Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Hyundai Tucson problems

Owners filed 59 complaints about the 2010 Hyundai Tucson with NHTSA between Mar 2010 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is power train (22).

Complaints
59
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train22
  2. Service brakes8
  3. Engine7
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic6
  5. Electrical system6
  6. Air bags5
  7. Exterior lighting3
  8. Structure3
  9. Vehicle speed control3
  10. Latches/locks/linkages2
  11. Suspension2
  12. Equipment2
  13. Wheels1
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20108
20114
20123
20136
20146
20151
20163
20171
20183
20194
20202
20213
20223
20233
20244
20252
20263

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

22 reports1 crash
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 31, 2020Power trainODI 11319863

Service brakes

8 reports1 crash1 fire
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2025Exterior lighting, Wheels, Service brakesODI 11674545

Engine

7 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 23, 2024Service brakes, hydraulic, EngineODI 11590400

Service brakes, hydraulic

6 reports1 fire1 related recall
“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 while her significant other was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from under the passenger’s side dashboard. Upon further inspection, there was a small fire starting. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder of the road, and the fire was extinguished using his hand and water. The contact stated that while her significant other was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from inside the vehicle. The driver pulled over to the shoulder of the road, and there was a fire coming from underneath the driver’s side seat. The driver sustained burns on both hands and severe mental trauma. The contact sustained severe mental distress; however, medical attention was not sought. The vehicle was left at the location for further investigations. Several local dealers were contacted, including Jeff Wyler Hyundai of Colerain (8810 Colerain Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45251). The…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2026Service brakes, hydraulicFire reportedODI 11765321

Electrical system

6 reports
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 13, 2022Electrical systemODI 11493379

Air bags

5 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2023Air bagsODI 11550275
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.