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, Feb 13, 2025
The front passenger window regulator failed in Jan 2025. Before the complete fail, the power window was becoming sluggish when lowered/raised. I just paid $1,000 to have the dealer repair. I have seen dozens of online items regarding the identical issue. I consider it a safety issue because of easy entry to the vehicle interior and contents, including inclement weather that can damage interior electrical components
Engine, Feb 6, 2025
The exhaust manifold and turbocharger assembly have cracked, causing exhaust gases—including carbon monoxide—to leak into the cabin. This issue was confirmed by diagnostic testing at Burns Hyundai. The defective component is still installed on the vehicle and has been inspected upon request, costing me over $200 without any suggested reimbursement after I already told them the problem before testing. The cracked exhaust manifold allows carbon monoxide to enter the vehicle’s interior, posing a serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning to both the driver and passengers. Additionally, the vehicle’s engine performance has been negatively affected, which could lead to unexpected failures while driving. Yes. Burns Hyundai conducted diagnostic testing and confirmed the issue, identifying cracks in both the exhaust manifold and turbocharger assembly. Despite this confirmation, Hyundai corporate has refused to cover the repair under warranty. The vehicle has been inspected and diagnosed by a Hyundai dealership service center (Burns Hyundai), and the issue has been reported to Hyundai corporate for review. No inspections have been conducted by law enforcement or insurance representatives at this time. Yes. Prior to the diagnosis, I experienced engine performance issues, including reduced power and inefficiencies, which I reported to Burlington Hyundai in 2021, when the vehicle was still under warranty. At that time, the exact cause was not properly addressed. The problem has since worsened, leading to the recent discovery of the cracked manifold. No specific dashboard warning lights were illuminated for this issue.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 4, 2025
Vehicle has shown signs of engine failure for the past two years, all indicating impending need for engine replacement in alignment with engine recall that was issued for vehicle (customer case # [XXX]). Vehicle has been seen for diagnostics related to this problem where both Hyundai in Fredericksburg as well as Springfield Virginia confirmed that the engine was failing. Both dealerships refused to service car (which was under full warranty) because they were prioritizing cars who had already experienced full engine failure. Dealership advised that they could do nothing per the manufacturer until the vehicle experienced full engine failure. They acknowledged that it was a safety risk to myself, passengers & other drivers. The engine has now completely failed, leaving me stranded on [XXX] in the cold winter months & having to pay to have the vehicle towed. It is apparent from my service history report that I took all due diligence in attempting to have Hyundai attend to the engine of this vehicle while under warranty and they flat out refused, citing multiple different reasons. I am requesting a safety inspector come to investigate both the dealerships, the service report history, and the vehicle itself. My legal team is at this point just waiting for me to be offered engine replacement (out of pocket per Hyundai) and once that transaction is complete we are fully prepared to file suit for negligence. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Jan 20, 2025
The teeth within a spool in the window regulator easily strip out leaving the window unable to be opened or closed. This has happened on three out of four windows on my vehicle.
Electrical system, Jan 17, 2025
The front passenger and rear window regulators failed within 1 month of each other without any warning or symptoms. After inspection, it was identified that the plastic window regulator was completely shattered within the door. There was no damage to my vehicle that could have caused this. With the window regulator not working, my windows were not able to be opened or closed. The front window regulator actually got stuck in a down position. After some additional research online, I found several others who have had the same issues with the window regulators on their 2016 Hyundai Tucsons. This is a safety hazard because if I were ever be in an accident or a place where I need to exit through my windows and they are unable to go up and down for a safe exit. I have spent over $1600 in repairs to fix an issue that is clearly a defective part in the windows.
Electrical system, Structure, Jan 6, 2025
Rear passenger door won’t open from inside or outside. Safety concern
Structure, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 14, 2024
All my doors stick and sometimes I have to fight with my car to even get a door open. Also, when trying to accelerate sometimes my throttle response is slow and i will not move for a few seconds.
