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.
Seat belts, Oct 7, 2021
Since purchasing this car brand new I have had 3 different seat belt pretensioner failures all covered under warranty. Both front seat belt pretensioners and driver side belt anchor pretensioner. This is on a car with approximately 52000 miles and in excellent condition. In each case the airbag light came on. I am seriously wondering if there is a serious safety issue with these components.
Power train, Engine, Oct 2, 2021
Reduced engine power that caused car to suddenly stall. Check engine light and engine oil pressure light both came on. Auto shop is stating a new engine is required. Similar recall have been issued in other Hyundai Tucson
Power train, Engine, Oct 1, 2021
Engine Burns excessive oil, We change our oil every 3k miles since owning it sept 2019. I had taken it to the dealer for a repair on a separate issue and asked them to look at the engine and transmission due to noise and intermittent issues taking off. was told there was no issue and i did not need an oil change until I reach 5 k miles ( i was at 3k) and that the transmission has had the update and this is how the car operates noise and all, a week and a half later engine stalled while turning through a light at an intersection and the oil light came onfor a split second then off, no oil lights ever indicated low oil until that moment, I checked the oil and it was dry, I did an oil change, next time I reached 3k miles I took it to a shop, not the dealer and oil was dry at 3k miles, have had to refill the oil at 1500 miles since finding this out and have made multiple complaints to the dealer, they will not inspect it for what is a widely known issue unless i pay the money to do an oil consumption test that i cannot afford i have made numerous calls and have been unable to reach corporate after my first contact and delaer will not assist due to me being out of warranty even though this could have been prevented while i was in warranty and informed them i was having concerns, this company is aware of the issues these cars have and is knowing selling them when they can cause injury or death, as well none of my door handles will open the car upon first try(though this part is now under an extended warranty due to this issue) this company is knownly selling and doing everything not to recall dangerous vehicles
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 30, 2021
I'm mid may-end of may I took it in to Fort mill Hyundai the first time because it was starting to crank hard, sounded funny and my dashboard lights would come on saying I needed oil and there was an engine issue. When I idled too long the car would just die, I'd have to shift into park actually turn the car off and let it sit 1-3 mins turn it back on and all the lights would be off and it would drive like it did before it died, loud. They did testing on it and said these repairs (crankshaft sensor, spark plugs and I think an oil change) should fix it. This was less than a month after my previous oil change. Got the car back 3-4 days later and it sounded better but I still felt like it didn't drive and smooth as it should. 2-3 weeks goes by and my oil light again comes on only with sharp turns. The car over the next couple of days would do the loud cranking noise, didn't drive well over 60 and the engine light came on and gauges would go down but would be fine again once the car was turned off for a couple min like 5 . I set up an appt to hVe them look it over again because of the lights coming back on. Not even 2 days later twice going to and from work it completely died out on me (like the first time) but this time it would turn over once it was out in park and turned off correctly. First time I was in the middle of traffic at a red light waited 10 mins multiple times trying to turn the car on to move to the side and it wouldn't. I let it sit for 5 mins without trying to turn it on and it started the gauges didn't work and it was VERY loud stuck in like first gear wouldn't go above 20 mph. Pulled into a neighborhood turned it off to let it cool off again thinking it was over heating. It would crank but again lights still all on and the gear gauge didn't work (down at 0 liek the car was off). I waiting like 20 mins it still had the lights on but the gauges worked, when I tried to drive home it wouldn't go about 45mph or out of 2nd gear.
Engine, Sep 30, 2021
My Hyundai Tuscon is currently at 104,552 miles with a dead engine. I also have had to bring my car in for oil changes at 2000 miles instead of 3000, because it started eating through oil fast. The morning of my last oil change, 8/17, my engine started making loud clunking noise. After the oil change, on the way home to call my dealer, Key Hyundai of Milford, my engine shut off while in Drive on a busy street and started smoking. Luckily, I was able to move to the small shoulder and put my hazards on and force the car into park to wait for a tow. If I was not at a safe place to force my car into park the day it died, I could have been seriously injured. No engine lights or any warning lights went on on the dash at all. I had it towed to my auto shop and they said it was leaking oil all over the place, not anywhere an oil changer could access, and could not get it started. They suggested it was a faulty engine and to call Hyundai Corporate, start a case and get it fixed because at just over 100,000 miles it was still considered a young car. I bought this car at 82,000 miles used and was given no warranty on the engine. Hyundai Corporate would only open a case if I had it towed to a Hyundai dealer, and had to fight to get them to tow it themselves to Meriden Hyundai, where it currently sits. This engine failure and the problems leading up to it match exactly that of the large class action suit that is currently going on with Hyundai/Nissan/Kia motors, yet my VIN doesn't match any recalls. Back in March, I had a check engine light that lead to me paying out of pocket for a misfiring cylinder and having to replace the ignition coil and all my spark plugs. I have only had this car since October 2019, and have kept it well maintained. I have been going back and forth with Hyundai Customer Care, and they are sending me in circles and refusing to fix the problem or even attempt to help me solve it.
