2010 Hyundai Tucson problems & reliability
57 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Hyundai Tucson, alongside 4 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2010 Hyundai Tucson vehicles were involved in 12 fatal crashes with 1 occupant death. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train → | 22 | 39% |
| Service Brakes | 8 | 14% |
| Engine | 7 | 12% |
| Electrical System | 6 | 11% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 | 9% |
| Unknown OR Other | 5 | 9% |
| Air Bags | 4 | 7% |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 5% |
| Structure | 3 | 5% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 45,602 miles (middle 50% between 20,000 and 90,000 miles), based on 37 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“While driving under normal conditions, the panoramic sunroof glass suddenly shattered without warning. There was no impact from road debris, no prior cracking, and no abnormal use of the sunroof. The failure occurred spontaneously and created a safety hazard due to falling glass and the risk of driver distraction or…”
Unknown OR Other · filed Feb 9, 2026
“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…”
Exterior Lighting · filed Jul 18, 2025
“On January 26, 2024, at AutoNation, I was requested to bring my 2010 Hyundai Tucson in to replace a part involving my ‘brakes.’ I’m the original owner, since 2021 my brakes would grind at least twice weekly and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to stop! Then, the AntiLock Brake System lights would just pop up out of…”
Service Brakes · filed Feb 16, 2025
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
Audit Query AQ23002 · opened Nov 17, 2023 · open
- Loss of Motive Power
Defect Petition DP22003 · opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023
Technical service bulletins
109 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2010 Hyundai Tucson. The 10 most recent:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co.…
DTN DL · Other · issued Apr 10, 2026
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety…
DTN DCS · Other · issued Apr 10, 2026
This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H-2 (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the…
26-01-033H TSB · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Mar 26, 2026
This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest…
26-01-033H DN · Warranty Program/Extension · issued Mar 26, 2026
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of…
25-BD-012H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 6, 2025
Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs. If abnormal engine bearing noise is detected, the Malfunction…
24-01-068H · Service Campaign · issued Aug 19, 2024
This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2.
24-AT-002H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 9, 2024
This bulletin contains information about the proper removal of the windshield wiper blade protective cover on all models. If the protective cover is not removed correctly, there is a possibility of the rubber insert and…
24-BD-001H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 14, 2024
In some areas, a vehicleâ s underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road salt usage. As a preventative measure, cavity wax coating is applied to the internal surfaces of underbody components, and an undercoating spray is…
24-01-012H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 13, 2024
In certain areas, a vehicleâ s underbody may exhibit corrosion due to road salt usage. As a preventative measure, cavity wax coating is applied to the internal surfaces of underbody components, and an undercoating spray…
24-01-012H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 13, 2024
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2010 Hyundai Tucson has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2010 Hyundai Tucson?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 45,602 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.