HyundaiTucson2010Overview/hyundai/tucson/2010/base/

2010 Hyundai Tucson

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 Tucson.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2010 Hyundai Tucson is a compact SUV pairing a 6-speed automatic transmission with EPA fuel economy of 23 city / 31 highway / 26 combined mpg and requiring 4.8 quarts of 5W-20 or 5W-30 API oil at service intervals. With 57 total owner complaints and 4 recalls — concentrated primarily in the Power Train category — the 2010 model year sits near the quiet end of the Tucson's complaint history spanning 2005 through 2026, falling just one year after the model's lowest-complaint year (2009, at 18 complaints) and far below the 2016 peak of 1,612. That relatively low complaint volume positions the 2010 as a comparatively reliable entry in the Tucson's lineage, though the power train focus of those complaints and the four recalls remain factors worth researching before purchase.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192010

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/31/26 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnOFFOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-60R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Battery371102E100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length173.2 in
Overall width71.7 in
Overall height65.4 in
Wheelbase103.9 in
Curb weight3371 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 62.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 31 / 26 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Tucson of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.1–9.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2010 GLS
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2010GLS 2.4L I-48.10 sec16.20 sec176 hpFWD
2010GLS 2.4L I-48.20 sec16.30 sec176 hpFWD
2010GLS 2.4L I-48.60 sec16.80 sec176 hpAWD
2010Limited 2.4L I-48.80 sec16.70 sec176 hpAWD
2010Limited 2.4L I-49.00 sec16.90 sec176 hpAWD
2012Limited 2.4L I-48.80 sec17.00 sec176 hpAWD
2014Limited 2.4L I-47.80 sec16.20 sec182 hpFWD
2014Limited 2.4L I-48.20 sec16.40 sec182 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.8 qt of 5W-20 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0-33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidHyundai SP-IV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-20 · 5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.8 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts87-94 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14-17 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36-40 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0-33.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub145-203 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub145-203 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)620 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.56-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Timing8, Not adjutstable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.06-1.18 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.85-4.55 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-19 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-19 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)50.0-51.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)46.9-52.6 psi
Engine Compression164
Engine Oil Pressure18.8 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0002 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.001 in / 0.0012 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M6 Bolts8–9 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not allow oil on cylinder head bolts. Apply Loctite 5900H or equivalent on the front edge of the cylinder head gasket. Both the upside and the down side. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

124.0-27.0 ft. lbs.24–27 ft. lbs
290 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees-95 degrees90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 23 ft. lbs., Step 3: 12511 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Radiator (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBrake Rotor (inspect) · Disc Brake Caliper (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
Every 37,500 miDifferential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Across this vehicle's generational record, federal data reveals a steep decline in complaints from 185 in 2005 down to just 18 in 2009, followed by a dramatic and sustained escalation beginning with the 2010 model year. The 2010 Tucson marks the start of this troubled upward arc, experiencing a sudden spike to 57 complaints, 4 recalls, and 2 investigations—up significantly from 2009's 1 recall and 0 investigations—alongside a massive jump in technical service bulletins from 37 to 109. For the 2010 model specifically, Power Train issues lead the complaint categories with 16 reports, followed by Service Brakes Hydraulic, Air Bags, and Engine tied at 4 each; however, the data does not specify the root causes for these failures. This initial 2010 spike merely foreshadows much larger problems, as complaints skyrocket to 1,612 in 2016 and remain severely elevated through 2017. Given that the 2010 model initiates a volatile trajectory rather than settling into a reliable rhythm, it represents a risky first-model-year transition and is not a recommended purchase.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
109
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
57
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 57 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train16
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Air Bags4
Engine4
Electrical System4
Unknown Or Other3
Service Brakes3
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

13V113000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 01/04/2013

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… Remedy: 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…

11V259000Exterior LightingReported 26/04/2011

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 109 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
DTN DL2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of…
DTN DCS2026-04-10Air BagsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety…
26-01-033H TSB2026-03-26EngineThis TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based…
26-01-033H DN2026-03-26EngineThis TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based…
25-BD-012H TSB2025-11-05Exterior LightingThis bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tucson. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2010 Tucson take?

4.8 qt of 5W-20 OR 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2010 Tucson have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Tucson get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 31 highway / 26 combined mpg.