Hyundai Genesis Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Hyundai Genesis model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2008 drew the fewest (1) and the 2015 the most (290).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
3 | 0 | Wheels | — | — |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
22 | 0 | Engine | — | 18–21 |
| 2010 | 88 | 3 | Service brakes | — | 19–21 |
| 2016 | 96 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | 18–22 |
| 2011 | 122 | 3 | Service brakes | — | 20–21 |
| 2013 | 126 | 0 | Engine | — | 19–22 |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
235 | 3 | Service brakes | — | 19–21 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
260 | 2 | Engine | — | 19–22 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
290 | 6 | Electrical system | 5★ | 18–22 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Hyundai Genesis years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2015 Hyundai Genesis: 290 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 111 (38%); Exterior lighting 43 (15%); Engine 41 (14%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 3 fires, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 31,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Hyundai Genesis: 260 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 68 (26%); Service brakes 61 (23%); Electrical system 49 (19%).
Reports mention 8 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 56,085 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Hyundai Genesis: 235 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 125 (53%); Electrical system 29 (12%); Exterior lighting 24 (10%).
Reports mention 15 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 62,930 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
The Hyundai Genesis years with the fewest complaints
2018 Hyundai Genesis: 3 complaints
Most-reported: Wheels 2 (67%); Tires 1 (33%).
Reports mention 1 fire. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Hyundai Genesis: 22 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 6 (27%); Vehicle speed control 5 (23%); Electrical system 4 (18%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 49,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Hyundai Genesis owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 96 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 45,300 |
| 2015 | 290 | 10 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 31,000 |
| 2014 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 49,000 |
| 2013 | 126 | 14 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 35,000 |
| 2012 | 260 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 56,085 |
| 2011 | 122 | 12 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 65,000 |
| 2010 | 88 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2009 | 235 | 15 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 62,930 |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Hyundai Genesis recalls
- Stop Lamp Switch may Function Intermittently (2009–2011 model years; 1,712,336 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2013; 13V113000)
- Parking Brake Indicator may not Illuminate (2015–2016 model years; 161,074 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2017; 17V359000)
- Anti-Lock Brake System Module May Short Circuit (2015–2016 model years; 94,646 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2021; 21V160000)
- Water Damage to Starter Solenoid May Cause Fire (2015–2016 model years; 90,907 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2024; 24V107000)
- Brake Fluid may Corrode Brake Module (2009–2012 model years; 43,500 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2013; 13V489000)
All 10 Hyundai Genesis recall campaigns · Hyundai Genesis problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Hyundai Genesis years FAQ
Which Hyundai Genesis year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2008 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Hyundai Genesis years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2015, 2012 and 2009 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the service brakes. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Hyundai Genesis problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the service brakes (303 of 1,243 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Hyundai Genesis have?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns covering the Hyundai Genesis. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Hyundai Genesis recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.