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: other or unspecified
261 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 11, 2016
ORIGINALLY POSTED TO THIS WEBSITE ON OR ABOUT 6/13/16. STOPPED AT RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WHEN ACCELERATOR DEPRESSED. ENGINE REV'ED TO 4-5K BUT CAR FAILED TO MOVE. PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THEN TRIED AGAIN. SAT THRU 3 RED LIGHTS BEFORE CAR WOULD GO FORWARD. IT WAS VERY JERKY AND HESITANT THEN CAR PICKED UP SPEED. THIS WAS SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. FIRST TIME I THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD HIT THE BRAKE AND NOT GAS PEDAL. DROVE IMMEDIATEL TO DEALER AND TOLD THEM OF ISSUE. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR SINCE JUNE 10, 2016. SERVICE TECH WAS ABLE TO ACTUALLY CAPTURE ON VIDEO (WHILE TEST DRIVING) MY GEAR SHIFT IN DRIVE AND CAR MOVING IN REVERSE. HYUNDAI USA, THE DEARLERSHIP AND MYSELF HAVE BEEN IN FREQUENT CONTACT. HYUNDAI HAS NO IDEA WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THEY SAY THE KOREAN ENGINEERS ARE INVESTIGATING. WHEN I ORGINALLY POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE THERE I COULD ONLY FIND THIS TYPE OF ISSUE FOR A 2015 TUSCON. I NOTE TODAY THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS IDENTICAL TO MINE. THIS CAR IS LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD (OWNED ) WITH LESS THAN 17K MILES. INABILITY TO CONTROL DIRECTIONAL MOTION OR SPEED WHEN IT DOES MOVE IS NOT SAFE TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. MAJORITY OF MY DRIVING IS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS .
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2016
TODAY, JULY 6, 2016, AT APPROXIMATELY 1:35 P.M., I ELECTRONICALLY STARTED MY 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON VEHICLE, WHICH HAS ONLY ABOUT 6,000 MILES ON IT, AND DROVE FROM MY HOME ON A COUNTY ROAD UNTIL I REACHED A SIGNAL INTERSECTION AT A STATE HIGHWAY ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY. I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AT THE STATE HIGHWAY INTERSECTION WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WAITING FOR THE SIGNAL LIGHT TO TURN GREEN TO TURN LEFT ONTO THE STATE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS IN DRIVE GEAR AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS DEFINITELY RUNNING AND THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR CODE LIGHTS SHOWING ON THE DASH TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. I TURNED ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS AS THERE WERE SEVERAL VEHICLES COMING UP BEHIND ME AT THE SIGNAL. I THEN TRIED PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK THEN BACK INTO DRIVE BUT THE VEHICLE STILL COULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. I TRIED PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE BACKWARDS EITHER. I THEN TRIED TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF THEN BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES USING THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION BUT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT MOVE. A POLICE OFFICER ARRIVED, PARKED BEHIND ME, AND ASSISTED WITH TRAFFIC NOW BACKED UP BEHIND ME. HE CALLED A TOW TRUCK FOR ME AND MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL HYUNDAI DEALER WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS AGO. I WAS INSTANTLY CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AND BE A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM. AS IT WAS, I WAS IMMEDIATELY CONCERNED THAT SOMEONE COMING UP BEHIND ME MIGHT CRASH INTO ME AFTER THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN WHILE I WAS IMMOBILE AT THE SIGNAL. I ASKED A LADY WHO ASKED ME WHAT WAS WRONG WHEN SHE DROVE AROUND ME IF SHE COULD SEE MY FLASHERS AND SHE SAID SHE HAD. BOTH THE POLICE OFFICER AND MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THE VEHICLE COULD NOT MOVE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 4, 2016
FREQUENTLY THE VEHICLE HAS ISSUES TAKING OFF FROM A FULL STOP. WHEN PUSHING THE GAS AFTER THE VEHICLE IS FULLY STOPPED, IT HESITATES BEFORE ACCELERATING AND ALSO SOMETIMES THE CAR SHAKES AND VIBRATES BUT DOESNT REALLY MOVE FORWARD. A FEW TIMES THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL, THE RPMS WENT TO 3000-4000 BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE WHEN THIS OCCURS YOU BECOME STRANDED AND CANNOT MOVE PROPERLY.
Other or unspecified, Jun 23, 2016
I HAVE THE 1.7 TURBO ENGINE WITH THE DUAL-CLUTCH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, ENGINE REVS AND CAR DOESN'T MOVE (AS IF IT'S STUCK IN NEUTRAL). TRANSMISSION FINALLY KICKS IN, BUT ONLY AFTER A SCARY COUPLE OF SECONDS - ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING LEFT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION. I SAY IT'S DANGEROUS!!
