Buying a Hyundai Tucson from 2011 to 2017 can be a real headache. These models often have engine and transmission problems, wiring that attracts rodents, and fuel efficiency claims that don’t hold up.
You might also face issues with transmission acceleration and the Blue Link system. Plus, there are reports of panoramic sunroofs exploding.
If you’re considering a Tucson, it’s crucial to know which years to avoid to save yourself from these potential problems.
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Key Takeaways
- Stay away from 2011 to 2017 Hyundai Tucson models because they have major engine and transmission issues.
- The 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2017 models have wiring made from soy, which attracts rodents.
- The 2016 and 2017 models have problems with dual-clutch transmissions, causing hesitation and acceleration issues.
- From 2011 to 2017, some models had issues with the panoramic sunroofs exploding, which is a safety hazard.
- Some of these models also exaggerated their MPG ratings, leading to higher fuel costs and legal problems.
Hyundai Tucson Overview
The Hyundai Tucson is a small SUV that’s known for its style, performance, and high-tech features. It usually has a nice exterior, a comfortable interior, and different engine options that are designed to be efficient.
However, not every model year is the same. Some years have had problems with engine reliability and safety. So, while the Tucson is generally a great vehicle, it’s important to know which specific years might’ve issues to ensure you have a good experience owning one.
Common Reliability Issues
While the Hyundai Tucson has many great features, some model years have significant reliability issues that potential buyers should know about. Specifically, the 2011 through 2017 models have had major engine problems. Common issues include engine failures, knocking noises, and poor acceleration.
These problems often come from faulty EVAP temperature sensors and problematic speed sensors, causing erratic shifting and jerking during acceleration. Additionally, transmission issues have been common, making the driving experience less reliable.
Owners of these model years often face expensive repairs and potential safety risks. Therefore, it’s wise to be cautious if you’re considering these specific Tucson years to avoid these common problems.
Soy-Based Wiring Problems
You should know that Hyundai Tucson models with soy-based wiring are likely to attract rodents, which can cause a lot of damage to the electrical system. This problem not only leads to expensive repairs but also raises serious safety issues.
Many consumers have criticized this soy-based wiring, affecting how reliable these vehicles are.
Rodent Attraction Issues
Hyundai Tucson owners often face expensive electrical damage because rodents are attracted to the soy-based wiring insulation used in the car. The soy-based materials appeal to rodents, who chew through the wires, leading to costly repairs and potential safety risks.
Many Tucson owners have reported frequent rodent infestations, which cause electrical problems. While the soy-based insulation is good for the environment, it unintentionally attracts rodents. This issue has frustrated many Tucson owners.
Electrical System Failures
Electrical problems in Hyundai Tucsons from 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2017 often happen because rodents are attracted to the soy-based wiring insulation. This eco-friendly material, while a good idea, has caused big problems.
Rodents chewing on the soy-based wiring can lead to:
- Short circuits
- Lights and sensors not working properly
- Failure of important safety systems
- Higher risk of fire
- Costly repairs
People who own these cars have reported many electrical issues due to rodent damage. The soy-based wiring has led to a lot of complaints and expensive fixes.
If you own or are thinking about buying a Hyundai Tucson from these years, be aware of these possible electrical problems.
Inflated MPG Claims
Hyundai faced criticism for overstating the fuel efficiency of some Tucson models. The advertised miles per gallon (MPG) were much higher than what owners actually experienced, leading to a significant legal settlement for those affected. This issue hurt Hyundai’s reputation and left many owners upset about spending more on fuel than they expected.
| Aspect | Impact |
|---|---|
| Fuel Efficiency Discrepancy | Lower actual MPG vs. advertised |
| Consumer Trust | Decreased confidence in Hyundai |
| Financial Repercussions | Increased fuel expenses for owners |
This situation showed how important it is for car companies to provide accurate and honest information about fuel economy. While Hyundai tried to make it right with the settlement, the damage to their trustworthiness emphasized the need for reliable advertising. Accurate fuel efficiency numbers are crucial for helping customers make informed choices and for keeping a brand’s good name intact.
Transmission Acceleration Issues
When looking into transmission acceleration problems in Hyundai Tucson models, you’ll see that hesitation with the dual-clutch transmission is a big issue.
