Based on CarVitals reliability verdicts, the Hyundai Tucson years to approach with the most caution are 2016 and 2017. The strongest years in our data are 2024. Below is every model year we cover (2005–2024), ranked, with the owner-reported problems behind each call.
| Year | Verdict | Score | Top owner-reported problems | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Recommended | 7 | Fuel-injector related stalling and rough running reported on some examples; Forward-collision-avoidance / automatic emergency braking activates with no obstacle present | Full report ↗ |
| 2009 | Caution | 7 | Airbag warning light staying on, sensor faults and non-deployment in crashes; Electrical faults: dashboard lights, horn and stability-control warning | Full report ↗ |
| 2008 | Caution | 7 | Engine-bay or wheel-area fires, sometimes while driving; Brake-system issues including ABS-module faults and brake-line corrosion with loss of braking; Power-steering lockup, steering-wheel seizure and unintended steering movements | Full report ↗ |
| 2007 | Caution | 7 | Rear-subframe rust and control-arm corrosion, sometimes leaving the vehicle undriveable; Airbag warning lights, module failures and documented non-deployment in crashes; Brake stop-lamp switch faults and brake lock-ups | Full report ↗ |
| 2023 | Caution | 6 | Fuel-injector failures causing engine stalling and loss of power (dealer-acknowledged defect); Forward-collision-avoidance system brakes unexpectedly with no obstacle present | Full report ↗ |
| 2022 | Caution | 6 | Fuel-injector failures causing misfire, shaking, power loss and stalling, sometimes requiring repeated replacement; Engine stalling and loss of power, often on the highway; Forward-collision-avoidance / phantom braking activates without obstacles | Full report ↗ |
| 2021 | Caution | 6 | ABS-module electrical short carrying a fire risk; Knock-sensor fault (code P1326) puts the engine in limp mode with reduced power; Excessive engine oil consumption between service intervals without visible leaks | Full report ↗ |
| 2011 | Caution | 6 | ABS-module / brake-system defect with delayed recall repairs, corrosion and brake-fluid leaks; Engine oil leaks, stalling, knocking and complete failure; Electrical and ABS faults, including ABS-related fires | Full report ↗ |
| 2010 | Caution | 6 | Transmission sudden downshifting with a loud clunk, lurching and gear-engagement failure; Brake grinding, fade and inability to fully stop (some tied to the ABS recall); Oil-pump failure, oil depletion and stalling | Full report ↗ |
| 2006 | Caution | 6 | Rear-subframe structural rust causing frame failure, brake damage and handling problems; Airbag warning lights, seat-belt occupant-sensor faults and non-deployment in crashes; Engine stalling and power loss during deceleration, turning or idle, with loss of power steering | Full report ↗ |
| 2005 | Caution | 6 | Severely corroded rear subframe, control arms and structural components, a highway-speed safety risk; Engine stalling during acceleration, deceleration or at stops, with loss of power steering and brakes; Airbag warning lights and non-deployment in moderate-speed crashes | Full report ↗ |
| 2020 | Caution | 5 | Excessive engine oil consumption, often without a warning light, leading to engine damage; Engine failure / seizure with knocking and limp mode (code P1326); Electrical and driver-assist sensor faults (collision warning, lane-keep, ABS) and random stalling | Full report ↗ |
| 2019 | Caution | 5 | Excessive oil consumption, engine seizure and connecting-rod bearing failure, often with no warning lights; Knock-sensor / KSDS failures causing limp mode and reduced power, sometimes after the recall update; Premature catalytic-converter damage linked to oil consumption and misfires | Full report ↗ |
| 2018 | Caution | 5 | Excessive oil consumption on the 2.0L engine: owners report the engine burning oil with little or no dashboard warning, and in severe cases it leads to engine damage, stalling or loss of power while driving, sometimes requiring an engine replacement.; The 1.6T turbo trims use a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that owners report lurching, hesitating and slipping, with some experiencing loss of power or jerking from a stop; it behaves less smoothly than a conventional automatic.; Fuel and propulsion faults, including clogged catalytic converters and related power loss or rough running, often reported as a secondary consequence of the oil-consumption problem. | Full report ↗ |
| 2015 | Caution | 5 | Engine seizure, knocking and oil-consumption failures (Theta-era engine defect); ABS-module defect that can leak brake fluid and cause an engine-compartment fire (recall, parts delays); Doors failing to open from inside or outside | Full report ↗ |
