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, Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2021
ONCE LOCKED AND THEN UNLOCKED, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR IS UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS IS DUE TO FAILING DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. THIS PREVENTS PASSENGERS FROM EXITING THE CAR AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. THE SAME DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR IS ON ALL DOORS AND IS A KNOWN ISSUES WITH HYUNDAI.
Power train, Engine, Jan 12, 2021
WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEAR A LOUD RATTLING NOISE AND LIGHTS ON THE DASH SHOW UP CAR STARTS SMOKING AND LOSES POWER I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR AFTER THAT AND HAD TO WAIT ON THE SIDE OFF A BUSY HIGHWAY FOR 3 HOURS WAITING ON A TOW TRUCK.. FAST FORWARD TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT MY ENGINE FELL APART INTERNALLY WITH NO ROOT CAUSE...ENGINE ONLY HAD 73,000...THAT WAS ON THE FRIDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING. FAST FORWARD TO NOW AND I STILL DON'T HAVE MY CAR WITH NO KNOWN TIME FRAME OF WHEN I'LL GET MY CAR BACK(IT'S NOW 1/12/2021). MY CAR HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED WITH ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE. MY ENGINE WAS THE 2.0 4 CYLINDER AGAIN WITH ONLY 73,000 MILES
Structure, Jan 12, 2021
THE PASANGER SIDE DOOR AND REAR LEFT DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. THE CAR IS STATIONARY. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ONLY 6 MONTHS BOUGHT USED 42,305 MILES ON IT.
Electrical system, Jan 12, 2021
I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE USED, FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP; THEREFORE, IT HAD BEEN SERVICED PRIOR TO PURCHASE. WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF PURCHASE THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR QUIT OPERATING. THE CAR WAS PARKED WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING WHEN THE DOOR REFUSED TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. I CHECKED MY WARRANTY. IT WAS STILL IN EFFECT BUT I WAS OVER THE MILEAGE REQUIREMENT SO THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR. (I COMMUTE TO WORK) SIX MONTHS LATER, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR CEASED TO OPERATE. I TRANSPORTED A DISABLED INDIVIDUAL TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE. THE DOOR WORKED WHEN I LEFT FOR THE DOCTOR'S AS I PLACED A WALKER IN THE BACK. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AT THE TIME. WHEN I RETURNED FROM THE DOCTOR, I PARKED, SWITCHED THE ENGINE OFF, AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THE DISABLED INDIVIDUAL WITH ME COULD NOT WALK WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF THE WALKER. I COULD NOT GET THE WALKER OUT. I HAD TO GO BORROW A WALKER, BRING TO THE INDIVIDUAL TO BE ABLE TO REMOVE HIM FROM THE CAR. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. CURRENTLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS BEGINNING TO BE DIFFICULT TO OPEN. IT SOMETIMES TAKES THREE ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE DOOR. I AM AFRAID IT WILL STOP WORKING AS WELL. AT THIS POINT I AM DRIVING AN SUV THAT CAN ONLY SAFELY TRANSPORT TWO INDIVIDUALS AND I AM AFRAID THAT IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE ONLY ONE PERSON CAN RIDE IN IT. MY TRUE FEAR IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE DRIVER DOOR STOPS WORKING? I HAVE RESEARCHED FOR A RECALL AND THEIR ISN'T ONE DESPITE THE FACT THEIR ARE NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE ISSUE AS I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY IT WOULD TAKE AND FROM THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ IT WILL ONLY HAPPEN AGAIN. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE IS TRAPPED IN A CAR AND HURT.
Service brakes, Jan 11, 2021
I CALLED HYUNDAI ON SOUTH BOULEVARD THIS MORNING AND SPOKE TO A TECH WHO TOLD ME THAT THE RECALL REMEMDY IS NOT AVAILABLE YET. THIS IS SCARY. HE DID MENTION THAT I CAN RENT A VENHICLE AND HYUNDAI WOULD REIMBURSE ME, BUT I LIVE ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND CANNOT AFFORD A RENTAL. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE
Structure, Jan 10, 2021
WHILE A PASSENGER WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE LATCH WAS NON-OPERATIONAL AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO EXIT USING THE INTERNAL LATCH. CHILD SAFETY MECHANISM WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE EXTERIOR LATCH ALSO DIDN'T FUNCTION. THE LOCKING MECHANISM IS IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION. THIS MADE EXITING FROM OR RETRIEVING A CHILD ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE DURING ANY EMERGENCY SITUATION. THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER CHECKING OWNERS' FORUMS, IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON DANGEROUS FAILURE FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE.