Many owners report problems with gear shifting that affect both performance and safety.
Specifically, the 2016 and 2017 models often have issues with slow acceleration and trouble engaging gears.
Dual-Clutch Transmission Hesitation
Due to ongoing problems with the dual-clutch transmission, the 2016 and 2017 Hyundai Tucson models have major issues with slow acceleration, jerking, and gear problems. The dual-clutch transmission (DCT) in these vehicles often has trouble providing a smooth driving experience, leading to several performance and reliability concerns.
Key issues include:
- Slow acceleration: The DCT’s delay can make merging and passing difficult.
- Jerking motion: Drivers often experience a jerky ride, especially at low speeds.
- Gear problems: The transmission may not engage properly, causing frustration.
- Engine sputtering: Hesitation can make the engine’s response inconsistent.
- Safety concerns: These transmission issues can pose significant safety risks on the road.
Understanding these issues can help you make informed decisions.
Gear Shifting Problems
Many owners of the 2017 Hyundai Tucson have reported serious issues with gear shifting, especially with the car’s dual-clutch transmission (DCT). These problems show up as slow acceleration and unpredictable gear changes, which can make driving uncomfortable and unsafe.
The DCT often struggles to shift smoothly, causing the car to jerk and sputter. On top of that, the engine tends to use too much oil and can even stall, making the transmission issues worse. Some recalls aim to fix these problems, but not all dealerships follow through, leaving drivers in a tough spot.
Because of these transmission and engine troubles, the 2017 Tucson can be a risky choice. If you’re thinking about buying a Hyundai Tucson, it’s important to know about these gear shifting issues and consider your options carefully.
Blue Link System Concerns
The Blue Link system in the Hyundai Tucson has raised several concerns about its performance and reliability, which directly affect the user experience. You may have faced issues like connectivity problems, trouble with remote access, and poor performance. These aren’t just small annoyances; they make it hard for drivers to enjoy the seamless integration they expect.
Common problems include:
- Connectivity Issues: Trouble maintaining a stable connection.
- Remote Access Problems: Difficulty using vehicle functions remotely.
- Setup Complications: Issues during the initial setup of the system.
- Smartphone Sync Problems: Trouble syncing the system with different smartphones.
- Feature Inconsistencies: Inconsistent access to Blue Link’s features.
These reliability issues greatly reduce overall satisfaction with Hyundai Tucson vehicles.
Panoramic Sunroof Explosions
Owners of Hyundai Tucson models from 2011 to 2017 have reported many cases of panoramic sunroofs exploding, leading to serious safety issues and expensive repairs. These explosions can cause the glass to shatter, creating dangerous situations whether you’re driving or parked.
This problem has raised a lot of safety concerns among Tucson owners and has led to costly repairs. Hyundai has faced many lawsuits and complaints about these sunroof explosions. It’s believed that the problem is linked to the manufacturing process and materials used, although the exact cause is still being looked into.
If you own or are thinking about buying a 2011-2017 Tucson, be aware of these risks and think about what it could mean for your safety and finances.
Most Problematic Years
When looking at the worst years for the Hyundai Tucson, you should know there have been big problems with the transmission and engine, as well as safety and reliability issues.
These particular years have had a lot of recalls and fixes, especially for engine knocking, broken EVAP temp sensors, and jerky shifting.
Knowing this can help you avoid expensive repairs and choose a more reliable car.
Transmission and Engine Issues
If you’re considering a Hyundai Tucson, be cautious with the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2017 models. These particular years are known for serious transmission and engine problems. Common issues include engine failures, unpredictable shifting, and frequent stalling. The engines often make knocking sounds and use up too much oil, which can lead to engine failure.
Key problems are:
- Transmission failures that cause poor acceleration and jerky shifting.
- Engine stalling while driving, which can be dangerous.
- Faulty sensors that hurt engine performance.
- Knocking sounds from the engine, often signaling serious internal damage.
- High oil consumption that speeds up engine wear and tear.
Fixing these issues can be very costly, making these Tucson models less reliable.
Safety and Reliability Concerns
When it comes to safety and reliability, the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2017 Hyundai Tucson models have significant problems. These years have many complaints about engine issues, rough shifting, and acceleration problems, which affect safety and reliability.
Safety ratings for these models have dropped because of engine knocking and faulty EVAP temp sensors, causing people to lose confidence in them. Transmission failures also lower their reliability scores, making these years less appealing.
Given these issues, be cautious with these models as they may pose safety risks and lead to expensive repairs. It’s better to choose models with higher safety ratings and reliability.
Common Recalls and Fixes
Let’s look at the common problems and fixes for the most troublesome Hyundai Tucson years. We’ll focus on the major issues that led to a lot of consumer complaints and manufacturer recalls.
The 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2017 models had the most issues. Here are the key problems and recalls:
- 2011 Tucson: Problems with the engine and transmission, including engine stalling and fire risks.
- 2012 Tucson: Engine stalling and failing early, along with transmission problems and safety issues.
- 2013 Tucson: Issues with engine performance, transmission failures, brake problems, and fires in the engine compartment.
- 2016 Tucson: Dual-clutch transmission (DCT) problems, like slow acceleration and gear issues.
- 2017 Tucson: More DCT problems, high oil consumption, engine stalling, and safety concerns that weren’t always fixed by recalls.
These models often needed major fixes from the manufacturer to address these serious defects.
2011 Tucson Problems
The 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2017 Hyundai Tucson models have a lot of problems, making them unreliable. They often suffer from engine knocking, transmission troubles, and erratic shifting.
The dual-clutch transmission tends to fail, causing poor acceleration and jerking during gear changes. This not only makes for a rough ride but also raises safety concerns. Engine problems like knocking and stalling are common, usually due to faulty sensors and high oil consumption.
Speed sensor failures also lead to inconsistent performance, making these cars hard to drive smoothly. Because of these recurring problems, these Tucson models have received many complaints and low reliability ratings.
It’s best to avoid these specific years if you’re considering a Tucson.
2012 Tucson Issues
If you’re looking at the Hyundai Tucson, be aware that some models have major engine stalling issues that hurt overall performance.
There are also problems with the transmission that can make gear shifting unreliable and frustrating.
Plus, there are safety concerns like early engine failure and high oil consumption, which are important to keep in mind.
Engine Stalling Problems
Engine stalling problems in the Hyundai Tucson, especially in the 2012 and 2017 models, have raised big safety and reliability concerns. These issues show up as unexpected engine shutdowns, which can cause accidents and roadside breakdowns.
In the 2012 models, engine stalling is often due to oil leaks that can lead to serious engine fires.
The 2017 Tucson shows signs like engine sputtering and jerking, which indicate stalling.
Key problems include:
- 2012 Tucson: Engine oil leaks that can cause fires.
- 2017 Tucson: Engine sputtering and jerking.
- 2015 Tucson: Loss of power and trouble starting.
- Safety concerns: Higher risk of accidents due to sudden stalling.
- Reliability issues: Frequent breakdowns and unhappy owners.
Fixing these problems quickly is important for safety.
Transmission Gear Shifting Issues
Many owners of the 2012 and 2017 Hyundai Tucson have reported serious problems with their transmission gear shifting, which affects both safety and reliability. The 2012 model has issues like early transmission failure and erratic gear shifting, causing the engine to sputter and the vehicle to jerk. On the other hand, the 2017 Tucson’s dual-clutch transmission has slow acceleration and gear problems, which greatly affect its performance. These transmission issues make driving difficult and raise serious concerns about the vehicle’s reliability.
| Tucson Model Year | Transmission Issues |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Early failure, jerking |
| 2017 | Slow acceleration, gear problems |
These problems show that it’s crucial to fix the transmission issues to ensure the vehicle’s safety and durability.
Safety Concerns Overview
The 2017 Hyundai Tucson has some big safety problems because of its dual-clutch transmission and high oil consumption. These issues can make the car speed up slowly, have trouble shifting gears, and even cause the engine to stall. The transmission often makes the engine sputter and jerk while driving, which affects the car’s safety and reliability.
Using too much oil can also make the engine stall, posing serious risks while driving. Even though there were some recalls to fix these problems, not all dealerships took care of them, making the safety and reliability issues worse.
- Slow acceleration: Caused by the dual-clutch transmission.
