Hyundai years to avoid
For every Hyundai model, the model years with more than twice that model's typical number of owner complaints, and the years with the fewest. Based on 56,104 owner complaints.
The worst Hyundai model years
Years to avoid from the last 20 model years, with the most owner complaints. The last column shows how far each year is above a typical year of the same Hyundai model.
| Car | Complaints | vs typical year | Main problem |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata | 3,380 | 9.0x | Steering |
| 2013 Hyundai Sonata | 1,920 | 5.1x | Engine |
| 2016 Hyundai Tucson | 1,626 | 8.8x | Transmission |
| 2012 Hyundai Sonata | 1,559 | 4.2x | Engine |
| 2013 Hyundai Elantra | 1,316 | 4.9x | Brakes |
| 2015 Hyundai Sonata | 1,156 | 3.1x | Engine |
| 2017 Hyundai Tucson | 1,097 | 5.9x | Engine |
| 2006 Hyundai Sonata | 1,047 | 2.8x | Airbags |
| 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe | 975 | 4.1x | Engine |
| 2017 Hyundai Elantra | 770 | 2.9x | Engine |
| 2017 Hyundai Sonata | 769 | 2.1x | Engine |
| 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe | 684 | 2.9x | Fuel system |
Hyundai models: years to avoid and best years
Amber: more than twice the typical complaints for that model. Green: the years with the fewest complaints among years with enough cars on the road.
Questions about the Hyundai years to avoid
What Hyundai years should you avoid?
The Hyundai model years with the most owner complaints, each well above a typical year of the same model, are the 2011 Sonata (9.0 times typical, mostly steering), the 2013 Sonata (5.1 times typical, mostly engine), the 2016 Tucson (8.8 times typical, mostly transmission), the 2012 Sonata (4.2 times typical, mostly engine) and the 2013 Elantra (4.9 times typical, mostly brakes).
What is the most common problem with Hyundai vehicles?
Across all models, most Hyundai owner complaints are about engine, electrical and transmission.
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