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
1 recall · 1125 complaints
6 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 1140
0 recalls · 727 complaints
10 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 747
3 recalls · 459 complaints
14 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 496
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
3 recalls · 43 complaints
Main area: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 64
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 | 3 | 83 | 15 | — | 122 | Good |
| 2025 | 4 | 350 | 17 | — | 396 | Good |
| 2024 | 1 | 129 | 14 | — | 160 | Good |
| 2023 | 1 | 164 | 2 | — | 171 | Good |
| 2022 | 3 | 459 | 14 | — | 496 | Caution |
| 2021 | 0 | 56 | 5 | — | 66 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 0 | 113 | 4 | — | 121 | Good |
| 2019 | 0 | 271 | 5 | — | 281 | Good |
| 2018 | 0 | 276 | 7 | — | 290 | Good |
| 2017 | 0 | 727 | 10 | — | 747 | Avoid |
| 2016 | 1 | 1125 | 6 | — | 1140 | Avoid |
| 2015 | 1 | 171 | 4 | — | 182 | Good |
| 2014 | 1 | 124 | — | — | 127 | Good |
| 2013 | 2 | 162 | 11 | — | 190 | Good |
| 2012 | 2 | 171 | 9 | — | 195 | Good |
| 2011 | 3 | 98 | 9 | — | 125 | Good |
| 2010 | 4 | 49 | 3 | — | 67 | 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 66 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 1 recall, 1125 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 1140 — 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, 2007 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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