2016 Hyundai Tucson
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 1,620 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 21 Tucson model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 14 involved a crash and 26 involved a fire. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 4, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Hyundai expanded the recall population, and added certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.
Campaign 20V543000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringNov 21, 2016
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015, to November 14, 2016, and 2017 Santa Fe vehicles manufactured November 28, 2015, to November 14, 2016. The affected vehicles may be equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that, due to a malfunction of the tow hitch module, may result, in the trailer brake lights being constantly illuminated. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected accessory trailer hitch wiring harnesses, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 13, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 153.
Campaign 16V842000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)Aug 30, 2016
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 20, 2015 through May 31, 2016 and equipped with a 7-speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission. Certain driving conditions and high temperatures may cause the vehicle to not move if the accelerator pedal is pressed and released repeatedly.
Inability to move the vehicle while in traffic may increase the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the Transmission Control Module software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 28, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 149.
Campaign 16V628000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchMay 24, 2016
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 19, 2015 to March 14, 2016. In the affected vehicles, if the primary hood latch has been released, and the vehicle is driven, the secondary hood latch may not hold adequately secure the hood to prevent it from opening while the vehicle is in motion.
If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch cannot secure the hood, the hood may unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary hood latch, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 145.
Campaign 16V348000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, tail lightsMar 10, 2016
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016 Hyundai Tucson vehicles manufactured May 26, 2015 to January 15, 2016 and equipped with an accessory trailer hitch harness either included with the accessory trailer hitch or sold as a service part. In the affected vehicles, when the vehicle's engine is running and the brake lights are illuminated, if the turn signal is activated, the trailer turn signal lights will either turn off or remain continuously illuminated (not flash). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Failure to illuminate the trailer's turn signal lights would prevent the communication of the driver's intent, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began on May 2, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9640. Hyundai's number for this recall is 142.
Campaign 16V147000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
216 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Aug 22, 2023
The back left driver side door locked and can't be opened by any means. Child lock not on.
Electrical system, Structure, Aug 21, 2023
The right driver side door does not open from the outside after the car has been locked then unlocked using the key fob. Removing the key manually from the fob does not get the door to open. The only way to open the door from the outside is to leave the vehicle unlocked or to open it from the inside after going through another door.
Electrical system, Jul 7, 2023
Both of my back doors will not open from the inside or out. Thanks to youtube I watched videos on how to open doors from the inside I had to pull latch and then stick screwdriver in there to lift cable up up door would open. This is very dangerous for doors to not open up, taking time to use a screwdriver to open them up is ridiculous, according to youtube the cable was made too short. I called the manufacturer and they gave me a price of 700-1200.00 to fix. I really think this should be a recall. If someone in back needs to get out in emergency situation then they are stuck.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 28, 2023
Complete Engine failure under 100k miles. Electrical issues with toggle switches
Electrical system, Jun 17, 2023
Window and motor regulators both went out in 1-2 weeks apart may 2023
Electrical system, Structure, Jun 8, 2023
Passenger doors do not physically open when unlocked from outside and inside. Known stretched cable problems, with hundreds of complaints when doing a Google search. Elderly parents cannot yank hard enough to get them open by brute force. God forbid if there was an accident, you would not be able to open to door from inside to get out and others from outside would not be able to open either to assist. Rolling death trap. Hyundai Korea knows about the door cable problem and fixes it for free. USA wants you to pay $400 per door to fix. Shame on you Hyundai USA!!!
Electrical system, Engine, May 15, 2023
I've reported last year that I have an oil consumption problem.The car is not leaking to the ground.It's leaking within the car.I have replaced 2 catalyc converters in the past 2 years! The dealership ignores my requests and seems real shady.They rather I pay every year.I already feel it not working correctly,Its only been since October 2022,since i replaced the converter.I have contacted the corporation at Hyundai and nothing.They were a waste of time.I contacted the BAR and they were not much help either.I am spending constantly on this car with the same issue.What a lemon.Hyundai Corporation has to be held accountable for the mistakes.Thank you.
