NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 59 owner complaints for the 2010 Hyundai Tucson. Most complaints involve power train (22) and service brakes (8). The EPA rates it 24–26 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Tucson model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 185 |
| 2006 | 135 |
| 2007 | 65 |
| 2008 | 43 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 59 |
| 2011 | 124 |
| 2012 | 255 |
| 2013 | 266 |
| 2014 | 203 |
| 2015 | 229 |
| 2016 | 1,626 |
| 2017 | 1,096 |
| 2018 | 398 |
| 2019 | 385 |
| 2020 | 179 |
| 2021 | 80 |
| 2022 | 389 |
| 2023 | 136 |
| 2024 | 99 |
| 2025 | 295 |
| 2026 | 64 |
“SINCE I GOT THIS VEHICLE THE GEAR SHIFT GETS STUCK. I HAVE GONE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE BACKLIGHT SWITCH. IT IS A BIG HASSLE TRYING TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THE BACKLIGHT SWITCH LAST TWO TO THREE YEARS. I GOT THE RECALL LETTER ABOUT THE BACKLIGHT SWITCH IN 2012, BUT WHY MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT LISTED? THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CHARGING ME EVERY SINGLE TIME I HAVE BEEN THERE FOR THIS CONSTANT PROBLEM. I ALMOST GOT KILL BY THE TRAIN BECAUSE OF THIS BACKLIGHT SWITCH PROBLEM. I GOT STUCK A FEET AWAY FROM THE RAIL TRACKS TWO WEEKS AGO, THERE WAS A CAR AT FRONT OF ME AND I COULDN'T MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT TO REVERSE. THE CAR DECIDED TO MOVE AT THE LAST MINUTE AND I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. THE CONTENTION BAR WAS OVER MY WINDSHIELD SO I COULDN'T MOVE FORWARD AND I COULDN'T MOVE BACKWARDS BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFT WASN'T MOVING. I HAVE BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR FIVE TIMES AND THE LAST TWO TIMES, THEY HAVE KEPT MY CAR THERE, BUT THEY HAVEN'T EVEN TOUCHED IT. THEY HAVEN'T TOLD ME THE REASON WHY, BUT I JUST FOUND IT OUT. IT IS BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT LISTED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. DRIVING A CAR WITH THIS…”
“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!”
“The contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from underneath the hood and the temperature gauge fluctuated. The vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that upon opening the hood, an unknown engine part was fractured, and several unknown parts had detached and were leaning on the driver's side of the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Additionally, 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 contacted. 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 failure mileage was approximately 199,996. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson 2WD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,400 | 342 |
| Tucson 2WD Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,500 | 355 |
| Tucson 4WD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Tucson 4WD Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,600 | 370 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 59 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (22), service brakes (8), engine (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2010 Hyundai Tucson at 24–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).