VehicleVerdict

2010 Hyundai Tucson problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2010 Hyundai Tucson carries two red flags at once: 78 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). It is one of the Tucson years to avoid.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 22 reports (28% of the total).

78

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

4

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Tucson years?

Tucson NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted2,157 complaints2005: 273 complaints2006: 202 complaints2007: 85 complaints2008: 66 complaints2009: 24 complaints2010: 78 complaints2011: 174 complaints2012: 314 complaints2013: 317 complaints2014: 238 complaints2015: 304 complaints2016: 2,157 complaints2017: 1,445 complaints2018: 525 complaints2019: 517 complaints2020: 227 complaints2021: 102 complaints2022: 559 complaints2023: 204 complaints2024: 137 complaints2025: 414 complaints2026: 60 complaints
Tucson NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tucson years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Hyundai Tucson problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission2228%
Brakes1317%
Electrical System912%
Engine79%
Other68%
Airbags45%
Body & Structure34%
Lighting34%
Speed Control34%
Latches & Locks23%
Suspension23%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Seat Belts11%
Steering11%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2010 Hyundai Tucson have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V651000BrakesSeptember 22, 2023 · 1,649,478 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

13V113000LightingApril 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

11V259000LightingApril 26, 2011 · 7,829 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

10V061000AirbagsFebruary 25, 2010 · 515 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF "AIR BAG" WARNING LAMP IS ILLUMINATED, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL DEPLOY IF A CRASH OF SUFFICIENT FORCE TO REQUIRE FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IS EXPERIENCED, AND WILL NOT BE DEACTIVATED IF A CHILD IS SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEATING POSITION, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO A CHILD FRONT PASSENGER.

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

AQ23002

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

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-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“2010 HYUNDAI TUCSON LTD FWD - APPROX 14,000 MILES. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE DRIVER WAS PARKING THE CAR. DRIVER'S FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND CAR LURCHED FORWARD, STOPPING ONLY WHEN IT HIT A TREE. BODY WORK BEING DONE NOW AND THEN OFF TO DEALERSHIP FOR ANALYSIS OF BRAKES AND SENSORS. *TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 27, 2011 · crash

“I FIRST NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF MY SUV. I PULLED INTO A STORE PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO PARK. MY MAIN BRAKES FAILED. I THEN TRIED USING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. IT TOO FAILED. WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING THROUGH THE VENTS SO I TURNED THEM AWAY FROM ME AND TRIED SHIFTING TO PARK WITH NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 18, 2019 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 1, 2020

“I FIRST NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF MY SUV. I PULLED INTO A STORE PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO PARK. MY MAIN BRAKES FAILED. I THEN TRIED USING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. IT TOO FAILED. WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING THROUGH THE VENTS SO I TURNED THEM AWAY FROM ME AND TRIED SHIFTING TO PARK WITH NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 18, 2019 · fire

“I FIRST NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF MY SUV. I PULLED INTO A STORE PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO PARK. MY MAIN BRAKES FAILED. I THEN TRIED USING MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. IT TOO FAILED. WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING THROUGH THE VENTS SO I TURNED THEM AWAY FROM ME AND TRIED SHIFTING TO PARK WITH NO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 18, 2019 · fire

2010 Hyundai Tucson — common questions

Is the 2010 Hyundai Tucson reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 78 complaints put the 2010 model at #19 of 22 Tucson years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Tucson years to avoid.

What are the most common 2010 Tucson problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (22 complaints), brakes (13 complaints), electrical system (9 complaints).

Does the 2010 Hyundai Tucson have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Hyundai Tucson. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Hyundai Tucson under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Hyundai Tucson years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tucson years to avoid are 2016, 2017, 2022, 2018, 2019, 2025, 2013, 2012, 2015, 2014, 2020, 2011, 2021, 2010. The cleanest record among Tucson years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.