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: vehicle speed control
111 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 23, 2016
VEHICLE FAILS TO MOVE AND/OR ACCELERATE WHEN PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL OR IT MOVES IN A VERY "JERKY" MANNER. I DO MOSTLY CITY DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND AFTER I HAVE COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, USUALLY AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. HAPPENED ONCE AFTER I FILLED UP THE CAR WITH GAS. AT THAT TIME THE ENGINE HAD BEEN OFF. SO AFTER I AM STOPPED, AND THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN, I HIT THE GAS. THE ENGINE REVS AND THE TACH CAN HIT 4000RPMS BUT I EITHER DON'T MOVE OR MOVE A MATTER OF INCHES. USUALLY LASTS 20 - 30 SECONDS. LAST WEEKEND IT WAS 45 SECONDS. (IT IS AS IF THE CAR IS IN PARK, WHICH IT IS NOT). EVENTUALLY THE CAR MOVES. FIRST STARTED AT ABOUT 6400 MILES; I NOW HAVE 7500 ON IT AND IT SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHILE BACKING UP AS WELL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THEY SAID IT IS JUST THE WAY THIS CAR RUNS. (THEY ALSO MENTIONED THEY HAVE STARTED GETTING COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE WITH THIS MODEL CAR.) THE UPDATE DID NOTHING. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION. I AM AFRAID OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *BF
Vehicle speed control, Jul 14, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE AT A STOP, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 6, 2016
THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH LACK OF ACCELERATION IN THIS VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STANDSTILL. FOR EXAMPLE, FROM A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. MOST TIMES, WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS WHEN I AM AT A STOP, THIS CAR HESITATES FOR A MOMENT BEFORE IT FINALLY LURCHES FORWARD. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE WHEN I AM PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND THINK I HAVE ALLOWED MYSELF AMPLE TIME, THIS CAR HESITATES FOR SUCH A LONG TIME BEFORE FINALLY MOVING FORWARD IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jun 24, 2016
STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO GET GAS, TURNED THE VEHICLE IGNITION OFF, PUMPED GAS, GOT BACK IN & STARTED THE VEHICLE, SAT THERE FOR A MINUTE OR TWO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK & PRESSED THE GAS, RPM'S REVVED WAY UP BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. CHECKED EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE I WASN'T OVERLOOKING ANYTHING; NO 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT CAME ON OR ANY OTHER DASHLIGHTS, EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED. TURNED THE SWITCH OFF & ON SEVERAL TIMES, WAITING A FEW MINUTES EACH TIME, THEN WOULD START AND SHIFT INTO REVERSE (IT WOULD BACK UP), NEUTRAL, & FINALLY DRIVE & STILL NOTHING HAPPENED. FINALLY GAVE UP, PUT IT IN REVERSE & BACKED AWAY FROM THE PUMPS TO A SAFE PLACE. CALLED HYUNDAI BLUE LINK BUT THEY WERE NO HELP AS THE VEHICLE WASN'T SENDING ANY CODES. I TRIED A COUPLE MORE TIMES THEN GAVE UP & HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP (AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE SALESMAN). ONCE IT WAS OFF THE TRUCK, THE SALESMAN TRIED IT SEVERAL TIMES & GOT THE SAME RESULT. HE WAS JUST AS STUNNED AS I WAS. ON MON I CALLED HYUNDAI AMERICA & OPENED A CASE SO THERE WOULD BE DOCUMENTATION. I HAD DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE OVER THE WEEKEND & FOUND A HYUNDAI FORUM WHERE PEOPLE WERE DISCUSSING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I WAS HAD. I THEN WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP & MET WITH THE SERVICE DIRECTOR & THE TECHNICIAN WORKING ON MY VEHICLE. OF COURSE, THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO EVEN THOUGH IT HAD DONE THE SAME THING WITH THE SERVICE DIRECTOR THAT MORNING BUT HE FINALLY GOT IT TO MOVE. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED HYUNDAI TECH SERVICES & THEY MADE AN UPDATE/ADJUSTMENT. FOR NOW IT SEEMS TO BE FINE, BUT I AM TOTALLY PARANOID ABOUT DRIVING IT NOW! I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE NHTSA GET INVOLVED & GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 23, 2016
