Last updated: 2026-03-04
Honda CR-V vs Hyundai Tucson: Reliability Compared
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Tucson
Choosing between the Honda CR-V and the Hyundai Tucson? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Honda CR-V currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 73/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Honda CR-V is more reliable than the Hyundai Tucson, scoring 74/100 vs 73/100.
The Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson both fall within the compact SUV segment, with the CR-V holding a slight edge in reliability. The CR-V boasts an average reliability score of 89/100 compared to the Tucson’s 83/100, and it also benefits from a lower estimated annual repair cost of $407 versus the Tucson’s $426. Both models have a similar rate of owner complaints per 10,000 vehicles sold, but the CR-V's higher number of recalls, at 46 over nine years, may be a point of concern. Overall, the CR-V's higher reliability score and lower repair costs make it a marginally more dependable choice, despite its recall history.
Key Differences
- 1Hyundai Tucson has 23 fewer total recalls
- 2Honda CR-V costs $19 less per year to repair
- 3Honda CR-V scores 1 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Honda CR-V vs Hyundai Tucson: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Honda CR-V | Hyundai Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 74/100 | 73/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 46 | 23 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 8 | 8.9 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $407/yr | $426/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 9% | 10% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 4 (1 tied) | 3 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson?
The Honda CR-V exhibits a higher volume of complaints, with notable issues in steering and forward collision avoidance, both of which are linked to crashes with 24 and 13 incidents, respectively. In contrast, the Hyundai Tucson's most significant problem area is the engine, with 397 complaints, mirroring the CR-V in crash-linked engine complaints but with a greater proportion overall. Both models show vulnerabilities in their electrical systems and service brakes, yet the CR-V's steering problems are a distinct concern not mirrored in the Tucson. The Tucson, however, has a higher proportion of crash-linked complaints in its power train and vehicle speed control categories, highlighting potential safety concerns in these areas.
| Component | Honda CR-V | Hyundai Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 0.8Very Low | 1.9Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.9Very Low | 1.1Low |
| STEERING | 1.8Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 1.1Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.2Very Low | 1.3Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.3Very Low | 1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.3Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.6Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda CR-V or Hyundai Tucson?
How Does Honda CR-V vs Hyundai Tucson Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Honda CR-V | Hyundai Tucson | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 80/1006R / 201C | 75/1006R / 251C | Honda CR-V |
| 2024 | 77/1004R / 406C | 77/1004R / 87C | Tie |
| 2023 | 72/1007R / 578C | 75/1002R / 142C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2022 | 76/1005R / 242C | 66/1003R / 433C | Honda CR-V |
| 2021 | 77/1003R / 241C | 78/1001R / 58C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2020 | 74/10010R / 358C | 73/1001R / 153C | Honda CR-V |
| 2019 | 69/1007R / 996C | 68/1001R / 349C | Honda CR-V |
| 2018 | 65/1004R / 1960C | 68/1001R / 362C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2026(predicted) | 76/100(predicted) | 76/100(predicted) | Tie |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda CR-V scored 80/100 and the 2021 Hyundai Tucson scored 78/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Honda CR-V vs the Hyundai Tucson?
Honda CR-V vs Hyundai Tucson: Common Questions
- Is the Honda CR-V more reliable than the Hyundai Tucson?
- Based on our data, the Honda CR-V is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Honda CR-V or the Hyundai Tucson?
- The Honda CR-V has more recalls (46) compared to the Hyundai Tucson (23). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Honda CR-V or the Hyundai Tucson?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda CR-V has a lower complaint rate at 8 per 10,000 sold versus 8.9 for the Hyundai Tucson. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda CR-V or the Hyundai Tucson?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda CR-V is cheaper to maintain at $407/year versus $426/year for the Hyundai Tucson.
- Is the Honda CR-V or Hyundai Tucson safer?
- Both the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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