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Hyundai: reliability & common problems

#3 of 24
Longevity rank#1 Tesla holds up to ~197k
~142k
Trouble-free mileageacross all body styles
226
Hyundais inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections
68/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/100



Based on 226 used Hyundais we inspected, they tend to be in noticeably better shape than the typical used car we inspect — average condition 68/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.

What we found

Most common faults

Oil leaks · Engine
49%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
38%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
36%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
18%
Low coolant / cooling system issues · Engine
18%

Share of inspected Hyundais where each item was flagged.

How they score

Excellent 31% Good 38% Mediocre 23% Poor 9%
Hidden history

What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on Hyundais.

71%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
5%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
23%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%

Compare with another brand:

Cross-shopping? Hyundai vs Toyota · Hyundai vs Honda · Hyundai vs Ford

How long does a Hyundai last?

Across every Hyundai body style we've inspected — sedans, SUVs and anything else pooled together — the average one's condition dips below decent (a 55/100 score) around ~142k miles. It ranks Hyundai #3 of 24 brands we have enough data to rate; the longest-lasting, Tesla, holds up to ~197k. Shopping a Hyundai near that mileage? Expect more wear ahead — see which makes give the best odds at your budget.



Good cars by mileage
0 25 50 75 100 0–20k mi: 93% in good shape (14 cars) 20–40k mi: 94% in good shape (35 cars) 40–60k mi: 55% in good shape (31 cars) 60–80k mi: 85% in good shape (27 cars) 80–100k mi: 71% in good shape (34 cars) 100–120k mi: 68% in good shape (37 cars) 120–140k mi: 40% in good shape (20 cars) 140–160k mi: 44% in good shape (16 cars) 160–180k mi: 40% in good shape (5 cars) 40k 80k 120k 160k 200k mileage when we inspected it
Good cars by age
0 25 50 75 100 1 years old: 100% in good shape (10 cars) 2 years old: 89% in good shape (18 cars) 3 years old: 88% in good shape (16 cars) 4 years old: 89% in good shape (19 cars) 5 years old: 78% in good shape (18 cars) 6 years old: 68% in good shape (25 cars) 7 years old: 89% in good shape (19 cars) 8 years old: 54% in good shape (26 cars) 9 years old: 68% in good shape (25 cars) 10 years old: 55% in good shape (11 cars) 11 years old: 27% in good shape (15 cars) 12 years old: 33% in good shape (6 cars) 13 years old: 0% in good shape (6 cars) 2y 4y 6y 8y 10y 12y 14y 16y vehicle age when we inspected it

Share of Hyundais in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.

Is Hyundai getting better?
▲ Newer Hyundais are holding up better 40% 60% 80% 2012–14: 56% in good shape (age-adjusted; 33 cars, raw 55%) 56 2015–17: 79% in good shape (age-adjusted; 44 cars, raw 77%) 79 2018–20: 66% in good shape (age-adjusted; 31 cars, raw 71%) 66 2009–11 2012–14 2015–17 2018–20 2021+

Share of Hyundais in good shape (60+/100) when inspected at the same age — 5–10 years old, age-adjusted — by model-year generation; the dashed line is the all-brand average. Compare every brand's trajectory →



Hyundai models we've inspected
Tucson 26 cars · 89% good Sonata 46 cars · 74% good Elantra 41 cars · 66% good Santa Fe 30 cars · 63% good Genesis 23 cars · profile soon Accent 15 cars · profile soon Veloster 11 cars · profile soon

Recently inspected:

2019 Hyundai Kona · 118k mi — flagged: oil leaks, fault codes recently cleared. Inspected Oct 11.
2023 Hyundai Santa Fe · 32k mi — flagged: fuel trim out of range, engine control module. Inspected Oct 11.
The bottom line

Hyundai will run a long time, but the engine is where you get burned. They typically hold together until around 142,000 miles, so high mileage isn't an automatic no if the motor is dry and quiet. Aim for a 2015–17 first; 2018–20 slip some, and 2012–14 is the window to be pickiest about. On any car, crawl under for oil leaks, scan for fuel-trim problems and live codes, and check coolant before you talk money. Worn tires are a fair negotiating chip. Walk if the engine is wet or the cooling system is already struggling.

FAQ
?
Is Hyundai reliable?
69% of the 226 Hyundais we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, averaging 68/100 — they tend to be in noticeably better shape than the typical used car we inspect.
?
What are the most common problems with a used Hyundai?
Across the Hyundais we inspected, the items we flag most often are oil leaks (49%), fuel trim out of range (38%), tires condition & wear (36%).
?
Are newer Hyundais more reliable than older ones?
Yes — comparing generations at the same age (5–10 years old), newer Hyundais hold up clearly better than the early-2010s ones.
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Based on 226 inspections · updated Oct 11, 2026