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, Dec 10, 2020
REAR DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK EITHER FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. YOU CAN HEAR THE REMAINING DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK BUT NOT THE REAR DRIVER. I TRANSPORT MY GRAND CHILDREN AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CARS HAS 16K MILES ON IT AND IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER SAID IT WILL TAKE ABOUT 1 TO 2 WEEKS TO GET THE PART IN. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ALOT OF THE HYUNDAI TUCSONS.
Structure, Dec 8, 2020
REAR PASSENGER DOORS WON'T OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES. THIS STARTED INTERMITTENTLY THEN ULTIMATELY TRAPPED PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SEATS OF THE VEHICLE. NOTHING WORKED TO RELEASE THE DOORS, CAUSING PASSENGERS TO HAVE CRAWL THROUGH FRONT SEATS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. INVESTIGATING OF ANY RECALLS WE FOUND THAT THIS IS WIDE SPREAD OVER SEVERAL YEARS, AND CHARGES RANGE FROM $400 TO $2K. WHEN CLEARLY THIS IS DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS OR DESIGN, USED IN AND FOR LOCKING SYSTEM, FAIR EXPECTATION THAT OCCUPANTS CAN EXIT THE VEHICLE IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. HYUNDAI SERVICE CONSIDERS THIS A MALFUNCTIONING PART AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OR BY AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DOORS LOCKING ACTUATORS ARE MALFUNCTIONING THERE IS NO OPTION TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOORS, AGAIN CAUSING A PERSON TO BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. PEOPLE ARE REPORTING FROM 1 DOOR TO ALL 4 DOORS FAILING TO OPEN. OUR CAR THE REAR DOORS DO NOT OPEN. HYUNDAI SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THIS DEFECTIVE PART/DESIGN AND NOT AT THE CAR OWNERS EXPENSE.
Power train, Engine, Dec 7, 2020
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE DOWN MY STREET WHEN THE ENGINE DIED. RIGHT BEFORE IT DIED, I HEARD A BRUSHING NOISE AND THEN ALL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THERE WERE NO OTHER WARNING NOISES OR LIGHTS PRIOR TO ENGINE FAILURE. I CHECKED THE OIL DIPSTICK AND THERE WAS NO OIL REGISTERING ON IT. THE SMEAR THAT WAS ON THE STICK WAS BLACK. THE CHECK ENGINE OR LOW OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON TO WARN ME OF A POTENTIAL PROBLEM. THERE IS ALSO NO OIL ON MY DRIVEWAY WHICH WOULD INDICATE A SLOW LEAK. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD MY THE ENGINE WAS DEAD AND I NEEDED A NEW ONE. THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 10YR./100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY SINCE I BOUGHT THIS (A YEAR AGO) FROM A FRIEND WHO WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER. IT HAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000 MILES ON IT NOW. I'M THANKFUL I WAS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED AND NOT ON THE INTERSTATE WHERE I HAD BEEN MOMENTS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. IT IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAVE BEEN QUOTED $7-9K FOR AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THEY HAVE OFFERED $2,800 FOR A TRADE-IN TOWARDS ANOTHER VEHICLE AS AN OPTION.
Other or unspecified, Dec 7, 2020
I'M HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS TO WHERE THEY ARE HARD TO OPEN. I UNLOCK THE DOORS AND I HAVE TO PULL THE DOOR LATCH SEVERAL TIMES SO THEY CAN OPEN.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 3, 2020
THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES SUDDENLY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. ALSO, IT TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE LOSS OF BRAKE AND STEERING CONTROLS. FINALLY, TRANSMISSION GEAR SWITCH WITHOUT INPUT WHILE DRIVING. THIS SITUATIONS OCCUR WHILE DRIVING IN BOTH CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER ON 12/26/19; NO RESPONSE HAS BEEN RECEIVED EITHER FROM DEALER OR MANUIFACTURER.
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 2, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR, THE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN AUTOMATICALLY BY THE KEYFOB OR MANUALLY BY THE DOOR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT BOTH PASSENGER'S SIDE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN A YEAR LATER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT THE VEHICLE WAS FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO GO TO THE DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Engine, Nov 30, 2020
I HAVE A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON WHICH HAS A 120K ON IT AND I THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE NEEDED A TUNE WHICH I GOT PERFORMED. BUT IT TURNS OUT THAT THE ENGINE HAS COMPRESSION FAILURE ON CYLINDERS 2 AND 3. THE OIL WAS CHANGED REGULARLY SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT HAPPEN. SINCE I WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE VEHICLE STARTED STALLING.
