Hyundai

Tucson (LM)

2010-2015 · Compact SUV · 3 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.4)
1,115 NHTSA Complaints
8 Recalls
46 Fire Reports
47 Crash Reports
Includes data from: TUCSONTUCSON FUEL CELL
View all 4 generations of the Hyundai Tucson → 📋 Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (17.6% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (17.6% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (17.6% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (17.6% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall 4/5
Frontal Crash
4/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (18.0% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

Hyundai Tucson Unidentified Engine

⚠️ Caution (2.4)
49 complaints 8.2 per year
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
14
brakes
11
other
7
electrical
6
body
6

Known Issues

Engine Issues (14 complaints)
Brakes Issues (11 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (6 complaints)

GDI Nu

2.0L
Avoid (1.2)
161 complaints 78.5 per year Gasoline
6 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
109
brakes
29
transmission
15
electrical
13
other
12

Known Issues

Engine Issues (109 complaints)
Brakes Issues (29 complaints)
Transmission Issues (15 complaints)

DOHC theta ii

2.4L
Avoid (1.1)
904 complaints 104.0 per year Gasoline
38 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
477
brakes
203
transmission
95
electrical
85
other
58

Known Issues

Engine Issues (477 complaints)
Brakes Issues (203 complaints)
Transmission Issues (95 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

T-GDI GAMMA

1.6L 4-cyl Turbo / 175 hp
Recommended (5.0)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
1
transmission
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (1 complaints)
Transmission Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Hyundai Tucson regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (601 complaints)
engine critical
Brakes Issues (243 complaints)
brakes critical
Transmission Issues (111 complaints)
transmission critical
Electrical System Issues (104 complaints)
electrical critical
Fuel System Issues (10 complaints)
fuel_system cosmetic

Recalls (8)

23V651000Sep 21, 2023serious
Service Brakes

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.

22V056000Mar 1, 2022serious
Service Brakes

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Santa Fe, 2017-2018 Santa Fe Sport, 2019 Santa Fe XL, and 2014-2015 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and cause an electrical short, which could result in an engine compartment fire.

19V063000May 1, 2019serious
Engine & Cooling

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Tucson vehicles. The engine oil pan may leak and, if not addressed, the loss of oil may result in engine damage.

16V057000Jan 27, 2016serious
Powertrain

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011 Hyundai Tucson vehicles manufactured July 22, 2010, to October 31, 2010. The affected vehicles have a transmission fluid cooler hose that may have been improperly manufactured, resulting in a transmission fluid leak.

14V245000May 12, 2014serious
Air Bags

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Hyundai Tucson vehicles manufactured January 3, 2011, through December 23, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the air bag assembly installed in the steering wheel may come loose from its mounting.

13V113000Jan 3, 2013serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

11V259000Apr 25, 2011serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

10V061000Feb 24, 2010serious
Air Bags

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2010-2015 Hyundai Tucson problems?

The 2010-2015 Hyundai Tucson has accumulated 1,115 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Brakes, Transmission. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Hyundai Tucson engine is most reliable?

The 2010-2015 Hyundai Tucson was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.0L ?-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2010-2015 Hyundai Tucson a good used car?

The 2010-2015 Hyundai Tucson can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 1,115 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010-2015 Hyundai Tucson have?

The 2010-2015 Hyundai Tucson has 1,115 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2010-2015 Hyundai Tucson?

There are 8 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2010-2015 Hyundai Tucson vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Hyundai Tucson?

Before buying a used Hyundai Tucson, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Brakes, Transmission, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Tucson?

The 2015 Hyundai Tucson received an overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (17.6% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,115 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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