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, Jan 13, 2021
THE DOOR LATCHES FOR THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND ALL 3 PASSENGER DOORS HAVE FAILED. IN THE CASE OF THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS (BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE) THIS HAS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THEM FROM EIRHER THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. IN THE CASE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, THE ABILITY TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE HAS BECOME INCONSISTENT AND IRREGULAR; OFTEN, THE DOOR HANDLE MUST BE PULLED MULRIPLE TIMES FOR RHE DOOR TO OPEN. FINALLY, IN THE CASE OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR, THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE ONCE THE DOOR HAS BEEN LOCKED AND SUBSEQUENTLY UNLOCKED, MEANING THAT IF I LOCK MY CAR, THE ONLY WAY TO ENTER IT IS THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, ITSELF AN UNRELIABLE METHOD. CURRENTLY, I CANNOT EXIT FROM THE REAR SEATS AT ALL, NOR CAN I RELY ON THE FRONT DOORS TO CONTINUE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE BASED ON THE CURRENT BEHAVIOR. ALL 4 OF THE DOOE LATCHES BEGAN EXIBITING THESE FAILURES WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF EACH OTHER
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2021
ONCE LOCKED AND THEN UNLOCKED, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR IS UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS IS DUE TO FAILING DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. THIS PREVENTS PASSENGERS FROM EXITING THE CAR AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. THE SAME DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR IS ON ALL DOORS AND IS A KNOWN ISSUES WITH HYUNDAI.
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2021
BOTH REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO UTILIZE FOR 1 YEAR NOW. NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND NO ISSUES PRIOR TO ONSET. UNABLE TO OPEN FORM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. DRIVER DOOR IS STARTING TO NOT OPEN INCONSISTENTLY NOW FOR THE PAST WEEK. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY.
Other or unspecified, Dec 29, 2020
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WON'T UNLOCK TO OPEN. THIS IS CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY CHILDREN.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Dec 21, 2020
VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING BULB IS NOT BLOWN LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN LIGHT HOUSING IS OUT. DOORS STUCK WILL NOT OPEN WINDOW OFF TRACK
Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2020
I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS TO WHERE THEY ARE HARD TO OPEN. I UNLOCK THE DOORS AND I HAVE TO PULL THE DOOR LATCH SEVERAL TIMES SO THEY CAN OPEN.
Other or unspecified, Nov 30, 2020
THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR HAS STOPPED OPENING. IT WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE DRIVER DOOR AND THE PASSENGER DOOR WILL ALSO NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE UNLESS THE HANDLE HAS BEEN PULLED MULTIPLE TIMES. EVIDENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM HAPPENING TO LOTS OF 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON DRIVERS. DOORS ARE THE MOST BASIC THING THAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO WORK. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE'S NO REASON FOR THEM TO STOP WORKING. THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND CAN BE ON OR OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
Other or unspecified, Nov 14, 2020
THE BACK DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT OPEN. THE LOCK IS WORKING, BUT THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THE CHILD LOCKS ARE NOT ON. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2020
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THE LOCK CLICKS AND THE DOOR SOUNDS AS IF IT IS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING, BUT THE DOOR ITSELF DOESN'T ACTUALLY OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THIS ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED. I'VE TRIED OPENING THE DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AND OFF.
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2020, fire
HAVING TURNED ONTO THE SUBDIVISION STREET TOWARDS OUR HOUSE, MY HUSBAND NOTICED A CHEMICAL SMELL. HE ROLLED DOWN THE CAR WINDOW AND THE SMELL WAS MORE INTENSE, SO HE ASSUMED IT WAS COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE .AFTER ABOUT 1/4 MILE DRIVE, HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN RIGHT ONTO THE STREET TOWARDS OUR HOUSE, BUT HAD TROUBLE WITH THE STEERING. AT THAT POINT THE WINDOW STATED TO FOG UP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH. HOWEVER HE DECIDED TO PULL THE CAR TO THE SIDE AND OUT OF THE STREET AND ONTO AN EMPTY LOT. THERE WERE POPPING SOUNDS AND HE SAW SPARKS COMING FROM THE HOOD. HE MANAGED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR JUST IN TIME TO ESCAPE THE ENSUING FLAMES. LUCKILY, HE WAS NOT DRIVING ON A BUSY STREET OR HIGHWAY!. THERE WAS NO WARNING RE THE FIRE AND THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED SO WHAT WAS THE REASON?
