The 2023 Hyundai Tucson is a pretty safe bet for SUV buyers. However, not all used Tucson model years are reliable. Unfortunately, many of them have serious maintenance issues that can be quite expensive. Also, some have pretty serious security issues that make them not great. Here are three of the worst used Hyundai Tucson model years.
2017 is not a good used Hyundai Tucson model year
The 2017 Hyundai Tucson is one of the worst used versions of the SUV. One of their most widespread problems with it is related to the dual clutch transmission. According to Vehicle History, faulty transmissions cause things like slow or laggy acceleration, loss of power, and gears that won’t engage. Unfortunately, this issue is a security issue as well as being frustrating.
The 2017 Hyundai Tucson also has issues directly related to the engine. One of the most important is that it consumes an excessive amount of oil. In fact, some claimed this model used a quart of oil for every 600 miles of driving. As is typical with engine problems, it also stalls in many cases. There are also reports of engine throbbing and vehicle shaking.
There were withdrawals from some of these issues. However, relying on a 2017 Tucson may not be the best choice. This is because, despite the recalls, some Hyundai dealers have reportedly refused to honor them. Unfortunately, this means that many used models could still be affected. Also, not all owners respond to takedown notices.
2015
The 2015 is another of the most misused Hyundai Tucson models. That’s evidenced by a Consumer Reports score of one out of five for reliability and owner satisfaction. Some of the most common problems with the 2015 Hyundai Tucson are loss of power, failure to start, and engine knocking. The latter of which often leaves drivers stranded.
One of the biggest issues for the 2015 Tucson led to a recall. There were several cases of fires in the engine compartment due to a malfunctioning ABS. This problem occurred with the vehicle in use and with it turned off. Also, the overall vehicle isn’t one of the most well-built versions of the lineup.
2012
The 2012 Hyundai Tucson is another of the worst years to buy used. It might not be as bad as the 2017 or 2015 models, but it’s certainly an unreliable choice. As with other problematic models, it has engine problems. The most prominent problems are engine stalling and premature engine failure. There are also reports of engine oil leaks, which could cause fires in the compartment.
The 2012 Hyundai Tucson also has transmission problems. They include shifting problems, erratic RPMs, and worst of all, early transmission failures. The vehicle also has some safety issues related to the brakes and airbags. All of this makes the 2012 Hyundai Tucson one of the least reliable used model years of the beloved SUV.