| 2014 | Caution | 5 | Sudden engine seizure and bearing failure, often with no warning lights beforehand; ABS-module defect with brake-fluid leak and fire risk (recall, extended parts unavailability); Knock-sensor malfunction triggering engine power derating, sometimes after recall software updates | Full report ↗ |
| 2013 | Caution | 5 | ABS-module failure causing brake-fluid leaks and fire risk, with delayed recall remedies; Connecting-rod bearing wear and sudden engine seizure, often without warning lights; Doors failing to open from inside or outside | Full report ↗ |
| 2012 | Caution | 5 | Sudden stalling, rod-bearing failure and complete engine seizure, often without warning; ABS-module fire-risk recall with delayed repairs due to unavailable parts; Electrical faults including fire risk and warning-light failures | Full report ↗ |
| 2017 | Avoid | 4 | Excessive oil burning, knocking, seizure and catastrophic engine failure, often without warning lights; Engine stalling and power loss, entering limp mode and failing to accelerate on the highway; Turbo 1.6L seven-speed dual-clutch transmission hesitates and loses power from a stop (recalled) | Full report ↗ |
| 2016 | Avoid | 4 | Engine rod-bearing failure, excessive oil consumption and knocking, leading to seizure; Turbo 1.6L seven-speed dual-clutch hesitation and loss of power from a stop (recalled, overheats); Knock-sensor fault (code P1326) triggering limp mode and reduced power | Full report ↗ |
Newest NX4 Tucson with the fewest complaints, upscale interior and strong value; the main caveat is occasional forward-collision false braking.
Refined, well-equipped NX4 Tucson, but fuel-injector failures causing stalling are a known defect this year and forward-collision false braking is also reported.
First Smartstream NX4 year with a big interior and feature upgrade, but fuel-injector failures (stalling) and forward-collision false braking are common complaints.
Last gen-3 Tucson; far fewer complaints than 2016-2017 but it still shares the 2.0L oil-consumption and knock-sensor risk, verify engine health and service history.
Gen-3 Tucson still affected by 2.0L oil consumption and engine/knock-sensor failures; inspect for oil burning and documented service before buying.
Engine oil consumption and rod-bearing/knock-sensor failures remain common on the 2.0L; even KSDS-recall cars can fail, buy only with documented engine health.
Gen-3 Tucson on a RepairPal-solid nameplate (4.0/5, 5th of 26 compact SUVs), but this model-year carries heavy 2.0L engine oil-consumption and stalling complaints plus 1.6T dual-clutch lurching. Buy only with documented engine health and a smooth-shifting transmission.
One of the worst Tucson years: widespread 2.0L oil-consumption and engine failures plus 1.6T dual-clutch stalling (recalled). Avoid unless the engine and transmission are proven.
Gen-3 launch year with the most complaints of any Tucson, engine oil consumption/seizure and seven-speed dual-clutch loss of power. Avoid unless fully documented.
Late gen-2 Tucson hit by Theta-era engine seizures and the ABS-module fire recall; verify engine health and that the ABS recall was completed.
Gen-2 Tucson with reports of sudden engine seizure and the ABS-module fire recall; confirm the recall is fixed and inspect for engine health.
Gen-2 Tucson dominated by the ABS-module fire recall plus engine bearing/seizure complaints; confirm the recall and inspect the engine.
Gen-2 Tucson where the engine seizure complaints begin alongside the ABS-module fire recall; verify engine condition and that the recall was completed.
Early gen-2 Tucson; the main issues are the ABS-module fire recall and engine/brake complaints, confirm the ABS recall was completed.
Gen-2 launch year with relatively few complaints; watch for transmission clunk/shifting problems and confirm the ABS-module fire recall was completed.
Final first-gen Tucson with very few complaints and high owner satisfaction; at this age, inspect for rear-subframe corrosion and airbag warning lights.
Well-regarded first-gen Tucson; given its age, check for brake-line/subframe corrosion, power-steering faults and any engine-bay fire history.
Reliable, well-liked first-gen Tucson; the main model-year risks are rear-subframe rust and airbag occupant-sensor faults.
First-gen Tucson with notable rear-subframe corrosion and airbag-sensor complaints; inspect the underbody structure and airbag light carefully.
First-year Tucson; mostly dependable but prone to rear-subframe/control-arm corrosion and engine stalling, inspect the underbody before buying.
Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Hyundai models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.