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jun 21, 2016
WHILE STOPPED, WITH CAR IN DRIVE, PRESSING ACCELERATOR ENGINE REVS (4 TO 5 ON THE GAUGE) BUT DOES NOT GO FORWARD. CAR THEN JERKS FORWARD AND THEN FINALLY MOVES. I SAT THRU 3 RED LIGHTS BEFORE THE CAR ACTUALLY MOVED. THIS OCCURS ON CITY STREET THIS OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE BUT THE FORWARD MOTION "CAUGHT" QUICKER THAN THE LAST TIME AT THE SAME TIME THIS OCCURRED THE AC FAILED AS DID THE BLUETOOTH. THE PHONE SAID IT WAS CONNECTED BUT THE CAR SAID IT WAS NOT . THE AC FAN WORKED BUT BLEW HOT AIR. THE AC AND PHONE WORKED AFTER TURNING OFF CAR AT DEALERSHIP. THE TECH AT DEALERSHIP CAPTURED ON VIDEO THE GEAR CLEARLY IN DRIVE AND THE CAR WAS ROLLING BACKWARD. SERVICE CENTER SAID NO ERROR CODES WERE RECORDED. HYUNDAI USA HAS NO INFORMATION TO GIVE ME. CAR HAS BEEN AT DEALER SERVICE DEPT FOR 11 DAYS NOW. CONCERN IS SAFETY OF VEHICLE TO MYSELF AND OTHERS WITH THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND CAR GOING IN REVERSE WHILE IN DRIVE.
Suspension, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jun 21, 2016
I HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AND REAR SHOCK AT APPROXIMATELY UNDER 2000 MILES. IT HESITATES BADLY. IT DECELERATES AS I PRESS DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR. IT HAD LOW COOLANT BEFORE A LONG TRIP SO I FILLED IT UP AS IT ADVISED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS HOT THE COOLANT WAS APPROXIMATELY 1/2 INCH TO 1 INCH BELOW THE MINIMUM FILL LINE. AFTER MY TRIP I TOOK IT TO THE CERTIFIED HYUNDAI DEALER SERVICE CENTER FOR TIRE ROTATION AND OIL CHANGE AND THEY ADVISED THE COOLANT WAS LOW AGAIN, BUT THAT THERE ARE NO LEAKS. I TOLD THEM I JUST FILLED IT UP AND SO THEY ARE CHECKING AGAIN FOR LEAKS. IT SLAMMED INTO GEAR AS I WAS GOING ON AN OFF RAMP FROM AN INTERSTATE. IT JERKED AND SHIMMIED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE WHEN I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT. IT IS BRAND NEW. IT SHOULD NOT BE HAVING SO MANY ISSUES AND NO ONE WILL HELP ME WITH IT I JUST KEEP HEARING "THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, IT IS JUST THE WAY HYUNDAI DESIGNED THE VEHICLE." HYUNDAI NEEDS TO WORK ON THIS. THERE SHOULD BE MULTIPLE RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS A POPPING SOUND EVERY TIME I REACH 20 MPH AFTER TAKING IT OUT OF PARK. IT HAS A RATTLE IN THE FRAME/REAR PASSENGER DOOR AREA. NO PLACE CAN FIX THESE SOUNDS. I JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT ALL. IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE SINCE PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2015. THIS REALLY NEEDS MULTIPLE RECALLS ON IT. I JUST GOT AN EMAIL ABOUT A HOOD LATCH RECALL TOO. NOT EVEN FROM HYUNDAI... FROM CAR FAX. HYUNDAI DID NOT CONTACT CONSUMERS REGARDING THE HOOD LATCH RECALL. THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO. THE DEALER DID NOT CONTACT ME ABOUT IT EITHER. THE DEALER, BOB POYNTER COLUMBUS, IN REFUSES TO SERVICE MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NOT SPEAK WITH ME AT ALL. THEY WILL NOT TELL ME WHERE THEY OBTAINED MY VEHICLE FROM AS A DEALER TRADE EITHER.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 13, 2016
05/06/2016 @ 1600 COND-RAINY. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE SUV DID NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE REVVED BUT THE SUV DID NOT GO FORWARD. IT SLOWLY ENGAGED AND LURCHED FORWARD AFTER APPROX 3-5 SECONDS. 5/19/2016 @ 1800 COND-RAIN /NOT DRIVEN IN APPROX 4 DAYS. LESS THAN A MILE FROM START AND HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR APPROX 3-5 MINS-WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED AND THE VEH DID NOT MOVE. I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE ENGINE REVVED FOR APPROXIMATELY 5-7 SECONDS BEFORE THE VEH LURCHED/JUMPED FORWARD AND SLOWLY MOVED. I AGAIN IMMEDIATELY WENT TO HYUNDAI. I WAS GIVEN A LOANER VEHICLE - 2016 TUCSON. 5/21/2016 @ 1350 SAME NON-MOVEMENT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OCCURRED W/THE LOANER VEHICLE. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN IN 2 DAYS COND-RAINY. THIS OCCURRED APPROX 3 MINS AFTER START AND W/IN A MILE. HYUNDAI CORP ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUES WITH THIS VEH. 3 SIMILAR ISSUES FROM CUSTOMERS WERE REPORTED TO THIS DEALERSHIP. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEH OR ALLOWING ANY MEMBER OF MY FAMILY TO DRIVE THIS VEH. IT IS AN ACCIDENT IN WAITING EITHER FROM BEING HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER VEH OR FROM STRIKING ANOTHER B/C OF THE LURCHING. I HAD TO PUT MY HAZARDS ON AND HOPE THAT I DID NOT GET HIT FROM BEHIND. I AM NOT SATISFIED AND WANT A REFUND FOR BOTH OF THE VEH'S I PURCHASED DUE TO THIS HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. AT RANDOM TIMES, USUALLY FROM A STOP, BUT SOMETIMES WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, THE VEH DOES NOT MOVE. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A VERY HAZARDOUS DEFECT. HYUNDAI IS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ERROR, SO ENG. ADVISES TO RELEASE THE VEH BACK TO ME, THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I WILL NEVER DRIVE ANOTHER HYUNDAI VEH AGAIN B/C IT IS UNSAFE AND THE LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY TO RECTIFY THEIR MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. IT IS NOT A DRIVER'S OPERATIONAL ERROR.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Apr 14, 2016
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE 2016 TUCSON SINCE DAY ONE OF OUR 3 YEAR LEASE. ORIGINALLY I WAS GOING TO KEEP THE CAR AFTER THE LEASE, BUT THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN NOW. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MANY OTHERS WITH THE HESITATION FROM A STOP OR WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT A TURN - NO POWER. I ORDERED THE TURBO MODEL THINKING IT WOULD NOT HAVE POWER PROBLEMS, BUT NOW AFTER 6 MONTHS, I REALIZE THE CAR IS JUST NOT VERY GOOD AT MOVING FROM A STOP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS NORMAL BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE CAR. ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT OCCASIONALLY MANIFESTS IS THE ON-BOARD NAVIGATION SCREEN. PERIODICALLY IT WILL GO BLANK ON STARTING THE CAR AND WON'T COME ON AT ALL. THE ONLY CURE IS TO SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT. TRIED TO SAVE MONEY WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, BUT GUESS I'LL GO BACK TO AN AMERICAN MADE CAR NEXT TIME. I WOULD CANCEL MY LEASE CONTRACT IF I THOUGHT IT WAS POSSIBLE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 11, 2016
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE CAR HESITATES AND WILL NOT GO. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN A WREAK 2 TIMES DUE TO THIS. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME. I WAS STRANDED WITH NO SHOULDER TO PULL OFF ONTO IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC WHILE ON VACATION TWICE. THE CAR ALERTED ME THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS HOT AND TO PULL OVER SAFELY. I DID NOT HAVE THAT OPTION SO IT JUST STOPPED. THE DISPLAY READ I COULD CONTIUE AFTER 15 MINS I AM SCARED EVERY TIME I DRIVE THAT THESE ISSUES WILL CAUSE A WREAK. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN 3 TIMES NOW FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY TELL ME THEY CAN NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND THERE ARE NO CODES AND SEND ME AWAY. I TOLD THEM SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET IN A MAJOR WREAK DUE TO THEIR NEW TRANSMISSION IN THE 2016 VEHICLES. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THE ISSUES. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN DO THEY BECOME LIABLE TO DO MORE THAN LOOK FOR CODES BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 11, 2016
FOR "ALL" CARS, WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED "ON", THE WHOLE CAR FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHERE YOU MUST EITHER PULL THE CAR AND STOP OR OPEN THE WINDOWS. THE SAME THING HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR DRIVES FROM ZERO TO 50 MPG, THE CAR ALSO GETS HEAVY FUMES. LASTLY, THE TACHOMETER WHEN STARTES DRIVING IN 1ST, 2ND & 3RD GEARS, THE "RPM" SHOW 5000 TO 6500 RPM B-4 GETS TO THE NEXT GEAR; THIS WAS ESPECIALLY FOR AUTOMATIC CARS!
Other or unspecified, Jan 1, 2016
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW DEC 28 AND DROVE IT HOME ON DEC 30, 2015. I DISCOVERED THAT IT DID NOT HAVE BLIND SPOT DETECTION, REAR CROSS-TRAFFIC ALERT OR LANE CHANGE ASSIST, ALL THREE TECHNOLOGIES WERE ADVERTISED AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THIS MODEL. IN ADDITION A CHEAPER MIRROR THAT DID NOT BELONG ON THIS MODEL WAS INSTALLED, IT HAD A SMALL CONVEX MIRROR AND WAS CALLED A BLIND SPOT MIRROR. THIS WAS A DELIBERATE DECEPTION INTENDED TO CONFUSE THE PURCHASER BECAUSE WHEN I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THAT THE CAR DID NOT HAVE THE BLIND SPOT DETECTION SYSTEM, HE RESPONDED THAT IT DID HAVE BLIND SPOT TECHNOLOGY! THEN HE SAID THAT HYUNDAI DID NOT SHIP CARS WITH BLIND SPOT DETECTION TO PUERTO RICO, USA. NOT SHIP SAFETY TECHNOLOGY THAT I PAID FOR AND WAS ADVERTISED AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT?