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The 2023 Hyundai Tucson is a fairly safe bet for SUV buyers. However, not all used Tucson model years are reliable. Unfortunately, quite a few of them have some serious maintenance issues that can be pretty costly. Additionally, some have some pretty serious safety concerns 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

2017 Hyundai Tucson in dark red
2017 Hyundai Tucson | Hyundai

The 2017 Hyundai Tucson is one of the worst used versions of the SUV. One of its most widespread problems with it is related to the dual-clutch transmission. According to Vehicle History, the defective transmissions cause things such as slow or delayed acceleration, loss of power, and gears that won’t engage. Unfortunately, this issue is a safety concern in addition to being frustrating. 

The 2017 Hyundai Tucson also has problems related directly to the engine. One of the biggest is that it consumes an excessive amount of oil. In fact, some claimed that this model used a liter 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 the engine sputtering and the vehicle jerking. 

There were recalls for some of these issues. However, trusting a 2017 Tucson may not be the best choice. This is because, despite the recalls, it has been reported that some Hyundai dealerships refused to honor them. Unfortunately, this means that many used models could still be impacted. Additionally, all owners don’t respond to recall notifications.

2015

2015 Hyundai Tucson from the passenger side
2015 Hyundai Tucson | Hyundai

The 2015 is another of the worst used Hyundai Tucson model years. This is demonstrated by its one out-of-five score from Consumer Reports for reliability and owner satisfaction. Some of the most common problems with the 2015 Hyundai Tucson are loss of power, failure to start, and the engine blowing out. The latter of which often leaves drivers stranded. 

One of the most significant issues for the 2015 Tucson caused a recall. There were several instances of engine compartment fires due to an ABS malfunction. This issue occurred with the vehicle in use and with it being off. Additionally, the vehicle is overall not one of the best built versions of the lineup.

2012 

2012 Hyundai Tucson in red
2012 Hyundai Tucson | Hyundai

The 2012 Hyundai Tucson is another of the worst model years to buy used. It may not be as bad as the 2017 or 2015 models, but it’s undoubtedly an unreliable option. As with other problematic models, it has issues with the engine. The most prominent problems are engine stalling and premature engine failure. There are also reports of engine oil leaks, which could lead to compartment fires.

The 2012 Hyundai Tucson also has issues with the transmission. They include gear shifting issues, erratic RPMs, and, worst of all, early transmission failure. The vehicle also has some safety problems related to the brakes and the airbags. All of this makes the 2012 Hyundai Tucson one of the least reliable used model years of the beloved SUV. 

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