Structure, Sep 28, 2021
The rear driver's side door of my door suddenly stopped working. When I was trying to get my baby out of the car, neither my husband nor myself could get to her. We couldn't open her door with the exterior door handle (even after multiple attempts to unlock the car) or the interior door handle. If we find ourselves in an emergency situation, we would not be able to safely and efficiently evacuate our child and other passengers. While it has not been inspected, it is available for inspection upon request. There were and still are no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Additionally, this seems like a common issue for the Hyundai Tucson as there are many people online talking about this very same issue, with some people unable to open either of their doors.
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 27, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the passenger’s side rear door failed to open without warning. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,880. The VIN was invalid.
Structure, Sep 27, 2021
Rear passenger door will not open from inside or outside despite being unlocked. Previously it could be opened after pulling handle several times, now it will not open at all despite being unlocked. I have small children in the back seat in car seats and would not be able to get them out through that door in an emergency. The front driver's door also requires pulling the handle several times in order to open it.
Other or unspecified, Sep 24, 2021
I took my 2016 Tucson to the Myrtle Beach Sc dealership for the recall on the ABS. First thing that happened they called me in the back and told me that they added oil (which I checked when I got home and was overfilled) and that they put in 2 new air filters. They did all this before asking me. So they tried to get me to pay $72 each for the air filters and $16 for the oil and of course I refused. Within days the check bsd system light and all other lights have come on. When I’m at a stop signs it shuts off. I have started the vehicle one morning to warm the engine up and I go back and thence hole is off with the dashboard lights on. My vehicle has even stop and cut off while in traffic while taking my daughter to school. The RPM and the AC stops working when these lights come on and I can only drive the vehicle at a certain speed. I don’t know if by “fixing” the ABS caused this issue or what but my vehicle was driving fine before I went to that dealership. I contacted the dealership asked for a manager and of course one was not available but I was told that they would look at my vehicle for $110. And I still haven’t heard from a manager. So disappointed in Hyundai!!!
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 23, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to open the rear driver’s side door from the inside and the door failed to open. The contact exited the vehicle from the rear passenger’s side door. The next day the contact attempted to open the door and the rear driver’s and passenger’s side door would not open. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
Other or unspecified, Sep 22, 2021
The doors on the passenger side of the car will not open from the outside or inside. My car was not hit. I have been in no accidents, but the just do not open anymore. My driver side door takes two attempts before it opens. The only door that works like it should is the back-seat driver side door. No warnings. This happened months ago, but I was out of warranty. The dealership service department told me $350 per door to repair. Found that hundreds of owner of this make/model experience the same. Totally unsafe that only 1 of 4 doors function properly.
Power train, Engine, Sep 20, 2021
The vehicle issue began with needing an engine check light. Searched for a recall but there wasn't any engine recalls online for my VIN number. Took the car to the dealer for a recall and they did the recall on some electrical wire that was separate from the engine issue but they just overlooked the engine check light on my dashboard and made no mention of it. They actually bypassed it and so I thought maybe they fixed the issue since the light isn't present anymore. However the engine light came and the problem developed into a transmission failure. Upon pressing the gas pedal, the vehicle wouldn't run over 30 miles per hour and could only go up to 4 rpms.. I took the car to the mechanic and he replaced the transmission and he said that the root cause was a result of a burnt gasket. So we had that replace also.. After spending $5000 in repairs, the motor or the engine completely overheated and now the car is just a potato. Another issue is the doors on my car and not opening anymore. I have to manually ply them open by pulling on some mechanical wiring inside the door. Why do I have to pay for bad engineering? This is an obvious risk.
Service brakes, Sep 20, 2021
This vehicle is under recall for its antilock braking system. I brought the vehicle to a dealership on 10 April for the repair. They didn't have the necessary parts in stock. When I called back two months later. Still no parts. It's now been more than 5 months. Which I believe to be proof that the dealership is "unable to remedy the defect within a reasonable time." Instead of responding to calls, Jim Ellis Hyundai of Atlanta (5785 Peachtree Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30341) puts me on hold indefinitely. I'd really like to be able to use my garage again.
