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Active NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from structures until repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.

Hyundai · Compact SUV

2021 Hyundai Tucson

Gas

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26

Safety Signal

85 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

Recalls1 critical 1

Complaints2 crash · 3 fire · 7 injured reported 80

Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★

Fuel economybest combined, EPA 25 mpg

2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Tucson FWD, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 80 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Hyundai Tucson — photograph via Wikimedia Commons — Hyundai Tucson · Photo: Alexander-93 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Annual fuel*
Tucson FWD	Gas	FWD	2.0L 4-cyl	23	28	25	$2,700
Tucson FWD	Gas	FWD	2.4L 4-cyl	22	28	25	$2,700
Tucson AWD	Gas	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl	22	25	23	$2,900
Tucson AWD	Gas	AWD	2.4L 4-cyl	21	26	23	$2,900

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42663, 43646, 42666, 42667.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates

Configuration	Smog rating	Emission standard	Where it can be sold new	SmartWay
Tucson FWD	7 / 10	California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30	All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards	—
Tucson AWD	5 / 10	California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70	All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards	—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body style	Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
Doors	4
GVWR class	Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders	4
Displacement	2 L

Engine Output

Horsepower

161 hp

Fuel Economy

Fuel	Gasoline

Seating

Seat rows	2
Seating capacity	5 seats

Transmission

Drivetrain	4x2
Transmission	Automatic
Transmission speeds	6

Driver assistance

Standard: Anti-lock brakes, Backup camera, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, Ultimate). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada

Length	176.4 in
Width (body, without mirrors)	72.8 in
Height	65.0 in
Wheelbase	105.1 in
Track, front	63.4 in
Track, rear	63.8 in
Curb weight	3,439–3,602 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear	58/42

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 2 configurations: 4-door SUV AWD, 4-door SUV FWD. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database

!critical

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

195

Park outside 652,024 vehicles 96% reported repaired

Problem 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.

Filed with NHTSAOwner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 20V543000 reported Sep 4, 2020 Hyundai Motor America the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module — Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires open

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · action AQ23002 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific Tucson

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2021 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Hyundai publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Hyundai’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

80complaints filed

2 involved a crash · 3 a fire · 7 injuries · 0 deaths reported

9.0 per 10,000 built · Hyundai reported 88,981 Tucson built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2021: 16 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 8 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 17 · 2026: 28

Most-cited components

Engine 42

Electrical System 12

Service Brakes 12

Unspecified 10

Fuel/Propulsion System 8

Power Train 8

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

The contact called on behalf of his girlfriend who owned a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH in the driveway, there was steam coming out from under the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle. The contact stated that as he opened the hood, flames came out.

Engine at 25,000 miles Jul 31, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11535510

I've had numerous issues with my vehicle, including power steering, brakes, loss of power, and more. On a few occasions, I started my vehicle and put it into drive, only to find that the power steering hadn't disengaged.

Electrical System Jun 19, 2023 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11527673

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle intermittently failed to respond while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle only responded while turning.

Power Train at 9,000 miles Mar 28, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11458728

Purchase new Tucson from Hyundai of Saint Augustine FL in April 2021, the vehicle worked fine. Then in July 2021 the vacuum assist brakes would not hold a vacuum after the engine was shut down, so when you went to start the vehicle it required excessive pressure on the brake peddle to clear the interlock before the vehicle would start.

Service Brakes Feb 16, 2022 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11452185

Vehicle becomes unresponsive to the gas pedal after idling at a red light, acceleration is delayed for about 5 seconds. After the cars check engine light turns on and the vehicle begins to idle rough. Vehicle shakes randomly when coasting above 30mph and does not want to accelerate when pressing the gas pedal

Fuel/Propulsion System Dec 21, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11444611

The contact owns a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that her right-hand thumb was jammed between the front driver's side door. The contact had to insert the fob key into the door's keyhole in order to open the door since the unlock button on the key fob and door button could not unlock to open the door.

Latches/Locks/Linkages at 4,844 miles Sep 28, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11434675

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Hyundai itself: 18 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 30 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 20 per 100,000 built. Every Tucson model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 29k

miles, typically

Half the 13 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 8,000 and 65,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

Too few readings for a curve — the 13 on file: 5 under 10k, 2 20k–30k, 1 40k–50k, 3 60k–70k, 1 80k–90k, 1 100k–150k.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

Configuration	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★☆	16%
SUV FWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★☆	16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications

Extended coverage on file 3 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

3 years or 36,000 miles · Hyundai warranty extension Z05Certain 2015 – 2018 model year Elantra, 2015 – 2019 model year Sonata, 2017 – 2021 model year Tucson, 2017 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2019 model year Santa Fe, 2021 – 2023 model year Santa Fe…
Term not in NHTSA’s summary · Hyundai warranty extension T6G TXXMThis TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine…
Term not in NHTSA’s summary · Hyundai warranty extension T6GThis TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H-2 (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine…

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Hyundai warranty extension (62) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 89

Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-10-08

Kindsas classified by NHTSA 50 service bulletins, 24 service campaigns, 9 warranty extensions

Most often about: Engine, Electrical System, Equipment, Unknown Or Other, Visibility/Wiper.

