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: engine
429 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Engine, Nov 12, 2023
51k miles and engine went out on the highway. No lights or warnings until afterwards. We were able to safely pull over onto the shoulder and had the vehicle towed to the dealer for servicing.
Engine, Nov 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle inadvertently decelerated with the accelerator pedal depressed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the vehicle was not under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
Engine, Nov 1, 2023
The engine has continuously thrown itself into limp mode, unable to exceed 2,000 RPMS and 60mph. It has been in and out of the dealership for the past 6 months as they have zero idea of what’s going on. This all started a month after some software updates were done. Car had zero mechanical issues prior. Car has no audible knocking or engine failure symptoms. I’ve spent atleast $2,000 out of pocket to attempt to get the car fixed with no luck. When I get the car back everytime, it goes into limp mode at interstate speeds which is extremely dangerous.
Engine, Oct 27, 2023
UNKNOWN FULLY Engine knocking out of the blue and then died. Car went limp while driving down the road. Starts and is loudly knocking. Throws codes P0011 and P0326 Cannot drive vehicle. I have not notified hyundai yet. There were no warning lights. Car ran perfectly fine. No issues. Then the engine just died.
Engine, Oct 24, 2023
Vehicle began to consume large amounts of oil, needing oil added several times a week, every 200-300 miles. Vehicle is now needing engine replacement due to oil consumption related issues.
Engine, Oct 3, 2023
I was driving from California to Cincinnati to relocate for an unpaid internship. I had a mechanic check my car before I left and was told there was a problem with the engine since it was consuming more oil than normal. I took it to a dealership in California who then said there was nothing wrong and roping off the oil for the drive was expected. About 150 miles before Chicago, my engine started to sound like a helicopter. I had it towed to a dealership in the chicago suburbs that told me I had internal engine failure and it was a known problem so would submit it to the warranty company for me since I am the second owner and technically out of warranty. The warranty company made me jump through hoops to provide documentation for them of every oil change I’ve ever had on the car, even from before I owned it, only to deny the claim due to being out of warranty. The first owner warranty would have still covered this incident as the car is only 7 years old and was just under 70k miles at the time. At time of incident, nothing on the dashboard lit up, not even the check engine light.
Engine, Sep 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving with the cruise control set at 70 MPH, he heard a knocking sound coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle and the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while on an incline, he shifted the vehicle into neutral and was able to navigate the vehicle to safety. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the pistons and rod bearings had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Engine, Sep 23, 2023
Prior to these oil changes and tires was completed and March 2023 engine light on and whining noise took it to Firestone twice they ran complete diagnosis twice and mechanic found no leak around the engine or leak in bottom and they recommended that I take it Hyundai dealership which I did that same month again Hyundai Service ran diagnosis and recommended replacing some air valve to fix the problem but the part needed to be ordered; again it took over six weeks to get appointment for service at this Hyundai Service dealership do said repair and I ask if I can still drive the car with engine light on they said it was o.k as long as engine light not was blinking. The next day engine light came on again and it took over six weeks to get appointment with Hyundai Service dealership in my area and the car sat in the driveway for over month. Now September 2023 same Hyundai Service ran engine diagnosis now need gasket and valve and they said engine failure because no oil in the engine and would cost $11K to replace. So please tell me in over month that car sat in driveway with no visible leaks in engine area and no leaks in the driveway, so where did the oil go and only answer I can deduce engine is defective.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 21, 2023
My car has an engine oil leak that has been happening for over a year now since I bought it. I have to change my oil every 2,000 miles because of the leak, when Ive been told this car should be changing its oil for every 7,000 miles. My passenger door no longer opens from the outside once my car is unlocked. I have to put my window down in order to get inside and this is a safety hazard.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 15, 2023
Recently the transmission was replaced because the original one was defective. After a couple of weeks, I had turned on the clean air control and it started blowing cold air, so I turned the heater control higher, and the air was even colder. I don't know why this started happening all of a sudden. I'm the type of driver that rarely turns on the heater or air conditioning, I always use the recycle air button that pulls from off the engine and from outside.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 4, 2023
I bought a used 2016 Hyundai Tucson locally. Had the car 3 days, & both rear window actuators had to be replaced. Had the car a week, oil pump/pan seal failed. Then the rear seal fail. Then the boot on the right CV joint failed. The aAC started blowing hot on the passenger side, while cold on the driver side, but I DON’T have dual controls for the temperature & it’s full. Bluetooth randomly connects/disconnects. Gas gauge is inaccurate says 40 miles left & then suddenly your light is on & it says you’ve 20. REPEATEDLY replaced my brake light bulbs/front turn signal bulbs, several times within a few months of each other, often on the same side. Having my phone plugged into the charging ports, the phone often overheats to the point of being too hot to touch. Even placed out of the sun’s rays, & shaded. Must pull front passenger door 2x externally before it will open. RR passenger door you can pull all day/push from inside /outside, doesn’t matter, WON’T OPEN.The car is equipped with a CVT, which allows you to shift manually if needed. Then the transmission refused to shift automatically. No codes would show. Today car died on me in the middle of the road, while I was turning, check engine is on, & car refuses to start. I was almost hit by cross traffic from both directions. A few people drove around me, before two very nice young men pushed my car out of the middle of the road onto the shoulder of a county road, on a holiday weekend. If not for a Good Samaritan, I’d have been walking 6 miles home in the dark. I’m almost 50, & a woman, & diabetic. The car has plenty of oil & coolant. Tried putting the car in neutral, still won’t start. Air filter is clean. Battery is good. Says it has gas; 40 miles til empty. Car tries to turn over but won’t catch. Tachometer will barely register to the line above zero, & even giving it gas makes NO difference. Have been told it is the timing & transmission. Dealer won’t honor extended warranty. Car has “just” passed Hyundai warranty.
Engine, Sep 3, 2023
The engine is consuming oil that may cause mechanical failure while driving on a busy road or highway. At the last oil change the technician informed me that there was hardly any oil left in the car. When I took the car to Hyundai they confirmed that the engine was consuming oil. Hyundai Motors refuses to replace the engine. There are over 2 million recalls on the same type of engine that my car has but there isn’t a recall for my car. Please help me hold the manufacturer responsible for this manufacturer defect.
Power train, Engine, Aug 26, 2023
I have been to multiple Hyundai dealerships, and opened about 3 to 4 Hyundai consumer cases; for WELL known engine problems. My vehicle has failed oil tests and combustion tests done by Hyundai dealers. Springfield Hyundai/ Genesis kept my vehicle for 5 months claiming they found issues with the engine that was consistent with the other vehicles recalled for obsessive oil consumption. After their findings, Hyundai corporate decided not to do any repairs, after 5 months! They claim my vehicle is out of warranty and can not carry through the goodwill repair/replacement. Hyundai corporate and I have proof of my engine complaints and failed oil tests before 100,000mi warranty expired (which is why Hyundai submitted a goodwill repair request on my behalf took the car in the first place). My vehicles VIN is not included in engine recall, nor the theft recall. My car has been driven away from the key fob multiple times through the years; indicating it can be stolen. My last communication with a Hyundai dealership, the service manager informed me that engines that have already failed can be submitted. Basically I and others that are trying to be proactive, will have to wait until the engine fails and possibly cause an accident, injuring or killing people!! Due to this fear myself and others have to check and get more frequent oil changes and travel with oil in the trunk to keep the engine from locking up on the highway. This vehicle continues stalling, hesitating, losing power, and loud knock engine noise. I have been complaining of the bad DCT system since 2017 (2nd complaint written to NHTSA). Before my limited warranty was expired I've been denied by corporate even when the dealership found issues and admitted Hyundai is screwing over thousands of people and I am just another one. I have every work order and oil change from day one, that indicates that I kept up with the maintenance of my vehicle. I believe Hyundai is not including VIN#s that should be included in recall
Engine, Aug 18, 2023
Heading to Dallas from Houston. I got halfway to Dallas and my car started making this crazy knocking noise. Sound like a Go-Kart. Well we never made it to Dallas. Check engine light didn’t come on until hours later. A knocking noise from the engine that increases in frequency as the engine rpm increases. Reduced power and/or hesitation and vibration. I realized my 2016 Hydaui did not have an engine recall on it even though it was a well known issue. Every year was recalled but my car. Called dealership and received no response. My car has 111k miles and is paid off. I have known complaints at the dealership on my oil change that it was burning oil before 3k miles. They looked as me as if I was exaggerating. Majority of the time the oil light never even came on.
Power train, Engine, Aug 14, 2023
I recently purchased a 2016 Hyundai Tucson, Limited 1.6T. After a few weeks of driving I noticed it would shake when at a stoplight. It also loses acceleration and 'skips' when making turns, going over speed bumps or just taking off from a complete stop. There have also been times that I press the accelerator pedal and the car doesn't move. After researching I discovered this is a known issue and Hyundai issued a Technical Service Bulletin (number 21-AT-014H) in August 2021 instead of a recall. My vehicle had less than 40K miles on it when I purchased it (from a non-Hyundai used dealership) I took my car to a Hyundai service center, when I explained the problems to a technician, he suspected he knew exactly what the problem was. I chose to have them perform a "judder" test to confirm and the tech was right, it did in fact fail the judder test. In order to fix this issue, I have to have the entire clutch assembly replaced for approximately $2500. This issue is a huge safety risk and I believe Hyundai should issue a recall and fix this issue at no charge to the vehicle owner. I have read hundreds of similar complaints, they know there is a problem, they know how to fix the problem, the financial burden should not fall on the consumer.
