Hyundai Tucson
Problems & Worst Years

Eight tracked model years show the Hyundai Tucson swinging between very different failure modes depending on when it was built, with two years standing well above the rest in raw volume. The 2016 model is the largest file by far at 985 complaints, dominated by doors that won't reliably open or close — unreliable rear door operation (382 reports) and door actuator failure (259 reports), both rated safety-critical — alongside a transmission that fails to engage or engages slowly after a stop, also safety-flagged, at 227 reports. Recalls 16V628 and 16V842 apply here. The following year, 2017, brings 642 complaints of its own, this time centered on transmission slippage and gear shifting problems (293 reports, safety-rated) and stalling or hesitation during acceleration (228 reports, also safety-rated), with recall 21V727 attached.

Earlier and later years tell quieter but still notable stories. The 2015 launch year (149 complaints, recall 22V056) is led by delayed recall repair availability itself becoming a complaint (21 reports) alongside straightforward engine failure and seizure. The 2018 model (238 complaints) shifts toward engine failure triggering check engine lights (74 reports) and engine overheating rated safety-critical (31 reports), while 2019 stands out for having the most distinct problem types of any year — 42 in total, though at a more modest 240 complaints — with recall repair unavailability for service brakes (20 reports) and an ABS module failure rated safety-critical (18 reports) leading, under recall 20V543, which carries into the smaller 2020 model year as well.

More recent years point toward different systems again. The 2022 model (222 complaints, recall 21V938) is led by fuel injector failure (61 reports) and engine misfire (57 reports), a fuel-delivery theme distinct from the engine and door problems of earlier years. The newest year here, 2025 (142 complaints), shifts toward driver-assist electronics — forward collision avoidance system malfunctions (36 reports, safety-rated) and automatic emergency braking malfunctions (30 reports) — under three recalls: 24V691, 24V877, and 26V400.

Given how sharply the failure pattern has changed generation to generation, a buyer's first question should be which Tucson era they're actually looking at. As always, these are owner-filed counts, not measured defect rates, and a pre-purchase inspection matched to the specific model year's known concerns is the more reliable path.