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.
Electrical system, Apr 25, 2021
THE DOOR ACTUATORS ON THE HYUNDAI KEEP FAILING WHICH MAKES IT SO THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED. I'VE ALREADY REPLACED 2 AND HAD 2 MORE GO OUT THIS PAST WEEK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. HYUNDAI WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM.
Structure, Apr 24, 2021
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN POSING A SAFETY CONCERN. MANY OTHER OWNERS OF HYUNDAI TUCSON OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES. HYUNDAI SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR OF THIS ISSUE.
Structure, Apr 23, 2021
BOTH MY FRONT AND REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HAVE BEEN FAILING TO OPEN ON MY 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. RECENTLY MY REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HAS COMPLETLY FAILED TO OPEN (INSIDE AND OUTSIDE) LEAVING ME WITH ONE DOOR TO ACCESS MY CHILD IN THE BACKSEAT. I HAVE TO PULL MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE MULTIPLE TIMES IN ORDER FOR IT TO "CATCH" AND OPEN. I TOOK THE CAR TO LITHIA HYUNDAI OF FRESNO AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT I NEED TO REPAIR BOTH ACTUATORS AND IT IS NOT CONSIDERED A "SAFETY ISSUE" MORE OF A "WEAR AND TEAR" ISSUE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE KIDS AND NEED TO GET OUT IN AN EMERGENCY.
Structure, Apr 22, 2021
BACK PASSENGER DOOR LOCK ISSUE. DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM EITHER INSIDE THE CAR OR OUTSIDE THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I COULD NOT GET MY GRANDDAUGHTER OUT OF THE CAR. THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN.
Structure, Apr 20, 2021
PASSENGER FRONT AND DRIVER REAR DOORS DO NOT OPEN TO GET IN OR OUT OF VEHICLE. YOU GET STUCK IN THE CAR AND CANNOT EXIT OUT THESE DOORS! REAL SAFETY HAZARD IF YOU GET STUCK IN THE CAR.
Other or unspecified, Apr 20, 2021
WHEN PARKED WITH EITHER THE ENGINE RUNNING OR NOT, FRONT PASSENGER DOOR REQUIRES REPEATED PULLS ON EXTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN AN UNLOCKED DOOR. DOOR OPENS FINE USING INTERIOR HANDLE. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO AND NOW THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS. BOTH DOORS OPEN FINE FROM INTERIOR HANDLES BUT REQUIRE MULTIPLE (UP TO 5-6) PULLS TO OPEN WITH EXTERIOR HANDLES. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND IT IS TROUBLESOME THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IS NOW EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS. UPON CHECKING ONLINE, I SEE POSTS DESCRIBING SIMILAR ISSUES WITH 2015/2016 TUCSONS.
Other or unspecified, Apr 20, 2021
MULTIPLE DOORS UNABLE TO OPEN WHEN MANUALLY UNLOCKED, FROM THE OUTSIDE HANDLE AND ALSO FROM THE INSIDE HANDLE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM.
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 20, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN HIS DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,518.
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 20, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER LOCKING AND THEN UNLOCKING THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DOORS, BOTH DOORS COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Other or unspecified, Apr 18, 2021
RIGHT REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. NOW THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE DRIVER DOOR DOES NOT OPEN ALWAYS WHEN USING THE KEY FOB EVEN THOUGH THE BATTERIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THE DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY MECHANISMS. I HAVE A 2016 HYUNDAITUCSON LTD BUT AM READING ON THE INTERNET THAT MANY 2015-2017 HYUNDAI OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. MY GRANDCHILDREN ARE AT RISK IN THE BACKSEAT! PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS ISSUE QUICKLY.
Structure, Apr 17, 2021
OUT OF NOWHERE, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR REFUSES TO OPEN. THE REMOTE CAN LOCK/UNLOCK THE LOCKING KNOB, BUT THE DOOR IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN A STATIONARY STATE. THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM AMONGST 2016 TUCSON OWNERS. PLEASE REFER TO TWO ONLINE FORUMS. HTTPS://WWW.HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM/THREADS/REAR-PASSENGER-DOOR-WONT-OPEN.603329/ HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T57988_DS1084478 ALSO, IN KOREA, THE SAME VEHICLE IS ON RECALL FOR THE DOOR LATCH PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THE DOOR DOES NOT OPERATE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, HOW CAN SOMEBODY EXIT FROM THE CAR TO SAFETY?
Other or unspecified, Apr 17, 2021
RIGHT REAR DOOR STOPPED WORKING. THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE EVEN WHEN UNLOCKED.
Structure, Apr 16, 2021
THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. IT STARTED OUT AS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHERE THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN ON THE FIRST OR SECOND TRY BUT WOULD EVENTUALLY OPEN. IT QUICKLY BECAME A PERMANENT PROBLEM WHERE THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN AT ALL. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS IN THE BACK SEAT AND NEED TO BE ABLE TO OPEN BOTH REAR DOORS TO GET THEM IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE.