26-EM-016H TSB Service bulletin
2026-10-08 · Engine
Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. All internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operation, depending on driving conditions and mileage, and this procedure should only be performed when dee
26-EM-015H TSB Service bulletin
2026-10-07 · Engine
Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. All internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operation. Oil consumption rates may vary based on mileage, operating conditions, driving habits, and mainte
26-EM-014H TSB Service bulletin
2026-09-16 · Engine
Some Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine may exhibit a continued DTC P132600 after an ECM logic update has been performed per TSB 24-01-068H, Engine Monitoring Logic (Service Campaign 966). This bulletin provides instructions to inspect and resolve other engine mechanical issues and if DTC P132600 remains, then a procedure and manual mode passwords are given to perform the update agai
Z05 OL Warranty extension
2026-08-26 · Unknown Or Other
Certain vehicles may exhibit excessive paint peeling or bubbling of the primer/paint film on the exterior metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. This warranty extension only applies to factory-applied paint and does not cover collision-related paint repairs or vehicles with a salvaged title. Hyundai is extending the warranty coverage for certain wh
26-01-013H-2 DN Service campaign
2026-05-21 · Electrical System
Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these vehicles may be releasing air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards.
11032523 Other
2026-04-10 · Air Bags
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN). These inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehicle manufacturers and have primarily been found in vehicles that previously experienced a crash and
11032522 Other
2026-04-10 · Air Bags
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co., Ltd. (DTN), that have been identified in U.S. vehicles following prior crashes, theft, or non‑certified airbag replacements. These inflators are not approved for use, may
26-01-033H TSB Warranty extension
2026-03-26 · Engine
This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H-2 (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest version.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

Code	What it means	Most often filed under	Where it appears
P1326 P1326 on Hyundai →	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Engine	7 bulletins · 3 owner reports

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

New York inspections 1.8%

failed emissions

4,210 initial inspections of 4,142 vehicles.

Measure	The 2021 Tucson	Every 2021 vehicle	Behind it
Failed the emissions check	1.8%	1.9%	4,198
Failed the safety inspection	1.7%	1.5%	4,210
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit	0.19%	0.19%	4,210
Miles driven a year	9,582	10,343	odometer at inspection
Average odometer	50,708	54,681	odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2021 vehicle” is every 2021 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Tucson by model year

all years, side by side →

Year Safety Recalls Complaints

2026 C 6 99 38 mpg 2025 D 7 445 38 mpg 2024 D 4 150 Park outside 2023 C 2 181 Park outside 2022 C 3 506 Park outside 2021 this page B 1 80 Park outside 2020 B 1 179 Park outside 2019 B 1 385 Park outside 2018 B 1 399 Park outside 2017 C 3 1,093 Park outside 2016 D 5 1,625 Park outside

Common questions about the 2021 Tucson

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2021 Hyundai Tucson have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 1 recall campaign for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, 1 of them rated critical. The most serious on file is 20V543000, covering Service Brakes, Hydraulic. There is an active park outside advisory — act on it before driving. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson?

NHTSA gave the 2021 Hyundai Tucson 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it B (85/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Hyundai Tucson?

Across the 4 EPA-rated configurations of the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, the best EPA combined figure is 25 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2021 Hyundai Tucson?

Transport Canada measured it at 176.4 in long, 72.8 in wide (body, without mirrors), 65.0 in tall, on a 105.1 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,439–3,602 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2021 Hyundai Tucson?

Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, most often about engine, electrical system, service brakes. Of those, 2 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 7 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2021 Hyundai Tucson?

The EPA smog rating for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson runs 5 to 7 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV30, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson?

The manufacturer has filed 89 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2021 Hyundai Tucson, most often covering engine, electrical system, equipment. The most recent is dated 2026-10-08. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2021 Hyundai Tucson do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Hyundai Tucson failed the emissions check on 1.8% of first inspections — close to the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 1.7% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

Data	Held	Source	What it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations	4 configurations	EPA certification records	Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates	4 configurations	EPA emission certificates	Smog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls	1	NHTSA recall campaigns	A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints	80	NHTSA complaint database	Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings	2 tested	NHTSA NCAP	Only the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins	89	NHTSA manufacturer communications	Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations	1	NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation	Open and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reports	none	NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01	No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA	12 fields	NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns	What the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions	7 fields	Transport Canada, Canadian Vehicle Specifications	Length, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipment	none	Manufacturer press kit	We have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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