Electrical system, Visibility, May 15, 2023
While running errands in her 2016 Hyundai Tucson my wife rolled down her front driver and passenger side windows. When she encountered rain she attempted to roll both windows up, but the passenger side window would not roll up, causing a dangerous distraction where heavy rain was entering the vehicle while she was driving. Our mechanic inspected this part and said that the gears controlling the window were made of plastic which had been shredded over time and that the motor itself showed signs of corrosion. The vehicle is only 7 years old and has been well maintained, so i can't understand why this part failed so easily. Our mechanic informed us that this is a VERY common issue with Hyundai vehicles and that parts would be hard to come by because of high demand. This issue is available for inspection upon request and has been inspected by a licensed mechanic. There were no dash warnings associated with this issue.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, May 3, 2023
-Driver side and passenger side back doors do not open from the inside or outside. They just stopped opening one day, months apart. Nothing hit them or could have caused a jam. It is available for inspection upon request. -The doors don’t open, and I could not get my dog or child from out of the backseat. -This is a recurring problem based on what I have read online. The issue has been confirmed by a mechanic. -The doors were inspected by Caliber Collision and I got a quote from them. -There were no lights or warnings to inform me this was going to happen and still none now that it has happened. -
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 21, 2023
Unable to move the car while in traffic. The car slows down in traffic creating the possibility of accidents/crashes. The car will not go forward and only moves in reverse.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 4, 2023, crash
I have a 2016 Hyundai Tuscon Limited Turbo which I bought USED in August of 2018. The same week I left the lot I returned multiple times complaining that the car was hesitating and seemed like the transmission was having problems. The car would hesitate to go from a stop, several times leaving me and my infant (at the time) in the middle of intersections crossing traffic and unable to move. It almost got us SLAMMED multiple times. I explained this to them and they just kept telling me it was because of the turbo. I said NO ONE in their right mind would manufacture a car that goes fast at the cost of safety. That was insane to me but they kept sending me home. I returned over and over and over again for the entire 1st year I had the car with no resolution. Eventually, I also discovered issues if I had to brake hard, several times almost running into the back of people and on 08/08/2020 I actually DID slam into the back of someone. I got to eat the cost of the insurance claim - only later to find out that there was a recall on the ABS system which I believe caused the accident. In 2020 when the transmission died, they replaced it under warranty. It took 49 days to replace, meanwhile I have an infant and riding a bus and riding my bike everywhere because the dealer did not help me with a rental or loaner. Then a year later in the middle of 2021 the engine died which they replaced under warranty, this time providing me with a rental for only a short time of the month long situation. Also racked up tow and tow storage bills exceeding $500 because it broke down on a major road in the middle of the night. Now, on 03/11/2023 I heard a sound coming from the engine which sounded like a cat screaming, coupled with severe hesitation when trying to accelerate. Took it to the dealer and they refuse to fix it, said the warranty company declined it. Called Hyundai Corporate and they said the same thing. Called warranty company and they said NO ONE EVER SUBMITTED A CLAIM!!!!!
Electrical system, Mar 31, 2023
THE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STOPPED WORKING AND WAS STUCK DOWN. I HAD TO HAVE A LARGE PIECE OF THE DOOR REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT HYUNDAI MANUFACTURES THE PART WHICH CAUSED IT TO BE A VERY COSTLY REPAIR AS WELL. LESS THAN 6 MONTHS LATER, THE BACK WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Mar 28, 2023
2016 Hyundai Tucson was stolen on 3/23/2023 in Denver, CO. We were just at the dealership on 3/15/2023 in Edmond, OK and we were not notified of the issue of the vehicle being susceptible to being easily stolen due to the negligence of Hyundai. We were not offered a computer update or steering wheel lock. The dealership was negligent in not informing us of the issue with the engine immobilizer. Now we’re dealing with the aftermath of a stolen vehicle that was recovered damaged due the the negligence of Hyundai. They should have to cover expenses associated with their negligence. They knew about the issue with the lack of engine immobilizer.
Electrical system, Structure, Mar 26, 2023
When doors are unlocked, driver door outside handle will not open the door. It can be opened from the inside. No safety concern currently. Problem was reproducible by dealer technician and he stated he has a similar issue and showed me to hit below the handle with my fist. This is not a fix! When we took our Tucson for a warranty issue regarding the engine, we notified the technician of the problem and they failed to address the issue. This issue happened out of number-to-bumper warranty. I have read many forum articles by many owners that Hyundai will charge between &100 and $200 to diagnose the problem before fixing them charge for the component and labor to fix the issue. No warnings have appeared regarding the problem.
Electrical system, Visibility, Mar 22, 2023
In the past six months, three of the four window regulators on my 2016 Hyundai Tucson stopped working. Recently, one of my windows fell out while driving on the highway. Looks like this is a manufacturing defect as hundreds of complaints have been reported on the internet. The vehicle needs to be recalled as this seems to be a common problem in most 2016 Tucsons and poses significant risks while driving, especially on highways at high speeds. I’ve included some exact complaints for your reference here: https://www.vehiclehistory.com/questions/why-is-my-hyundai-tucson-2016-window-not-working-353123 I hope this problem gets resolved soon. Thank you.
