Hyundai Tucson 2010–2015
2nd generation (LM / ix35)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20261,433 complaints, 789 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
- Reports with mileage
- 789
- Median of reported failures
- 73,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Engine (41.1%)
- Recalls
- 8
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 37,500 and 104,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Hyundai Tucson 2010–2015 · 789 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 92 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 8 complaints (1.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 8,900
- 25%
- 37,500
- Median
- 73,000
- 75%
- 104,000
- 90%
- 135,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 88 | 11.2% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 47 | 6.0% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 25 | 3.2% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 49 | 6.2% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 44 | 5.6% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 35 | 4.4% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 64 | 8.1% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 92 | 11.7% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 62 | 7.9% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 47 | 6.0% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 62 | 7.9% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 49 | 6.2% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 31 | 3.9% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 24 | 3.0% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 21 | 2.7% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 17 | 2.2% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 7 | 0.9% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 4 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 8 | 1.0% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 5 | 0.6% |
| 200,000+ | 8 | 1.0% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,433 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010–2015 Hyundai Tucson, and 789 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 37,500 and 104,000 miles. The median is 73,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the engine (41.1% of complaints, typically around 87,000 miles), the hydraulic brake circuit (12.4% of complaints, typically around 96,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (8.1% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
8 recall campaigns cover this generation. 2 of them carry a severe NHTSA advisory.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2010–2015 Hyundai Tucson last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2010–2015 Hyundai Tucson were filed by 73,000 miles and 90% by 135,000 miles — figures drawn from 789 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
8 reports (1%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Tucson reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2010–2015 Tucson: the 3-minute check
Generated from 789 mileage-tagged complaints, 8 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check engine (2.0l/2.4l theta ii gdi) on 2011–2015 cars. Connecting-rod bearing wear and seizure caused by machining debris left in the crankshaft oil passages restricting oil flow; presents as a knocking noise escalating to engine failure or stall while driving. Covered by…
- Check brake lights on 2010–2013 cars. Stop lamp switch failure causing brake lights not to illuminate, cruise control not to cancel, and push-button start / shifter interlock faults; subject of a broad Hyundai recall.
- Check transmission on 2010–2015 cars. 6-speed automatic harsh shifting and torque-converter shudder complaints.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 38,000 and 104,000 miles, with a median of 73,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the engine and the hydraulic brake circuit are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The engine in particular shows a median failure mileage of 87,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Hyundai Tucson 2010–2015
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Electrical system92 reports37,00015,000–86,000Electrical system: 92 reports, median 37,000 miles, middle half 15,000 to 86,000 miles.
- Brakes68 reports47,00010,000–71,000Brakes: 68 reports, median 47,000 miles, middle half 10,000 to 71,000 miles.
- Throttle and speed control31 reports54,00019,000–99,000Throttle and speed control: 31 reports, median 54,000 miles, middle half 19,000 to 99,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline116 reports60,00020,000–90,000Transmission and driveline: 116 reports, median 60,000 miles, middle half 20,000 to 90,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise102 reports70,00062,000–102,000Problems owners could not categorise: 102 reports, median 70,000 miles, middle half 62,000 to 102,000 miles.
- Engine589 reports87,00070,000–112,000Engine: 589 reports, median 87,000 miles, middle half 70,000 to 112,000 miles.
- Hydraulic brake circuit177 reports96,00055,000–140,000Hydraulic brake circuit: 177 reports, median 96,000 miles, middle half 55,000 to 140,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 589 | 41.1% | 87,000 | 70,000–112,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 177 | 12.4% | 96,000 | 55,000–140,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 116 | 8.1% | 60,000 | 20,000–90,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 102 | 7.1% | 70,000 | 62,000–102,000 |
| Electrical system | 92 | 6.4% | 37,000 | 15,000–86,000 |
| Brakes | 68 | 4.7% | 47,000 | 10,000–71,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 31 | 2.2% | 54,000 | 19,000–99,000 |
| Body structure | 31 | 2.2% | 75,000 | 34,000–106,000 |
| Airbag system | 29 | 2.0% | 42,000 | 18,000–70,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 25 | 1.7% | 65,000 | 30,000–97,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Hyundai Tucson 2010–2015 · 789 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 37% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 64% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 84% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 1.0% of reports (8) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
37% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Hydraulic brake circuit — middle half 55,000–140,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — middle half 20,000–90,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 15,000–86,000 mi
- Brakes — middle half 10,000–71,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — middle half 19,000–99,000 mi
Mostly reported later
- Engine — middle half 70,000–112,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 62,000–102,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
64% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Transmission and driveline — median 60,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 37,000 mi
- Brakes — median 47,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 70,000–112,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit — middle half 55,000–140,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 62,000–102,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — middle half 19,000–99,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
84% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 87,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 60,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 70,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 37,000 mi
- Brakes — median 47,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 54,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Hydraulic brake circuit — middle half 55,000–140,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 73,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 41.1% of complaints (589 reports, 367 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 87,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 70,000 and 112,000 miles.