Other or unspecified, Dec 14, 2024
The windows do not roll up or down. This will jeopardize my safety because my vehicle would prevent me from being able from escaping through the window in an emergency. Or a person that means me harm can pull down my window climb in and pull it back up and hide in my car till I return because I am unable to secure my vehile. The problem is common, we were told that hyundai tucsons often have a window issue. I origanly had one windoe with this issue and now 3 out of 4 windows can not automatically roll up or down. It has not been inspected yet. There were no indication prior that this would happen.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Dec 12, 2024
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The airbag system, brake system, and HVAC system (air conditioning and heating) appear to have malfunctioned. A dealer confirmed that the HVAC system is defective, identifying a broken evaporator assembly and a faulty temperature door actuator. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The airbag safety light raises concerns about whether the airbags will deploy during an accident. The brake light error creates uncertainty about the reliability of the brake system. Additionally, the defective HVAC system is a significant safety hazard. The heater’s failure prevents the windshield from defogging, impairing visibility, particularly in cold or wet weather. This poses a serious risk while driving, especially in freezing temperatures. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the HVAC system defect has been confirmed by a dealer, who provided images and recommended replacing the evaporator assembly and temperature door actuator. Independent mechanics have also observed the airbag and brake light errors but were unable to identify the underlying causes. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle has been inspected by independent mechanics and one dealership but has not been evaluated by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The airbag safety light and brake light errors have been present since I acquired the vehicle. The HVAC system began failing intermittently shortly thereafter, with the issue worsening over time.These unresolved issues continue to jeopardize the safety and reliability of the vehicle
Engine, Dec 9, 2024, fire
On [XXX], I purchased a 2016 Hyundai Tucson Sport, at the Landover-Jaguar South Hills dealer in Canonsburg, PA. On [XXX] the “check engine” light came on. Since I was 2 hours from home, I purchased a code reader to assess the issue. It read “A P0420 code”. I researched potential reasons for this code but returned the car to the dealer who performed additional checks and gave the car a “clean bill of health”. On [XXX], I was driving home from about 16 miles away and lost power. A slew of dash lights came on, and I was forced to pull over. I smelled something burning. As I stopped, the smoke from the engine became apparent. The car right behind me pulled up and asked if I knew my car was on fire. Another bystander pulled over and extinguished the fire in my engine. This happened on one of the busier roads in the area and if the vehicle exploded it could have been much worse for all of us. This vehicle is currently sitting at Bowser Hyundai in Pittsburgh and is available for inspection. This engine fire and fail is not a maintenance issue but is clearly a result of a manufacture issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 29, 2024
Over the last 5-6 years, the 2016 Tucson has experienced an acceleration issue. When making a turn after a stop, the car will not accelerate above 30 mph. The RPMs will go up to 3000-4000, but the car will not go above 30 miles per hour. This has happened 5 times. I have had my mechanic look at the car, but because it was intermittent, they could not determine the cause. The fuel pump as well as the purge solenoid have been replaced on the car. If I turn the car off and let it sit for a few minutes, the issue seems to resolve. Only once has the check engine light gone on. Because the car will not accelerate this is causing a safety issue.
Engine, Nov 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,994.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 25, 2024
There is a lot of oil consumption, and the turbo is shot. It sits in the back of the engine, which is not collecting air.
Electrical system, Nov 22, 2024
I’m the original owner of a 2016 Hyundai Tucson with 72,000 miles. I’ve recently encountered an issue where the front passenger side window is stuck down and won’t move. I’ve had it diagnosed at the dealership and found that this seems to be a common issue with this model year, related to the window regulator. I understand my vehicle is slightly out of the 5-year/60,000-mile warranty, however; this issue has made my car vulnerable to weather damage and theft, and it’s affecting my ability to use it safely. I’ve always maintained my vehicle according to Hyundai’s recommendations, and I believe this failure is premature for a part like this.
