What is the best year for a Hyundai Tucson?

Avoid 2016 and 2017 — those model years logged 1,605 and 1,065 complaints respectively during the Theta II engine recall era. The 2021 Tucson stands out as the cleanest mature year at 67 complaints and a 10/10 NHTSA safety score. The 2022 new-generation launch had 356 complaints, settling to 116 in 2023 and 81 in 2024. For the current generation, 2024 is the strongest pick.

How much does Hyundai Tucson insurance cost?

Tucson insurance averages about $1,975/year — roughly $165/month. One of the more affordable rates in the compact class.

Is the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The Tucson and RAV4 are nearly identical in maintenance cost — $426 versus $429, a difference of $3 annually. Both carry a reliability score of 8. The RAV4 has a slight edge in major repair probability (10% vs. 12%); the two match on repair frequency (26% each). Effectively a tie on ownership cost.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Hyundai Tucson?

Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the class average. The 2016-2017 engine recall history is the biggest risk factor for used buyers in that range — warranty coverage is worth taking seriously for those years. For 2021 and newer, the risk profile is much more moderate.

Hyundai Tucson Maintenance Cost

Hyundai Tucson maintenance costs. Full year-by-year breakdown, common problems, and which years to buy or avoid.

Last verified September 2026

$426

Avg. repairs/yr

8/10

Reliability

12%

Major repair risk (5yr)

$1,975

Avg. insurance / yr

Estimate the Hyundai Tucson's total cost for your mileage and years of ownership →

// RELIABILITY BY YEAR

Which year Tucson should you buy?

Green is safe, red means major known issues. Tap any year.
Years scored against Tucson's own complaint record — not against other SUVs.

2010 Hyundai Tucson

First generation (JM)

Engine: 2.0 L Theta I4 (140 hp); 2.7 L Delta V6 (173 hp); 2.4 L Theta II I4 (176 hp, 2010 only)

Transmission: 4-speed automatic; 5-speed manual; 6-speed manual/automatic (2.4L, 2010)

Recommended

Low complaint volume relative to the model's own average. High NHTSA safety score.

NHTSA recall 13V113000, 11V259000, 10V061000 and others issued.

4 recalls on record. Affected systems:

Exterior Lighting
Air Bags
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks on the Tucson

Top issues ranked by share of total NHTSA complaints.

Service brakes, hydraulic, engine

Common

Years affected: 2010–2026

Unknown or other

Moderate

Years affected: 2010–2026

Power train, vehicle speed control

Moderate

Years affected: 2010–2026

Exterior lighting, wheels, service brakes

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2026

Electrical system

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2026

Structure, latches/locks/linkages

Rare

Years affected: 2010, 2013–2018, 2021–2022

Fuel system, diesel

Rare

Years affected: 2011–2024, 2026

Air bags

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2025

Visibility

Rare

Years affected: 2010–2025

Power train, exterior lighting

Rare

Years affected: 2011–2012, 2015–2020, 2022–2026

// MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

Hyundai Tucson maintenance schedule

RepairPal's scheduled dealer-service costs for the Hyundai Tucson, by mileage interval. This is separate from the avg. repairs/yr figure above, which covers unscheduled repairs only.

