2010 Hyundai Tucson Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2010 Hyundai Tucson has 59 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and a complaint index of 15, ranking 18th out of 21 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, capped because of a Park Outside brake recall despite a relatively low complaint count.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 15/100
- #18 of 21 Tucson years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 59
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2010 Hyundai Tucson problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain22 (37%)
- Brakes14 (24%)
- Engine10 (17%)
- Electrical System8 (14%)
- Other6 (10%)
- Airbags5 (8%)
- Structure & Body4 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
- Seat Belts1 (2%)
- Steering1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sudden, hard downshifts at highway or ramp speeds that jolt the car and tension the seat belts.
- Some report unintended acceleration or the car lurching forward while braking or parking, in one case ending in a tree collision.
- Several transmission complaints mention loud clunks, RPM surges, or the transmission refusing to engage reverse shortly after purchase.
- One driver reported the vehicle swaying left to right at 75 mph with no issue found by the dealer.
- A brake failure case involved white smoke from the vents and both the main and emergency brakes failing to stop the vehicle.
- One owner reported a lingering burning odor tied to the open 23V651000 brake recall while waiting for repair parts.
2010 Hyundai Tucson recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V651000Sep 22, 2023Brakes1,649,478 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024 through October 11, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 251.
- NHTSA 13V113000Apr 1, 2013Electrical System1,712,336 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.
- NHTSA 11V259000Apr 26, 2011Electrical System7,829 vehicles
Exterior lighting
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2010 tucson vehicles manufactured from february 27, 2010, through april 17, 2010 for failing to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment," for the photometry requirements of the rear reflector assemblies installed in the rear bumpers.
Risk: This could lead to reduced visibility of the rear of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear reflector assemblies, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during june 2011. Owners may contact hyundai's customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
2010 Hyundai Tucson fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other Tucson years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
- NHTSA lists 59 complaints and 4 recalls for the 2010 Tucson, giving it a complaint index of 15 and a Caution verdict relative to other Tucson years. It ranks 18th out of 21 model years, worse than most earlier and several later years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 Hyundai Tucson?
- Transmission and powertrain issues lead at 37% of complaints, followed by brakes at 24% and engine problems at 17%. The median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 45,602 miles.
- Does the 2010 Hyundai Tucson have a brake recall?
- Yes. Campaign 23V651000 covers certain 2010-2013 Tucson vehicles for a brake issue and tells owners to park outside and away from structures until repaired, which is why this year is capped at Caution.
- Why is the 2010 Tucson rated Caution instead of Good despite fewer complaints than later years?
- Its complaint index of 15 is lower than many other Tucson years, but the verdict is capped to Caution because of an active Park Outside brake recall.
- How does the 2010 Tucson compare to the worst Tucson years?
- The 2016 Tucson has the highest complaint index at 95 with 1,619 complaints, far above the 2010 model's 59 complaints and index of 15.