Hyundai Tucson 2010–2015 problems by year and mileage
2nd generation (LM / ix35)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,135 complaints, 619 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2010 Hyundai Tucson
Close- Median failure report
- 46,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 59
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2010
- Transmission and driveline22 reports
- Brakes8 reports
- Engine7 reports
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Exterior lighting — brake lights · Exterior lighting
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Hyundai Tucson
Close- Median failure report
- 72,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 124
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2011
- Engine40 reports
- Hydraulic brake circuit21 reports
- Transmission and driveline20 reports
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Engine and engine cooling — engine · Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2012 Hyundai Tucson
Close- Median failure report
- 83,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 255
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2012
- Engine160 reports · median 98,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit27 reports
- Transmission and driveline26 reports
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Engine and engine cooling — engine · Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2013 Hyundai Tucson
Close- Median failure report
- 78,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 266
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2013
- Engine156 reports · median 87,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit31 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise23 reports
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Engine and engine cooling — engine · Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2014 Hyundai Tucson
Close- Median failure report
- 79,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 202
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2014
- Engine110 reports · median 92,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit41 reports
- Electrical system15 reports
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Air bags
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2015 Hyundai Tucson
Close- Median failure report
- 69,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 229
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2015
- Engine120 reports · median 70,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit52 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise29 reports
Recall areas Service brakes, hydraulic — antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2012; earliest: the 2010, and the 2010 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2010–2015 Hyundai Tucson reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 76,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 134,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 619
- Recalls
- 8
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Engine52.2% of complaints · median 87,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit15.7% of complaints · median 99,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline10.2% of complaints · median 60,000 mi
Documented problems
- Engine (2.0L/2.4L Theta II GDI)2011–2015
- Brake Lights2010–2013
- Transmission2010–2015
Owners filed 1,135 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010–2015 Hyundai Tucson; the engine leads with 52.2% of them, and half of the 619 that record an odometer reading came by 76,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 43,000 to 105,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2010–2015 Hyundai Tucson last?
On the 2010–2015 Hyundai Tucson, half of the 619 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 76,000 miles and 90% by 134,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
39 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 5 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Tucson reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Hyundai Tucson 2010–2015 · 619 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 78 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 5 complaints (0.8%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 9,500
- 25%
- 43,000
- Median
- 76,000
- 75%
- 105,000
- 90%
- 134,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 63 | 10.2% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 30 | 4.8% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 19 | 3.1% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 28 | 4.5% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 38 | 6.1% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 29 | 4.7% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 51 | 8.2% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 78 | 12.6% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 56 | 9.0% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 35 | 5.7% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 51 | 8.2% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 41 | 6.6% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 26 | 4.2% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 20 | 3.2% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 15 | 2.4% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 16 | 2.6% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 6 | 1.0% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 4 | 0.6% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 5 | 0.8% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 3 | 0.5% |
| 200,000+ | 5 | 0.8% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Tucson problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Hyundai Tucson 2010–2015
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Electrical system92 reportsmedian 37,000middle half 15,000–86,000
- Brakes68 reportsmedian 47,000middle half 10,000–71,000
- Transmission and driveline116 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 20,000–90,000
- Problems owners could not categorise102 reportsmedian 70,000middle half 62,000–102,000
- Body structure31 reportsmedian 75,000middle half 34,000–106,000
- Engine593 reportsmedian 87,000middle half 70,000–112,000
- Hydraulic brake circuit178 reportsmedian 99,000middle half 66,000–149,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 593 | 52.2% | 87,000 | 70,000–112,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 178 | 15.7% | 99,000 | 66,000–149,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 116 | 10.2% | 60,000 | 20,000–90,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 102 | 9.0% | 70,000 | 62,000–102,000 |
| Electrical system | 92 | 8.1% | 37,000 | 15,000–86,000 |
| Brakes | 68 | 6.0% | 47,000 | 10,000–71,000 |
| Body structure | 31 | 2.7% | 75,000 | 34,000–106,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 31 | 2.7% | 54,000 | 19,000–99,000 |
| Airbag system | 30 | 2.6% | 42,000 | 18,000–70,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 26 | 2.3% | 65,000 | 30,000–97,000 |
Known problems with the 2010–2015 Tucson
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.
Before you buy a 2010–2015 Tucson: the 3-minute check
Generated from 619 mileage-tagged complaints, 8 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 8 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine (2.0L/2.4L theta II GDI) on 2011–2015 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check brake lights on 2010–2013 cars.
- Check transmission on 2010–2015 cars.
- Years differ here: from 59 to 266 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Tucson problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi33% below | At 90k mi63% below | At 120k mi84% below | At 150k mi94% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 70,000–112,000 | later | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 66,000–149,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 20,000–90,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 62,000–102,000 | later | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 15,000–86,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 10,000–71,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 34,000–106,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Hyundai Tucson 2010–2015 · 619 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 33% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 63% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 84% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 94% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2010–2015 Hyundai Tucson recalls (8)
NHTSA records 8 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
2 of these carry a severe advisory — do not drive or park outside; check those first by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the hydraulic brake circuit (2), the airbag system (2), the exterior lighting (2) (why one area can repeat).
Sep 2023 · 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…
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…
Feb 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…
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…
Feb 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.…
Jan 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Apr 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…
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.
Feb 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…
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…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,135 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 47 (4.1%)
- Fires
- 47
- Injury reports
- 31
- Fatality reports
- 0
Tucson problems by model year
The 2013 drew the most complaints of this generation, 266, most of them about the engine, and the 2010 the fewest, 59. A typical year drew about 216.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 59 | 39 | 46,000 | Transmission and driveline (22) | 4 |
| 2011 | 124 | 70 | 72,000 | Engine (40) | 5 |
| 2012 | 255 | 169 | 83,000 | Engine (160) | 3 |
| 2013 | 266 | 159 | 78,000† | Engine (156) | 3 |
| 2014 | 202 | 94 | 79,000† | Engine (110) | 2 |
| 2015 | 229 | 88 | 69,000† | Engine (120) | 1 |
What Tucson owners reported
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 stated that while her significant other was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal…
2010 · 160,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
The contact owns a 2015 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The engine turned over but failed to restart. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V056000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic…
2015 · 118,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started making an abnormal ticking sound. While accelerating, the sound level increased. The contact stated that the failure was related to the engine warranty extension TXXM. An independent mechanic was contacted and…
2014 · 134,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Tucson. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact's wife was able to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where…
2014 · 130,000 miles · Engine
Built from 619 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Tucson generations
- Tucson 2005–2009 345 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Tucson 2016–2021 1,525 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Tucson 2022–2025 146 reports with mileage, most about forward collision avoidance