Hyundai Reliability & Common ProblemsRecalls, complaints & model-by-model NHTSA data
Is Hyundai reliable? We aggregated 13,624 NHTSA owner complaints and 151 recall campaigns across 8 models so you can compare models, spot problem years, and know what to check before buying used.
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Based on NHTSA complaint data, Hyundai has 13,624 owner complaints and 151 safety recalls across the 8 models tracked on VinSpectorAI. The most commonly reported issue area is Engine Failure.
- Brand
- Hyundai
- Reliability tier
- Good
- Safety score (0–100)
- 79
- Total NHTSA complaints (tracked models)
- 13,624
- Total safety recalls (tracked models)
- 151
- Models analyzed
- 8
- Top reported issues
- Engine Failure, Brake System, Seat Belt
Live NHTSA data
Hyundai: which years to avoid and which to buy
Aggregated from official NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns across all tracked Hyundai models (2015–2026).
These model years had the most NHTSA complaints across all Hyundai models.
Fewest recorded complaints — generally the safest years to buy used.
Complaint trend (2015–2026)
Top complaint components
Analysis
Hyundai reliability analysis
AI AnalysisHyundai's complaint data from 2015-2026 shows a high volume of engine-related issues, with over 6,000 complaints, and a notable number of recalls (151) across models. The brand's safety score of 38 (out of 100) with high confidence suggests significant reliability concerns, particularly in older model years like 2015-2017.
Used-car buyers should prioritize inspecting the engine and transmission history, especially for models from 2015-2017. Check for open recalls and ensure any engine-related repairs have been completed. Consider newer model years (2024+) which show fewer complaints.
Top reported issues
Based on 13,624 NHTSA complaints collected 2015–2026. Source: nhtsa.gov.
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Hyundai reliability — frequently asked questions
Is Hyundai a reliable car brand?
Hyundai has a Good reliability rating based on NHTSA data, with approximately 4,100 owner complaints and 58 recalls. Hyundai has significantly improved reliability in recent years. The brand faced engine failure issues in 2011-2019 Sonata and Santa Fe models (Theta II engine), resulting in major recalls. Newer models show dramatically improved quality.
What are common Hyundai problems?
Most reported issues for Hyundai: Engine Failure, Brake System, Seat Belt.
Should I buy a used Hyundai?
Check for open Theta II engine recall on 2011-2019 Sonata/Santa Fe. Models from 2020 onwards have excellent reliability. The 10-year/100K warranty offers strong protection.