Electrical system, Visibility, Nov 21, 2022
This vehicle model (Hyundai Tucson) is prone to breakdowns in power windows, especially front power windows, due to faulty gear in window regulator unit. Online forums are all complaining about this issue and the replacement part (regulator unit with motor) is being sold on Amazon and Ebay, a sure sign of high demand for the part. This is a dangerous safety issue as the first route of escape in an accident when door cannot be opened is the front windows. The cost to replace the part with labor is around $500 per window so many owners will rather live with the potentially dangerous issue without making repairs. There should be a recall issued by Hyundai to repair inoperable windows and to reimburse owners who have already made repairs.
Electrical system, Visibility, Nov 18, 2022
Without any warning, previous issues or unusual sounds, the REAR, passenger window would not roll up. I had a child in the backseat at the time, which was the first concern and the second being a security issue after the fact. In addition, after doing some research it sounds as though this is an ongoing issue with the Hyundai's (all windows) and should be considered for Manufacture Recall. Lastly(just as an "FYI")the replacement parts can not be found for the REAR window specifically which further confirms that the window motor &/or regulator in the Hyundai's are faulty.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 9, 2022
There have been several incidents where my Hyundai Tucson could have caused a major accident with another vehicle. The first time, I was driving down a hill and I barely could control the car. It began to jerk and I had to gradually steer it into another lane out of traffic. Another time, the oil just began to spout out from under the car while I was driving. It's still difficult keeping oil in the car, but the mechanic says there's no leak. Lastly. my engine light has been blinking off and on , and the mechanic changed the spark plugs and a number 2 coil, but I am still having engine problems. I was given the engine code P1326 from their diagnosis. Since purchasing the car with only about 43000 miles, I have had to replace the transmission, catalytic converter. get a tune up, spark plugs and a coil, and get the drivers side window fixed. All of this has come to over $5000, and now I'm told the engine needs to be replaced. Something about the camshaft.
Electrical system, Nov 6, 2022
When locking all doors and then unlocking doors the passenger door will not open from the outside. You can open it from the inside however in an accident or fire, no one could open this door. Very dangerous and I have seen numerous complaints about the door locking/latch issues
Electrical system, Oct 9, 2022
Window stuck in down position - forums full of this defect with repairs costing $500+ per window; windows protect you from weather and debris and when stuck up or down present a safety hazard.
Electrical system, Sep 28, 2022
Window motors, modules and regulators go out frequently (shortly after warranty ends). This usually happens one window after another in short time & is a very costly fix of $500+ per window.
Electrical system, Sep 12, 2022
The main power switch to the power windows is not operating properly. After extensive research into the problem I have noticed this is a frequent issue on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson. A severe thunderstorm had started and when I tried to put the passenger side rear window up it would not work. Now the front passenger window is doing the same thing. The individual switches work but not the main switch on the driverside door. It brings the window down but will not go back up. I have to use the actual window switch on that door to raise them back up. I have not been to the dealer yet about this issue but feel there needs to be a recall for this item as 100's of other owners are complaining of the same issue on Hynudai forum sites. The 2016 Hyundai Tucson model has been the center of several other recalls and I feel this needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
Power train, Electrical system, Sep 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the RPM increased; however, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. There was an update performed on the transmission control module before; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V628000 (Power Train, Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 29, 2022
Vacuum pump was recalled back in 2019 - T3C: TL Tucson Vacuum Pump (19-01-010H). My car was “repaired” to fix the seal/cap. However, today the vacuum pump needs to be replaced. The engine light, brake assist and traction control lights all came on and stayed on. After talking with Hyundai it appears as though back when the recall occurred, the minimum was repaired and proper replacement of the part was not taken. Hyundai says they are no longer required to remedy the problem because they already addressed the recall back in 2019. Is there any action enforceable to take toward Hyundai to honor a complete repair of the recall rather than just slap a band-aid on it?
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 28, 2022, crash
While back out of my driveway in my 2016 hyundai tucson, it suddenly accelerated on its own out of control rendering me helpless and just along for the ride. Finally stopped while in reverse the car went across the street crashing violently into my neighbors boat and engine was still reving until I shut it off after the crash. Both my car and neighbors boat had major damage.