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2017 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev
Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.
1,076 owner complaints · 3 recalls · data verified July 22, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Buy-rated alternatives from this era
Other 2015–2019 cars in the same rough price bracket with a clean, matured Buy verdict — worth cross-shopping before you commit to the 2017 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev.
Why caution?
Has a "park it / park outside" recall, the most serious kind. Verify the fix was done before buying.
Engine problems dominate (55% of complaints, typically reported near 60k miles).
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#278 of 484Among the 2017 models with a matured record, the 2017 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev ranks #278, scoring higher than 15% of them. See the 2017 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
5/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2017 Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 16%
2 open NHTSA defect investigations on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2017 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Brakes (48)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
55%588 complaints · typically near 60k mi · 176 in the last 2 years
“The contact owns a 2017 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormal knocking sound was heard coming from under the hood,…”
Transmission & drivetrain
27%288 complaints · typically near 19k mi · 27 in the last 2 years
“The vehicle has experienced life-threatening safety defects during operation; shaking, hesitation, and stalling in high-speed traffic. The vehicle unexpectedly stalled…”
Speed control
8%87 complaints · typically near 70k mi · 11 in the last 2 years
“While traveling on the highway the car began to lose speed rapidly until coming to a complete stop, no warning lights were present prior.”
Electrical system
8%83 complaints · typically near 17k mi · 14 in the last 2 years
“Following the knock sensor detection system update, this car has a P1326 code that forces it into limp mode. Occurs during moderate-hard acceleration, e.g. getting on …”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 3 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 1,076 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 43 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (3)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Engine · 21V727000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Tucson and Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.
Risk: A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners were notified of the defect on November 16, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed January 15, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 209.
Park itService Brakes, Hydraulic · 20V543000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Hyundai expanded the recall population, and added certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.
Electrical System · 16V842000
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Hyundai before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2017 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"? One is a "park it" / "park outside" order, the most serious kind, so I'd want that repair documented before I drive it.
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 60k miles). Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report transmission & drivetrain problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 19k miles). Has this car shown any transmission & drivetrain symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2017 Hyundai TUCSON HYBRID HEV beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2017? See how every Tucson Hybrid Hev model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2017 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.