Other or unspecified, Oct 20, 2020
ISSUE WITH FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR PASSENGER DOORS - THEY WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE LATCH INSIDE THE DOOR. THIS CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND COULD EVEN RESULT IN A FATALITY IF YOU WERE IN AN ACCIDENT. IMAGINE IF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND NEITHER YOU NOR EMS COULD GET YOU OUT! I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND IF I NEEDED TO GET THEM OUT OF THE CAR QUICKLY DUE TO A MEDICAL EMERGENCY, I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO SO. THIS SHOULD SERIOUSLY BE LOOKED INTO AS A RECALL AND ANYONE WHO'S HAD TO PAY FOR THIS TO BE REPAIRED SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 16, 2020
REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK OR OPEN MANUALLY. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK.
Other or unspecified, Oct 12, 2020
MY DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NO LONGER OPEN FROM NEITHER THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS I HAVE TWO CHILDREN IN CARSEATS WHO RIDE IN THE BACK. THIS HAS ALSO BEEN A EXTREME INCONVENIENCE AS I HAVE TO CLIMB OVER ONE CHILD TO BUCKLE IN THE OTHER. WE WERE TOLD THIS WILL COST AN UPWARDS OF $1000 TO FIX, BUT THIS INDEED A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED ASAP.
Other or unspecified, Oct 8, 2020
PASSENGER LEFT DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FORM EITHER I SIDE OR OUTSIDE. I SEE ONLINE THAT MANY OTHER HYUNDAI OWNERS EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Oct 2, 2020
THE RIGHT REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THE BACK SEAT ON EACH SIDE OF THE CAR. IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT OR A CAR FIRE THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WHICH COULD TRAP THE CHILDREN INSIDE AND MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR RESCUE WORKERS TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE AS WELL. IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT WITH DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR RENDERING THAT DOOR INOPERABLE THE CHILDREN WILL HAVE NO WAY TO EVACUATE THE VEHICLE. IN CASE OF A FIRE, BOTH CHILDREN WILL HAVE TO EVACUATE FROM THE SAME DOOR, DELAYING THE ESCAPE FOR ONE OF THE CHILDREN WHO WILL HAVE TO CROSS THE CAR AND EXIT THE OTHER SIDE. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE AS THE CHILDREN DO NOT HAVE AN ACCESSIBLE EXIT IN AN EMERGENCY AND THOSE PRECIOUS MOMENTS REQUIRED TO USE AN ALTERNATIVE EXIT COULD RESULT IN SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH FOR ONE OF THE CHILDREN. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THIS ISSUE REPAIRED AND THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER FURTHER DELAYING THE REPAIR AND PUTTING THE CHILDREN AT RISK EVEN LONGER. THE PART ON BACK ORDER INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE AND THIS SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL.
Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2020
BOUGHT CAR AND DRIVERS BACK DOOR DOES NOT OPEN. FAULTY HARDWARE.WINDOWS HAVE ISSUES TOO.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 1, 2020
ALL FOUR OF MY WINDOWS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. THE MOTOR PART WORKS B/C I CAN HEAR IT...THE WINDOW JUST DOESN'T GO UP OR DOWN. IT'S LIKELY OFF THE TRACKS. I CAN UNDERSTAND ONE BUT ALL FOUR.....SERIOUSLY ALL FOUR WINDOWS DO NOT WORK. ALL THIS HAPPENED COICIDENTALLY JSUT AS I HIT THE 65,000 MILE MARK WITH THE EXCEPTION OF HTE DRIVER SIDE THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET UNDER WARRANTY. IF THERE IS A RECALL NEEDED IT'S FOR THE WINDOWS!
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2020
REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN USING INSIDE OR OUTSIDE HANDLE EVENTHOUGH IT IS IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION . LOCKING AND UNLOCKING SWITCH INSIDE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY WORKING. TRUCK HANDLE SOMETIMES WON'T OPEN TRUNK.
