2010 Hyundai Tucson: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2010 Hyundai Tucson

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2010 Hyundai Tucson recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2010 Hyundai Tucson. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• BrakesPark outsideFire risk

  An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

  Details 23V651000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Lights

  Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash.

  Details 13V113000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Lights

  THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED VISIBILITY OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

  Details 11V259000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Airbags

  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…

  Details 10V061000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

2010 Hyundai Tucson safety investigations and free repairs

Under investigation (not a recall):

• Hyundai and kia abs module fires since Nov 2023

Ask the seller if the car has had this problem.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Engine: The warranty coverage for engine repair or replacement regarding engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear has been extended to…

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2010 Hyundai Tucson safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

59 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, about average.

Other Hyundai Tucson years

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024