Other or unspecified, Nov 30, 2020
THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR HAS STOPPED OPENING. IT WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE DRIVER DOOR AND THE PASSENGER DOOR WILL ALSO NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE UNLESS THE HANDLE HAS BEEN PULLED MULTIPLE TIMES. EVIDENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM HAPPENING TO LOTS OF 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON DRIVERS. DOORS ARE THE MOST BASIC THING THAT SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO WORK. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE'S NO REASON FOR THEM TO STOP WORKING. THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND CAN BE ON OR OFF WHEN THIS HAPPENS.
Structure, Nov 30, 2020
AFTER PARKING THE CAR, I WENT AROUND TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TO GET ONE OF MY CHILDREN OUT OF THE CARSEAT WHEN THE DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN. CHILD LOCKS WERE NOT ENGAGED BUT THE DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER USING THE KEYLESS ENTRY AND INSIDE DRIVER SIDE SWITCHES TO UNLOCK THE CAR NUMEROUS TIMES, THE DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN. THE OTHER 3 DOORS WERE UNLOCKING AND LOCKING JUST FINE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AS MY 8 MONTH OLD WAS LOCATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT.
Engine, Nov 28, 2020
ON OCTOBER 30 2020, DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT 65 MPH, MY ENGINE WAS MAKING LOUD BANGING/KNOCKING NOISES. GOT IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO WAS NEARBY AND HE STATED MOTOR IS BAD. SOMETHING BROKE INSIDE TOPSIDE OF MOTOR. LOTS OF METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL, POSSIBLY LEADING TO TURBO DAMAGE TOO. I HAVE MY OIL CHANGED ABOUT 5 TIMES A YEAR. NO REASON FOR PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE AT 118000 MILES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING. HYUNDAI WON'T HONOR FIX DUE TO OUTSIDE OF 100000 MILE WARRANTY. SAW CNBC NEWS REPORT ON RECENT FINES ON HYUNDAI AND KIA. I NEED MY ENGINE REPLACED!
Structure, Nov 28, 2020
MY DOORS HAVE BEEN NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUT. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND THEY SAY IT'S BECAUSE THE DOOR LATCH IS BAD. THIS IS A TOTAL SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND MY ONLY WAY OUT WAS THE DOOR I WOULD BE LOCKED IN AND POTENTIALLY DIE. THE FACT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR PEOPLE FOR OVER A YEAR AND STILL NOT A RECALL AND FOR IT TO HAPPEN TO ME TWICE IS RIDICULOUS. MY DAD IS A FIRST RESPONDER AND SAYS THAT THIS ISN'T A RECALL IS UNACCEPTABLE. AND THE FACT THAT THE ONLY WAY IT WILL BE A RECALL IS FOR SOMEONE TO DIE IN THE ACCIDENT AND FOR THEM TO SUE HYUNDAI TO BE A RECALL IS RIDICULOUS. PLEASE CONSIDER THE DOOR LATCH ISSUE TO BE A RECALL YOU CAN SEE ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE BY TYPING IN GOOGLE. MY DOOR WILL RANDOMLY JUST STOP OPENING ONE DAY ONCE YOU CLOSE AND YOU CANNOT OPEN IT FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED ON BOTH REAR DOORS.
Engine, Nov 27, 2020
I DO OIL CHANGE REGULARLY BUT, NOVEMBER OF 2020, WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY TO WORK, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC, HE DIAGNOSED THAT IT WAS CYLINDER THAT FAILED, SO I CALLED THE HYUNDAI DEALER TO MAKE APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE, BUT, AFTER CHECKING MY VEHICLE, I WAS TOLD THAT MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. IT HAD 77,000 MILES ON IT AND I WAS TOLD THAT MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY ONLY COVERS UP TO 60,000 MILES. I WONDER IF THAT'S TRUE.
Engine, Nov 27, 2020
DRIVING CAR ON HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON AND CAR SEIZED. WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. HAD CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE AND THE NEXT DAY TO THE DEALER TO BE INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED. VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY WAITING ON WARRANTY TO APPROVE THE ENGINE.
Structure, Nov 20, 2020
THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR IS FAILING AND DOESN'T ALWAYS FUNCTION RESULTING IN THE DOOR BEING UN-OPENABLE. WHEN ACTUATED, THE DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB SOUNDS AS IF THE LOCK IS OPENED, BUT WHEN I PULL ON THE HANDLE, THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AT PULLING ON THE HANDLE, THE DOOR WILL OPEN. THIS IS IMPACTING MY LEFT PASSENGER DOOR. AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE.
Structure, Nov 17, 2020
THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL WHEN IN MOTION OR STATIONARY.
