Hyundai

Tucson (LM)

2010-2015 · Compact SUV ยท 2 engines
Best Engine โŒ Avoid (1.0)
1,332 NHTSA Complaints
8 Recalls
54 Fire Reports
53 Crash Reports
Includes data from: TUCSONTUCSON FUEL CELL
View all 4 generations of the Hyundai Tucson → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

DOHC theta ii

2.4L
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
1,011 complaints 104.0 per year Gasoline
41 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
523
brakes
244
transmission
100
electrical
95
other
62

Known Issues

Engine Issues (523 complaints)
Typical onset: 70,062โ€“131,250 mi Est. repair: $500โ€“$6,750 (51 reports)
Brakes Issues (244 complaints)
Typical onset: 70,000โ€“150,031 mi
Transmission Issues (100 complaints)
Typical onset: 31,266โ€“88,692 mi Est. repair: $725โ€“$4,375 (8 reports)

GDI Nu

2.0L
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
261 complaints 127.0 per year Gasoline
11 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
172
brakes
50
transmission
27
electrical
22
other
22

Known Issues

Engine Issues (172 complaints)
Typical onset: 62,000โ€“88,750 mi Est. repair: $1,500โ€“$6,949 (18 reports)
Brakes Issues (50 complaints)
Transmission Issues (27 complaints)

2 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Hyundai Tucson regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (697 complaints)
engine critical
Brakes Issues (294 complaints)
brakes critical
Transmission Issues (129 complaints)
transmission critical
Electrical System Issues (117 complaints)
electrical critical
Fuel System Issues (17 complaints)
fuel_system critical

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.

Alternatives in Compact SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The 2010-2015 Hyundai Tucson has accumulated 1,332 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Brakes, Transmission. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and 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 2.4L ?-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 solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 1,332 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 1,332 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 โ€” 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.

Does the Tucson have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2010-2015 Hyundai Tucson. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,332 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

© 2026 The Weekly Driver