Total scheduled service, 0–150k mi

$21,940–$29,413

Hyundai Tucson scheduled maintenance cost by mileage interval, with running total
Mileage	Service cost	Running total
6,000 mi	$417–$568	$417–$568
7,500 mi	$233–$302	$650–$870
8,000 mi	$148–$218	$798–$1,088
10,000 mi	$57–$71	$855–$1,159
12,000 mi	$478–$657	$1,333–$1,816
12,500 mi	$57–$71	$1,390–$1,887
15,000 mi	$340–$460	$1,730–$2,347
16,000 mi	$250–$367	$1,980–$2,714
18,000 mi	$459–$618	$2,439–$3,332
20,000 mi	$57–$71	$2,496–$3,403
22,500 mi	$249–$322	$2,745–$3,725
24,000 mi	$493–$678	$3,238–$4,403
25,000 mi	$61–$77	$3,299–$4,480
30,000 mi	$486–$655	$3,785–$5,135
32,000 mi	$250–$367	$4,035–$5,502
36,000 mi	$520–$708	$4,555–$6,210
37,500 mi	$235–$305	$4,790–$6,515
40,000 mi	$57–$71	$4,847–$6,586
42,000 mi	$608–$805	$5,455–$7,391
45,000 mi	$356–$479	$5,811–$7,870
48,000 mi	$493–$678	$6,304–$8,548
50,000 mi	$60–$76	$6,364–$8,624
52,500 mi	$307–$397	$6,671–$9,021
54,000 mi	$459–$618	$7,130–$9,639
56,000 mi	$623–$779	$7,753–$10,418
60,000 mi	$1,003–$1,301	$8,756–$11,719
62,000 mi	$33–$42	$8,789–$11,761
62,500 mi	$57–$71	$8,846–$11,832
64,000 mi	$258–$379	$9,104–$12,211
66,000 mi	$417–$568	$9,521–$12,779
67,500 mi	$249–$322	$9,770–$13,101
70,000 mi	$57–$71	$9,827–$13,172
72,000 mi	$542–$741	$10,369–$13,913
75,000 mi	$348–$471	$10,717–$14,384
78,000 mi	$417–$568	$11,134–$14,952
80,000 mi	$57–$71	$11,191–$15,023
82,500 mi	$233–$302	$11,424–$15,325
84,000 mi	$677–$907	$12,101–$16,232
87,500 mi	$57–$71	$12,158–$16,303
88,000 mi	$157–$230	$12,315–$16,533
90,000 mi	$505–$680	$12,820–$17,213
96,000 mi	$501–$690	$13,321–$17,903
97,500 mi	$307–$395	$13,628–$18,298
100,000 mi	$235–$304	$13,863–$18,602
102,000 mi	$417–$568	$14,280–$19,170
104,000 mi	$157–$230	$14,437–$19,400
105,000 mi	$439–$587	$14,876–$19,987
108,000 mi	$528–$720	$15,404–$20,707
110,000 mi	$57–$71	$15,461–$20,778
112,000 mi	$623–$779	$16,084–$21,557
112,500 mi	$251–$324	$16,335–$21,881
114,000 mi	$417–$568	$16,752–$22,449
120,000 mi	$1,049–$1,368	$17,801–$23,817
124,000 mi	$33–$42	$17,834–$23,859
125,000 mi	$61–$77	$17,895–$23,936
126,000 mi	$649–$856	$18,544–$24,792
127,500 mi	$233–$302	$18,777–$25,094
128,000 mi	$258–$379	$19,035–$25,473
130,000 mi	$57–$71	$19,092–$25,544
132,000 mi	$487–$669	$19,579–$26,213
135,000 mi	$359–$484	$19,938–$26,697
136,000 mi	$157–$230	$20,095–$26,927
137,500 mi	$57–$71	$20,152–$26,998
138,000 mi	$417–$568	$20,569–$27,566
140,000 mi	$57–$71	$20,626–$27,637
142,500 mi	$233–$302	$20,859–$27,939
144,000 mi	$542–$741	$21,401–$28,680
150,000 mi	$539–$733	$21,940–$29,413

RepairPal dealer-schedule pricing. Independent shops typically charge less, and your actual cost depends on which services you keep up. Running total is cumulative — each row includes everything before it.

// EXTENDED WARRANTY

Is a Tucson extended warranty worth it?

Worth considering. The Hyundai Tucson has an above-average major repair probability for the segment — a warranty is worth pricing before you buy, especially on higher-mileage examples. If you want to minimise risk, stick to the 2010, 2011, and 2021. Pay particular attention to 2016, 2017, and 2024 model years.

// NEW VS USED

Buy new or save on a used Tucson?

The Tucson holds 76% of its value after 3 years — in line with the compact SUV average.

76%

Value retained · 3 yr

58%

Value retained · 5 yr

47%

Value retained · 7 yr

New Tucson

$31,300

MSRP including destination charge for base trim

Used Tucson

$19,300

KBB Fair Purchase Price, 2023, national average, good condition, ~36k miles

Avg. repairs / yr$426

Major repair risk (any year)12%

Avg. insurance premium / yr$1,975

MPG combined (City/Hwy)28

Value depreciation after 3 yr$6,965

// HEAD TO HEAD

How it compares

Toyota RAV4

$429/yr maint · 8 reliability

Full comparison

Honda CR-V

$407/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full comparison

Mazda CX-5

$447/yr maint · 9 reliability

Full comparison

More Compact SUVs

Chevrolet Equinox Ford Escape GMC Terrain Honda CR-V Jeep Wrangler All Compact SUVs →

// FAQ

Common questions

The Tucson averages $426/year in maintenance — $95 below the compact segment average of $521. Repair frequency of 26% is below the class average of 30%. Major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% segment average. On balance, it's a below-average cost ownership with a near-average repair risk profile.

How we calculated this. Repair costs, reliability scores, and maintenance schedules from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA and fuel prices from the EIA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →