YearToAvoid

Hyundai Best and Worst Years by Model

31 Hyundai models, 48,453 NHTSA owner complaints and 339 recall campaigns for model years 2005–2025. Pick a model to see which years to avoid and which are the safest bets.

Hyundai models ranked by owner complaints

Sorted by popularity. Years to avoid / best years come from each model’s own Complaint Index.

Verdicts are based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, compared within each model. This is not a reliability rating. How the Complaint Index works.

ModelYearsComplaintsRecallsYears to avoidBest yearsTop issue
Hyundai Santa Fe2005–20256,630412007, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2023, 20252011Engine
Hyundai Tucson2005–20256,207342016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2025—Engine
Hyundai Elantra2005–20256,792382010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 20202022, 2024, 2025Engine
Hyundai Sonata2005–202514,446482011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 20162022, 2024, 2025Engine
Hyundai Palisade2020–20252,305132024, 2025—Brakes
Hyundai Kona2018–202578272019, 20202018, 2022Engine
Hyundai Venue2020–202514232020, 20232024Electrical System
Hyundai Santa Cruz2022–2025317820222025Transmission & Powertrain
Hyundai Accent2005–20221,212132009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 20162018, 2019, 2020, 2021Engine
Hyundai Veloster2012–20211,289102012, 2013, 20162020, 2021Engine
Hyundai Genesis2008–20181,243102009, 2012, 20152014Electrical System
Hyundai Ioniq 52022–20251,310142025—Electrical System
Hyundai Equus2011–20169632011, 20142016Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport2013–20181,180112017, 20182016Engine
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid2022–2025331320252023Collision Avoidance & Cameras
Hyundai Azera2005–2017712112006, 2007, 2008, 20132010, 2017Airbags
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid2011–2025788122011, 2012, 2013, 20162018, 2022, 2024Engine
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid2017–202212442017, 20192018, 2021Electrical System
Hyundai Veracruz2007–201266162007, 2008—Engine
Hyundai Tiburon2005–200816822007—Transmission & Powertrain
Hyundai Kona Electric2019–202514952019, 20212023Electrical System
Hyundai Genesis Coupe2010–201622262010, 2013—Brakes
Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid2021–202523892023, 2025—Engine
Hyundai Entourage2006–20082866——Structure & Body
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid2021–202513462022, 20232024Electrical System
Hyundai Elantra GT2013–202011622017, 20182013Engine
Hyundai XG3502005–20061450——Airbags
Hyundai Ioniq 62023–20251286——Electrical System
Hyundai Veloster N2019–20226222022—Lane Departure
Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid2016–20196322017—Engine
Hyundai Elantra Touring2008–201317542010, 20112013Steering

Hyundai model years with the most complaints

Raw complaint counts (not adjusted for age or sales). Click through for the breakdown.

  1. 2011 Hyundai Sonata · 3,376 complaints · 14 recalls Avoid
  2. 2013 Hyundai Sonata · 1,910 complaints · 9 recalls Avoid
  3. 2016 Hyundai Tucson · 1,619 complaints · 5 recalls Avoid
  4. 2012 Hyundai Sonata · 1,556 complaints · 8 recalls Avoid
  5. 2013 Hyundai Elantra · 1,313 complaints · 4 recalls Avoid
  6. 2015 Hyundai Sonata · 1,144 complaints · 9 recalls Avoid
  7. 2017 Hyundai Tucson · 1,086 complaints · 3 recalls Avoid
  8. 2006 Hyundai Sonata · 1,047 complaints · 9 recalls Caution
  9. 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe · 966 complaints · 6 recalls Avoid
  10. 2017 Hyundai Elantra · 767 complaints · 4 recalls Avoid

How we rank Hyundai years

For each model we compare its own model years using the Complaint Index: complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and “Do Not Drive” recalls reported to NHTSA, adjusted for how long each year has been on the road. The top quarter of a model’s years is marked Avoid, the bottom quarter Best. Because NHTSA publishes no sales data, models are not ranked against each other. Full details in the methodology.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.