YearToAvoid

Hyundai Best and Worst Years by Model

28 Hyundai models, 40,118 NHTSA owner complaints and 287 recall campaigns for model years 2010–2025. 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.

ModelYearsComplaintsRecallsYears to avoidBest yearsTop issue
Hyundai Santa Fe2010–20254,726322013, 2017, 2023, 20252011, 2016, 2018, 2021Engine
Hyundai Tucson2010–20255,761262016, 2017, 2022, 20252010, 2011, 2014, 2021Engine
Hyundai Elantra2010–20255,666292010, 2012, 2013, 20172021, 2022, 2024, 2025Engine
Hyundai Sonata2010–202511,653402011, 2012, 2013, 20152022, 2023, 2024, 2025Engine
Hyundai Palisade2020–20252,305132024, 20252021, 2022Brakes
Hyundai Kona2018–202578272019, 20202018, 2022Engine
Hyundai Venue2020–202514232020, 20232021Electrical System
Hyundai Santa Cruz2022–2025317820222025Transmission & Powertrain
Hyundai Accent2010–2022829102012, 2013, 2014, 20152018, 2020, 2021Engine
Hyundai Veloster2012–20211,289102012, 2013, 20162020, 2021Engine
Hyundai Genesis2010–20181,007102012, 20152014Electrical System
Hyundai Ioniq 52022–20251,3101420252024Electrical System
Hyundai Equus2011–20169632011, 20142015, 2016Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport2013–20181,180112017, 20182015, 2016Engine
Hyundai Tucson Hybrid2022–2025331320252023Collision Avoidance & Cameras
Hyundai Azera2010–201729862012, 20132010, 2017Steering
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid2011–2025788122011, 2012, 2013, 20162018, 2020, 2024Engine
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid2017–202212442019, 20222018, 2021Electrical System
Hyundai Veracruz2010–20122624——Engine
Hyundai Kona Electric2019–202514952019, 20222023Electrical System
Hyundai Genesis Coupe2010–201622062010, 20132012, 2015Brakes
Hyundai Santa FE Hybrid2021–202523892023, 20252021Engine
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid2021–202513462022, 20232024Electrical System
Hyundai Elantra GT2013–202011622017, 20182013Engine
Hyundai Ioniq 62023–20251286——Electrical System
Hyundai Veloster N2019–20226222022—Lane Departure
Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid2016–20196322017—Engine
Hyundai Elantra Touring2010–2013142420102013Steering

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. 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe · 966 complaints · 6 recalls Avoid
  9. 2017 Hyundai Elantra · 767 complaints · 4 recalls Avoid
  10. 2017 Hyundai Sonata · 764 complaints · 3 recalls Caution

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.