The Hyundai Tucson is a compact SUV known for its performance, fuel efficiency, user-friendly features, and comfort. It comes with several standard features at a good price for your money, and has decent warranty.
With its smooth ride and roomy cargo, the Hyundai Tucson appears to be a great choice that’ll give you the most bang for your buck. But is the Hyundai Tucson actually a reliable vehicle?
Are Hyundai Tucsons Reliable?
The Hyundai Tucson is generally considered to be a reliable car. It also offers comfort, standard tech features, and impressive fuel economy, with a horsepower of 187 with 178 lb-ft of torque. Many owners report that their Tucsons have been reliable with good fuel mileage for years—in part due to consistent maintenance.
The 2008, 2009, and 2018 Tucsons are often praised for their performance and reliability. On the other hand, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2017 Tucsons are said to be the least reliable, with owners reporting transmission faults, air conditioning issues, and acceleration troubles, to name a few.
Here are the reliability ratings for the latest Hyundai Tucson model from popular review sites:
- JD Power: 81/100
- RepairPal: 4/5
- Edmunds: 7.9/10
RepairPal notes that the Tucson’s annual repair cost is only around $426, meaning it has excellent ownership costs. Repairs are less severe and less frequent than the average car, so the Tucson is generally one of the more reliable vehicle models on the market today.
What Are the Most Common Issues with the Hyundai Tucson?
The Hyundai Tucson is reportedly a fairly reliable vehicle model, but here are some of the common issues associated with it and the affected model years:
Transmission Hesitation<
Owners of 2016 and 2017 Hyundai Tucson models have reported noticeable hesitation when accelerating from a stop, particularly in vehicles equipped with the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Hyundai issued a recall for certain 2016 model year units to address the issue. It also released a software update that provided repair instructions to update the transmission control unit (TCU) in affected vehicles. Unfortunately, some owners claim the problem still persists.
Complete transmission failure has also been reported in some cases. The symptoms reported are the vehicle not moving or shifting properly.
Affected Model Years:
- 2016
- 2017
Unreliable Collision Avoidance System
Most new Hyundai vehicles are equipped with Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA). This system uses cameras and radar to help prevent or mitigate collisions. However, the 2019 Tucson has reportedly had issues with the system not functioning properly
Affected Model Years:
- 2019
Engine Failure
Complaints of intermittent engine starting issues, stalling, or complete engine failure have been reported by owners of Tucson models from 2012 to 2014. According to affected owners, their SUVs would abruptly shut off. The vehicles would start making loud knocking noises, which resulted in the check engine light coming on before it stopped working.
Affected Model Years:
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
Windshield Defects
Owners of the redesigned 2022 and 2023 Tucson models have reported windshields cracking spontaneously, often without any direct impact. The cracks typically originate near the edges, leading to possible issues with the windshield design or installation. Window hardware should be replaced immediately if damaged.
Affected Model Years:
- 2022
- 2023
Door Lock Actuator Failure
Several Tucson models from 2013 to 2015 have experienced issues with door lock actuators failing. This prevents doors from locking or unlocking electronically, compromising both convenience and security. Owners often need to replace the affected actuators to restore functionality.
Affected Model Years:
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
Window Regulator Problems
The driver-side window regulator has been a common problem in Tucson models from 2013 to 2016. This problem can prevent the window from being raised or lowered, which is particularly frustrating during extreme weather.
Affected Model Years:
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
Excessive Shaking While Idling
Some 2015 Hyundai Tucson owners reported violent shuddering while idling, with the issue appearing as early as the first drive or around 500 miles. Hyundai has not issued a TSB for this problem.
Affected Model Years:
- 2015
- 2013
- 2016
- 2017
What Are the Best Model Years for the Hyundai Tucson?
While the Hyundai Tucson remains one of Hyundai’s most sought-after vehicles, several model years stand out from the rest. These models are known to be the most reliable, with fewer reported issues and recalls, making them the best options for value-conscious buyers.
The model years of the Tucson widely considered to be among the best include:
- 2008
- 2009
- 2018
- 2019
- 2022
- 2023
FAQ
How long do Hyundai Tucsons last?
With proper maintenance, Hyundai Tucsons can easily last around 200,000 miles or more. This translates to 15 years of dependable service, assuming regular oil changes, tire rotations, and maintenance are routinely conducted.
Where is the Hyundai Tucson made?
Hyundai Tucsons are currently manufactured in the Nošovice-based plant, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC). Tucsons produced here have been exported to 70 countries around the world.