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2020
A FEW MONTHS AGO, MY DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW STOPPED GOING UP RANDOMLY ONE DAY. THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. ALL OF A SUDDEN THIS WEEKEND, THE RIGHT PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW QUIT WORKING TOO. I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE, AND THEY TESTED ALL OF THE WINDOWS AND THE BACK RIGHT WINDOW IS ALSO NOT WORKING. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER SAID THAT HE SEES EVERY SINGLE TUSCON HAVE ALL FOUR WINDOW MOTORS FAIL AT SOME POINT- HE REPLACED FOUR VEHICLES WINDOW MOTORS TODAY ALONE! MY CAR IS A 2016, THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING TO EVERY SINGLE WINDOW LIKE CLOCKWORK. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THESE WINDOW MOTORS, AND THEY SHOULD BE COVERED IF THEY FAIL AFTER THE WARRANTY IS UP, BECAUSE THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE, NOT THE RESULTS OF WEAR AND TEAR. IT IS DANGEROUS TO NOT HAVE CONTROL OF WINDOWS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR VEHICLE LEAVING IT PARKED ANYWHERE WITH THE INABILITY TO LOCK IT UP.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 29, 2020, fire
WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION ON CITY STREET, WEST BOUND ,PEOPLE WERE YELLING AT ME... WASN'T SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON...I ROLL DOWN MY WINDOW TO HEAR THEM YELLING " YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE" SO I PULL OFF ROAD IN TO A PARKING LOT...STOP AND OPEN DOOR AS FIRE RUSHING IN AS I'M "LITERALLY" HAVING TO JUMP OUT ! TRYING TO PUT FIRE OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER ,BUT DID NOT WORK...MAYBE 10 MINS LATER ,FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVES AND PUTS IT OUT
Structure, Seats, Other or unspecified, May 28, 2020, fire
I'M THE OWNER OF A 2016 HYUNDAI SANTA FE THAT THE ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING AND WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD CAR WAS ON FIRE I LOOKED LIKE A MOVIE CAR BLOW UP BURSTING GLASS EVERYWHERE I ALMOST DIED IF I DIDN'T STOP TO LOOK AT IT. *TR
Other or unspecified, Mar 7, 2020
DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WHEN UNLOCKED ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY.
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
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 26, 2019
MY 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON STUMBLES A LOT UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STAND STILL. SOMETIMES WHILE MAKING A TURN. A FEW TIMES IT PUT MY DAUGHTER IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. HESITATING WHILE ACCELERATION THOUGH AN INTERSECTION. IT IS VERY FRIGHTENING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE. ONCE IN JULY 2019 THEN AGAIN IN OCTOBER 2019. THE FIRST TIME THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HESITATE AND STUMBLE UPON ACCELERATION. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD RESET THE COMPUTER ON THE CAR IN HOPES THAT IT WILL FIX THE ISSUE. THEN THE SECOND TIME THEY TOLD ME IT MAY BE MY AIR FILTER AND OR MY FUEL INJECTORS NEED CLEANING. I DECLINED BOTH BECAUSE THE DEALER WHO I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM JUST HAD THEM CLEANED AND AIR FILTER WAS ALMOST BRAND NEW. AFTER TRYING TO CONVINCE ME THAT SOMETHING ELSE COULD BE CAUSING THE CAR TO HESITATE HE FINALLY CONFESSED THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND THAT ONE OTHER HYUNDAI CAR HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND THEY HAD NO SOLUTION FOR THE FIX. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THEY WERE WAITING ON HYUNDAI TO COME UP WITH A FIX. IN THE MEAN TIME MY DAUGHTER, WHO I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR, CONTINUES TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL HYUNDAI RECALLS THE CAR AND HAVE THIS PROBLEM TAKEN CARE OF.
Other or unspecified, Dec 21, 2019
MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR WON'T OPEN. IT'S NOT LOCKED, AND I'VE PUT AS MUCH FORCE ON IT AS I THINK I CAN WITHOUT BREAKING THE HANDLE AND IT WON'T OPEN. THIS SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM WITH TUCSON'S AND WITH HYUNDAI'S IN GENERAL. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.