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
1,620 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Jul 19, 2022
Three of my windows stopped working within a few weeks of each other in June 2022 and July 2022. My car has approximately 19,000 miles on it. I took it to the dealership and they said that the window regulators need to be replaced. It costs $741 per window. This is a defect that is occurring with this car's make, model, and year. There are many online forums where other owners of the exact same type of vehicle are experiencing this failure. For example, in this forum there are over 10 owners that have the same issue. Many owners of this car are unable to open their windows anymore unless they can afford to pay the high cost per window. This is putting people's safety at risk because, 1) your car's windows are an emergency exit point if you are in an accident and your doors are nonfunctional, 2) you can't communicate with law enforcement during a traffic stop which puts the officer at risk and yourself because you have to open your door when you can't roll your window down, 3) children in the back seats can't breathe well from the strong wind in their face when the window is stuck rolled down while you are driving. Also debris can fly into the car because the window is not rolled up while driving. Please consider these safety concerns and investigate the fact that there are so many of these cars experiencing this exact defect that is causing multiple windows to fail. This is one website with many forums that report this window failure with this exact type of car: https://www.hyundai-forums.com/search/1269536/?q=windows+tucson&o=relevance Thank you in advance for your time to investigate this concern.
Power train, Engine, Jul 16, 2022
This car is burning oil and locking up the engine while driving. This has happened multiple times now! I am changing the oil every couple two thousand miles instead of 3000, and sometimes even sooner than that. I was on the interstate a couple of times and the car will not accelerate. This is a danger to myself as well as other drivers. Why is this not being investigated??? Looking through the complaints, it has been happening to so many people and no one is doing anything about it!
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the catalytic converter, spark plugs, and coil packs were replaced. Eight months later, the failure returned and the same mechanic informed her that the evaporated oil had melted the catalytic converter and referred her to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer on three separate occasions and each time the catalytic converter was replaced; however, despite the numerous replacements, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 140,963.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 12, 2022
Locks and Latches have stopped working. My rear passenger and driver side latches do not open. It is a safety hazard for anyone riding in my vehicle.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 9, 2022
Passenger side front door lock intermittently does not unlock either by pressing door handle or remote control. Passenger can be trapped inside of vehicle in the event of an emergency egress being needed. Problem is intermittent for now, but growing in frequency!
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 8, 2022
The car doors don’t open even after unlocking. I can hear and see the door is u locked but the door doesn’t open from outside. Unable to open the door and get my kid out in case of emergency
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the rear driver’s side door latch would not unlock and could not be opened from inside or outside of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 1, 2022
Driver side door doesn’t open after unlocking unless you yank on handle 10+ times, and now driver side window no longer goes up. Motor works for window to go down but not up, so it is now a safety concern! A quick Google search reveals countless 2016 Hyundai Tucson owners experiencing the exact same thing- and always with the driver door only.
Equipment, Jun 30, 2022
Air Conditioning Unit is not working properly. I am spending over 1500.00 to have the defective unit replaced. I find it unreasonable that I should spend that amount to repair something that the company should include in a recall campaign.
Electrical system, Jun 29, 2022
Rear driver side door will not unlock either by electronic or manual manuvers - Locked in senario. Passenger door wont unlock electrinically but manually can open with handle.
Power train, Jun 29, 2022
The dual clutch transmission is malfunctioning. The car is lurching when accelerating, failing to accelerate and/ or delayed acceleration, and shaking/ shuddering terribly. The car is available for inspection upon request. My safety as well as others is at risk because there have been multiple incidents where the car's accelerator wouldn't engage when going 70+ mph on the interstate almost causing an accident. The car also lurches and shakes terribly. Yes the problem has been confirmed. The problem has been inspected on similar cars having the same problems but not mine specifically. There were no other warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The problems first appears May 14, 2022.
Power train, Jun 29, 2022
Put car in drive and it does not engage and will not move. It acts like it is still in park. However, the reverse gear does operate.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side door failed to open from inside or outside of the vehicle. The contact had spoken to the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000. The VIN was not available.
Structure, Jun 26, 2022
REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK/OPEN. CANNOT BE UNLOCKED BY ANY SWITCH. FROM INFO I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER OR CONTACTED THE MANUFACTUER. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ALARMS HAVE BEEN ACTIVATED BY THE VEHICLE.O6/
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2022
When I go to accelerate my vehicle it does not accelerate properly. It actually slows down to the point of almost stopping. It is very dangerous when I am getting on the highway. I have had cars almost rear end me due to this issue. I travel with my children in this car.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 20, 2022, fire
I was on my way to work as normal. There were no warning lamps or other notifications/signs of a problem when all of a sudden, my vehicle started decelerating. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw smoke. I immediately pulled over and the smoke increased. Within a matter or seconds flames started to shoot out from under the hood. I don't know if the fire started from something electrical or engine-related but it spread fast! Before the police and fire truck arrived at the scene, my car was engulfed in flames! This was a terrifying and horrific experience! Prior to this, I had to replace all of the motors on the windows and noticed the jerky movements when driving in Turbo mode that I was told was normal. I didn't even have the car for 2 years! When I contacted Hyundai about the windows, they did nothing and the Rep referred me to get rid of it! I should have listened.
