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: structure
227 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Mar 8, 2020
BACK DOORS WILL NO OPEN AFTER THEY ARE LOCKED EVEN WHEN UNLOCKED THEY WILL NOT OPEN IF KIDS IN BACK YOU CAN'T OPEN DOORS TO GET KIDS OUT OF CAR SEAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THIS CAR IT'S A BIG SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU NEEDED TO GET ACCESS TO THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR IT'S IMPOSSIBLE THIS IS A ONGOING ISSUE SOMETIMES THEY OPEN AND IT'S TIMES MAY GO DAYS BEFORE YOU CAN GET THEM TO OPEN
Structure, Mar 5, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Structure, Mar 4, 2020
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR DOES NOT OPEN WHEN HANDLED IS PULLED - HAVE TO PULL IT MULTIPLE TIMES. REAR PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL FROM THE EXTERIOR OR THE INTERIOR.
Structure, Mar 3, 2020
THE PASSENGER BACK DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUT.
Steering, Structure, Engine, Feb 11, 2020
I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2016 TUCSON. HERE ARE ALL THE SYMPTOMS AND ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE: DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DEC 2019 AND I HAD THE PART REPLACED. HAD AN OIL CHANGE ON 1-26-2020 AND THE NEXT WEEK ON 2-2-2020 THE ENGINE WAS TAPPING, CHECKED THE OIL AND DISCOVERED NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE LOW OIL INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. THE CAR CONTINUES TO BURN OIL. MECHANICS CHECKED CAR AGAIN AND NO LEAKS WAS DISCOVERED. AND STILL UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THIS CAR IS BURNING OIL. MECHANIC IS RECOMMENDING A NEW ENGINE. ALSO, THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE ACCURATELY AND HESITATES AT ABOUT 45 MPH. THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT DOES CAUSE ANY PROBLEMS BUT THE PART CAN BE REPLACED. THE DRIVERS DOOR STICKS HAVE TO PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE 2-3 TIMES BEFORE THE DOOR OPENS. MAJOR ENGINE ISSUES,
Structure, Dec 25, 2019
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUT. THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO DOOR OR VEHICLE, THIS STARTED RANDOMLY OVER AN YEAR AND FINALLY WON'T OPEN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID ITS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 1,000 MILES AND IT WILL COST OVER $500 TO BE FIXED. THEY RECOMMEND CUTTING THE DOOR HANDLE OFF TO GAIN ACCESS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE LOOK INTO, THERE ARE MANY TUCSON OWNERS OF SEVERAL HYUNDAI FORUMS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. (UNABLE TO OPEN DOORS). HOPING TO HEAR BACK FROM YOU, (XXXXX) REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
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.
Structure, Nov 23, 2019
THE POWER TAILGATE WILL OPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN A GROCERY PARKING LOT. THE DATE REPORTED IS THE MOST RECENT OCCASION. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES PREVIOUSLY. ONLY ONCE DID IT HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR WAS IN OUR DRIVEWAY. I DISABLED THE LIFTGATE/TAILGATE
Exterior lighting, Structure, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 13, 2019
FIRST MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR GOT TO STICKING AT 60, 500 MILE AND NOW MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR DOING THE SAME THING. MY TAILLIGHT SAYS IT'S NOT WORK AND IT BE WORKING AND VIS VERSUS, AS IF THERE'S A SHORTAGE. NOW THE STEEP HILL LIGHTS COME ON ALONG WITH THE CAR TRACTION LIGHT. IT'S DOING IT MORE NOW THAN EVER. HAVING TO RESTART MY VEHICLE EVERYTIME NOW TO RESET IT. IT DOING IT AT RED LIGHT AND WHILE I'M DRIVING ALL ON IT OWN. MY BIGGEST FEAR IS MY DOORS STICKING AND THE DEALERSHIP IN TUPELO MS TOLD ME I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND TO ME I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BECAUSE THAT DEALING WITH MY SAFETY. THERE HAVE NOT BE ANY THING DONE TO EITHER DOOR FOR THE TO BE THAT WAY ON MY BEHALF.
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.
Structure, Nov 3, 2019
THE DOOR LATCHES RANDOMLY STOP WORKING AND PASSENGERS CANNOT ENTER OR EXIT VEHICLE. STARTED WITH MY REAR DOOR SO I HAD THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR REPLACED AND NOW THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING TO THE FRONT DOORS. I HAVE FRIENDS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE SAME YEAR AND ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH ALL THE DOORS. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AT THE WRONG TIME.
Structure, Nov 1, 2019
BACK PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.
Structure, Oct 30, 2019
REAR PASSENGER DOOR FAILURE TO OPEN FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. VEHICLE DIAGNOSED FAULTY DOOR ACTUATOR AND REPAIRED AT DEALER FOR 500.00. FOUR MONTHS LATER THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE SHOWING EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS AS PREVIOUS DOOR. VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD.
Structure, Aug 19, 2019
I PURCHASED MY CAR BRAND NEW. I'VE HAD IT FOR 3 YEARS. I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT DRIVES IT. I NOTICED THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLES REQUIRES NUMEROUS PULLS, BEFORE THE DOOR WILL OPEN. DEALER SAID ACTUATOR HAS TO BE REPLACED. HOW DOES A BRAND NEW CAR WITH ONE DRIVER AND HARDLY ANY PASSENGERS DOOR ACTUATOR JUST BREAK? THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURE ISSUE. WHY SHOULD ANYONE HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED ON A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE? THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON.
Structure, Aug 14, 2019
BOTH REAR DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLIES STOPPED WORKING WITHIN 1 WEEK OF EACH OTHER. DOORS APPEAR TO LOCK AND UNLOCK, HOWEVER THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE REGARDLESS OF UNLOCKED POSITION. READ MULTIPLE REPORTS OF OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE, YET THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE CHILDREN AND CLIENTS IN MY VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY. I CAN'T IMAGINE THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH AN ISSUE HAD THERE BEEN AN ACCIDENT AND A CHILD WAS TRAPPED IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO CALL AROUND TO MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS IN ORDER TO HAVE MY VEHICLE DIAGNOSED SINCE MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS A MONTH OUT. I CALLED AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO CORPORATE HYUNDAI AND IT WAS DISMISSED WITHOUT MUCH CONCERN. AFTER PAYING FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING ISSUE, I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED AT HYUNDAI'S LACK OF CONCERN OVER SUCH A SAFETY ISSUE. MILEAGE 66,000. VEHICLE REPAIRED AT DEALERSHIP.
Structure, Jul 9, 2019
THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS OF MY VEHICLE WILL NOT OPEN PROPERLY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ONLY OPENS FROM THE INSIDE ONCE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN MOTION. THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL.
Structure, May 15, 2019
THE DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE AFTER YOU LOCK THE DOORS. YOU HAVE TO PULL THE HANDLE ANYWHERE FROM 5-10 TIMES TO GET TO OPEN OR NOT. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY PASSAGER IF THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK OR CAUGHT ON FIRE . THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP KWON ABOUT THE ISSUE.
Structure, May 10, 2019
PURCHASED A 2016 TUSCON WITH 35 MILES ON IT ON MAY 2016. WITHIN 3 MONTHS MY PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AFTER BEING UNLOCKED. THIS WAS CORRECTED AND HAD NO PROBLEMS. WITHIN THE LAST 2 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, BOTH OF MY REAR DOORS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS, THE PASSENGER SIDE BUZZES WHEN THE LOCK , THE DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR (WHICH IS THE BIG ISSUE) HAS TOTALLY QUIT OPENING, IT UNLOCKS BUT WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUT. WHEN I TOLD THE SERVICE MAN AT THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP, HE SAID "THAT THEY SEE A LOT OF TUSCONS WITH DOOR ISSUES" AND THAT IT WILL NOT BE CHEAP. I STARTED LOOKING ON THE INTERNET AND THERE ARE PEOPLE COMPLAINING THAT THE DOORS JUST STOP WORKING AND THAT IT IS DUE TO BAD WORKMANSHIP ON HYUNDAI PART. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AND THERE WAS A ISSUE THAT PASSENGERS NEEDED TO GET OUT IN A HURRY THEY COULD NOT.
Structure, Dec 1, 2018
THE DOOR WON'T OPEN. IT IS STUCK SHUT. IT OPENED WITH NO PROBLEM OR HITCHES UNTIL WE HAD AN EMERGENCY AND COULDN'T GET THE DOOR OPENED.
Structure, Sep 1, 2018
REAR PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN. IT WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVER DOOR IS NOW STARTING TO STICK.
Structure, Feb 16, 2018
SUNROOF SHATTERED AND GLASS FELL INTO THE CAR ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY AND TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WEATHER WAS 70 DEGREES F AND SUNNY AND THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON FEBRUARY 15, 2018. WE WERE NOT NEAR AN OVERPASS AND THERE WERE NO LARGE TRUCKS AROUND US AT THE TIME.
Structure, Service brakes, Apr 2, 2017, crash
WE PURCHASED A 2016 TUCSON LIMITED ON BLACK FRIDAY OF 2016. THIS VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING (AEB) SAFETY OPTION, AS IS ADVERTISED AND DEMONSTRATED ON THE HYUNDAI WEBSITE WITH VIDEO. WE EXPERIENCED A MINOR FRONT-END COLLISION AT APPROXIMATELY 8-10 MPH WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AT A YIELD FROM HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP. BASED ON THE ADVERTISED FUNCTION AND VIDEO, SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY THE AEB. SUBSEQUENT TO THIS COLLISION, WE BEGAN SEEING INTERMITTENT WARNING NOTIFICATIONS TO CLEAN THE FRONT RADAR EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO DIRT OR ANY OBSTRUCTION. THESE MESSAGES WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY CLEAR AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30-60 SECONDS. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE EVALUATED. THE VEHICLE WAS WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR ALMOST TWO WEEKS AND AFTER EXTENSIVE TESTING - WHICH INCLUDED MULTIPLE ROAD TESTS, MULTIPLE SIMULATED OBSTRUCTION DETECTION, A PEDESTRIAN CHALLENGE BY THE SERVICE MANAGER, LITERATURE REVIEWS, AND AN ONSITE EVALUATION FROM HYUNDAI ENGINEERING ' AND AFTER ALL OF THESE EVALUATIONS, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO UNABLE TO TRIGGER THE AEB UNDER ANY CONDITIONS ALTHOUGH THE ELECTRONIC SCAN INDICATES THAT THE RADAR IS OPERATIVE. THEY HAVE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO US WITH THE STATEMENT THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS INTENDED. THE AEB IS NOT DEMONSTRABLY FUNCTIONING, REGARDLESS OF RADAR OPERATION.
Structure, Jan 9, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V348000(STRUCTURE: BODY) WAS RECEIVED IN JUNE OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TR
Structure, Jan 6, 2017
UNDER COLD CONDITIONS, THE REAR HOOD DOES NOT CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN TEMPERATURES GO BELOW ZERO. WHEN TEMPERATURES GO INTO THE 30'S F, IT STARTS WORKING AGAIN. IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH THE REAR HOOD OPEN AT BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES.
Structure, Oct 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING GARAGE, THE TRUNK OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 01/11/2017*CT UPDATED 6/26/18*JB