- Gear problems: Hard to shift gears due to transmission issues.
- Engine stalling: Happens because of high oil consumption.
- Engine sputtering/jerking: Due to transmission issues.
- Recalls not honored: Worsens safety and reliability problems.
2013 Tucson Troubles
When looking at the Hyundai Tucson, there are three main problem areas to keep in mind for certain model years. For the 2016 and 2017 models, the transmission (DCT) can be a big issue, with many owners saying the car accelerates slowly and jerks when changing gears. For the 2011-2013 models, engine problems like stalling and early failure are common. Lastly, these years have general reliability issues making them less attractive.
| Model Year | Main Problem | Common Issues |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Engine | Stalling, early failure |
| 2012 | Engine | Stalling, early failure |
| 2013 | Engine | Stalling, early failure |
| 2016 | Transmission (DCT) | Slow acceleration, jerky gear shifts |
If you’re thinking about buying a Hyundai Tucson, it’s best to avoid these model years to save on repair costs and have a more reliable vehicle.
2016 Tucson Failures
There are six big problems with some Hyundai Tucson models that you should know about before buying a used one.
Here are the main issues:
- Engine Problems: The 2011 and 2012 models have engines that stall and fail early.
- Transmission Issues: The 2013, 2016, and 2017 models have trouble with gear shifting and slow acceleration because of their dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
- Reliability Problems: The 2011 model has general reliability issues.
- Early Component Failure: The 2012 model often has important parts that fail early.
- Slow Acceleration: The 2016 and 2017 models are slow due to DCT problems.
Knowing about these problems can help you avoid expensive repairs and frustration.
2017 Tucson Woes
The Hyundai Tucson models from 2011 to 2017 have several major problems that make them risky for buyers. The worst years are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2017 because they’ve a lot of reliability issues.
Owners have reported serious engine failures that can lead to breakdowns and costly repairs. Transmission problems are also common, causing unpredictable shifting and safety risks.
Electrical issues further reduce the vehicle’s reliability, affecting everything from lights to important onboard systems. These ongoing problems make these model years a bad choice.
If you’re looking for a reliable car, it’s best to avoid these Hyundai Tucson years.
Lawsuits and Legal Actions
Many lawsuits have been filed against Hyundai because of major design and manufacturing problems that put vehicle safety and performance at risk. These legal actions highlight the serious issues Tucson owners are facing.
- Soy-based wire insulation: Attracts rodents, causing expensive electrical problems.
- Panoramic sunroof explosions: Create major safety risks for people inside the car.
- Transmission problems: Lead to acceleration issues, making the car less stable to drive.
- Reliability and safety concerns: Result in many owner complaints and legal actions.
- Design and manufacturing flaws: Show Hyundai’s difficulties in making sure their cars are safe and perform well.
These lawsuits reveal how these widespread issues affect the Tucson’s reliability, urging potential buyers to be cautious. Knowing about these legal cases can help you make better choices and avoid troublesome Tucson models.
Best Tucson Years to Buy
If you’re looking to buy a Hyundai Tucson, the best years to consider are 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2019. These models are known for being reliable and have high customer satisfaction ratings.
The 2009 Tucson is especially good, with fewer than 50 complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and great reviews from drivers.
The 2018 Tucson is also a great choice because it’s affordable, reliable, and has top ratings. It’s popular for its performance, value, and positive feedback from owners. Choosing one of these years will likely give you a dependable and enjoyable car.
When looking at performance cars, make sure to check out our guides on models like the Hyundai Veloster, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Santa and Hyundai Elantra. Knowing which model years to target and which to avoid is crucial. Our expert reviews break down these models, providing insights into the years that are celebrated for their engineering excellence and driving satisfaction, as well as those that are best to avoid due to potential issues.
Conclusion
To sum it up, if you’re thinking about getting a Hyundai Tucson, avoid the 2011-2017 models. These years have major issues with the engine and transmission, problems with rodents chewing on soy-based wiring, exaggerated MPG claims, and safety concerns with how the transmission accelerates.
On top of that, the Blue Link system often has connectivity problems, and there have been reports of the panoramic sunroof exploding. For a more reliable and hassle-free experience, go for other model years that have a good track record.
