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 10, 2020
WINDOWS DO NOT OPEN. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN IN THE CASE PASSENGERS NEED TO EVACUATE THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDOWS.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 6, 2020
THE DRIVER AND BACK PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES BOTH JUST JAMMED ONE DAY, THE DRIVER WINDOW SWITCH SHORTS OUT, DASH LIGHTS WILL FLASH ON AND OFF RANDOMLY, THE DEALERSHIP HAS ALREADY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE HAS BEEN TICKING FOR MONTHS AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS ITS DUE TO LOW OIL AND REFUSED TO LOOK INTO IT. NOW ITS TO THE POINT OF TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE.... PLEASE HELP ME I HAVNT EVEN HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS YET
Electrical system, Jul 28, 2020
THIS IS THE 2 TIME THIS HAPPENS THE 1ST TIMES WAS THE BACK DOOR WE STILL HAD WARRANTY WE GOT THAT FIXED NOT ITS THE DRIVER SIDE IT DOES NOT UNLOCK WE HAVE TO GO INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER SIDE. IF SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING ME HOW AN I GOING TO GET INTO MY CAR! THIS IS A HAZARDOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 26, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO MOVE FORWARD WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO MANLY HYUNDAI (2755 CORBY AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407) WHERE AN UNKNOWN SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED ON VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V628000 (POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 3, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUSCON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND SMOKE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD FLAMES WERE DISCOVERED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A FIRE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE HOME. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH WAS INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Electrical system, Jun 1, 2020
ABOUT A WEEK AGO THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR OCCASIONALLY BEGAN TO REMAIN LOCKED ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF, INSTEAD OF UNLOCKING AUTOMATICALLY. NOW, THIS HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAS STARTED TO DO THE SAME. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN THAT ARE BOTH IN CAR SEATS AND I AM CONCERNED THAT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET THEM OUT OF THE CAR. ESPECIALLY WITH THE WEATHER GETTING WARMER. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Mar 9, 2020
IN MY CASE ALL THREE DOORS WERE LOCKED AND COULD NOT OPEN IN STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY, TURNING OR OFF. IT STARTED WITH DRIVER'S DOOR NOT OPENING FROM OUTSIDE 1ST AND WHEN I UNLOCKED USING MY CAR KEY IT WOULDN'T OPEN. I HAD TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM PASSENGER SIDE IN ORDER TO GET TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THEN BOTH BACK PASSENGER LEFT AND RIGHT DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS CREATED MAJOR CONCERN AND SAFETY ISSUE SINCE I COULDN'T HAVE ANYONE SITTING IN THE BACK SINCE NO ONE COULD GET IN OR GET OUT. I TOOK MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND SINCE MY CAR HAD 62,000 MILES IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE HYUNDAI WARRANTY. THEY REPLACED THE DRIVER DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FOR $392 IN 12/13/2019. ONE MONTH LATER IN 1/13/2020 I STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH BACK RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR AND ONE WEEK LATER IN 1/18/20 I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH BACK LEFT PASSENGER DOOR. THIS TIME BOTH BACK DOORS WERE LOCKED FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE SO NO ONE WAS ABLE TO GET IN OR OUT. I TOOK MY CAR TO AAMCO AND THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE DOORS TRIM & SEALS TO GET DOORS OPEN AND REPLACED BOTH DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FOR $862.79. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED WITH MY OTHER CARS AND IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN WHEN YOU ARE LOCKED INSIDE THE CAR AND CAN'T GET OUT. THERE HAS BEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS NOT FUNCTIONING AND REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. I'M HOPING NHTSA CAN ADDRESS THIS SAFETY CONCERN AND ASK HYUNDAI TO RECALL AND REPLACE THE PARTS. I KNOW SOON I WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY TRUNK DOOR AND FRONT RIGHT DOOR. GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. THE PARTS ARE POOR QUALITY AND NOT DESIGNED TO LAST AND THIS CREATES SAFETY CONCERN.
Electrical system, Air bags, Feb 8, 2020
2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON ECO: VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND I NOTICED THE AIR BAG INDICATOR IS ILLUMINATED. I REMOVED KEYS FROM IGNITION AND RE-STARTED WITH SAME RESULTS. NOT SURE IF IT'S A MODULE OR A DEFECTIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 27, 2020
IN SUMMER OF 2019 I NOTICED LEFT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW STOPPED FUNCTIONING. A FEW MONTHS LATER, RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR STARTED NOT OPENING FROM THE OUTSIDE. FAST FORWARD 3 MONTHS LATER, DRIVER WIDE WINDOW STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND NOW A FEW SHORT WEEKS LATER THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NO LONGER OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE TRIED OPERATING THE WINDOWS THAT AREN'T WORKING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND ALSO WHILE MOVING. THE DOORS OBVIOUSLY HAVE ONLY BEEN ATTEMPTED TO BE OPEN WHILE STATIONARY AND IN PARK. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL ISSUE? BUT I ALSO BELIEVE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *LN CONSUMER STATED SHE NOW HAS 3 DOORS AND 2 WINDOWS THAT ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *JB
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 20, 2019
THE DOORS AT TIMES WILL NOT OPEN, POWER WINDOWS WILL NOT GO DOWN. VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN DRIVING. WHEN UNLOCKING DOORS WITH REMOTE, DOORS LOCK BACK ON THEIR OWN.