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 19, 2021
Both of my rear doors will not open. It started with the rear passenger side door and as of two days ago now my rear driver side door will not open either. I am also having some problems with my driver door, sometimes it won’t open until the second try. I searched online and this seems to be a common problem. This is a safety concern, I am not sure how there isn’t a recall for this.
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 17, 2021
Back rear doors do not unlock. No matter how many times you press the unlock button they just do not unlock. Nothing has been done to the doors or just started out of no where. This is a huge safety problem. If there is a crash or emergency there's no way for the back doors to open. It started with one door and now the second is doing the same thing. You have to either push the door in trying to get in or pull the door towards you if your trying to get out. I looked into this and there are several other complaints about the same thing.
Power train, Sep 16, 2021
The vehicle is slow to accelerate on and doesn’t change gears quickly, often stays in a neutral mode which doesn’t allow acceleration. Vehicle doesn’t move when gas is pressed which can cause a major issue when driving on the roads. It is very dangerous and I believe my vehicle should be included in the August 29, 2016 recall.
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 16, 2021
Once my car door is unlocked from the outside it WILL NOT open! My son also owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson and the SAME thing is happening. I have been hearing of this happening for many, many more Hyundai owners. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE as one is unable to get into the car or get out of the car. This could pose a risk in the event that my granddaughter is stuck in the car under dangerous circumstances or that I am or if someone with a physical limitation is in the car...needing to quickly exit the car OR even to quickly gain entrance to the car. I have read other owners' posts about the blasé, even bored, responses from Hyundai and that just diagnosing the issue costs around $100. Also, even if the car is still in warranty and the item is replaced, one still has to pay for labor! It will also cost around $4000 to get all 4 doors repaired. RIDICULOUS!! While this is a major inconvenience, it also puts the driver and passengers in DANGEROUS risk of injury just to get out of the car! Hyundai HAS AN OBLIGATION TO MAKE THEIR VEHICLES SAFE. This should be a safety recall and 100% covered by Hyundai. Thank you
Power train, Sep 15, 2021
The transmission will fail to deliver power to the wheels when starting from a stop. You will hit the gas and nothing will happen for a beat, before kicking in suddenly. this creates a safety issue, especially when turning left, as it can leave you stranded in front of traffic. Multiple Tucson owners have reported the same issue with their transmisison.
Structure, Sep 15, 2021
The lock actuator on the driver's side door failed. The door cannot be opened, even when the car is unlocked. This creates a hazard if one is required to exit the vehicle in an emergency. There have been numerous owners reporting the same issue on different door in the 2016 Tucson.
Structure, Sep 15, 2021
Both front doors no longer open from outside. Started off as intermittent and has gotten progressively worse sometimes I cant get them to open from inside either. This is a huge safety problem.
Power train, Sep 13, 2021
The transmission on this vehicle has always functioned erratically. There has been a recall on the transmission control module. On June 12th, as I was driving the vehicle in traffic, I heard an odd clanking noise and felt a loss of power. I was driving up a hill with traffic behind me. The car stalled for several seconds, and I was unable to make it move. It then reengaged and lurched forward. It drove normally for several seconds and then did the same thing two more times, all while climbing this hill with traffic behind me. I was able to make it to a friend's house close by, but when I went to leave, it turned out that the transmission was non-functional. I was unable to put the car in reverse, or move it in any direction. It had to be towed to a Hyundai dealer and a new transmission installed. The vehicle had 81K on it when this happened.
Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2021
The front driver door handle on the outside is not opening! I have to pull on it about 25 times for it to open. This is a safety issue because I cannot get in or out of my car. This is very unsafe and the manufacturer is quoting me over 200$ to fix this commonly known issue!!
Structure, Sep 9, 2021
Both back doors fail to open from the inside or outside and the front doors are starting to fail as well.
Engine, Sep 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to a local dealer. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 7, 2021
We have had 3 doors malfunction to the point where they can't be opened (even from the inside) and need to be repaired. This is a safety issue because it could prevent safe exit from the car in the event of an accident. This is a commonly reported issue with 2016 Tucsons and should be the subject of a recall. For more information see here: https://www.hyundai-forums.com/threads/rear-passenger-door-wont-open.603329/page-4