WAS JERKY WHEN GETTING THROUGH 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. I THOUGHT THAT MIGHT BE NORMAL FOR A 4 CYLINDER, SINCE I'D BEEN DRIVING A 6 CYLINDER FOR 20 YEARS. THOUGHT I JUST HAD TO GET USED TO IT. 10 DAYS FROM PURCHASE, AT ~ 300 MILES, JUST FILLED UP WITH FUEL AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE THE GAS STATION... PRESSED ON ACCELERATOR AND NOTHING HAPPENED... LET UP AND PRESSED AGAIN... NOTHING HAPPENED... LET UP AND PRESSED AGAIN... IT STARTED SLOWLY JERKING FORWARD, INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, IT KEPT JERKING AND SLOWLY ACCELERATED UNTIL I HIT ABOUT 5 GEAR, THEN IT SMOOTHED OUT. FRIGHTENING! 26 DAYS FROM PURCHASE, AT ~ 700 MILES, FROM A COLD START, BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE... REVVED THROUGH 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND HADN'T MOVED YET... HIT 3RD GEAR AND IT JERKED FORWARD AND STARTED SLOWLY MOVING. 30 DAYS FROM PURCHASE, @ ~ 816 MILES, STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT... LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE... SHIFTED THROUGH ALL OF THE GEARS (PARK, REVERSE, NEUTRAL, DRIVE) SEVERAL TIMES... IN DRIVE FOR ABOUT THE 4TH TIME AND STOMPED ON THE ACCELERATOR... IT PEALED OUT... DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP... JERKILY PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT. JUST OVER 3 HOURS LATER, WAS TOLD THEY DISCHARGED THE CAPACITOR COMPLETELY AND "RE-TAUGHT IT" THE SYSTEM. THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE FIXED, BUT, I'M AT DAY 37 AND CAN SWEAR THAT IT HESITATED YESTERDAY AND THIS MORNING. WILL KEEP YOU ABREAST. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DEADLY MALFUNCTION!
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.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jun 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
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.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 12, 2016
REPORTED HESITATION WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, IN TRAFFIC, OR WHEN EXITING A TURN. SERVICE TECH ACKNOWLEDGED AS DID THE SALES TEAM THAT THEY EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE IN THE VEHICLE BUT SINCE THERE ARE NO RECALLS THAT APPLY TO THE VEHICLE THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO UNTIL CORPORATE DECIDES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. HAVE HAD SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN TRYING TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC AND HESITATES OR LUNGES WHEN COMING TO A STOP SOME TIMES. CONTINUES TO HAPPEN WHEN DRIVING SINCE FIRST PURCHASED ON 5/21/2016.
Vehicle speed control, May 22, 2016
THE CAR OCCASIONALLY EXHIBITS THE FOLLOWING BEHAVIOR: 1.UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE IN A GEAR HIGHER THAN FIRST, WHICH THEN CAUSES THE MOTOR TO STALL AND LOSE POWER FOR ONE TO THREE SECONDS BEFORE RESUMING ACCELERATION. THE LOSS OF POWER PUTS THE CAR IN PERIL OF BEING REAR ENDED BY VEHICLES FOLLOWING BEHIND. 2.WHEN IN THIS STATE, MOVING THE GEARSHIFT LEVER LEFT TO ENTER MANUAL MODE FAILS ' THE TRANSMISSION STAYS IN DRIVE DESPITE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO ENGAGE MANUAL MODE. 3.BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION NEVER DOWNSHIFTS TO LOWER GEARS, THE CAR RUNS ROUGH AT SLOWER SPEEDS. 4.TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN RESTORES IT TO NORMAL OPERATION UNTIL THE ERRANT BEHAVIOR HAPPENS AGAIN ON RANDOM, UNPREDICTABLE OCCASIONS. THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A TURBO-CHARGER. A FACTORY RECALL TO FIX AN ACCELERATOR HESITATION IMPROVED, BUT DID NOT ELIMINATE, SAID HESITATION.
Vehicle speed control, Apr 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUSCON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OVER HEATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25.