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.
Power train, Engine, Nov 12, 2019
RECENTLY BOUGHT 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON LIMITED AND THE CAR HAS 29,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN IN TRAFFIC AND REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE THE CAR WITH SHAKE AS IT IS ABOUT TO STALL OUT AND THEN FINALLY KICK IN AND START MOVING FORWARD NORMALLY. I'VE TRIED TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND HAD THE CAR STALL FOR A SECOND BEFORE GOING FORWARD. I DON'T FEEL SAFE PULLING OUT UNLESS I HAVE ENOUGH TIME FOR THE OTHER CAR TO STOP JUST IN CASE THE CAR DOES STALL OUT. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEAL THAT THE GOOD NEWS IS THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO ACT LIKE THIS. DEALERS SEEM TO KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT SINCE THE COMPUTER DOESN'T THROW UP A FLAG THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
Electrical system, Nov 8, 2019
HYUNDAI TUCSON 2016. I HAVE CHANGE THE WINDOWS MECHANICAL 3 TIMES. ONCE THE CAR IS ON THE WINDOWS GETS DOWN AND WONT WORK UNTIL.YOU CHANGE THE PART THAT PUTS IT UP. THE WHITE ROUND PIECE IN THE MIDDLE GETS STRIPPED
Power train, Nov 6, 2019
EVERY DAY MY CAR STUTTERS AS I BEGIN MY DAY TO WORK. IT LAGS IN ACCELERATION AT LEAST ONE TO THREE TIMES A DAY. IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN I ACCELERATE IN RUSH HOUR, TRYING TO GO AFTER A LIGHT TURNS GREEN, OR SPEEDING UP JUST IN GENERAL. I HAVE KIDS IN MY CAR CONSTANTLY BECAUSE OF MY JOB AND I CAN RECALL TWO TIMES THAT I'VE ALMOST BEEN HIT BECAUSE MY CAR DIDN'T DO AS I NEEDED IT TO. IT HAS FREAKED ME OUT AND I WONDER IF I'M GOING TO GET STUCK ONE DAY, IT SPUTTERS AND I DON'T FEEL LIKE MY RIDE HOME IS GUARANTEED. I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A TURBO THING, BECAUSE I'VE NEVER OWNED A CAR WITH TURBO BUT NOW I'M REALIZING OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME OR MY DRIVING. IT HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY, IT HAPPENS ON THE CITY STREET AND IT HAPPENS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I'VE OWNED THE CAR AND I'M SAD TO SAY I'VE THOUGHT IT WAS JUST MY MAKE AND MODEL THIS WHOLE TIME.
Power train, Nov 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED, QUIVERED, AND SOMETIMES STALLED WHILE COMING OUT OF A TURN AND CHANGING LANES. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO MURDOCK HYUNDAI (4646 S. STATE ST, MURRAY, UT) WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
Electrical system, Structure, Nov 4, 2019
THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED; THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCKED WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK BUT WHEN THE PASSENGERS TRIED TO LEAVE THROUGH THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IT WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE. I TRIED OPENING THE HANDLE FROM OUTSIDE THINKING IT WAS CHILD LOCKS BUT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN THAT WAY EITHER. BOTH HANDLES MOVE BUT NOTHING HAPPENS, AND I HAVE MADE SURE THE LOCK IS FULLY UNLOCKED. MECHANIC SAYS IT IS POWER LOCK ACTUATOR. THERE IS NO WAY FOR ME TO OPEN THIS DOOR WITHOUT SPECIFIC TOOLS. NOTHING HAS HIT THE DOOR INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.
Structure, Nov 3, 2019
THE DOOR LATCHES RANDOMLY STOP WORKING AND PASSENGERS CANNOT ENTER OR EXIT VEHICLE. STARTED WITH MY REAR DOOR SO I HAD THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR REPLACED AND NOW THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING TO THE FRONT DOORS. I HAVE FRIENDS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE SAME YEAR AND ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH ALL THE DOORS. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AT THE WRONG TIME.
