Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Tucson vs Honda CR V
How the Hyundai Tucson and Honda CR V compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Hyundai Tucson vs Honda CR V: The Tucson averages 311 complaints per year and 27 recalls, while the CR-V averages 728 complaints and 40 recalls. Both have 1 death, but the CR-V has more crash-related complaints (248 vs 147). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Tucson or Honda CR V more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is a compact SUV that has generated 3,112 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 311 per year. The most common trouble spot is the engine, with 1,315 complaints, often involving stalling, knocking, and loss of power. Power train issues, including steering column lockups and catalytic converter failures, are also frequently reported. With 27 recalls and 137 injuries tied to complaints, it's a vehicle that demands careful inspection before purchase.
Honda CR V
The Honda CR-V is a popular compact SUV with 7,275 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 728 per year. Steering problems dominate with 1,394 complaints, including sudden steering freeze and warning lights in rain. Engine issues (1,344) and forward collision avoidance glitches (1,322) are also common, with owners reporting false braking and radar module concerns. Despite 40 recalls and 221 injuries, the higher complaint volume suggests more frequent owner-reported problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Tucson | Honda CR V |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,112 Better | 7,275 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 27 Better | 40 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 147 Better | 248 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 311.2 Better | 727.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 137 Better | 221 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Hyundai Tucson
- 01ENGINE1,315
- 02POWER TRAIN549
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER430
- 04SERVICE BRAKES387
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM367
Owners report stalling while driving, flashing engine lights, and major knocking that leads to towing. These symptoms can leave you stranded and may indicate costly internal damage.
Complaints include steering columns that remain locked after starting and catalytic converter efficiency failures. A locked steering column is a serious safety risk, while converter issues can fail emissions tests.
Drivers describe a hissing or buzzing noise when braking at low speeds and a soft pedal that gets worse over time. This could mean reduced braking performance in an emergency.
Reports include AC systems failing entirely and rear windshields shattering unexpectedly. Electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose and expensive to fix.
“My family’s safety is at serious risk with my 2021 Hyundai Tucson, which I’ve owned only 55 days. This vehicle has stalled three times while driving, putting me and my two young children in immediate danger. Each time, the car operated normally until a flashi…”
“I was driving down [XXX] from my house.My engine light started to flash.I tried to accelerate my car barely went 10 miles an hour.I got Home 2 minutes later.There was major knocking.I had the car towed to [XXX], Hyundai, the only code that is showing up on th…”
Honda CR V
- 01STEERING1,394
- 02ENGINE1,344
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1,322
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,045
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1,008
Owners report sudden momentary freezing of steering and multiple warning lights, especially in rain. This can make the car hard to control, particularly at highway speeds.
Complaints include engine noise, loud pops, smoke, and loss of oil pressure shortly after purchase. Such failures can lead to complete engine replacement.
The low-speed braking system can trigger abrupt false-positive braking on steep driveways or common roads. This unexpected braking could cause a rear-end collision.
Infotainment and wireless Apple CarPlay can disconnect suddenly and not recover while driving. This distracts the driver and may affect other electronic functions.
“I am requesting immediate assistance with an ongoing safety issue involving my 2026 Honda CR-V EX AWD, VIN [XXX], which I purchased in July 2025. Each time it rains, multiple warning lights come on in my vehicle. The warning message shown includes: “Electric…”
“While driving on a mountain road/ 2 lane highway, I experienced a sudden momentary freezing of my steering. I saw a warning flash on my dashboard and thought I saw the word "steering". I pulled over, turned my car off and then back on to "reset" the computer.…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Hyundai Tucson — 27 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Tucson and Santa Cruz vehicles. The circuit board in the motor-driven power steering assembly may short circuit, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
The risk: A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the motor-driven power steering electric power pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Tucson vehicles. The tire and loading information label may incorrectly indicate information about a spare tire. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selectio…
The risk: A label that incorrectly states spare tire pressure when there is no spare tire on-board may cause confusion during an emergency tire replacement, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the tire and loading information label, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbe…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Hyundai expanded the recall population, and added certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause…
The risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to par…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
The risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed starti…
Honda CR V — 40 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017, 2020, and 2022 CR-V vehicles. The certification label on the driver's side door states incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR), and tire size information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with th…
The risk: An incorrectly sized tire may cause premature tread wear, or a tire blow out, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install a new corrected label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 18, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is CF7.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 CR-V vehicles. The rear subframe bolts were improperly manufactured and may loosen, allowing the rear subframe to separate.
The risk: A separated rear subframe reduces vehicle handling and can suddenly disable the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear subframe bolts and retorque them or replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2020. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Hon…
Buyer analysis
Hyundai Tucson or Honda CR V: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Tucson has far fewer complaints per year (about 311 vs. 728 for the CR-V), suggesting fewer owner-reported issues overall. However, the Tucson's engine and power train complaints are serious, while the CR-V's steering and collision avoidance problems are also safety-critical. In practice, the Tucson may require less frequent shop visits, but both need thorough pre-purchase inspections.
Key differences
- The Tucson averages 311 complaints per year vs. 728 for the CR-V, indicating fewer owner-reported issues overall.
- Tucson's top complaint is engine (1,315), often stalling and knocking; CR-V's top complaint is steering (1,394), including sudden freeze.
- CR-V has more crash-related complaints (248 vs. 147) and injuries (221 vs. 137), though both have 1 death reported.
- Tucson has 27 recalls; CR-V has 40, covering fuel pumps, air bags, and structure.
- During a test drive, listen for engine knocking or hesitation and check for a flashing check engine light—these are common pre-failure signs.
- Test the steering column: ensure it unlocks immediately after starting and does not remain locked, as owners report this dangerous failure.
- Drive on a wet road or simulate rain if possible; watch for multiple dashboard warning lights, especially related to steering assist.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system in a safe area, such as a steep driveway, to see if it triggers false braking unexpectedly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for engine, steering, and fuel system issues.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the engine and transmission for signs of stalling, knocking, or fluid leaks.
- For the CR-V, specifically test the steering for any momentary freeze or warning lights, and check the infotainment system for connectivity issues.
- For the Tucson, check the AC system and rear windshield for cracks or prior replacements, as electrical and glass failures are reported.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and pay attention to any repeated repairs in the same area, which could indicate a persistent problem.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Hyundai Tucson | Honda CR V |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 90 | 146 |
| 2025 | 287 | 253 |
| 2024 | 97 | 393 |
| 2023 | 134 | 515 |
| 2022 | 383 | 262 |
| 2021 | 79 | 331 |
| 2020 | 178 | 353 |
| 2019 | 380 | 1101 |
| 2018 | 396 | 2150 |
| 2017 | 1088 | 1771 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Hyundai Tucson or Honda CR V in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Tucson vs Honda CR V
- Hyundai Tucson total complaints
- 3,112
- Honda CR V total complaints
- 7,275
- Hyundai Tucson total recalls
- 27
- Honda CR V total recalls
- 40
- Hyundai Tucson avg complaints/year
- 311.2
- Honda CR V avg complaints/year
- 727.5
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Tucson
- Hyundai Tucson top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda CR V top complaint area
- STEERING