Reliable Auto DB

2017 Hyundai Tucson reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2017 Hyundai Tucson has 1,086 complaints with NHTSA after 10 years, or 84 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Tucson years here — over the median of the other years, which is 23. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Engine, Brake control module, and Wiring.

2012 Hyundai Tucson
Photo by Mr.choppers, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Complaints

1,086

Per year

84

Recalls

3

Years on the road

10

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (595 of 1,086), then Powertrain (290) and Speed control (87). Those filings include 13 that report a crash, 26 that report a fire, 12 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2016 and 2018

The 2016 Tucson has 1,619 complaints, 150 per year, and the 2018 has 395 complaints, 21 per year. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2018.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2017 Hyundai Tucson. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (3)

Recall Engine 2021-09-17 · NHTSA campaign 21V727000
Summary Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Tucson and Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.
Remedy Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners were notified of the defect on November 16, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed January 15, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 209.
Recall Brake control module 2020-09-04 · NHTSA campaign 20V543000
Summary Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Hyundai expanded the recall population, and added certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.
Recall electrical system, wiring 2016-11-21 · NHTSA campaign 16V842000
Summary Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.

Complaints by component (1086 total)

Engine
595
Powertrain
290
Speed control
87
Electrical system
83
Fuel and propulsion system
75
Structure
42
Service brakes
29
Hydraulic brakes
19
Engine and engine cooling
17
Exterior lighting
15
Latches, locks, and linkages
15
Air bags
10
Steering
7
Visibility and wipers
7
Seats
5
Wheels
5
Forward collision avoidance
4
Lane departure
4
Seat belts
3
Tires
3
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
Fuel system, gasoline
2
Suspension
2
Carry handle, shell, and base
1
Visibility
1
Show 17 more Show less
Crash-flagged

13

Fire-flagged

26

Injury reports

12

Death reports

1

Complaints filed per year

52016562017922018100201944202015420211512022178202312420241242025582026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "I am reporting a suspected safety defect involving my daughter's 2017 Hyundai Tucson, VIN [XXX], with approximately 77,940 miles. The vehicle experienced an engine failure beginning with the illumination of the…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-21
  • "The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an engine replacement due to a separate issue; however, during the service, the dealer discovered that the front axle was leaking and noted…"
    Steering, Powertrain · filed 2026-09-18
  • "Vehicle is losing a lot of oil. But there is no oil leaking on the ground. Upon looking at the safety recall, it says it might be fire hazardous. I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Vehicle run rough and also…"
    Unknown or other, Engine · filed 2026-09-07
  • "I have a 2017 Hyundai Tucson with a 1.6 turbo engine, and I have been experiencing massive oil consumption. Oil is coming out of the tail pipe with occasional big puff of smoke out of the tailpipe. Skipping and…"
    Engine · filed 2026-08-24
  • "Franchise dealer Preson Hyundai is actively obstructing a court-ordered settlement tracking test for an engine burning 2.0 qts internally, forcing a young driver with child to operate an oil starving vehicle at risk of…"
    Engine · filed 2026-08-24

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2017 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell SUV FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2017 Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2017 Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Tucson all-wheel drive 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) All-wheel drive 24 28 25 MPG $2600
Tucson all-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 21 26 23 MPG $2800
Tucson Eco all-wheel drive 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) All-wheel drive 25 30 27 MPG $2400
Tucson Eco front-wheel drive 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) Front-wheel drive 26 32 28 MPG $2300
Tucson front-wheel drive 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) Front-wheel drive 25 30 27 MPG $2400
Tucson front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 23 30 26 MPG $2500
Tucson Fuel Cell — Automatic (1-speed) Front-wheel drive 49 51 50 MPG / 265 mi range —

Specs and fitment

3rd generation (TL), 2012–2020
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.0L and 1.6L turbo per manual) , 4.8 qt capacity
Tire size 225/60R17 to 245/45R19 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 2,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Owner complaints for mid-generation years (especially 2016) concentrate on the power train and engine. Safety recall 20V-543 covers certain 2016-2021 Tucson vehicles: the anti-lock brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) can corrode internally and short, with a possible engine-compartment fire; dealers replace the HECU fuse, and for 2019-2021 also update ESC software, while owners are advised to park outside until remedied. Safety recall 16V-628 covers certain 2016 Tucsons with the 7-speed EcoShift dual-clutch transmission that may fail to move after repeated accelerator tip-in in heat; dealers update TCM software. Safety recall 16V-348 covers certain 2016 Tucsons whose secondary hood latch may not hold if the primary latch is released, so the hood can open while driving; dealers replace that latch.

Compare

Previous year 2016 Hyundai Tucson Next year 2018 Hyundai Tucson See every Hyundai Tucson model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Hyundai Tucson reliable?

The 2017 Hyundai Tucson has 1,086 complaints with NHTSA after 10 years, or 84 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Tucson years here — over the median of the other years, which is 23. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Engine, Brake control module, and Wiring.

What are common problems with a 2017 Hyundai Tucson?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (595 of 1,086), then Powertrain (290) and Speed control (87). Those filings include 13 that report a crash, 26 that report a fire, 12 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Is the 2017 Hyundai Tucson more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2016 Tucson has 1,619 complaints, 150 per year, and the 2018 has 395 complaints, 21 per year. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2018.

Has the 2017 Hyundai Tucson been recalled?

The 2017 Hyundai Tucson has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2017 Hyundai Tucson?

Owners have filed 1086 complaints about the 2017 Hyundai Tucson with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2017 Hyundai Tucson get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2017 Hyundai Tucson is 29.4 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Tucson take?

5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.0L and 1.6L turbo per manual)

What does NHTSA recall 20V-543 cover on the Hyundai Tucson?

Safety recall 20V-543 covers certain 2016-2021 Tucson vehicles: the anti-lock brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) can corrode internally and short, with a possible engine-compartment fire; dealers replace the HECU fuse, and for 2019-2021 also update ESC software,…

What generation is the 2013 Hyundai Tucson?

3rd generation (TL) (2012-2020).