Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Hyundai Tucson owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When traveling at about 35-40 MPH, the vehicle sometimes does not engage when trying to automatically shift to the next gear. This causes the driver to lose all acceleration and essentially puts the vehicle into a coast. Tapping on the accelerator does nothing to engage the transmission again. However, after a few seconds or more, the transmission will finally engage. If you happen to have the accelerator pressed this will lurch the vehicle forward. If you happen to be behind another vehicle this could potential cause an accident by ramming the vehicle in front of you. There have been a couple of 'close calls'. I have videos of the engine revving that I can supply, but the file sizes are too large to upload. This has been occurring since I purchased the vehicle new. They replaced the transmission at 5000 miles for a similar situation. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the electronic stability control and down hill brake control warning lights illuminated. In addition, the gear shifter failed to shift into park from the drive position. Also, while driving various speeds, the gear shifter shifted out of the drive position into the park position independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle would need to be repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 13V113000 (exterior lighting, service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure with the gear shifter was not addressed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,692.
Tl* 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 manufacturer was not made aware of the failure the failure mileage was approximately 300. Updated 02/21/17 consumer states when driving interm happens on city driving feels like transmission goes into neutral and just revs and or when going around turns. Updated 7/10/18
I heard a clunk upon turning right, exiting a parking lot. The rear end of the car started to sway. Fearing a blown tire, I pulled off the road, only to find the left rear wheel pitched at a rather unhealthy angle. After towing the car to my local repair shop it was discovered that the rear cross member was rusted out. Apparently this is a fairly common occurrence in certain Hyundai models. Although out of warranty, it seems like Hyundai should be willing to address this issue of rust and stand by their vehicles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Tucson. While the four wheel drive was engaged, the vehicle traveled uphill and the front wheels moved, but the rear wheels seized. The contact stated that the four wheel drive warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Hyundai Tucson. While driving at various speeds, the RPM gauge increased and the vehicle shifted into different gears without being prompted. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.
2010 Hyundai Tucson ltd FWD - approx 14,000 miles. Car suddenly accelerated while driver was parking the car. Driver's foot on the brake and car lurched forward, stopping only when it hit a tree. Body work being done now and then off to dealership for analysis of brakes and sensors.
Since I got this vehicle the gear shift gets stuck. I have gone to the dealership to get the problem fixed. The problem has been the backlight switch. It is a big hassle trying to get this problem fixed with the dealership. The backlight switch last two to three years. I got the recall letter about the backlight switch in 2012, but why my VIN number is not listed? The dealership has been charging me every single time I have been there for this constant problem. I almost got kill by the train because of this backlight switch problem. I got stuck a feet away from the rail tracks two weeks ago, there was a car at front of me and I couldn't move the gear shift to reverse. The car decided to move at the last minute and I couldn't do anything. The contention bar was over my windshield so I couldn't move forward and I couldn't move backwards because the gear shift wasn't moving. …
For awhile noticed occasional but unusual increase in RPM's. Didn't think much of it until incident on highway when car made a loud noise, and lurched forward as if we hit something. Immediately pulled off road, and didn't notice any damage. Took car to dealer when they "reset" something and said the car was good. Problems with RPM's have continued, and took car to dealership 4 more times with identical faults. At one point they replaced a solenoid, which appeared to fix it for about 2 weeks. Were told they can not duplicate the faults, car is fine, and there is nothing they can do. They said the transmission learns your patterns and something might have gotten confused. I'm extremely frustrated with this. It's clearly a safety hazard, that will only continue to get worse. It's my wife's primary vehicle and I fear for her safety. …
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 3 times and from their diagnosis, they don't see the problem. There is definitely a malfunction in the transmission and doing research I've found these issues with numerous Tucson owners. We are concerned with our safety as we now have had a couple of close calls on the freeway. …
Transmission complaints in other Tucson years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 Hyundai Tucson?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 Hyundai Tucson, 37% of the model year's 59 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Hyundai Tucson transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2010 Hyundai Tucson, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Hyundai Tucson transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.