Recall 11V259 affects 7,829 2010 Hyundai Tucson vehicles with rear reflector assemblies that reduce rear visibility. Repair is free at any franchised Hyundai dealer.
Hyundai recalled 7,829 2010 Tucson SUVs under recall 11V259 because rear bumper reflector assemblies failed federal photometry requirements. Reduced visibility at the rear of the vehicle increases crash risk, and the Hyundai dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear reflectors on the 2010 Hyundai Tucson are built into the rear bumper. They do not create light like a taillamp. Their job is to bounce light from another vehicle's headlights back toward that driver, which helps make the back of the SUV visible when the lamps are off or visibility is poor.
In Hyundai recall 11V259, the issue is the reflector assembly's photometry, which means the amount and direction of reflected light. The rear bumper reflectors installed on affected Tucson SUVs do not meet the federal reflection requirement. The filing does not identify a broken bulb, wiring fault, or driver-controlled switch problem. The concern is that the reflector does not reflect light strongly enough in the required pattern.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners are not expected to hear, feel, or see a change from the driver's seat because this is a reflection-performance problem at the rear bumper.
Who's affected?
| 2010 Hyundai Tucson | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 7,829 |
Not every 2010 Hyundai Tucson is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Reduced rear visibility makes the vehicle harder for other drivers to see from behind and increases the risk of a crash. Schedule the recall service soon, and use extra care around traffic approaching from the rear until the repair is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised Hyundai dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010 Hyundai Tucson is included in this recall.
- Review any Hyundai owner notice mailed for this recall, and keep it with your service papers.
- Contact a franchised Hyundai dealer and reference recall number 11V259 when you call.
- Schedule the free rear-reflector replacement that restores rear visibility from the back of the vehicle.
- Drive with extra care until the rear-reflector repair is complete, especially in low-light traffic.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Hyundai technician replaces the rear reflector assemblies in the rear bumper. The replacement is free under the recall. The repair was expected to open during June 2011, but the current remedy status is not listed. Confirm availability with the Hyundai service desk before arranging the visit. Once the repair is available, parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| April 26, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 20, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V259?
Recall 11V259 covers 7,829 2010 Hyundai Tucson vehicles whose rear bumper reflector assemblies did not meet federal photometry requirements. Reduced rear visibility increases crash risk. Hyundai dealers replace the rear reflector assemblies free of charge.
What should I do if my 2010 Hyundai Tucson is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific 2010 Hyundai Tucson is included in recall 11V259. If it is, contact a franchised Hyundai dealer and ask for the rear reflector assembly replacement. Reference recall 11V259 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost, and Hyundai's remedy says dealers will replace the rear reflector assemblies free of charge. Use a franchised Hyundai dealer for the recall repair.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility from the rear of the vehicle. The rear reflector assemblies do not meet the required photometry standard, which increases crash risk because other drivers have less reflected light to see the Tucson from behind.
What if I bought my Hyundai Tucson used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2010 Tucson is included, then contact a franchised Hyundai dealer and reference recall 11V259.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V259000 |
|---|---|
| Hyundai customer service | 1-800-633-5151 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V259 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V259000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →