Last updated: 2026-03-04
Hyundai Tucson vs Tesla Model Y: Reliability Compared
Hyundai Tucson
Tesla Model Y
Choosing between the Hyundai Tucson and the Tesla Model Y? 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 Hyundai Tucson currently leads with an average score of 73/100 compared to 55/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Hyundai Tucson and Tesla Model Y Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Hyundai Tucson is more reliable than the Tesla Model Y, scoring 73/100 vs 55/100.
The Hyundai Tucson demonstrates significantly better reliability than the Tesla Model Y, with an average reliability score of 83/100 compared to Tesla's 41/100. The Tucson also has a lower owner complaint rate of 8.9 per 10,000 sold versus 24.3 for the Model Y, alongside fewer recalls—23 over nine years compared to Tesla's 83 over six years. Independent repair cost estimates favor the Tucson with an annual cost of $426, whereas Tesla's cost remains unspecified. Overall, the Tucson's robust reliability metrics and lower incidence of recalls and complaints make it the more dependable choice among compact SUVs.
Key Differences
- 1Hyundai Tucson has 60 fewer total recalls
- 2Hyundai Tucson scores 18 points higher in reliability
- 3Hyundai Tucson has 15.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Hyundai Tucson vs Tesla Model Y: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Hyundai Tucson | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 73/100 | 55/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 6 |
| Total Recalls | 23 | 83 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 8.9 | 24.3 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2025 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 6 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Tucson and Tesla Model Y?
The Tesla Model Y exhibits a high number of complaints related to forward collision avoidance and vehicle speed control, with significant crash linkage, particularly in the steering and air bags categories. In contrast, the Hyundai Tucson's most prevalent issues are with the engine and power train, though these have relatively low crash linkage compared to the Model Y's more safety-critical concerns. Both vehicles show a noteworthy number of complaints in their electrical systems, but the severity in terms of crash linkage is more pronounced in the Tesla Model Y. Overall, the Tesla Model Y's problem profile indicates a greater focus on safety system malfunctions, while the Hyundai Tucson is more affected by mechanical and powertrain issues.
| Component | Hyundai Tucson | Tesla Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.5Very Low | 6.3Average |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.1Low | 2.4Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.3Very Low | 3.1Average |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1Very Low | 2.3Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1.1Low | 1.9Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 2.4Low |
| ENGINE | 1.9Low | —None |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.3Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.9Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —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 Tesla Model Y?
How Does Hyundai Tucson vs Tesla Model Y Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Hyundai Tucson | Tesla Model Y | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/1006R / 251C | 70/1002R / 69C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2024 | 77/1004R / 87C | 63/1005R / 254C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2023 | 75/1002R / 142C | 53/10015R / 997C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2022 | 66/1003R / 433C | 50/10018R / 783C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2021 | 78/1001R / 58C | 46/10021R / 991C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2020 | 73/1001R / 153C | 46/10022R / 264C | Hyundai Tucson |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2021 Hyundai Tucson scored 78/100 and the 2025 Tesla Model Y scored 70/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Hyundai Tucson vs the Tesla Model Y?
Hyundai Tucson vs Tesla Model Y: Common Questions
- Is the Hyundai Tucson more reliable than the Tesla Model Y?
- Based on our data, the Hyundai Tucson is more reliable with an average score of 73/100 compared to 55/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
- Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Tucson or the Tesla Model Y?
- The Tesla Model Y has more recalls (83) 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 Hyundai Tucson or the Tesla Model Y?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Tucson has a lower complaint rate at 8.9 per 10,000 sold versus 24.3 for the Tesla Model Y. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Hyundai Tucson or Tesla Model Y safer?
- Both the Hyundai Tucson and Tesla Model Y 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
More Hyundai Tucson comparisons
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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