Other or unspecified, Jun 20, 2022
Window regulator on the front passenger side window is no longer working after just over 50,000 miles. Window regulator on the front driver’s side does not always work. I was quoted that it would be a $700 repair by the dealer. Front passenger side window is being held up by card board stuffed inside the door (the dealer’s advice). Door lock actuator on the front passenger side door does not allow you to open the door from the outside when unlocked. Both issues are serious safety concerns if the car were to be in an accident. Both issues are very common with this make and model.
Engine, Jun 19, 2022
Engine has no oil less three months since last oil change, vehicle did not have any type of low oil notification, car just stopped engine locked up.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 17, 2022
Rear door will not open from the inside or the outside
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 17, 2022
The driver's side front door and rear door lock actuators failed in both the doors and you are unable to open the doors from the exterior of the vehicle after the doors have been locked. The only way to open them is to go around and open them from the inside of the vehicle. This is a major safety concern due to not being able to quickly access the vehicle from the outside to get someone out of the car if it was to be involved in a wreck/on fire. As a first responder this is a situation that I have encounter in my work experience and could be the difference in someone living or dying in a collision. This issues is well documented online and with the dealership when I called to discuss it with them. This part does not have any warnings before it fails and one day it just stops working. Our vehicle is a 2016 and has around 50,000 miles so it is not old by any means. I have not had any of the parts examined by anyone such as the insurance company but I am a police officer that is trained in Advance Crash Investigation and Crash Reconstruction.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 15, 2022
Rear driver side door handle does not open, seems to be a safety issue with this car
Engine, Jun 15, 2022
Shortly after purchasing this vehicle I noticed I was using more oil than I had in other vehicles in the past. I thought it may have been normal for this different type of vehicle. The longer I owned this vehicle the more oil it consumed. I became worried and asked my brother who is a mechanic and he said sometimes turbos go through extra oil. It then got to the point I was going through close to a quart a week. I then was driving down the highway and my engine stalled and quit. Come to find out I had somehow been getting gas into my oil and it ruined my engine.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 13, 2022
BOTH REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE OR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. CHILDREN PASSENGERS HAD TO CLIME TO FRONT TO EXIT CAR. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
Other or unspecified, Jun 12, 2022
The passenger side door will not unlock from the outside. You can hear when you press the unlock button but nothing happens you have to physically open the door from the inside to let the person in to the core. Also we have had to replace the driver side and passenger side front window gears or whole panel in the door do you to the gears rotting out because they are cheap plastic pieces. We are now having to replace the third window which is the rear driver side for the same issue. When you open the door the gears look likeThey have eaten each other. It is due to cheek horrible product being used in the door. I see multiple complaints about these two issues and they both should be recall issues. It is also a safety hazard because the windows can fall at any moment and shatter and if the rest of the door handle goes out there is no way to let anyone out of the car from the outside
Power train, Jun 6, 2022
Transmission can lurch forward or hesitate, shudder when accelerating from a stop. More problematic is the extreme vibration/shuddering of the car when in stop and go traffic. It is so severe passengers are actually thrusting back and forth in their seats. First occurrence was at 23,000 miles when a warning light came on saying, "transmission running high, pull over while driving in traffic." At the time I was driving in moderately heavy city traffic for about 20 minutes. Hyundai service reported they could not duplicate the problem, and no codes found in any system, so no repairs performed. Was informed service mechanic that this can happen in extended traffic. However, I had not been in extended traffic. I continued to experience other issues as noted above and when complained about them was told there was nothing wrong with the car, it just had some quirks with the transmission, nothing that needed repair. Recently my driving has changed from city to interstate driving and starting about 5,000 miles ago, the severe shuddering/vibrating happens when traffic is tied up on interstates. The car has not been overheated by hot weather or extended driving as suggested by the service center. When I took it back in for servicing I was informed there was a "dry and wet" type of transmission in the 2016 Tucson's, and I had the dry one which is problematic. Again, the mechanics were unable to duplicate the problem, and said there was nothing they could do to fix the car as it was inherent in this transmission. They suggested I contact Hyundai and ask for the transmission to be replaced as it was still under warranty. Current mileage is 39,000. I have contacted hyundai but they insist, I must take it back to the dealer so they can "duplicate the problem and repair it. It has been and continues to be very frustrating trying to deal with hyundai. I do not feel safe driving long distances in the car and consider it to be a safety concern. Please advise. Thank you, Ellen