Hyundai Tucson Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Hyundai Tucson model year (2005–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Hyundai Tucson Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 1112 complaints
6 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 1133
2 recalls · 715 complaints
10 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 741
3 recalls · 435 complaints
14 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 472
Best Hyundai Tucson Years to Buy
1 recall · 10 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 13
1 recall · 34 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 39
2 recalls · 47 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 55
Found the right year? Verify that specific Tucson with a free VIN report.
Hyundai Tucson — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 56 | 9 | — | 89 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 5 | 296 | 14 | — | 339 | Good |
| 2024 | 2 | 108 | 11 | — | 136 | Good |
| 2023 | 2 | 148 | — | — | 154 | Good |
| 2022 | 3 | 435 | 14 | — | 472 | Caution |
| 2021 | 1 | 55 | 5 | — | 68 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 1 | 111 | 4 | — | 122 | Good |
| 2019 | 1 | 261 | 5 | — | 274 | Good |
| 2018 | 1 | 268 | 7 | — | 285 | Good |
| 2017 | 2 | 715 | 10 | — | 741 | Avoid |
| 2016 | 3 | 1112 | 6 | — | 1133 | Avoid |
| 2015 | 0 | 168 | 4 | — | 176 | Good |
| 2014 | 0 | 123 | — | — | 123 | Good |
| 2013 | 0 | 162 | 11 | — | 184 | Good |
| 2012 | 0 | 169 | 9 | — | 187 | Good |
| 2011 | 1 | 98 | 9 | — | 119 | Good |
| 2010 | 2 | 47 | 1 | — | 55 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 1 | 10 | — | — | 13 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 1 | 34 | 1 | — | 39 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 3 | 43 | 6 | — | 64 | Excellent |
| 2006 | 3 | 92 | 12 | — | 125 | Good |
| 2005 | 4 | 148 | 10 | — | 180 | Good |
All 22 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Hyundai Tucson Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2021Recent Tucson models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2021 stands out with just 68 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2014Mid-decade Tucson units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2014 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Tucson models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Tucson should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2016 Hyundai Tucson if possible. It has 3 recalls, 1112 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 1133 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Tucson to buy?+
The 2009 Hyundai Tucson is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 13. It has only 1 recall and 10 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Tucson has the fewest problems?+
The 2009, 2008, 2010 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Hyundai Tucson Research
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Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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