Last updated: 2026-03-04
Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota Corolla: Reliability Compared
Hyundai Tucson
Toyota Corolla
Choosing between the Hyundai Tucson and the Toyota Corolla? 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 Toyota Corolla currently leads with an average score of 79/100 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 Toyota Corolla Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Corolla is more reliable than the Hyundai Tucson, scoring 79/100 vs 73/100.
The Toyota Corolla demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 94 out of 100, compared to the Hyundai Tucson's 83. Although the Corolla has a higher total recall count at 44 versus Tucson's 23, it compensates with a lower owner complaint rate of 5.6 per 10,000 sold, compared to Tucson's 8.9. Additionally, the Corolla benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $362 compared to the Tucson's $426. These factors make the Corolla a more reliable choice, particularly in terms of maintenance affordability and owner satisfaction.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Corolla costs $64 less per year to repair
- 2Hyundai Tucson has 21 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota Corolla scores 6 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota Corolla: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Hyundai Tucson | Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 73/100 | 79/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 23 | 44 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 8.9 | 5.6 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $426/yr | $362/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 10% | 7% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 | 7 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota Corolla?
The Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Tucson exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Tucson having a higher total number of complaints. The Tucson's most significant issue is the engine, with 397 complaints, while the Corolla has fewer engine-related complaints at 173. Notably, the Corolla's air bag system has a high number of crash-linked complaints (62), indicating a significant safety concern, whereas the Tucson's air bags are not among its top issues. Both models show substantial complaints in the power train and electrical systems, but the Tucson also has a notable number of complaints regarding its service brakes and forward collision avoidance systems, highlighting potential safety vulnerabilities.
| Component | Hyundai Tucson | Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 1.9Low | 0.8Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.3Low | 0.6Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.1Low | 0.6Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1.1Low | 0.3Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —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 Toyota Corolla?
How Does Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota Corolla Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Hyundai Tucson | Toyota Corolla | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 75/1006R / 251C | 84/1002R / 37C | Toyota Corolla |
| 2024 | 77/1004R / 87C | 81/1008R / 97C | Toyota Corolla |
| 2023 | 75/1002R / 142C | 73/10015R / 243C | Hyundai Tucson |
| 2022 | 66/1003R / 433C | 82/1002R / 120C | Toyota Corolla |
| 2021 | 78/1001R / 58C | 83/1001R / 160C | Toyota Corolla |
| 2020 | 73/1001R / 153C | 74/1007R / 290C | Toyota Corolla |
| 2019 | 68/1001R / 349C | 77/1006R / 190C | Toyota Corolla |
| 2018 | 68/1001R / 362C | 80/1003R / 137C | Toyota Corolla |
| 2026(predicted) | 76/100(predicted) | 79/100(predicted) | Toyota Corolla |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2021 Hyundai Tucson scored 78/100 and the 2025 Toyota Corolla scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Hyundai Tucson vs the Toyota Corolla?
Hyundai Tucson vs Toyota Corolla: Common Questions
- Is the Hyundai Tucson more reliable than the Toyota Corolla?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Corolla is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Tucson or the Toyota Corolla?
- The Toyota Corolla has more recalls (44) 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 Toyota Corolla?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Corolla has a lower complaint rate at 5.6 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 Toyota Corolla?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Corolla is cheaper to maintain at $362/year versus $426/year for the Hyundai Tucson.
- Is the Hyundai Tucson or Toyota Corolla safer?
- Both the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota Corolla 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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