Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 58 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Hyundai Tucson, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 16 | 28% |
| Air bags | 5 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 7% |
| Engine | 4 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 5% |
| Power train | 2 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The passenger seat airbag system warning light is on and stays on, there is an active recall but my vin is not yet included
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 spo
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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 af
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 dealer was co
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 local deale
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 state
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2010 Hyundai Tucson. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 Tiburo
Risk: 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 trans
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
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 REFLEC
Risk: THIS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED VISIBILITY OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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
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.
Risk: 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
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 CON
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 B
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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, 2
| Reliability raw | 67 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 84 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 79 | good |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 58 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 16 of them (28%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 67/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2010 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.