Engine, Aug 14, 2023
Engine consistently burns oil over federal regulations. This increased oil consumption has led to the catalytic converter to fail on the vehicle.
Engine, Aug 9, 2023
Engine began ticking and knocking and needs complete replacement confirmed by independent service center. No warning lights came on, regular maintenance has been performed, including oil changes at dealership.
Structure, Engine, Aug 7, 2023
1.6 Turbo engine failure while on freeway. Towed to mechanic, then informed needs new engine. This vehicle seized on the freeway
Power train, Engine, Aug 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse. After several attempts, the vehicle worked as designed. While approaching a stop, the vehicle was jerking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Power train, Engine, Jul 28, 2023
Excessive oil consumption NM, replaced catalytic converter twice. Losing power again. 122450 miles. Trans mission slipping, not shifting into higher gear. Gas mpg down to 19mpg. Unsafe on highway, loses speed and revs too high
Engine, Jul 26, 2023
Entering on the 65 mph interstate. Tucson would not accelerate past 60 mph. When it reached 60 mph it rapidly lost power and speed. Air conditioner was on also. When accelerating while at a stop light or making a turn vehicle hesitates to accelerate. All occurrences of this happening A/c was on.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 23, 2023
There are four safety concerns I have with the 2016 Hyundai Tuscon: 1.) The Check Oil light failed to illuminate indicating the need for more oil. 2.) The excessive oil consumption may have caused my catalytic converter to misfire and melt. 3.) The Check Engine light failed to illuminate when my catalytic converter misfired and melted. 4.) The Knock Sensor (if it is bad), which is installed on my vehicle, could fail and not warn me about any engine problems. On 7/3/23, my vehicle was having a difficult time accelerating up a mountain. My brother and I also heard a rattling noise, so my brother drove to a safe place. I had my vehicle towed to a local auto service garage, where I was told the catalytic converter melted due to misfiring and that I needed to replace it. On 7/5/23, I had my vehicle towed to the closest Hyundai Dealership, where they confirmed that the vehicle's catalytic converter was melted due to misfiring. After researching the causes catalytic converters misfiring, I read several complaints about the said vehicle's oil consumption and poor acceleration. I suspect there might be a connection to the catalytic converter misfiring and melting. Incidentally, I have had two other incidents where my vehicle lacked acceleration and started shaking. One occurred on 12/28/22, while I was entering an intersection. The other happened on 4/1/23, while I was attempting to pass another vehicle. All three incidents could've ended tragically. The Check Engine light did illuminate during two of the incidents, but not the incident that occurred on 7/3/23. Additionally, the catalytic converter was previously tested on 12/31/22 and it didn't have any bad codes. Sparkplugs were also replaced on 12/31/22, and a 3-Step Fuel System Cleaning was done on 6/12/23. The Check Oil light only illuminated once since I have owned the vehicle, but failed to illuminate when my oil was getting low in between oil changes. My SUV is still in service waiting for a Catalytic Converter.
Engine, Jul 20, 2023
The engine of my car is consuming several quarts of oil between oil changes. I have read that this is a common problem with some models of Hyundia vehicles. I have also read that this defect has led to engine failures and possibly fires.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 13, 2023
CAR IS USING MORE THAN ONE QUART OF OIL PER 1,000 MILES. CAR IS NOT LEAKING OIL AND OIL CHANGES ARE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP EVERY 3500 MILES. HAVING TO CHECK OIL LEVELS CONSTANTLY AND KEEP QUARTS OF OIL IN CAR TO FILL IN CASE IT IS LOW. HYUNDAI ST AUGUSTINE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM.
Engine, Jul 13, 2023
Engine is consuming oil and we are waiting for it to totally fail. We have a long list of things. These are notes from the end of the process when we gave up. I responded after the fourth consumption test on 11/28/2022 asking for them to re-open my case and have not heard from them so I called on 12/9/2022 to speak to my case manager. We started this journey with 118,000 miles and now we have close to 164,000. Went from 1qt every 1000 miles to 2qt’s every 1000 miles. Had to get another case manager to leave a message for my case manager to call me back. I don’t even know if they re opened my case. Hyundai has refused to admit the have a large issue with their GDI motors. They should not be consuming oil as much as they are. Only Theta motors are being covered in Non Turbo cars. This is my second vehicle currently owned with a gamma turbo motor. This one is waiting to fail and the other one has failed.