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.
Structure, Jun 30, 2021
The back doors will not open from the inside or the outside. I have seem multiple people complain about this and yet still not recall issued. This is a HUGE safety problem. I can't use half of my car because if I somehow get passengers back there and we get in an accident.. they are stuck. If my dog rides back there and we get in an accident and God forbid he can't jump to the front, he is stuck. This needs to be recalled ASAP. There is no reason for these door handles to just stop working. My front door handle also has to be pulled twice for me to be able to open it.
Structure, Jun 29, 2021
Several doors are unable to be opened from both the inside and outside. This is very concerning to me, as in the event of an emergency passengers (including children in car seats) will be able to evacuate the car. After some research it appears many people have this issue with different models of Hyundai vehicles from that time period and yet no recall has been put out. I have never been in an accident in this vehicle and the doors are not dented or otherwise damaged. This problem started slowly, with the door handle not opening on the first try but opening after a few pulls. Over time it got the point where it will not open at all, inside or outside. And over time this has happened with all 4 doors. The two rear doors will not open at all. The front two doors are finicky and take several tries before opening.
Structure, Jun 29, 2021
In my 2016 Tucson, the issue started with the front passenger door not opening even though you can hear the car unlocking when clicking the key fob. This issue has now started on the drivers side door, with both the key fob not opening the door as well as manually trying to open the door with the key. This is a serious safely issue and should not be happening. This issue runs the risk of someone being stuck in the car, with no way of getting to them. There was no pre warning of the issue starting. It just happened one day and from that point forward has been progressing to each door. Getting in and out of the car in the event of an accident or emergency poses an issue if the doors do not open. This is made worse by not being able to manually open the door with a key.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 28, 2021
The rear doors do not open from inside or outside. We have attempted to pull the battery for a potential reset, without success. Both doors became inoperable simultaneously. The electric locking mechanisms work. The electric windows go up and down. We noticed this on a multi state road trip with backseat passengers. In the event of an accident, the backseat passenger would not have egress from the vehicle.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 25, 2021
Latch assembly-rear door LH failed. Could not open door from outside or inside. Replaced on 06/26/2021 Latch assembly-rear door RH failed. Could not open door from outside or inside. Replaced on 02/09/2018
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 24, 2021
My rear driver side door will not open from the outside or the inside. This is a serious safety issue. If a person or even a child is in the back of my car, how are they supposed to exit the vehicle in an emergency if they can't get the door open? Hydundai is saying the door not latching is not a safety concern, it is.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 23, 2021
Door actuators are failing causing doors to not open/be permanently locked. I have paid to repair one (which I don't have any confidence in), it's happening to another already, and countless others I've read are having the same issue. I hope that I don't run into the issue in a real emergency.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 23, 2021
When obviously unlocked, can feel lock disengage and see lock indicator pop out, door does not open unless handle is pulled multiple times. Driver side was repaired under warranty; both passenger side doors have the same problem but started after warranty.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 22, 2021
Rear passenger doors will not open even when unlocked, child safety feature is not on. This is a safety concern in an emergency situation. Doors will not open from the inside or outside.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 19, 2021
Left passenger door will not open. I have found multiple examples on the internet. The door will not open using the inside or outside handle.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 18, 2021
I am having the same problem as hundreds of others were the door actuators in 3/4 of my doors no longer function properly. Driver's side rear door cannot be opened from the inside or out. Front two doors have to be opened from the inside. Passenger side rear door is the only one that works properly.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 16, 2021
The locking mechanism of the driver's door as well as the rear door on the driver's side has malfunctioned. The driver's door requires the exterior handle to be pulled 3-6 times before the door will open (it opens on the first pull from the inside. The rear door does not open at all from either the inside or the outside. The issue with the driver's door started to occur in Feb 2021, or at approximately 50k - 55k miles. The issue with the rear door started to occur in May 2021, or at approximately 55k - 58k miles. I have not yet had the issue inspected by a dealer or independent mechanic, but will be soon. The rear door is a significant safety issue. If a severe enough accident occurred including a fire or rollover, or a collision to the passenger side that rendered the passenger side doors inoperable, occupants in the rear seat would not be able to exit the vehicle. I am also worried that the driver's door and possibly the passenger side doors will begin to not function at all. I have ready on many Hyundai forums that this is a common issue to all Hyundai models manufactured in the 2010s.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 16, 2021
THE LEFT SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE .. ALSO NOW THE DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND GETTING WORSE BY THE DAY. NOT BEING ABLE TO GET MY CHILD IN OR OUT OF THE CAR ON THE LEFT SIDE IS VERY WORRIESOME IF THERE WAS ANY TYPE OF AN EMERGANCY. IT HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED AS OF YET BUT I AM TAKING IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW 6.17.21. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR NOTIFICATION DESCRIBING THE DEFECT OF THE DOORS.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 15, 2021
UNKNOWN- the rear passenger door won’t open from the outside or the inside of the car. And now this issue is happening with both rear doors and the drivers side door. In order to get into the drivers seat, you have to get in through the passenger side door and crawl over. When I Google this safety concern, it seems like this has happened too many people. I’m concerned because if this has happened to others and if anyone gets into a car accident, no one can get out, without trying to break a window and crawl out.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 14, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the passenger’s side rear door had ceased in the lock position. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 89,362.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 14, 2021
Driver's side rear door will not open. Was working fine - then suddenly neither the inside nor outside handle will open door when unlocked. This is a concerning safety issue since I use this vehicle to transport my 2 grandchildren in car seats - and creates a hazardous situation in an emergency. Internet forums are full of reports of this same issue with this particular year/model of Tucson. Also - there is evidence that Hyundai Korea is aware of this problem - and has initiated steps to offer owners replacement of all door latches to remedy the issue. Here is a weblink to the Korean page that spells out some of the details: http://www.consumerwide.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=37459 FYI - I have owned and driven cars for almost 50 years - and have never had a vehicle where the vehicle doors just stopped functioning like this....
