2017 Hyundai Tucson Problems

What owners reported to NHTSA about the 2017 Hyundai Tucson, its recalls, and what to check before you buy one.

Hyundai Tucson, 2016 to 2021 model years
Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0
How the 2017 compares

One of the worst Tucson years

Owners filed about 4.2 times as many complaints as a typical Tucson year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 60,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2020 and 2021.

Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Tucson years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

Owners have filed 1,096 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The most reported problem area is the engine and cooling (618, 56% of complaints), followed by the transmission and drivetrain and the cruise control and acceleration. That ranks 2nd of 13 Tucson years from 2012 to 2024 for complaints. It has 3 recalls.

Complaints1,096filed with NHTSA
Recalls3for this model year
Crashes1314 injuries reported
Fires26reported in complaints

7 of these complaints came from Utah owners.

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Most reported problems

Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2017 Hyundai Tucson before you buy.

Engine and cooling

618 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
  • Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
  • Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
  • Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

My name is [XXX]. My husband, [XXX], and I purchased a 2017 Hyundai Tucson (VIN: [XXX]) from a Hyundai dealership in 2023 with 53,920 miles for our daughter to commute to school. The vehicle now has approximately 77,940 miles, and she is still attending school. Since purchasing the vehicle, we have consistently returned to the same…Owner complaint, filed 2026
engine failure even though this car has always had oil changes at 110,000 miles. I would like the company to fix this since i am not the first to complain about this. I still have the car parked.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Transmission and drivetrain

294 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
  • Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
  • Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
  • If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard, and the vehicle jumped forward and then stopped. The contact stated that…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 133,000 miles
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? **Transmission How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? **Car stalled, no warming. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? **Yes, J&M Transmission in Tracy, Ca Has the vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Cruise control and acceleration

88 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 12,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
  • Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle failed to accelerate despite depressing the accelerator pedal numerous times. The contact then firmly depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle experienced an unintended acceleration at approximately 35 MPH. The vehicle…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 24,000 miles
The acceleration completely stopped, while driving in the third lane, northbound on the 15 freeway in the cajon pass. The dealership informed me the transmission is the cause. The car is still with the service department now. No warning lights. No check engine lights, nothing. The power in the car remained on the car acted as if it was…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Electrical system

85 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
  • Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
  • Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

I am writing to report a serious issue with our 2017 Hyundai Tucson. As the first and only owners of this vehicle, we have diligently maintained it through authorized dealerships. However, in May 2023, while driving on the highway, the car suddenly lost power and would not accelerate beyond 30 mph. There were no warning lights or…Owner complaint, filed 2024
On July 22nd, the duel clutch malfunctioned & caused the vehicle gear shift to no longer engage. The car does not move in Drive or Reverse. It can only be pushed in Neutral or towed. This occurred while I was driving home on the highway with no warning lights or prior symptoms indicating a potential issue. The vehicle has not yet been…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Fuel system

78 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 18,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
  • On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
  • Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

6 June 2024 - Sudden severe loss of engine power while driving, presenting potentially serious safety hazard in traffic situations. Check engine light illuminated during incident (not blinking). Driver was able to pull to side of road and shut off car, then after 2 attempts car re-cranked. Driver was able to crank and drive 5 miles home.…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Vehicle stops changing gears, fuel pressure dropped while driving on highway. Vehicle does pickup speed over 40mph. No check engine light warnings. Vehicle can only change gears using manual mode and still does not pick up speed and fuel pressure is not sensed as pedal to the floor doesn’t make the engine move faster but makes the engine…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Body, doors and structure

56 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 62,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (41), Doors: latch (12).

What to check before you buy

  • Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
  • Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
  • Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

Left rear passenger door latch failure to open either from inside or outside. This is a mechanical failure of the cables operating the latch. A passenger could not easily exit the vehicle in an emergency situation, also there is no way short of breaking the glass to easily access or if necessary extricate the passenger in an emergency…Owner complaint, filed 2026
the door latches are no longer opening the doors from the inside of the vehicle. This started with the passenger rear and now is effecting the drivers door. The only way to get out of the vehicle is to crawl over the seat to get to a door that is still operational. No warnings, just doesn't open when you pull on the handle. Will be…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Brakes and stability control

50 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 36,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
  • The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
  • Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to work as intended. The contact was unaware if there were any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 24,919 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the ABS, and Blind Spot Detection (BSD) warning lights and several other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated was able to continue driving; however, the warning lights remained illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 89,000 miles

Lights, wipers and visibility

22 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 24,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
  • Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

Brake lights keep failing after three months, have gone through multiple bulbs and harnesses. Right side will blow and then it switches to the left side.Owner complaint, filed 2024
After putting my son in his car seat, I walked around got in the car and the rear window exploded. There was no warning. I called the cops of course they couldn’t do anything. This is a defect Hyundai must fix. Glass was all over thankfully my son didn’t get hurt. There are others who have experienced the same problem.Owner complaint, filed 2023

Air bags

10 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 22,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

  • The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
  • Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

When the car is started the airbag light on the dashboard lights up. It will eventually turn off anywhere from 5-30 minutes. I scheduled an appointment with the dealer and was informed , after 10 hours, that they do not have the equipment required to conduct a diagnostic test and they don't know how long it would take to obtain equipment…Owner complaint, filed 2023
The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the front passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side air bag was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 69,000 miles

