2017 Hyundai Tucson: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
1,083 NHTSA owner complaints · 3 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The third-generation Tucson launched for 2016 with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission on the 1.6-litre turbo, and that transmission is the reason 2016 carries 1,616 complaints: hesitation from a standstill, jerking and loss of drive. Hyundai reflashed and, in some cases, replaced the transmission, and the 2018–2021 years score between 74 and 90. Read the full note on the model page. 2017 specifically: this is one of the years the note above says to approach with care — 1,083 complaints on record, verdict AVOID.
Read the guide
Used Hyundai Tucson, Santa Fe and Elantra: beyond the engine recall, including 2017 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 1,083 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 120.33
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Franchise dealer Preson Hyundai is actively obstructing a court-ordered settlement tracking test for an engine burning 2.0 qts internally, forcing a young driver with child to operate an oil starving vehicle at risk of highway engine seizure and fire.
My transmission warning light is currently on. I’ve had problems with the transmission and the dual clutch. My car falls on the cusp of 2016-2017 dual clutch problems. The 2016 was recalled although 2017 has not. Hyundai has received numerous complaints just like this and nothing has been resolved.
I keep having to add oil but there is no puddle from a leak on the ground. There is also no smoke coming out of the exhaust. It is using an excessive amount of oil.
Recalls: 3 campaigns (2 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 20V543000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 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. |
| 21V727000 | Engine | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Tucson and Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage. |
| 16V842000 | Electrical System:Wiring | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module,… |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 25 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,450
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine593 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Power Train289 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Unknown Or Other137 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Vehicle Speed Control87 complaints · typical job: Throttle body, pedal sensor or cruise module replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$520–$1,150
- Electrical System83 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Fuel/Propulsion System75 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
Other Hyundai Tucson years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Hyundai Tucson?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (593 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2017 Hyundai Tucson a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 39/100, computed from 1,083 NHTSA complaints and 3 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2017 Hyundai Tucson's most common problem?
593 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2017 Hyundai Tucson sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2017 Hyundai Tucson cost to run per year?
About $6,666 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $33,330 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2017 Hyundai Tucson have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for the 2017 Hyundai Tucson, 2 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 04/09/2020. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compact suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2017 Hyundai Tucson really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 1,083 complaints, 3 recalls on record
- 1083 NHTSA complaints on record (120.3/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (39.2/yr)
- 3 recall campaigns, 2 touching safety-critical systems