Service brakes, Jan 7, 2021
WHEN THE UNIT IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE IN ANY DRIVEWAY THE TRACKING LIGHTS TURNS ON UNEXPECTEDLY AND BLOCKS THE BRAKES AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE MOVED.
Structure, Jan 5, 2021
THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL, FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENED OUTSIDE OF THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY PERIOD, SO HYUNDAI REFUSED TO VOLUNTARILY FIX THE ISSUE. THE LATCHING MECHANISM SHOULD NOT BE WORN DOWN SO QUICKLY, WITHIN 4 YEARS OF MANUFACTURE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AS POTENTIALLY ALL CAR DOORS COULD FAIL, LEAVING PASSENGERS STUCK INSIDE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. I HAVE EMAILED AND CALLED HYUNDAI USA AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE ISSUE, BUT HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A REPLY.
Engine, Jan 5, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INITIALLY TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT THE ENGINE CEASED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO BOB ROHRMAN'S INDY HYUNDAI (7101 E WASHINGTON ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46219) AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ENGINE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Structure, Jan 3, 2021
DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR ON 3 OF 4 DOORS HAS FAILED. THIS MEANS THAT THE DOOR CANNOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OUR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, I PARKED AND WHEN I RETURNED, I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS (IN ALL 3 INSTANCES). FRONT PASSENGER AND BOTH REAR DOORS. REAR DOORS FAILED WITHIN A WEEK OF EACH OTHER AND ALL THREE INSTANCES OF FAILURE HAVE OCCURRED WITHIN A YEAR (FRONT IN JANUARY, REAR IN OCTOBER). I CONTACTED HYUNDAI ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHEN IT OCCURRED WITH THE REAR DOORS, CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS (I.E. PEOPLE TRAPPED IN CARS IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY). THE HYUNDAI REPRESENTATIVE I TALKED WITH AGREED THAT IT WAS A HUGE SAFETY RISK/ISSUE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THEY COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT IT WITHOUT THE DIRECTION OF THE NHTSA (SUCH AS A RECALL OF THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR).
Structure, Jan 3, 2021
REAR PASSAGE SIDE DOOR WILL BOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR THE OUT. CALLED HYUNDAI NOTHING WAS DONE.
Power train, Jan 3, 2021
THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS AND WHEN YOU'RE SITTING ON A HILL FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME IN TRAFFIC TO TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS AND ALMOST STALLS THE CAR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 2, 2021, fire
ESTAVA COM MINHA FAMILIA A CAMINHO DA FISIOTERAPIA QUANDO COMECOU A PEGAR FOGO NO CARRO NA PARTE DA FRENTE! A SORTE FOI QUE UMA OFICINA QUE ESTAVA PERTO ME MIM TINHA EXTINTOR E ME AJUDOU A APAGAR O FOGO!
Structure, Jan 2, 2021
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK REGARDLESS OF HOW OR WHEN IT IS TRIED. THE DEALER SAYS THE DOOR ACTUATOR IS FAULTY. NO ONE CAN ENTER OR EXIT THE VEHICLE FROM THAT SIDE, EVEN IN AN EMERGENCY. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS IN HUNDREDS OF POSTS ABOUT THIS MODEL OF HYUNDAI TUSCON. ONLY A DEALER CAN REPAIR AND REPLACE THE PROBLEM AT A COST OF $1600. NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS.
Power train, Jan 2, 2021
AT LOWER SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LURCH. SOMETIMES GOES THROUGH 6 GEARS BEFORE REACHING 30 MPH. INCONSISTENT RESPONSE TO GAS PEDAL AT SLOWER SPEEDS. DIFFICULTY WHEN STARTING OUT FROM STOPPED POSITION, OR SLOWER SPEEDS. SHIFTING DOES NOT ALWAYS OCCUR AT CONSISTENT RPM. HAVE CHECK W/DEALER ARE TOLD THAT TRANSMISSION IS WORKING ACCORDING TO SPEC.