Engine, Nov 21, 2024
9/11/24 the 2016 Hyundai Tucson had a knock in the engine, the car was towed to beaverton Hyundai for inspection and I was told that it was Rod Bearing failure that caused engine failure and that this was a known issue for Hyundais Theta II engines and it would be $18k repair. Hyundai just settled a billion dollar class action lawsuit for rod bearing failure where check engine and oil lights failed to illuminate. I asked for a PA to be submitted to Hyundai motors America, as suggested by my usual shop Dick’s Hillsboro Hyundai(whom didn’t have availability soon enough). The PA was denied stating “this is normal wear for a vehicle at 70k miles and it’s out of warranty.” This repair is not a cause my the consumer, but by a manufacturer defect. And I should not be expected to replace the engine at $15k after paying $20k 3 years ago when I bought the car. Hyundai is being negligent.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Nov 15, 2024
Three weeks ago my dash board lit up like an orange Christmas Tree, with "ABS failure" warnings. I found the Hyundai recall notice in our car file. It said that when the dash warnings appeared, the danger of an engine fire was imminent and that should contact the Dealer that I bought the car from (Hyundai Motors- Naples, Florida-USA). I did so. personally. An appt. was scheduled. This morning (Fri. 11/15/24)upon arrival, a pleasant young woman informed me that Hyundai sent out lots of notices like this, but they didn't apply to my vehicle. I showed her the recall notice with my car's Vin number printed on it. She went back to her boss who told her "We fixed that for him three years ago," Now, I am not certain of anything, but I NEVER brought the car in for an ABS system fix three years ago. I didn't know that I even had an "ABS" system until three weeks back, when the dash board lit up. Politely, I asked the young woman to bring my car back out, as we were done. She offered to make another appointment to "look" at the dash indicators." I said" No, we are done." So, now what do I do? Is the car safe to drive or not? I own and operate an older Hyundai Santa Fe as well. I would be appreciative of your advice. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. The Tucson is a good car. I just don't want it to blow up on me. [XXX] , Florida-USA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Nov 15, 2024
My windows stopped operating. Both front driver and passenger. The motor runs but I am unable to roll up or down. According to what I’ve read, I am not alone. I worry for our safety and that of my family.
Other or unspecified, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 14, 2024
The driver's side rear door cannot be opened from either inside or outside. In researching the problem, I found evidence that the issue is commonly reported with the Model 2016 Hyundai Tucson, which I own. Many other owners have reported that their vehicles have experienced the same issue. Mechanics have also expressed curiosity about why there hasn't been a factory recall. The problem is a design issue in some model years, including the 2016 model year. Inability to access the back seats from the driver's side is an obvious safety concern.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Nov 11, 2024
Front passenger door won’t open Defroster/heat won’t work on drivers side
Engine, Nov 7, 2024
While stopped at a traffic light trying to make a left turn. I pressed the gas pedal and I did not move. The engine revved up then kicked into second gear. The delay in shifting gears almost caused a crash. This has been an ongoing issue since I purchased the vehicle and surprisingly has not caused an accident yet. It always seems to happen when I am waiting to make a left turn, stopped at a traffic light or stopped at a stop sign. There has to be a underlying issue with this type of engine. I am not the only one that complains about this issue. I feel like it is only a matter of time until this causes an accident. I do anticipate this happening while I am driving and try to give myself enough time when making a left turn for a slight delay in shifting into first gear.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 1, 2024
When accelerating, like taking off from a red light or through a turn, my car begins to shake like it’s unable to change gears correctly, and sometimes leads to the car stalling in the middle of the street and intersection putting my in danger of being hit from other drivers. It’s also happened that when I press the gas after being stopped at a light, my car RPM goes up but I don’t move and then the car jolts forward quickly. This has been happening for years and when I take it to Hyundai they tell me “that’s just how the car runs” which seems incredibly unsafe.
Other or unspecified, Nov 1, 2024
I went to roll up my window and I could hear it trying to go up but the window stayed in place. With my window stuck down, there is the risk of things flying in/out of my car while driving, and in the event of rain, my car would then become damaged if water got inside. Also, with a window stuck down, anyone can get into my car. This first occurred to my front passenger window on September 8, and just happened to my drivers window today, November 1. Both times occurred when my car was not moving. The passenger window was fixed in October and was diagnosed with the regulator and motor needing to be replaced.
Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2024
Left driver side window conked out, does not go up or down.
Engine, Oct 24, 2024
There two incidents where I was driving in the highway and my car died mid driving. It put my life on risk twice. Took it to the mechanic and was told that my car was leaking oil and caused my car to have an engine misfire. My car is un drivable. There were no engine or oil lights that appeared prior to the incident and I always got my regular oil changes and had put in more oil myself. Hyundai refused to pay to the engine replacement even through this is a known issue. I’ve only had the car for two years and it’s under 100k miles.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 19, 2024
3 of my window motors do not work and my windows now will not roll up or down.