2010 Hyundai Tucson: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 57 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (33% of complaints); the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 57 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“This has been an ongoing problem since I last reported this on February 16, 2025. There's a clicking noise under my tires and then I can't stop, my brakes grind and my pedal grinds... all my ABS lights then come on... this has been going on too long!! Since April 20, 2025.... My brakes are GRINDING SERIOUSLY and PROHIBITING me to fully stop at times. I've had several near misses... I want them fixed now!! My car is no longer safe!!! Still doing it today @ 12:18pm with mileage of 130,605... please help!”Owner report · Wheels · Apr 2025
“The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000(Service Brakes, hydraulic ); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The consumer stated that the manufacturer will contact them via email when a remedy for the vehicle is ready.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2023
“The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V651000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2023
“The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that when she started the vehicle, the driver's side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2023
“UNKNOWN. Since I purchase this vehicle in 2010, the backup camera does not always work. I took it in to the dealership and they stated that in order to diagnose it, it must happen while I am there. At this time, the backup camera only works sometimes and it is not safe to back up. Is there a manufacturer recall?”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2023
“The engine ran out of oil completely with no leaks no nothing and never had a light come on to show low oil or engine issues. It went from running great to engine knocking with no warning”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2023
“Every morning the car has to have a jump! We bought a battery! That didn't help! We took it to the shop, they couldn't figure it out but said it was something to do with the electrical but didn't know what, so we started digging on our own and you have to take the fuse out to the radio for the car to start! So after spending ALL that money that's what it is, we can't listen to music to start our every morning but now it is getting worse, something else is draining the battery! And no one knows what!”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2021
“The car dies, unknown, mechanics don't know! It's in the wires somewhere, the backup camera doesn't work, the radio doesn't work! Even with the the fuse in and everything working the backup camera still doesn't work, and as soon as you shut the car off it doesn't start up again! Nothing was replaced it's still everything from the factory so you tell me what's wrong!!”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2020
“I heard a clunk upon turning right, exiting a parking lot. The rear end of the car started to sway. Fearing a blown tire, I pulled off the road, only to find the left rear wheel pitched at a rather unhealthy angle. After towing the car to my local repair shop it was discovered that the rear cross member was rusted out. Apparently this is a fairly common occurrence in certain hyundai models. Although out of warranty, it seems like hyundai should be willing to address this issue of rust and stand by their vehicles.”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
HYUNDAI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TUCSON VEHICLES. PROPERLY SEATED ADULT RIGHT FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS WEIGHING OVER APPROXIMATELY 240 POUNDS CAUSE THE PASSIVE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) MODULE PROGRAM TO ILLUMINATE THE "AIR BAG" WARNING LAMP.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PODS MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. HYUNDAI ANTICIPATES OWNERS NOTIFICATION BEGAN BY TELEPHONE ON FEBRUARY 15 2010 AND THE NOTIFICATION WAS MAILED ON MARCH 5, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HYUNDAI CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2010 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Tucson by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
NHTSA has 57 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Hyundai Tucson. The most complained-about area is power train (33% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Hyundai Tucson problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 46,301 miles or less.
Does the 2010 Hyundai Tucson have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.