Power train, Nov 16, 2020
SINCE DAY ONE I HAVE TROUBLE WHIT THE TRANSMISSION , THEY RESET IT LIKE 15 TIMES AND EVERY NOW AND THEN THE DUAL CLUTCH ACT CRAZY, TODAY THE REVERSE WONT ENGAGE AND DRIVES SUPER SLOW, I COMPLAIN EVERY SINGLE TIME TO THE DEALER BUT THEY JUST REFUSE TO DO FIX THE TRANSMISSION , , THEY SAID THAT THEY WILL RESET THE TRANSMISSION EVERY TIME THAT GOES WRONG , BUT WHAT IF PASS THE WARRANTY ? ITS NORMAL TO HAVE SUCH A BAD OR A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION /OR DUAL CLUTCH ISSUE?
Power train, Engine, Nov 16, 2020
WHEN YOU PUT THE VECHICLE IN REVERSEL SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT MOVE THEN YOU HAVE TO PUT IT BACK IN PARK AND TRY IT AGAINAND IT WILL MOVE
Engine, Nov 15, 2020
MY VEHICLE DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT ON OCTOBER 31, 2020, I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND HAVE IT SERVICED. IT TOOK TWO WEEKS FOR HYUNDAI TO APPROVE THE ENGINE REPAIR. HYUNDAI AND THE DEALER DIDN'T SEE A NEED TO PROVIDE ME WITH A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE UNTIL NOVEMBER 14, 2929 AND THERE ARE LIMITED USES OF THE DEALER LOANER VEHICLE. I AM MAKING PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE THAT I DO NOT HAVE USE OF AND NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP NOR HYUNDAI UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF THIS SITUATION WHICH IS NO FAULT OF MINE. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT WILL TAKE A LONG TIME TO BUILD A NEW ENGINE FOR MY VEHICLE AND THEN INSTALL IT. THEY HAVE A BACKLOG OF ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION FAILURES CURRENTLY. WHY WAS THERE NOT A RECALL? I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL FAIL AFTER MY WARRANTY EXPIRES AT 105,000 MILES.
Other or unspecified, Nov 14, 2020
THE BACK DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT OPEN. THE LOCK IS WORKING, BUT THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THE CHILD LOCKS ARE NOT ON. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Service brakes, Nov 14, 2020
BRAKE LIGHT (LEFT SIDE) DOES NOT WORK.REAR DOOR DRIVETS SIDE WILL NOT OPEN.BOTH HAPPENED IN THE CITY
Structure, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 14, 2020
MY TUSCON HAS QT THIS MOMENT 36,960 MILES I PURCHASED IT BACK IN JUNE/JULY MY REAR PASSENGER DOORS OPEN WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT AS OF RIGHT NOW I CAN'T GET ONE OF THEM TO OPEN AT ALL. AND THE GAS GUAGE HASN'T FUNCTIONED SINCE I GOT THE VEHICLE. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE I SEE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE DOORS. THIS IS A REAL NUISANCE AS I HAVE A CHILD AND NEED TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS TO GET TO HIM WITHOUT FAIL.
Other or unspecified, Nov 12, 2020
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THE LOCK CLICKS AND THE DOOR SOUNDS AS IF IT IS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING, BUT THE DOOR ITSELF DOESN'T ACTUALLY OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THIS ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED. I'VE TRIED OPENING THE DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AND OFF.
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 9, 2020
WINDOWS GET STOCK UP OR DOW CAR IS PARK AND RUNNING THIS ISSUE HAPPING TREE TIME IN LESS OF ONE YEAR FIRST THE DRIVER SIDE THEM THE REAR PASSENGER AND NOW THE FRONT PASSENGER. STERLING WHEEL HAS A CLOCKING NOISE TOOK TO THE DEALER THEY SAY THEY FIX THE PROBLEM BUT STILL MAKING NOISE THIS IS WENT THE CAR IS IN MOTION SPECIAL WHEN MADE TURNS
Exterior lighting, Nov 5, 2020
THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF AND ON ON THEIR OWN WHEN IT IS SET TO AUTO. I HAVE WORKED WITH HYUNDAI, AND ENGINEERING HAS CONFIRMED THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL CASES WHERE THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS AND TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND ON. IT IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AS THIS HAPPENS AT NIGHT AND DURING THE DAY.
Structure, Nov 5, 2020
THE MOTOR IN THE DOORS BLOW (ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION I RECEIVED FROM HYUNDAI A COUPLE YEARS AGO.) WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE PASSENGERS ARE LOCKED IN THE CAR WITHOUT ANY WAY OF BEING ABLE TO GET OUT. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THESE PARTS WERE REPLACED WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AND NOW WILL NOT BE COVERED SINCE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT TRAPS THE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR.