Which Kia Telluride years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2020 and 2024 as the Telluride years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 80 respectively, the two highest in the lineup.

Which Hyundai Tucson years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2016, 2017, 2022, and 2025 as Tucson years to avoid, led by 2025 and 2016 with complaint index scores of 100 and 93.

Which SUV has fewer total complaints, the Telluride or the Tucson?

The Telluride has 1,987 total complaints over 6 model years (331 per year) versus the Tucson's 5,761 over 16 model years (360 per year). Totals are not sales-normalized, so this is not a per-vehicle comparison.

Which gets better fuel economy, Telluride or Tucson?

The Hyundai Tucson averages 25.2 mpg combined versus 21.7 mpg combined for the Kia Telluride, based on EPA figures across the years covered.

Do either the Telluride or Tucson have do-not-drive recalls?

No. Across all listed years, neither the Telluride nor the Tucson has any recalls marked as do-not-drive by NHTSA.

Kia Telluride vs Hyundai Tucson: Which Years to Avoid

Kia Telluride owners should avoid 2020 and 2024; Hyundai Tucson owners should avoid 2016, 2017, 2022 and 2025. Telluride averages 331 complaints per model year across 6 years, while Tucson averages 360 across 16 years. Tucson gets better fuel economy (25.2 vs 21.7 mpg combined).

Head to head

Kia Telluride

Model years: 2020–2025 (6)
NHTSA complaints: 1,987
Per model year: 331
Recall campaigns: 17
Years to avoid: 2020, 2024
Best years: 2021, 2023
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 21.7
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

Hyundai Tucson

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 5,761
Per model year: 360
Recall campaigns: 26
Years to avoid: 2016, 2017, 2022, 2025
Best years: 2010, 2011, 2014, 2021
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 25.2
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Telluride				Tucson
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	—	—	—	—	Best	59	4	24.5
2011	—	—	—	—	Best	124	5	23.5
2012	—	—	—	—	Good	255	3	23
2013	—	—	—	—	Good	266	3	23
2014	—	—	—	—	Best	201	2	22.5
2015	—	—	—	—	Good	227	1	23
2016	—	—	—	—	Avoid	1,619	5	27
2017	—	—	—	—	Avoid	1,086	3	27
2018	—	—	—	—	Caution	396	1	24.5
2019	—	—	—	—	Caution	379	1	24
2020	Avoid	761	7	22	Good	177	1	24
2021	Best	365	5	22	Best	79	1	24
2022	Caution	324	7	22	Avoid	381	3	29
2023	Best	207	6	22	Caution	133	2	28
2024	Avoid	217	5	21	Caution	96	4	28
2025	Good	113	3	21	Avoid	283	6	28

Complaint Index by year

Kia Telluride

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Hyundai Tucson

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Kia Telluride years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2020 and 2024 as the Telluride years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 80 respectively, the two highest in the lineup.
Which Hyundai Tucson years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2016, 2017, 2022, and 2025 as Tucson years to avoid, led by 2025 and 2016 with complaint index scores of 100 and 93.
Which SUV has fewer total complaints, the Telluride or the Tucson?: The Telluride has 1,987 total complaints over 6 model years (331 per year) versus the Tucson's 5,761 over 16 model years (360 per year). Totals are not sales-normalized, so this is not a per-vehicle comparison.
Which gets better fuel economy, Telluride or Tucson?: The Hyundai Tucson averages 25.2 mpg combined versus 21.7 mpg combined for the Kia Telluride, based on EPA figures across the years covered.
Do either the Telluride or Tucson have do-not-drive recalls?: No. Across all listed years, neither the Telluride nor the Tucson has any recalls marked as do-not-drive by NHTSA.