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
Other or unspecified, Apr 20, 2021
MULTIPLE DOORS UNABLE TO OPEN WHEN MANUALLY UNLOCKED, FROM THE OUTSIDE HANDLE AND ALSO FROM THE INSIDE HANDLE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Apr 18, 2021
RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. NOW THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN ALWAYS WHEN USING THE KEY FOB EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY MECHANISMS. I HAVE A 2016 HYUNDAITUCSON LTD BUT AM READING ON THE INTERNET THAT MANY 2015-2017 HYUNDAI OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. MY GRANDCHILDREN ARE AT RISK IN THE BACKSEAT! PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS ISSUE QUICKLY.
Other or unspecified, Apr 17, 2021
RIGHT REAR DOOR STOPPED WORKING. THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE EVEN WHEN UNLOCKED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2021
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INTERIOR OR THE EXTERIOR. IT WAS PARKED AND I TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR AND IT WILL NOT MOVE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT GET OUT THAT DOOR. THIS HAPPENED TO 2 OTHER DOORS ALSO. ONE WAS COVERED BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, IT IS NOW PAST MY WARRANTY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2021
THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE AFTER IT HAS BEEN LOCKED AND UNLOCKED WITH KEY FOB OR KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND LOCKED WITH KEY FOB THEN WOULD NOT OPEN. YOU HAVE TO CLIMB THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND OPEN FROM INSIDE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2021
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE LOCK CLICKS APPROPRIATELY WHEN LOCKED AND UNLOCKED BUT THE DOOR WILL STILL NOT OPEN. AFTER LOTS OF ATTEMPTS IT WILL SUDDENLY OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THEN LATER WHEN YOU TRY AGAIN, IT WON'T OPEN AGAIN.
Other or unspecified, Apr 9, 2021
ON MY 2016 HYUNDIA TUCSON THE LEFT REAR DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK AND CAN NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. SOMETIMES I COULD HIT THE DOOR AND IT WOULD OPEN BUT NOW IT WILL NOT.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 3, 2021
DOOR HANDLE WILL NOT OPEN BACK DOOR, AND FRONT DOOR HANDLE DRIVER SIDE MUST BE PULLED MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE OPENING. REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. LATCH MECHANISM NOT WORKING PROPERLY.
Other or unspecified, Apr 2, 2021
FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE RIGHT REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED OR IN MOTION. THE POWER DOOR LOCK BUTTON OPERATES CORRECTLY, BUT THE RR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN EITHER FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY DAMAGE TO THE DOOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, OR VEHICLE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN SHOULD THE VEHICLE CATCH FIRE, OR BE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH A CHILD IN THE REAR SEAT. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE " WHY WON'T MY RR DOOR OPEN ON MY 2016 TUCSON". I'VE LEARNED THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH MANY HYUNDAI OWNERS SINCE 2018. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER YET, BUT I PLAN TO SOON. SOME VEHICLE OWNERS HAVE PAID THE DEALER OVER $1,300 TO REPAIR THE DOOR. I AM A RETIRED POLICE INVESTIGATOR, AND I KNOW THE DANGER THAT SUCH AN ISSUE LIKE THIS CAN CAUSE. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A NATIONAL RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 31, 2021
R/R DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURE. DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. SAFETY HAZARD FOR ANYONE IN REAR SEAT TO EXIT VEHICLE. APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE THAT ISN'T ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. PASSENGER GOT INTO CAR WITH NO ISSUE. 15 MIN DRIVE AND WHEN ARRIVED AT DESTINATION DOOR WAS INOPERABLE. LOCKS/UNLOCKS WITH NO ISSUE. WHEN PULL HANDLE FROM INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR NO RESPONSE INSIDE THE DOOR. $500+ TO FIX
Power train, Other or unspecified, Mar 31, 2021
MY 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON WAS FAILING TO ACCELERATING AFTER A STOP, AND SHUDDERING / SLOWING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS VERY ALARMING ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY ROADS IN WHICH YOU COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BY NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE. I TOOK MY CAR TO HYUNDAI TO FIND OUT IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION (AGAIN, IN 2021) - WHILE I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND FOUND THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL IN 2016 FOR THIS ISSUE I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT HYUNDAI WOULD NOT COVER THE COSTS OF REPAIR. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM WITH HYUNDAI BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY CONTACT BACK. MY VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND I AM BEING TOLD I WILL BE CHARGED STORAGE FEES IF I LEAVE IT AT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER WITHOUT REPAIR WHILE I WAIT TO SETTLE MY CLAIM. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, DUE TO AN ISSUE THAT HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN RECALLED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 24, 2021
DOOR ACTUATORS FAIL AND DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND HYUNDAI HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE ISSUE WITH AN UPDATED DESIGN OR RECALL ON OLDER FAILING DOOR ACTUATORS. NOTE, WHEN I SAY OLD, THESE ARE 5-6 YEARS OLD. AS A FIRST RESPONDER, I AM APPALLED THAT THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AND RESOLVED ALREADY. IF I AM TRYING TO GAIN ACCESS TO A PERSON INVOLVED IN A WRECK AND I HAVE TO REQUEST OR PERFORM ADVANCED EXTRICATION SIMPLY BECAUSE OF POORLY DESIGNED ACTUATORS THEN THE FAMILIES OF THOSE ENTRAPPED VICTIMS SHOULD BE ABLE TO SUE HYUNDAI FOR DAMAGES.
