Is the 2017 Hyundai Tucson a bad year?
1,096 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 616, 27× a quiet Tucson year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2017 Hyundai Tucson were filed between 30k and 87k miles. You're at 60,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 Tucson owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 60,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 616 (56%) | 30k–87k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 48 (4%) | 27k–80k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Body structure | 42 (4%) | 43k–70k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 15 (1%) | 17k–64k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 15 (1%) | 46k–85k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 10 (1%) | 17k–68k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 293 (27%) | 4k–24k miles · mostly behind | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 88 (8%) | 5k–24k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 85 (8%) | 14k–51k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 79 (7%) | 2k–30k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Steering | 8 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 8 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 5 (0%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (0%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 60,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,096 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 26 mention a fire · 12 report an injury · 64 say the car was towed.
84 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
When driving on the highway, driver experienced sudden nudge and white smoke started to show. Once pulled over, driver noticed the car is leaking.
When on any hill (Reversing or forward), in heavy bumper to bumper traffic, and in some intermittent situations, the vehicle experiences a loss of power.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 60,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Hyundai Tucson: 3
The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage. A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire. An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
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. If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Hyundai: 146
Repair instructions Hyundai sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Hyundai Tucson. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine may exhibit a continued DTC P132600 after an ECM logic update has been performed per TSB 24-01-068H…
This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle's inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326…
Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs
Diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Loss of Motive Power
Engine Fires
Neighbouring years
2016 Tucson: 1,625 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2018 Tucson: 399 complaints, consider selling.
Every Hyundai Tucson year
2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Tucson years side by side
Other Hyundai models: Hyundai Accent · Hyundai Azera · Hyundai Elantra · Hyundai Elantra Touring · Hyundai Entourage · Hyundai Genesis · Hyundai Genesis Coupe · Hyundai Ioniq 5 · Hyundai Kona · Hyundai Kona Electric · Hyundai Palisade · Hyundai Santa Cruz · Hyundai Santa Fe · Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid · Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · Hyundai Sonata · Hyundai Sonata Hybrid · Hyundai Tiburon · Hyundai Tucson Hybrid · Hyundai Veloster · Hyundai Veracruz · Hyundai XG350. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2017 Hyundai Tucson a bad year?
1,096 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 616, 27× a quiet Tucson year. At 60,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2017 Hyundai Tucson were filed between 30k and 87k miles. You're at 60,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Hyundai Tucson?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (616), brakes (48), body structure (42), exterior lighting (15), latches and locks (15). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 30k–87k miles.
How many recalls does the 2017 Hyundai Tucson have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 21V-727), Brakes (NHTSA 20V-543), Trailer hitch (NHTSA 16V-842). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.