Last updated: 2026-10-10
Dodge Hornet vs Hyundai Tucson: Reliability Compared
Dodge Hornet
Hyundai Tucson
Reliability favors the Hyundai Tucson over the Dodge Hornet by a wide margin. Hornet complaints run at more than twice the Tucson's rate. Door latches, drained batteries, and dead center screens lead the Hornet's list. The Tucson's trouble centers on engine oil use.
How Do the Dodge Hornet and Hyundai Tucson Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Hyundai Tucson is more reliable than the Dodge Hornet, scoring 73/100 vs 59/100.
The more reliable car is the Hyundai Tucson, and the gap is large. The deciding factor is the complaint rate. The Hornet draws more than twice as many complaints per car sold, and the problems hit basic function: doors that will not open, batteries that drain, and total power loss. The Tucson has real engine trouble, but it is a recognizable pattern that shows up around 70,000 to 85,000 miles. On the Hornet, owners say dealers cannot find a fix for the electrical faults.
Key Differences
- 1Hyundai Tucson scores 14 points higher in reliability
- 2Hyundai Tucson has 12.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 3Dodge Hornet has 10 fewer total recalls
Category Scoreboard
Dodge Hornet vs Hyundai Tucson: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Dodge Hornet | Hyundai Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 59/100 | 73/100 |
| Years Tracked | 3 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 13 | 23 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 21.7 | 8.9 |
| Year Wins | 0 | 3 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Hornet and Hyundai Tucson?
Electrical trouble defines the Hornet's list, and it spreads. Door latches fail, the battery drains, and after a jump start the center screen can stay dark. Power steering loss usually rides along with those failures. Driver-assist faults include hard braking with nothing ahead. The Tucson's main issue is the engine: oil disappears, catalytic converters clog, and some engines fail outright. Its crash-linked reports span engine, power train, electrical, brakes, and forward collision. The Hornet has none in steering or service brakes, but it does have one each in electrical, back over prevention, and forward collision.
| Component | Dodge Hornet | Hyundai Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6.8Average | 1.1Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2.5Low | 1.1Low |
| ENGINE | 1.3Low | 1.9Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.8Low | 1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 2Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1.5Low | 0.5Very Low |
| STEERING | 1.8Low | 0.1Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.5Very Low | 1.3Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Dodge Hornet vs Hyundai Tucson Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Dodge Hornet | Hyundai Tucson | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 64/1002R / 1C | 75/1006R / 251C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2024 | 54/1007R / 60C | 77/1004R / 87C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2023 | 59/1004R / 25C | 75/1002R / 142C | Hyundai Tucson |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Dodge Hornet scored 59/100 and the 2024 Hyundai Tucson scored 77/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Who Should Buy the Dodge Hornet vs the Hyundai Tucson?
Dodge Hornet vs Hyundai Tucson: Common Questions
- Is the Dodge Hornet more reliable than the Hyundai Tucson?
- No. The Tucson comes out well ahead. Hornet owners file 21.7 complaints per 10,000 sold, against 8.9 for the Tucson. Hornet reports include door latches that fail, drained batteries, and total power loss, and owners say dealers often cannot find a fix.
- Which has more recalls, the Hornet or the Tucson?
- The Tucson has more in total, with 23 across nine model years. The Hornet has 13 across just three, so its count per model year is higher. Many Hornet owners also complain that recall parts were back-ordered for a long time.
- What is the biggest problem with the Hyundai Tucson?
- Engine trouble leads the Tucson's complaints. Oil disappears between changes, often a quart every 1,000 miles, usually around 70,000 to 85,000 miles. Catalytic converters can clog, and some engines fail outright. Check service records and ask about any oil consumption test.
- Which Hornet years should I avoid?
- Avoid 2024, the weakest year. The 2025 draws fewer complaints, but it is the newest year and has had less time to collect them. Whatever year you pick, test the door latches, center screen, and driver-assist features, and confirm recall repairs are done.
- Are the Hornet's driver-assist systems a safety concern?
- Some owners say so. One crash report describes adaptive cruise switching off while lane assist steered the car off the road into a sign. Others describe hard braking on an open highway with nothing ahead. Owners say they were told to wait for a software update.
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Decided between Dodge Hornet and Hyundai Tucson? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Dodge Hornet and Hyundai Tucson
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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