Other or unspecified, Mar 15, 2021
IN 2019, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. WE HAD IT REPAIRED BY HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP. NOW, THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR IS DOING THE SAME. WE CAN UNDERSTAND ONE BAD PART, BUT FOUND IT TOO COINCIDENTAL THAT IT HAPPENED TWICE. NEITHER WAS DUE TO OPERATOR CAUSED DAMAGE OR MISUSE. WE RESEARCHED IT AND FOUND MANY OTHERS SUFFERING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURER. THIS VEHICLE IS PRIMARILY SINGLE PASSENGER USE WITH OCCASIONAL USE OF THE OTHER DOORS TO PUT GROCERIES IN/OUT. HAD IT BEEN FAILURE FROM OVERUSE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE DRIVER DOOR.
Other or unspecified, Mar 15, 2021
REAR PASSENGER DOOR ON DRIVERS SIDE DOES NOT UNLOCK. STARTED AS RANDOM LAST SUMMER BUT NOW DOES IT ALL THE TIME. 4 MONTHS PAST WARRANTY DATE. 52,000 MILES
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2021
THIS HAPPENED LAST MONTH AS WELL. DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WHILE IT IS PARKED AND ON, IT LOCKS AND UNLOCKS BUT WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WHILE IT'S UNLOCKED. LAST TIME IT FIXED AFTER PULLING ON IT APPROXIMATELY 25 TIMES TOTAL. I HAVE TRIED MANUALLY AND AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING AND UNLOCKING AND TRYING TO OPEN BUT NOTHING WORKS. THIS TIME IS IS NOT WORKING AND BECOMES A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 10, 2021
THE PASSENGER SIDE BACK DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WHEN CAR IS UNLOCKED. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE EITHER. THE HANDLE HAS TO BE PULLED FORCEFULLY SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE DOOR WILL OPEN.
Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2021
CHILD SAFETY LOCK SWITCH NOT OPERATIONAL ON PASSENGER REAR SEAT. CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. CANNOT OPEN DOOD TO CHANGE SWITCH POSITION
Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2021
THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM IS FAULTY. I AM UNABLE TO OPEN A PASSENGER DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OR THE INSIDE, REGARDLESS OF CHILD LOCK POSITION. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN, A 2 YEAR OLD AND A 7 MONTH OLD. THE FAULTY PART IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE AMONG TUSCON'S AND IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR A VEHICULAR FIRE, I WOULD BE UNABLE TO ACCESS MY CHILD BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2021
THE REAR DRIVER DOOR IS STUCK CLOSED NO MATTER WHAT I DO. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, IT SEEMS LIKE MULTIPLE PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE DOOR ACTUATOR GOING OUT. NOW IF PEOPLE ARE IN MY BACK SEAT, PEOPLE ARE STUCK AND HAVE TO GO OUT THE OTHER DOOR. MY FEAR NOW IS THE OTHER DOOR WILL GO OUT ALSO AND SOMEONE WILL BE STUCK IN THE BACK OF MY CAR.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2021
REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NO LONGER OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2021
2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENED JANUARY 2021. I WAS WAITING FOR THE ENTIRE FIRE RECALL TO COME UP WITH A FIX SO I COULD TAKE IT IN AT THE SAME TIME. NOW, THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, ONLY THE INSIDE. HYUNDAI IS SAYING IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WILL NEED TO PAY FOR BOTH. QUICK RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS ME THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE EVALUATED AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF MY CAR CATCHES FIRE BEFORE THERE CAN BE A FIX FOR THE RECALL AND MYSELF OR MY PASSENGERS ARE UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IF IT IS ON FIRE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2021
MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR DOESN'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. NOT MATTER WHAT I DO. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON. WHY IS THIS NOT ON RECALL. I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN I TRY TO OPEN. THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR. I HAVE TO PUMP THE HANDLE A FEW TIMES AND THEN IT RELEASES. I CALLED ABOUT THE WARRANTY AND TO GET IT FIXED BUT WAS 8 DAYS LATE BUT UNDER MILEAGE. THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT
Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2021
MY DOOR LATCHES ARE ACTING UP MY DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT NEED TO BE PULLED MULTIPLE TIMES FROM THE OUTSIDE TO OPEN AND MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR COMPLETELY FAILED IT WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE RESULTING IN A COSTLY REPAIR BUT SINCE IT'S WERE MY DAUGHTER SITS IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME NOT BEING ABLE TO GET HER OUT OF THE CAR WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN GOOD.
Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2021
LOCKING MECHANISM IS NOT RELEASING ON 3/4 DOORS (CURRENTLY DRIVERS FRONT AND BOTH REAR PASSENGER DOORS) AND DOORS WON'T OPEN WHEN UNLOCKED. TAKES SEVERAL PULLS ON THE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN - ANYWHERE FROM 10-50 PULLS, SOMETIMES IT NEVER OPENS, OTHER TIMES IT WILL OPEN. ONCE OPENED IT WILL OPEN NORMALLY AS LONG AS THE DOOR IS NOT LOCKED AGAIN. IF THE DOOR IS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED IT WILL NOT OPEN AGAIN.
Other or unspecified, Jan 26, 2021
I WAS DRIVING APPROX 65-70MPH ON THE FREEWAY JUST AFTER 7PM AT NIGHT. IT WAS DARK, BUT NO RAIN. TUCSON STOPPED OUT OF NOWHERE. IT WAS LIKE I HIT AN INVISIBLE BRICK WALL AND THEN STARTED TO PUSH THROUGH IT. I THOUGHT MAYBE I'D HIT SOME UNSEEN ROAD DEBRIS. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I DID NOT GET OUT (IT WAS DARK AND TOO MANY CARS WERE WHIZZING BY.) NONE SEEMED TO BE SWERVING OR PULLING OVER FROM HITTING ROAD DEBRIS. MY SEATBELT LOCKED AND THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT MY SEATBELT DID LOCK UP. MY EARS WERE RINGING AND MY CHEST WAS SORE FROM THE SEATBELT. THERE WERE NO SENSOR WARNINGS ON MY CONSOLE, SO I PUT ON MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND DROVE OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT. WHEN I INSPECTED MY CAR, THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO BE FOUND. I CALLED POLICE NON EMERGENCY AND THEY PUT ME THROUGH TO HIGHWAY PATROL SO THAT I COULD NOTIFY THEM ABOUT DEBRIS (EVEN THOUGH I HADN'T SEEN IT.) THE NEXT MORNING MY NECK HURT AND I HAD A SLIGHT HEADACHE (THIS HAS CONTINUED FOR 5 OR 6 DAYS NOW). MY FACE MASK FLEW INTO THE FOOT AREA. WHEN I CALLED THE POLICE NON EMERGENCY NUMBER BACK A COUPLE DAYS LATER, THEY FORWARDED ME TO THE HIGHWAY PATROL AND THEY LOOKED UP THE CALL/REPORT. THE OFFICERS HAD NOT FOUND/COME IN CONTACT WITH ANY DEBRIS IN THE AREA. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THERE WAS DAMAGE UNDERNEATH THAT I COULDN'T SEE AND TO PULL THE ELECTRONIC RECORDS. THEY FOUND NOTHING. I FEEL LIKE THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM DEPLOYED FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT'S DONE IT. THE FIRST TIME THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS TURNING RIGHT AND WAS WELL INTO THE TURN, NOWHERE IN FRONT OF ME AND THE TUCSON BRAKED SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I KEPT ON THE GAS AND IT PICKED UP SPEED AGAIN. THANKFULLY BOTH TIMES NO ONE WAS IMMEDIATELY BEHIND ME. I DO NOT RECALL THE DATE OF THIS, BUT I CAN SUBMIT A SECOND REPORT IF NEEDED.