Structure, Jan 2, 2021
MILEAGE IS AT 63K AND MY FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THE REAR PASSENGER WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE FRONT PASSENGER WILL TAKE 5 TRIES TO OPEN AND WILL OPEN.
Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2021
BOTH REAR DOORS WILL NOT OPEN AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO UTILIZE FOR 1 YEAR NOW. NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND NO ISSUES PRIOR TO ONSET. UNABLE TO OPEN FORM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. DRIVER DOOR IS STARTING TO NOT OPEN INCONSISTENTLY NOW FOR THE PAST WEEK. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY.
Power train, Dec 29, 2020
WHEN PULLING OUT OF PARKING AREA, OR STARTING UP FROM A COMPLETE STOP AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, WHEN I PRESS THE GAS OF THE VEHICLE , IT HESITATES . IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE IT'S GOING TO CUT OUT, OR BOGS DOWNS, AND THEN CATCHES. I MAKE SURE IF THERE IS AN ONCOMING VEHICLE COMING , I DON'T PULL OUT IN FEAR THIS WILL HAPPEN , AND I'LL GET HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. THIS HAPPENS EVERYTIME IT'S DRIVEN
Other or unspecified, Dec 29, 2020
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WON'T UNLOCK TO OPEN. THIS IS CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY CHILDREN.
Structure, Dec 28, 2020
THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE LOCK DOES CLICK BACK AND FORTH BUT THE DOOR REMAINS STUCK. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR ANYONE TRAVELING IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE CAR AS THEY WOULD BE TRAPPED IN THE CAR AND UNABLE TO EXIT FROM THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.
Power train, Dec 27, 2020
THE TRANSMISSION AT STARTING FROM A STOP HAS HESITATION AND SKIPS WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THE CAR HAS NO OPEN RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. IT HAS BEEN FIXED OR UPDATED FROM THE 2016 RECALL. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND TRULY FIXED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Dec 21, 2020
VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING BULB IS NOT BLOWN LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN LIGHT HOUSING IS OUT. DOORS STUCK WILL NOT OPEN WINDOW OFF TRACK
Structure, Dec 20, 2020
A REAR DOOR LOCK IS 'FROZEN" IN A LOCKED POSITION. IT REJECTS PHYSICAL AND ELECTRONIC ATTEMPTS TO OPEN. IT REMAINS WHEN ENGINE IS OFF OR ON. IT IS NOT LOCKED BY CHILD PROTECTION. IT CLEARLY IS A DANGER TO OCCUPANTS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT FIRE. A WEB SEARCH FOR HYUNDAI TUCSON 2016 (AND SOME SIMILAR) DOOR LOCKS SHOWS THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON. NEITHER THE DOOR NOR LOCK NOR HANDLE HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. THERE IS NO COMPANY RECALL OR OFFER FOR DEALERS TO REPAIR.
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT DOORS HOWEVER, THE DOORS FAILED TO UNLOCK. ADDITIONALLY, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR WAS INOPERABLE AND UNABLE TO UNLOCK. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HYUNDAI OF LAS VEGAS (7150 W SAHARA AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89117) AND HAD THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT DOORS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RETURNED LATER TO HAVE THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR LOCK REPAIRED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A COST FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Structure, Dec 13, 2020
THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING ON MY DAUGHTER'S 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE CAR DOOR COULD HAVE LED TO SO MANY HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION. PLEASE IMAGINE IF THE DRIVER'S DOOR FAILED DURING A VEHICLE FIRE, A SUBMERGED SITUATION, A CAR CRASH, ETC. THINK OF THE POSSIBILITIES OF YOUR CHILD DRIVER BEING TRAPPED IN THE CAR DURING A SITUATION LIKE I JUST MENTIONED. AS YOU CAN EXPECT, I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE DEFECT AND I'M SHOCKED THERE IS NO RECALL OR FREE REPAIR AVAILABLE FOR THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I'VE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BASED ON THE EXCELLENT RATINGS OF QUALITY AND SAFETY. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, EACH OF THE DOOR LATCHES COULD SUBSEQUENTLY FAIL AS WELL AS THE NEW LATCH RECENTLY INSTALLED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I'M NEARLY 60 YEARS OLD AND HAVE OWNED OVER A DOZEN CARS IN MY LIFE. THIS IS THE VERY FIRST FAILED DOOR LATCH I'VE HAD AND HAVE EVER HEARD OF.