Structure, Nov 1, 2019
BACK PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 31, 2019
NOT LONG AFTER THE PURCHASE OF MY 2016 TUCSON, PROBABLY WHEN I FIRST STARTED USING THE AC THE FIRST SUMMER I OWNED IT, I STARTED TO GET SOME MUSTY SMELLS COMING FROM THE VENTS. THIS PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE EACH YEAR AND CHANGING THE CABIN AIR FILTER DOESN'T SEEM TO HELP. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH ANY OTHER CAR, AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING CARS FOR 40 YEARS. THE SMELL SEEMS TO POP UP IN HUMID WEATHER WHEN USING THE AC. I WORRY THAT THE EVAPORATOR COIL MAY BE GROWING MOLD OR MICROBES.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 31, 2019
EVEN AFTER REPROGRAMMING OF MY 2016 TUCSON DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION (DCT), I STILL WORRY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR. TRANSMISSION IS STILL HERKY-JERKEY WHEN CREEPING ALONG IN TRAFFIC. ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS AT HIGHER SPEED (SAY MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AT 50-70 MPH) THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLOW TO CHANGE GEARS, AND ON AT LEAST ONE OCCASION THE TRANSMISSION TEMPORARILY WENT INTO A "NEUTRAL' STATE TEMPORARILY DISCONNECTED FROM POWER TRANSFER FROM THE ENGINE. IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN SAY WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC IT COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Oct 31, 2019
I CANNOT ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC. THERE IS A HESITATION IN THE ACCELERATOR. SOMETIMES NOTHING HAPPENS, SOMETIMES IT CHUGS FIRST THEN GOES. I HAVE TROUBLE MERGING AND GETTING INTO TRAFFIC. IT IS UNRELIABLE FROM A STATIONARY TO MOVEMENT.
Power train, Oct 31, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED/LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SHUDDER AND VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. ALSO, ON OCCASION, THE ENGINE AND RPMS WOULD REV VERY HIGH WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE SPEED WOULD NOT INCREASE, WHICH MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT WHILE PASSING OTHER VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRESTIGE HYUNDAI (768 E. CHESTER ST, KINGSTON, NY), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES COULD NOT DUPLICATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50.
Structure, Oct 30, 2019
REAR PASSENGER DOOR FAILURE TO OPEN FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. VEHICLE DIAGNOSED FAULTY DOOR ACTUATOR AND REPAIRED AT DEALER FOR 500.00. FOUR MONTHS LATER THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE SHOWING EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS AS PREVIOUS DOOR. VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD.
Power train, Oct 30, 2019
THE CAR STALLED(DID NOT ACCELLERATE WHILE MERGING IN TO TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT 3 SECONDS . THIS REQUIRED ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO BRAKE TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 40MPH ON A STREET CIRCLING A MALL.THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED OWNING THIS CAR WHICH ONLY HAS A LITTLE OVER 13800 MILES ON IT I HAVE SINCE CHECKED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE ARE NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND NO SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. I THEREFORE THINK THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE DCT AND ENGINE SOFTWARE/HARDWARE THAT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT.
Power train, Oct 30, 2019
TRANS DOESN' WORK RIGHT IN FIRST GEAR DOES'T GO IN GEAR RIGHT A WAY I WILL GET REAR ENDED ONEDAY
Power train, Air bags, Oct 25, 2019
PASSENGER AIR BAG COMES ON AT TIMES. TRANSMISSION SOME TIMES WILL NOT MOVE THE CAR.
Power train, Oct 13, 2019
YOU RANDOMLY GET NO RESPONSE WHEN ACCELERATING TO MOVE INTO TRAFFIC..LIKE IT'S NOT GETTING ANY GAS, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU CAN FEEL TRANSMISSION GOING INTO GEAR AS IT FINALLY CATCHES. WHEN IN SLOW, CRAWLING FREEWAY TRAFFIC, IT'S ALWAYS JERKING WHEN BARELY MOVING- AS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION DOES WHEN YOU DON'T GIVE IT ENOUGH GAS...FIRST TIME ISSUES HAPPENED WHEN I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ON A 50MPH HIGHWAY AGAINST ONCOMING TRAFFIC FROM A STOP. THIS IS NOT A SOUND VEHICLE IN MY OPINION. YOU NEVER KNOW HOW LONG IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO MAKE TURNS INTO TRAFFIC OR JUST LEAVING A PARKING SPOT..YOU GET THE HERKY-JERKY UNTIL TRANSMISSION CATCHES. AND IT'S NOT ALL THE TIME, VERY RANDOM. FREEWAY DRIVING IS FINE SO FAR, WHICH IS WHAT MOST OF MY COMMUTE IS. BUT UNTIL REACHING FREEWAY SPEEDS, IT'S ALWAYS A WORRISOME DRIVE.
