Last updated: 2026-03-04
Hyundai Tucson vs Subaru Forester: Reliability Compared
Hyundai Tucson
Subaru Forester
Choosing between the Hyundai Tucson and the Subaru Forester? 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 Subaru Forester 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 Hyundai Tucson and Subaru Forester Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Subaru Forester is more reliable than the Hyundai Tucson, scoring 74/100 vs 73/100.
The Hyundai Tucson and Subaru Forester both fall within the compact SUV segment, but the Tucson edges out the Forester in reliability, with a higher average reliability score of 83/100 compared to the Forester's 77/100. Although the Tucson has a higher number of recalls (23 versus 13), its owner complaint rate is nearly identical to the Forester's at 8.9 per 10,000 sold. The Tucson also benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $426, significantly less than the Forester's $632. The Tucson's common issues include engine and power train problems, whereas the Forester frequently encounters visibility and wiper issues, making the Tucson a slightly more reliable choice overall.
Key Differences
- 1Hyundai Tucson costs $206 less per year to repair
- 2Subaru Forester has 10 fewer total recalls
- 3Hyundai Tucson has 3% lower major repair risk
Category Scoreboard
Hyundai Tucson vs Subaru Forester: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Hyundai Tucson | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 73/100 | 74/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 23 | 13 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 8.9 | 8.7 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $426/yr | $632/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.4/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 10% | 13% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 4 | 4 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Tucson and Subaru Forester?
The Hyundai Tucson and Subaru Forester exhibit distinct problem profiles, with each model facing unique challenges. The Tucson's primary issues are concentrated in the engine and power train categories, with a notable 397 engine complaints and a significant number of crash-linked incidents in the power train (11) and service brakes (15). In contrast, the Forester's most prevalent issue is with visibility/wiper systems, accounting for 819 complaints, while also showing a high number of crash-linked complaints in vehicle speed control (26) and air bags (22). While both models have electrical system concerns, the Forester's visibility-related problems and crash-linked safety issues in airbags stand out, whereas the Tucson is more affected by mechanical reliability concerns.
| Component | Hyundai Tucson | Subaru Forester |
|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 3.1Average |
| ENGINE | 1.9Low | 0.4Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.1Low | 1.2Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1Very Low | 1.2Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.3Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1.1Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —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: Hyundai Tucson or Subaru Forester?
How Does Hyundai Tucson vs Subaru Forester Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Hyundai Tucson | Subaru Forester | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/1006R / 251C | 79/1002R / 48C | Subaru Forester |
| 2024 | 77/1004R / 87C | 78/1002R / 26C | Subaru Forester |
| 2023 | 75/1002R / 142C | 79/1001R / 61C | Subaru Forester |
| 2022 | 66/1003R / 433C | 77/1001R / 86C | Subaru Forester |
| 2021 | 78/1001R / 58C | 76/1000R / 196C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2020 | 73/1001R / 153C | 71/1000R / 584C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2019 | 68/1001R / 349C | 63/1003R / 825C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2018 | 68/1001R / 362C | 66/1003R / 475C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2026(predicted) | 76/100(predicted) | 79/100(predicted) | Subaru Forester |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2021 Hyundai Tucson scored 78/100 and the 2025 Subaru Forester scored 79/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Hyundai Tucson vs the Subaru Forester?
Hyundai Tucson vs Subaru Forester: Common Questions
- Is the Hyundai Tucson more reliable than the Subaru Forester?
- Based on our data, the Subaru Forester 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 Hyundai Tucson or the Subaru Forester?
- The Hyundai Tucson has more recalls (23) compared to the Subaru Forester (13). 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 Hyundai Tucson or the Subaru Forester?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Subaru Forester has a lower complaint rate at 8.7 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 Hyundai Tucson or the Subaru Forester?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Hyundai Tucson is cheaper to maintain at $426/year versus $632/year for the Subaru Forester.
- Is the Hyundai Tucson or Subaru Forester safer?
- Both the Hyundai Tucson and Subaru Forester 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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