Which Hyundai Tucson years should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2016, 2017, 2022, and 2025 as the Tucson years to avoid, with complaint index values of 93, 80, 87, and 100 respectively, the highest in the lineup.

Which Kia Sportage years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2023 as Sportage years to avoid, with complaint index values of 87, 80, 93, and 100.

Does the Tucson or Sportage have more complaints?

The Tucson has 5,761 total complaints (360 per model year) versus the Sportage's 2,575 (161 per model year), but NHTSA does not publish sales figures so these totals aren't adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Which has more recalls, Tucson or Sportage?

The Tucson has 26 total recall campaigns across 2010-2025 versus 20 for the Sportage.

Which gets better fuel economy, Tucson or Sportage?

The Tucson averages 25.2 mpg combined across its model years versus 23.5 mpg combined for the Sportage.

Hyundai Tucson vs Kia Sportage: Which Years to Avoid

Avoid 2016, 2017, 2022, and 2025 Hyundai Tucson years and 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2023 Kia Sportage years, based on NHTSA complaints and recalls. The Tucson logs 5,761 total complaints (360/year) across 26 recalls; the Sportage logs 2,575 (161/year) across 20 recalls, though totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

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 ★

Kia Sportage

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 2,575
Per model year: 161
Recall campaigns: 20
Years to avoid: 2012, 2013, 2017, 2023
Best years: 2010, 2014, 2019, 2022
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 23.5
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

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				Sportage
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Best	59	4	24.5	Best	20	2	21
2011	Best	124	5	23.5	Good	181	6	23
2012	Good	255	3	23	Avoid	392	5	23
2013	Good	266	3	23	Avoid	381	3	23
2014	Best	201	2	22.5	Best	122	3	22.5
2015	Good	227	1	23	Good	146	2	22
2016	Avoid	1,619	5	27	Good	131	2	22
2017	Avoid	1,086	3	27	Avoid	399	4	23
2018	Caution	396	1	24.5	Caution	164	3	23
2019	Caution	379	1	24	Best	70	2	23
2020	Good	177	1	24	Caution	160	2	23
2021	Best	79	1	24	Good	51	2	23
2022	Avoid	381	3	29	Best	46	1	23
2023	Caution	133	2	28	Avoid	190	6	28
2024	Caution	96	4	28	Caution	71	3	27
2025	Avoid	283	6	28	Caution	51	1	27

Complaint Index by year

Hyundai Tucson

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

Kia Sportage

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

Frequently asked questions

Which Hyundai Tucson years should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2016, 2017, 2022, and 2025 as the Tucson years to avoid, with complaint index values of 93, 80, 87, and 100 respectively, the highest in the lineup.
Which Kia Sportage years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2023 as Sportage years to avoid, with complaint index values of 87, 80, 93, and 100.
Does the Tucson or Sportage have more complaints?: The Tucson has 5,761 total complaints (360 per model year) versus the Sportage's 2,575 (161 per model year), but NHTSA does not publish sales figures so these totals aren't adjusted for how many of each were sold.
Which has more recalls, Tucson or Sportage?: The Tucson has 26 total recall campaigns across 2010-2025 versus 20 for the Sportage.
Which gets better fuel economy, Tucson or Sportage?: The Tucson averages 25.2 mpg combined across its model years versus 23.5 mpg combined for the Sportage.