Power train, Oct 10, 2019
CAR DOESN'T ALWAYS ACCELERATE WHEN YOU PUSH GAS PEDDLE.I HAVE TO WAIT TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE CAR WILL GO WHEN I HIT GAS.NEVER KNOW WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN. ONLY HAPPENS FROM A STOP OR GOING SLOW.THE HYUNDAI DEALER SAID THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION IN THE 2019 TUCSON.I AM SURE THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS ENOUGH PEOPLE GET HURT OR KILLED.I KNOW TWO OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.
Engine, Oct 10, 2019
THERE IS AN ACCELERATION RECALL ON SOME OF THE 2016 TUCSON'S MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW UP ON THERE BUT I'M HAVING THE EXACT PROBLEMS THAT THEY'RE RECALLING THE CAR FOR I GO TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THAT MY CAR IS FINE BUT IT ISN'T. I'VE BEEN STUCK IN AN INTERSECTION SEVERAL TIMES I'VE HAD MY CAR MAKE THIS GRINDING SOUND WHEN I APPLY THE GAS FROM A STOP AND MY CAR IS SITTING THERE. OTHERS THAT HAVE DRIVEN WITH ME HAVE WITNESS THIS HAPPENED BUT THE DEALERSHIP HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS FROM A STOP EXAMPLE IF I'M AT A STOPLIGHT APPLY THE BRAKES TO GO AND THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING SOUND OR SOMETIMES WHEN I'M GOING AROUND A CORNER AFTER A STOP IT WILL HESITATE AND I'LL BE STUCK IN THE INTERSECTION
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 8, 2019
MY VEHICLE STALLS TO ACCELERATE.WHEN I HIT THE GAS IT WILL STALL TO MOVE, IT'S DRAGGING VERY SLOW. THIS IS VERY SCARY WHEN I'M DRIVING AND MY SUV SLOWS DOWN WHEN OTHER CARS ARE DRIVING FAST BEHIND ME.
Power train, Oct 7, 2019
I'VE NOTICED A LAG IN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL MANY TIMES, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN SPECIFIC INSTANCES WHERE IT'S BEEN SIGNIFICANT. I WAS PULLING ACROSS TRAFFIC TURNING LEFT FROM A STOP, AND IT FELT AS THOUGH THE ENGINE STALLED AND TOOK ABOUT 5 SECONDS TO CATCH. THIS ALSO OCCURS WHEN PULLING INTO MY WORK PARKING LOT THAT IS ON A HILL, I OFTEN GET STUCK FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS BEFORE IT CATCHES.
Electrical system, Oct 3, 2019
REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WHEN UNLOCKED WITH EITHER OUTSIDE HANDLE NOR INSIDE HANDLE WITHOUT JARRING DOOR. SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO GET CHILDREN OUT OF CARSEAT
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 27, 2019
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM AN IDLE POSITION, CAR STRUGGLES TO SHIFT GEARS AUTOMATICALLY. WHEN MAKING A TURN, USUALLY LEFT TURN, VEHICLE STALLS AND STRUGGLES TO ACCELERATE MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS.
Exterior lighting, Sep 25, 2019
THE RIGHT PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT SAYS IT IS OUT. WITHIN SAME DAY OR SOON AFTER WILL BE WORKING AGAIN. I REPLACE THE LIGHT BULB IT STOPS WORKING THE SAME DAY OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER. SOUNDS LIKE A WIRE ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY. IT WILL BE WORKING THE WHOLE DAY AND SUDDENLY WHEN I PUSH THE BRAKE IT GOES OUT.
Engine, Sep 24, 2019
I WAS DRIVING IN ON A STREET IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AT ABOUT 30 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE TURNED COMPLETELY OFF. I RESTARTED THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM.ON 9/10/19 I WAS DRIVING ON A STREET IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND MADE LEFT TURN AND CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN.I WAS ABLE TO RESTART CAR WITH NO PROBLEM.THERE WERE NO TURNS INVOLVED IN THE FIRST INCIDENT.
Electrical system, Sep 21, 2019
POWER DOOR LOCKS/DOOR ACTUATORS STOP WORKING WHICH PREVENTS DOOR FROM OPENING FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE ON BOTH REAR DOORS AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. DOORS WOULD REMAIN LOCKED AFTER DRIVING MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE FOR ANY PASSENGERS.