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 14, 2021
Passenger side rear door lock failed at 71000 miles. Could not open door from outside or inside.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 14, 2021
My front passenger door and rear driver passenger door will not open from the outside or the inside. Issue with door latch mechanism. Mechanism was repaired approx. 1 yr ago on passenger rear door. Safety issue since doors can not be opened from inside if am emergency happened. Child age 5 rides in car regularly. Big safety concern.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 10, 2021
The drivers door and drivers Side back door doesn’t open from the inside or the outside. It opens after like 10 tries of yanking on it. This is a serious issue if I had to get out of there quickly or if I had someone in the back that couldn’t climb. I should have to climb out of my car. Recall this.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 10, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the front and rear driver’s side doors failed to open using the interior or exterior door handles. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 10, 2021
I had a problem with my driver door not opening when I originally purchased this vehicle 2 years ago. The dealer fixed it for me that time. It happened again to my rear driver side door. It starts off taking a few pulls to open the door, then after a couple weeks, the door stops unlatching all together, can’t open it from the inside or outside. Rear passenger door went a few months after that, so I have no access to the back seat. Drivers door just started having the problem again too. Was told the problem was the door lock actuator when I initially got it fixed. From what I can tell, a lot of people have this problem, it’s a know issue with the 2016 Tucson’s, and a safety issue at that. What if there are children or elderly people in the back seat and this was an issue during a car crash? I can’t pay to replace a bad part every few months only to have the problem happen again. Hyundai needs to offer a solution to this problem, not just replacing the same faulty part.
Engine, Jun 9, 2021
Oil consume really fast, or Oil burn really quick (it supposed to works 5000 miles after oil change, but its burn about 1500-2000 miles). Because of that problem engine get heat really quick and their is maximum possibility for fire (due to heat), fire may cause lack of engine oil. Power (pick up) of car is really low, it is really slow when stop and go on the road, either FREEWAY or on the Street way. If a car could not pick up or drive forward as normal standard their is great possibility for accident, in freeway more possible and street way as well. I made web based research about these problems, most of the 2016 Hyundai Tucson facing this problem, means this is not my personal problem but THERE IS PROBLEM ALL OF HYUNDAI TUSCON of THIS MODEL. So, Hyundai must solve this problem. Because they know car was defective while they sold us, but defect broke out after long time. There are several 2016 Hyundai Tucson facing typically same problem. This fact proved that car was defective while they sold it to their customers. Most of the time I change oil and do servicing at Hyundai Dealer, but they never tell me about this problem. But When I realized it my warranty was expired. I went to inspect my vehicle with Hyundai Dealer but they want to charge to cure this problem, but, if their is manufacturing defect they have to take care free of cost. Because while they sale the car they did not revealed this problem it is misrepresentation. Police, Insurance Representatives or other did not inspected my vehicle. Their were not any warning lamps message or other symptoms of the problem until now, but when we drive we can feel it. Please do the web based short research to confirm my issues, and help us to solve this problem. In addition, they did not notice me about 2020 break recall, I know this form this web site today.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 9, 2021
Passenger side door will not open even though it is unlocked. Steering wheel shaft is going out and rattles when driving. not safe and could cause an accident or death
Electrical system, Jun 9, 2021
Left turn signal glitches and indicates right turn signal instead of left, like prompted. Driver window does not roll down or up. completely locked and does not respond to the switch
Engine, Jun 8, 2021, fire
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that a week after purchasing the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The mechanic informed the contact that the warning light would be reset. While performing a final test drive, the mechanic became aware of smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The mechanic pulled over and attempted to open the hood but was unable to do so. The mechanic then noticed fire coming from underneath the vehicle. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. No one was injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard by the police. The contact was made aware that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 20V543000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which was the cause of the fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.