | Air Bags | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2005 Tucson | 185 | 8 | — | Air Bags | About as many complaints as other years |
More from Hyundai: all Hyundai models · Hyundai VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Tucson years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2016 (1,622), 2017 (1,090), 2018 (399), 2019 (383), 2022 (386) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Tucson year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Hyundai Tucson?
Engine, with 2,376 complaints across 22 model years.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Tucson have?
36 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.