Are Hyundais Reliable? Hyundai Reliability by Model
Across the 6 most-documented Hyundai models, CarWhere's analysis of 31,939 NHTSA complaints finds 6 carry at least one model year to avoid; none is entirely free of a flagged year, with the Tucson carrying the fewest. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume. Data as of July 2026.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall campaigns · Data as of July 2026 · How we rate model years
31,939 NHTSA complaints
model years flagged on federal data
every model carries at least one
What Hyundai owners report most
The vehicle systems drawing the most federal service-bulletin activity across the 6 Hyundai models we analyze — a signal of where problems concentrate.
Hyundai reliability by model
| Model | Complaints | Years to avoid | Best years | Worst year vs. its avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Sonata | 12,410 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 | 2019 | 9.3× |
| Hyundai Tucson | 5,688 | 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2025 | 2008, 2009 and 2010 | 6.3× |
| Hyundai Santa FE | 5,497 | 2008, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2022, 2023 and 2024 | — | 4.6× |
| Hyundai Elantra | 6,323 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2020 | — | 4× |
| Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | 734 | 2012 and 2016 | 2022 | 2× |
| Hyundai Veloster | 1,287 | 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016 | 2017 and 2020 | 4× |
Counts are raw federal filings (NHTSA owner complaints), not adjusted for sales volume. A model year is flagged when its severity-weighted complaint rate is among the highest within that model's own history — never a comparison against other brands. Follow any model for its full year-by-year verdict. Full methodology.
Where Hyundai owners report the most trouble
Hyundai Sonata: 7 model years flagged to avoid (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017) — the worst logged up to 9.3× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Hyundai Tucson: 7 model years flagged to avoid (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2025) — the worst logged up to 6.3× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Hyundai Santa FE: 7 model years flagged to avoid (2008, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2022, 2023 and 2024) — the worst logged up to 4.6× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
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FAQ
Are Hyundais reliable?
Hyundai reliability varies sharply by model and year, not by brand. Across the 6 most-documented Hyundai models, 6 carry at least one model year we flag to avoid on NHTSA complaint and recall data. No Hyundai model is entirely free of a flagged year; the Tucson carries the fewest. These are raw federal complaint counts, not adjusted for how many vehicles Hyundai sold, so they can't be read as a single cross-brand reliability score — use the per-model verdicts below.
What is the most reliable Hyundai?
Every Hyundai model we analyze carries at least one flagged year, but the Tucson has the fewest — the most best-rated years and lowest severity-weighted complaint rate in the lineup. Reliability comes down to the specific model year, so check the year-by-year verdict before buying.
Which Hyundai models have the most years to avoid?
The Hyundai models carrying the most flagged years are the Sonata (7 years flagged, worst up to 9.3× its own average), the Tucson (7 years flagged, worst up to 6.3× its own average), the Santa FE (7 years flagged, worst up to 4.6× its own average). A flag means that model year has one of the highest severity-weighted complaint rates within that model's own history — it is not a comparison against other brands.
How do I check a specific Hyundai before buying?
Start with the free Hyundai window sticker lookup at carwhere.com/window-sticker/hyundai to confirm the exact trim and factory options, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for that VIN — it includes the recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for the exact model year plus a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & data notes
All figures are drawn from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of Defects Investigation — owner-filed complaints and recall campaigns — across the 6 most-documented Hyundai models and every model year on record for each. Retrieved July 2026. Counts are raw federal filings and are not adjusted for the number of vehicles sold or registered, so they cannot be read as a single cross-brand reliability ranking; each model year's verdict compares it only against the rest of that model's own history. Full scoring at the methodology page.