YearToAvoid

2010 Hyundai Veracruz Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

50/100

#2 most-complained of 3 Veracruz years

The 2010 Hyundai Veracruz has a complaint index of 50, ranking 2nd worst of 3 model years covered. Engine problems dominate, making up 64% of its 91 complaints, with 4 recalls including an oil-leak issue tied to engine fires.

Complaints
91
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
1 / 5
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18.5
16.5 city / 22.5 hwy

Top 2010 Hyundai Veracruz problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine58 (64%)
  2. Electrical System26 (29%)
  3. Other10 (11%)
  4. Structure & Body9 (10%)
  5. Brakes8 (9%)
  6. Fuel System3 (3%)
  7. Airbags2 (2%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain2 (2%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers2 (2%)
  10. Seat Belts1 (1%)

What owners report

  • Engine compartment catches fire while driving or shortly after parking, sometimes with no prior warning.
  • Oil leaks from the front cylinder bank cover gasket and drips onto the alternator, causing burning odors and smoke under the hood.
  • Alternator shorts out after oil exposure, in one case causing the vehicle to lock up and lose steering ability.
  • Interior dash and cabin lights flicker or fail to turn on, worsening over time until the entire dash goes dark while driving.
  • Interior door handles break, including cases where a rear door cannot be opened from inside or outside.
  • A rear window has shattered while the vehicle sat parked in a garage with the windows rolled up.
2010 Hyundai Veracruz complaints: complaints filed per quarter152011 Q32015 Q12017 Q32019 Q12020 Q42022 Q22024 Q4
122 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2021 Q2 (15).

2010 Hyundai Veracruz recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 20V705000Nov 13, 2020Engine60,097 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:oil/lubrication:seals/gaskets

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles that were previously recalled under recall number 14V-415. Oil may leak from the front cylinder bank cover gasket, potentially dripping onto the alternator and causing the charging system to become inoperative.

    Risk: An inoperative charging system can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the valve cover gasket and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 7, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 197.

  3. NHTSA 14V415000Jul 8, 2014Engine61,122 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine

    Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles manufactured from December 26, 2006, through July 24, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an oil leak from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket. If there is a sufficient amount of oil dropped onto the alternator, the alternator will be damaged causing the charging system to become inoperative.

    Risk: If the alternator is damaged, the charging system warning lamp in the instrument cluster will illuminate, and the engine will lose power and the vehicle will eventually stop operating while being driven. An unexpected failure of motive power while driving increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect/repair or replace the alternator and the front valve cover gasket, free of charge. Hyundai sent out an interim letter to owners on September 3, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 121.

See all 4 recalls for the 2010 Hyundai Veracruz →

2010 Hyundai Veracruz fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16.5 MPG
Highway
22.5 MPG
Combined
18.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,500
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 Veracruz years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010No verdict5091418.5
2011No verdict100106418.5
2012No verdict065318.5

All Hyundai Veracruz years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest problem with the 2010 Hyundai Veracruz?
Engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 58 of 91 complaints (64%), largely tied to an oil leak onto the alternator that can lead to fires.
Does the 2010 Hyundai Veracruz have engine fire recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists recall 20V705000 and 14V415000, both covering an oil leak from the front cylinder bank cover gasket that can drip onto the alternator, with sample complaints reporting fires.
How does the 2010 Veracruz compare to other model years?
The 2010 has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 2nd worst of the 3 model years with data. The 2011 model has a higher complaint index of 100, while 2012 has an index of 0.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Hyundai Veracruz?
EPA rates it at 18.5 mpg combined (16.5 city, 22.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,500.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up in the 2010 Veracruz?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 131,000 miles for engine-related complaints.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.