Power train, Electrical system, Dec 16, 2019
WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN I LET OFF THE BRAKE AND HIT THE GAS AND THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO MOVE IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND ONCE IT STARTS MOVING THE CAR STARTS JERKING AND SLIPS FROM 1 TO 2ND GEAR. SAME THING HAS HAPPENED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, AND MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER AND REPROGRAMMING THE COMPUTER IT WILL STILL DO IT. THE CAR HAS 56K MILES ON IT AND IT SEEMS TO BE DOING IT MORE OFTEN NOW. I REALLY DIDN'T THINK ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS ISSUE, BUT AFTER READING UP ON IT, IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE ON THE 1.6 TURBO TUCSON. ALSO THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS SEEM TO STOP WORKING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST WORK AS IF ANYTHING WAS WRONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AS WELL. I'M AFRAID WE'RE ARE GOING TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS.
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 26, 2019
2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON DOES NOT ACCELERATE OR REVERSE DOES NOT ACCELERATE WHEN IN MOTION, DOES NOT REVERSE
Electrical system, Nov 8, 2019
HYUNDAI TUCSON 2016. I HAVE CHANGE THE WINDOWS MECHANICAL 3 TIMES. ONCE THE CAR IS ON THE WINDOWS GETS DOWN AND WONT WORK UNTIL.YOU CHANGE THE PART THAT PUTS IT UP. THE WHITE ROUND PIECE IN THE MIDDLE GETS STRIPPED
Electrical system, Structure, Nov 4, 2019
THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED; THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCKED WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK BUT WHEN THE PASSENGERS TRIED TO LEAVE THROUGH THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IT WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE. I TRIED OPENING THE HANDLE FROM OUTSIDE THINKING IT WAS CHILD LOCKS BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN THAT WAY EITHER. BOTH HANDLES MOVE BUT NOTHING HAPPENS, AND I HAVE MADE SURE THE LOCK IS FULLY UNLOCKED. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS POWER LOCK ACTUATOR. THERE IS NO WAY FOR ME TO OPEN THIS DOOR WITHOUT SPECIFIC TOOLS. NOTHING HAS HIT THE DOOR INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.
Electrical system, Oct 3, 2019
REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WHEN UNLOCKED WITH EITHER OUTSIDE HANDLE NOR INSIDE HANDLE WITHOUT JARRING DOOR. SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO GET CHILDREN OUT OF CARSEAT
Electrical system, Sep 21, 2019
POWER DOOR LOCKS/DOOR ACTUATORS STOP WORKING WHICH PREVENTS DOOR FROM OPENING FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE ON BOTH REAR DOORS AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. DOORS WOULD REMAIN LOCKED AFTER DRIVING MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE FOR ANY PASSENGERS.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 20, 2019
SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH BREAKS. IT DOESN'T FULLY STOPPED THE CAR WHEN I PRESS DOWN ON THE PADS. I HAVE TO PRESS TWICE DOWN FOR THE CAR TO STOP. DRIVER WINDOWS POWER WINDOWS SOMETIMES WHEN I AM TRYING TO CLOSE THE WINDOWS IT ACTUALLY GOES DOWN.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jul 28, 2019
THE CAR WHEN AT A STOP, YOU GO TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO TAKE OFF AND THERE IS A DELAY IN THE CAR ACTUALLY ACKNOWLEDGING AND TAKING OFF TO ACCELERATE. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES PERIODICALLY AND IT IS NOW BECOMING MORE FREQUENT
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 19, 2019
LIGHTS OF STOP DO NOT HAVE NORMAL FUNCTION. SOMETIMES, TURN ON AND MOST OF TIME, NOT.
Electrical system, Jul 17, 2019
RIGHT DOOR ARE NOT WORKING FROM IN OR OUT SIDE FRONT AND BACK
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT OPERATE IF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED. THE BRAKE LIGHTS ONLY WORKED WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE OFF. IN ADDITION, "BRAKE LIGHT OUT" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
Electrical system, Jun 10, 2019
FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WENT DOWN AND WON'T GO UP. WINDOW MOTOR IS WORKING BUT WINDOW WON'T GO UP.
Electrical system, May 29, 2019
3 OF THE 4 WINDOWS WON'T GO UP OR DOWN.
Power train, Electrical system, May 9, 2019
WHEN I PUSH THE ACCELERATION FROM A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. IT ALSO JERKS WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM GEAR 2 TO 1.THIS HAPPENS A LOT ON THE CITY STREET OR WHEN IN TRAFFIC AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED WRECKS MULTIPLE TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A MACHANIC AND THEY REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND COILS BUT THE VEHICLE IS STILL DOING THIS AND I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE IT IN FEAR OF A CRASH UNTIL FIND OUT IF THIS IS THE SAME RECALL FROM OTHER 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON TRANSMISSION ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAYBE. APPRECIATE YOUR HELP.
Power train, Electrical system, Apr 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LITHIA HYUNDAI OF FRESNO (LOCATED AT 5590 N BLACKSTONE AVE, FRESNO, CA 93710, (559) 899-3257) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE ECOSHIFT DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V628000 (POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.