Which Hyundai Tucson years should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Tucson, with 2016 carrying the highest complaint index at 95 and the most complaints at 1,619.

Which Kia Sorento years should I avoid?

The Sorento's Avoid years are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. The 2011 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 with 1,517 complaints and 7 recall campaigns.

Does either model have a Good or Best year?

The Tucson has no Good or Best year across 2005-2025 because verdict caps from recall campaigns and Do Not Drive recalls hold every year down to Caution or worse. The Sorento does have a Best year: 2024, with a complaint index of just 15.

Which model gets better fuel economy?

The Tucson averages 24.2 MPG combined across its lineup, compared to 21.3 MPG combined for the Sorento.

Which model has more total complaints?

NHTSA logs 6,207 total complaints for the Tucson across 21 model years versus 9,631 for the Sorento, though these totals are not adjusted for sales volume.

Hyundai Tucson vs Kia Sorento: Which Years to Avoid

Hyundai Tucson years to avoid are 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2025, while Kia Sorento years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. Tucson has no Good or Best year across its lineup, but Sorento's 2024 earns a Best verdict. Tucson averages 24.2 MPG combined versus 21.3 MPG for Sorento.

Head to head

Hyundai Tucson

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 6,207
Per model year: 296
Recall campaigns: 34
Years to avoid: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2025
Best years: —
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 24.2
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

Kia Sorento

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 9,631
Per model year: 459
Recall campaigns: 38
Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017
Best years: 2024
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 21.3
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.6 ★

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	Tucson				Sorento
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Caution	185	8	21	Good	307	0	16
2006	Good	135	5	21	Good	242	1	16
2007	Good	65	5	21	Good	154	4	17
2008	Good	43	1	21	Good	217	3	17
2009	Good	18	1	21	Good	55	2	17
2010	Caution	59	4	24.5	No verdict	3	1	—
2011	Caution	124	5	23.5	Avoid	1,517	7	22
2012	Caution	255	3	23	Avoid	880	5	22
2013	Caution	266	3	23	Avoid	981	5	22
2014	Caution	201	2	22.5	Avoid	986	6	21
2015	Caution	227	1	23	Caution	750	3	21
2016	Avoid	1,619	5	27	Avoid	1,250	8	21
2017	Avoid	1,086	3	27	Avoid	804	4	22
2018	Avoid	396	1	24.5	Caution	254	3	22
2019	Avoid	379	1	24	Caution	426	2	22.5
2020	Caution	177	1	24	Caution	135	1	22.5
2021	Caution	79	1	24	Caution	247	4	24.5
2022	Avoid	381	3	29	Caution	189	6	25
2023	Caution	133	2	28	Good	119	3	25
2024	Caution	96	4	28	Best	41	2	25
2025	Avoid	283	6	28	Caution	74	3	25

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which Hyundai Tucson years should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Tucson, with 2016 carrying the highest complaint index at 95 and the most complaints at 1,619.
Which Kia Sorento years should I avoid?: The Sorento's Avoid years are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. The 2011 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 with 1,517 complaints and 7 recall campaigns.
Does either model have a Good or Best year?: The Tucson has no Good or Best year across 2005-2025 because verdict caps from recall campaigns and Do Not Drive recalls hold every year down to Caution or worse. The Sorento does have a Best year: 2024, with a complaint index of just 15.
Which model gets better fuel economy?: The Tucson averages 24.2 MPG combined across its lineup, compared to 21.3 MPG combined for the Sorento.
Which model has more total complaints?: NHTSA logs 6,207 total complaints for the Tucson across 21 model years versus 9,631 for the Sorento, though these totals are not adjusted for sales volume.