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 16, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED, AND WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER LEXINGTON PARK HYUNDAI LOCATED AT 22514 THREE NOTCH RD, LEXINGTON PARK, MD 20653 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT
Structure, Apr 14, 2021
OUR CAR FRONT DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM THE OUTSIDE WITH THE REMOTE FOB OR THE DOOR HANDLE. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR IS TO USE THE HANDLE ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR. THIS HAPPENS CONTINUALLY NOW & STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO FOR NO IDENTIFIABLE REASON. WHEN APPROACHING THE CAR TO GO FOR A DRIVE, WE HAVE TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FIRST & REACH ACROSS TO THE DRIVER SIDE & UNLOCK FROM THE INTERIOR. NO OTHER WAY TO DO IT. WE SEARCHED ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH HYUNDAI SUVS, WITH OTHER INSTANCES OF DOORS NOT EVEN BEING ABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE INTERIOR EITHER. IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS A MALFUNCTIONING DOOR "ACTUATOR". SOME CASES HAVE HAD TO COMPLETELY DESTROY THE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE MECHANISMS OF THE DOOR TO REPLACE THE ACTUATOR. SINCE IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AND A SAFETY ISSUE IF PEOPLE CANNOT OPEN DOORS FROM INSIDE OR OUT, THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL. REALLY THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU CANNOT OPEN YOUR DOOR TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. PLEASE EVALUATE THIS ASAP & HAVE HYUNDAI ISSUE A RECALL.
Structure, Apr 14, 2021
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN EITHER FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND MUST BE ON A RECALL LIST. HYUNDAI TUCSON PRODUCED BETWEEN 2015 AND 2016 HAVE THIS ISSUE AND IN KOREA, HYUNDAI KOREA HAS BEEN REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM AT NO CHARGE. (SEE BELOW KOREAN SITE) HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERWIDE.COM/NEWS/ARTICLEVIEW.HTML?IDXNO=37459 HYUNDAI USA SHOULD DO THE SAME. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE!
Structure, Apr 13, 2021
THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR HAS STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED, AND AFTER WORKING CORRECTLY JUST MINUTES BEFORE, NOW IT WON'T OPEN FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE CAR, IT IS STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION AND IT IS VERY UNSAFE AS THAT IS THE SIDEWALK FACING DOOR WHICH WON'T OPEN FORCING PEOPLE TO EXIT ON THE STREET SIDE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AFFECTING MANY 2016 TUCSON CUSTOMERS. HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T57988_DS1084478
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2021
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INTERIOR OR THE EXTERIOR. IT WAS PARKED AND I TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR AND IT WILL NOT MOVE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CANNOT GET OUT THAT DOOR. THIS HAPPENED TO 2 OTHER DOORS ALSO. ONE WAS COVERED BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, IT IS NOW PAST MY WARRANTY.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2021
THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE AFTER IT HAS BEEN LOCKED AND UNLOCKED WITH KEY FOB OR KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND LOCKED WITH KEY FOB THEN WOULD NOT OPEN. YOU HAVE TO CLIMB THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND OPEN FROM INSIDE.
Structure, Apr 13, 2021
WHEN TRYING TO GET INTO MY CAR, I UNLOCK MY DOORS. WITH ALL DOORS UNLOCKED I TRY TO ENTER THE DRIVER DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT TAKES MULTIPLE POOLS ON THE HANDLE FOR THE DRIVE DOOR TO GET THE LATCH INSIDE THE DOOR TO RELEASE AND OPEN THE DOOR. MY DOOR BECOMES STUCK AND I AM UNABLE TO GET INSIDE MY VEHICLE. THIS CAN BE A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE, IN DARK PARKING LOTS, UNSAFE LOCATIONS, PREVENTING ME FROM GETTING IN MY VEHICLE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO HYUNDAI DEALER. THEY STATES NOTHING IS WRONG WITH MY DOOR AND IT WORKS FINE. THIS WAS APPROX APR IN 2020. BEGINNING THIS WEEK MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOW ALSO NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, EVEN IF MY DOOR IS UNLOCKED. NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I PULL THE HANDLE THE PASSENGER DOOR WONT RELEASE FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE.
Power train, Engine, Apr 12, 2021
WHEN DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, SUCH AS IN A LINE OF CARS GOING THROUGH A DRIVE THRU, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO SKIP. ALMOST HOPPING ALONG RATHER THAN SLOWLY MOVING. I HAVE OBSERVED IT HAPPENING IN BOTH ECO MODE AND REGULAR DRIVING MODE. THIS IS NOT A CONSTANT BUT FREQUENT. I ALSO HAVE INSTANCES OF WHERE IT DOESN'T PICK UP SPEED AND TAKES TIME TO SHIFT GEARS. I THINK IT MAY BE THE TRANSMISSION SKIPPING AND NOT SHIFTING GEARS APPROPRIATELY CAUSING IT TO HOP OR JUMP. AT ALL TIME THE CARE WAS IN MOTION AND ON CITY STREETS NEVER ON A HIGHWAYS.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 12, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V543000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. HYUNDAI OF NORTH CHARLESTON (8485 RIVERS AVE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406, (844) 846-7472) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 12, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ABC HYUNDAI (6825 REDWOOD ST, LAS VEGAS, NV 89118, (702) 475-8698) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.
Electrical system, Apr 11, 2021
3 OF THE 4 DOORS DO NOT OPEN EITHER FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE , I GET SCARED NOW NOT KNOWING IF I'M GOING TO GET TRAPPED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION
Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2021
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE LOCK CLICKS APPROPRIATELY WHEN LOCKED AND UNLOCKED BUT THE DOOR WILL STILL NOT OPEN. AFTER LOTS OF ATTEMPTS IT WILL SUDDENLY OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THEN LATER WHEN YOU TRY AGAIN, IT WON'T OPEN AGAIN.