2010 Hyundai TUCSON problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
58 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
43,801 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 38 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 58 complaints (27.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 19 | 32.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 22.4% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 6.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 16 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
Power Train: 16; Service Brakes: 8; Engine: 7; Electrical System: 6; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 6; Air Bags: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 5
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2010: 8; 2011: 4; 2012: 3; 2013: 6; 2014: 6; 2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 4; 2020: 2; 2021: 3; 2022: 3; 2023: 3; 2024: 4; 2025: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10316871 · 2010-03-04 (March 4, 2010)
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 THE DRIVERS SEATS, AND THE SEAT BELT TENSIONED UP TO KEEP ME GOING FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THIS, AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO DEFECT, AND THAT IT IS 'NORMAL' BEHAVIOR. BUT I HAVE NEVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10316871 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10332306 · 2010-05-26 (May 26, 2010)
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 DESTINATION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE. OWNED VEHICLE ONLY 11 DAYS. INCIDENT OCCURRED AT 500 MILES. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. SERVICE CENTER INFORMS ME THAT VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE "PERFORMING NORMALLY," BUT THEY ARE "CHECKING THE CO…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10332306 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10320982 · 2010-03-19 (March 19, 2010)
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS PERSISTING. CAUSING VERY HARD DOWNSHIFTS, MAKING SEAT BELT TENSIONERS LOCK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10320982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10361091 · 2010-10-18 (October 18, 2010)
I HAVE HAD MY HYUNDAI TUCSON FOR ABOUT 5 MONTHS, ABOUT TWO MONTHS AFTER OWNING THE CAR THE CAR MADE A LOUD CLUNK AND LURCHED FORWARD,LIKE I GOT HIT FROM BEHIND OR LIKE I HIT AN ANIMAL. I PULLED OVER TO SEE IF I DID BUT NOTHING WAS THERE. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT THREE TIMES BEFORE I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY CHECKED IT AND SAID EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT FINE. THEY RESET THE TRANSMISSION, THEY TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION LEARNS YOUR PATTERNS AND SOMETHING MIGHT HAVE GOTTEN CONFUSED. ITS BEEN ABOUT 2 MONTHS NOW SINCE THEY "FIXED" THE PROBLEM BUT THIS MORN…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10361091 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10556785 · 2013-12-20 (December 20, 2013)
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK FROM DRIVE WHEN STOPPED TO PARK. I DROVE TO ANOTHER PARKING SPOT AND STILL WOULD NOT GO INTO PARK. THE CAR FINALLY SHUT DOWN. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART, WHICH UNABLE TO DO THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FROZEN AND UNABLE TO PUSH DOWN. LUCKILY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT BECAUSE IF IT HAD STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY I COULD OF CREATED A ACCIDENT. THE CAR JUST FROZE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 25,495 miles reported. Look up ODI 10556785 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10597798 · 2014-06-12 (June 12, 2014)
MY PROBLEM WITH THIS TUCSON IS IN REGARDS OF "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION". IT SPORADICALLY, ON AN ALMOST DAILY BASIS WE EXPERIENCE "SUA" FOLLOWED BY IMMEDIATELY LOSES POWER AND ACCELERATION EVERY TIME IT'S DRIVEN. EX: DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY DOING 70MPH, IT WILL LUNGE AND THE TACHOMETER WILL RACE AND SUDDENLY LOSES POWER DOWN TO 35MPH. THEN HAS A LAG ACCELERATING AFTERWARDS. THIS IS CONSISTENT THROUGH OUT THE DAY SINCE I COMMUTE A LOT. OTHER ISSUES, WHEN ENGINE ON IDLE IT FEELS LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO STALL. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP …
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10597798 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10452735 · 2012-03-23 (March 23, 2012)
SEE OID 10434752. SAME ISSUE. HAD PROBLEMS GETTING VEHICLE INTO PARK. THAT ISSUE APPEARS RESOLVED. HOWEVER, ONE DAY THE STEREO WAS STAYING ON FOR A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. TWO DAYS LATER, THERE WAS NO AUDIO FROM THE STEREO, GPS OR BLUETOOTH. THEY ALL APPEAR TO BE WORKING (RADIO CHANGES STATIONS/VOLUME, GPS OPERATES NORMALLY AND I CAN MAKE CALLS USING BLUETOOTH), THERE IS JUST NO AUDIO OUTPUT. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY DID NOT DO ANY DIAGNOSTICS ASIDE FROM TURNING ON THE STEREO BEFORE TELLING ME THE STEREO N…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10452735 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11437073 · 2021-10-17 (October 17, 2021)
Every morning the car has to have a jump! We bought a battery! That didn't help! We took it to the shop, they couldn't figure it out but said it was something to do with the electrical but didn't know what, so we started digging on our own and you have to take the fuse out to the radio for the car to start! So after spending ALL that money that's what it is, we can't listen to music to start our every morning but now it is getting worse, something else is draining the battery! And no one knows what!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11437073 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11426713 · 2021-07-27 (July 27, 2021)
Yesterday, my wife car, suddenly started to sharply to the right, when her hold on steering wheel relaxed. I tested it. It is not an alignment problem. It is a sudden and obvious taking over of the steering by the car. I took it to my mechanic. He told me that he and none of his certified mechanics have ever seen this problem, and did not know what was wrong and I should contact Hyundai as perhaps there was a recall or service bulletin on this condition. I did that, but was told that I would have to bring it there to be diagnosed. My conc…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11426713 at NHTSA ↗