Steering

8 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
  • On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
  • A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

2017 Hyundai Tucson SE vehicle mileage approx. 54,000 miles Was driving on a Highway doing approx. 65-70mph within 30 minutes of the 1hr and 1/2 drive I had lost complete POWER STEERING. Wheel stiffened up and was scary and difficult to lane change to a slower lane or attempt to pull over at 11:00PM due too safety and could not pull over…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The power steering of the vehicle suddenly stopped working. We had the car towed, and after inspection we were told that the steering column had failed. We were expected to purchase a new original part from Hyundai, which we did. After waiting a week, we were told that the replacement that was sent did not work and was defective. This…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Seats and seat belts

8 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
  • Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

Driver Seat (where your bottom sits) has lateral movement during cornering. Dealer repaired /replaced parts initally under warranty, but issue is reoccuring again... As a senior citizen; this gives an uncomfortable feeling with driver postioning.Owner complaint, filed 2024
The seat belt is hanging up inside . I cant get out of it with out pulling some time it works some time it dose not. Had it in twice works when I get there now what it has to be fix. It only has 600 miles on it.Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 450 miles

Wheels and tires

8 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
  • Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
  • The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was driving on the Kansas turnpike at around 75 miles per hour. The tire started making a noise similar to driving on rough pavement. I pulled onto an exit ramp to check the tires. I saw a hole about 1/4” long in the sidewall and watched as the tire deflated. The tire was very hot to the touch and smoke came from the hole. I was in a…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Kumho 225/60 R17 99H Original equipment tires on my Hyundai Tucson 2017. A little over a month ago we noticed a wobble in the front and I have a car at highway speeds and even lower speeds as well. When I removed the front passenger tire to inspect it I noticed there was bulging in the tread and the tire would not roll across the floor…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Driver assist systems

7 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
  • Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
  • Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

Blind spot warning stopped working due to electric issues. Engine started miss firing causing a turn over issue and loud knocking. Brought to auto shop and was diagnosed that engine is failing.Owner complaint, filed 2025
All of the lights on the dashboard and check engines light were illuminated. The speedometer would not work and the stick shift would stick in park causing me to have to release the shift lock manually to drive. The failure mileage was 59,450.Owner complaint, filed 2024

Suspension

2 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy

What to check before you buy

  • Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
  • Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
  • Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

On my 2017 Hyundai Tucson, my steering wheel light is illuminated. I took it to the dealership and they said I need a new steering wheel collar. My Hyundai has about 98,000 miles.Owner complaint, filed 2026
There is a constant shaking and vibration in the front passenger tire I don't know if it's the stability traction or what mostly happens at about 65 miles per hour on the highway and when I went to test drive a second 2007 hyundai tucson night version it front end was even more shakyOwner complaint, filed 2018, at 200 miles

Hyundai Tucson complaints by year

Compare the 2017 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.

Compare with similar 2017 compact SUVs

Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.

CarVs. its other yearsRecallsMost reported
2017 Hyundai TucsonAmong the worst years3Engine and cooling
2017 Toyota RAV4About average3Electrical system
2017 Honda CR-VAmong the worst years7Engine and cooling
2017 Mazda CX-5About average1Electrical system
Compare side by side

2017 Hyundai Tucson recalls

This is every recall issued for the 2017 Hyundai Tucson, not what is still open on one car. A recall that was fixed does not show up any differently here. Check a VIN at NHTSA to see what is still open on the car you are looking at, and ask the seller for proof any recall work was done.

Engine

Sep 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V727000
Risk
A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the engine.
Full recall summary

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.

Brakes Control unit / modulePark outside until fixed

Sep 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V543000
Risk
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Fix
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse.
Full recall summary

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 an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.

Electrical system Wiring

Nov 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V842000
Risk
If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge.
Full recall summary

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, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

2017 Hyundai Tucson questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Hyundai Tucson?

The most reported problem areas on the 2017 Hyundai Tucson are the engine and cooling (618 complaints), the transmission and drivetrain (294 complaints) and the cruise control and acceleration (88 complaints).

Is the 2017 Hyundai Tucson a good year to buy?

One of the worst Tucson years. Owners filed about 4.2 times as many complaints as a typical Tucson year. The main thing to watch is the engine and cooling, which half of owners reported by about 60,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2020 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Tucson years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.

How many recalls does the 2017 Hyundai Tucson have?

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The most recent, from Sep 2021, covers the engine. One of them tells owners to park outside or not drive the car until it is fixed. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.

At what mileage do 2017 Hyundai Tucson problems start?

Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 60,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 8,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.

Which Hyundai Tucson years should I avoid?

The Tucson years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2016 and 2017. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.

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Where these numbers come from. Complaints are reports that owners filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), counted from NHTSA’s complaint database as of November 5, 2026. Owners do not have to prove a problem to file one, so a complaint is a report, not a confirmed defect. Models that sell in big numbers get more complaints, and newer model years have had less time on the road, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Recalls come from NHTSA’s recall database and cover every vehicle of that model year, not one particular car. Quotes are trimmed, and anything that looks like a VIN is hidden.