A single system taking 41.1% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The hydraulic brake circuit accounts for 12.4% of complaints (177 reports, 35 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 96,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 55,000 and 140,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 8.1% of complaints (116 reports, 87 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 60,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 20,000 and 90,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 7.1% of complaints (102 reports, 28 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 62,000 and 102,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 6.4% of complaints (92 reports, 47 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 37,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 15,000 and 86,000 miles.
The brakes account for 4.7% of complaints (68 reports, 23 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail early — a median of 47,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 10,000 and 71,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2013 model year drew the most — 319 complaints — while 2010 drew the fewest at 78. The median year sits at 273.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 8 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
2 of these carry a severe advisory — NHTSA's do not drive or park outside warnings, which the agency applies only when it considers the risk immediate. If you own one of these vehicles, that is the first thing to check by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the hydraulic brake circuit (2), the airbag system (2), the exterior lighting (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 1,433 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 67 (4.7%)
- Fires
- 74
- Injury reports
- 47
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Engine (2.0l/2.4l Theta Ii Gdi) 2011–2015
Connecting-rod bearing wear and seizure caused by machining debris left in the crankshaft oil passages restricting oil flow; presents as a knocking noise escalating to engine failure or stall while driving. Covered by Hyundai's Theta II engine settlement and the KSDS knock-sensor detection software campaign, with extended engine warranty coverage.
Brake Lights 2010–2013
Stop lamp switch failure causing brake lights not to illuminate, cruise control not to cancel, and push-button start / shifter interlock faults; subject of a broad Hyundai recall.
Transmission 2010–2015
6-speed automatic harsh shifting and torque-converter shudder complaints.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 78 | 55 |
| 2011 | 174 | 105 |
| 2012 | 315 | 210 |
| 2013 | 319 | 183 |
| 2014 | 238 | 111 |
| 2015 | 309 | 125 |
Recalls (8) — is your car included?
Apr 2024 · 2010–2013 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideAn engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The free 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.
May 2022 · 2014–2015 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideAn engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 31, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 218.
Aug 2019 · 2011–2013 · Engine and Engine CoolingA damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai has notified owners, and dealers will inspect for an oil pan leak, replacing it if necessary, and install an updated oil pressure switch, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 181.
Mar 2016 · 2011 · Power TrainIf enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission fluid cooler hose, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 25, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 139.
May 2014 · 2011–2014 · Air BagsAn air bag assembly that is not properly mounted may result in an increased risk of injury to the driver in…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. An air bag assembly that is not properly mounted may result in an increased risk of injury to the driver in the event of a crash.
The free fix. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts that secure the driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 118.
Apr 2013 · 2010–2011 · Exterior LightingFailure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could…
The defect. 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
What can happen. 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 transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
The free 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.
May 2011 · 2010 · Exterior LightingThis could lead to reduced visibility of the rear of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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.
What can happen. This could lead to reduced visibility of the rear of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free 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.
Mar 2010 · 2010 · Air BagsIf "air bag" warning lamp is illuminated, the passenger air bag will deploy if a crash of sufficient force to…
The defect. 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.
What can happen. 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 right front seating position, which may increase the risk of injury to a child front passenger.
The free 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.
What owners reported
the contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Tucson. While driving 15 MPH and making a turn the gear shifted into the neutral position without warning in addition, while depressing the accelerator pedal after a complete stop the failure recurred. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
2010 · 300 miles · Transmission and driveline
Sudden downshifting with loud clunk and lurching of vehicle at 35 MPH. Felt as if i had been hit from behind by another vehicle. Instinctively hit the brakes and pulled over to check for exterior damage, and found none. Continued down the road and experienced unusual increases in rpms. When i arrived at my…
2010 · 500 miles · Transmission and driveline
No accident yet, but worrisome. Have a 2010 Hyundai Tucson limited AWD. On several occasions now. When slowing down (such as a highway on or off ramp), without foot on the gas. Car violently downshifts. To the point feels like someone slammed on the brakes. Actually slowed the car down enough that i pushed forward in…
2010 · 3,500 miles · Transmission and driveline
Purchased my 2010 Hyundai Tucson in may 2010. I have had three instances of transmission lockup at 50 MPH. As described by others it feels like you hit something in the road. The car lurches and there is a loud noise. I am very afraid to drive this car, it feels like i will lose control of it one of these times when…
2010 · 6,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 789 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page