IllustrationI 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.
2016 Hyundai Tucson
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Tucson years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson are substantially higher than the model-year median of 180.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tucson years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
3990–25K
12925–50K
16050–75K
8375–100K
56100–150K
5150K+
832 reports with mileage · 785 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 516 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 423 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 227 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports24 fire reports6 injury reports
Power Train complaints
516 reportsTL* 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 A…
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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.
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 …
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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.
TRANS DOESN' WORK RIGHT IN FIRST GEAR DOES'T GO IN GEAR RIGHT A WAY I WILL GET REAR ENDED ONEDAY
PASSENGER AIR BAG COMES ON AT TIMES. TRANSMISSION SOME TIMES WILL NOT MOVE THE CAR.
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.…
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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.
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 ABO…
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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.
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.
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 HIL…
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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.
HORRIBLE HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION!!! AFRAID OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, LAST EVENING I WAS STUCK IN CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC AND MY TRANSMISSION STARTED OVERHEATING!!! A FEW MINUTES LATER THE CAR STOPPED!! I WAS ON A MAJOR ROAD AND NOW CAUSED MORE OF A TRAFFIC JAM. HAD TO SIT THERE FOR 10MINUTES TILL IT COOLED ENOUGH AND THE L…
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HORRIBLE HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION!!! AFRAID OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, LAST EVENING I WAS STUCK IN CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC AND MY TRANSMISSION STARTED OVERHEATING!!! A FEW MINUTES LATER THE CAR STOPPED!! I WAS ON A MAJOR ROAD AND NOW CAUSED MORE OF A TRAFFIC JAM. HAD TO SIT THERE FOR 10MINUTES TILL IT COOLED ENOUGH AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF.
Official recalls
520V543000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
Sep 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: 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.
16V842000 · Electrical System:wiring; Trailer Hitches
Nov 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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Trailer Hitches
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."
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical System:wiring
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."
Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
16V628000 · Electrical System:software; 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Inability to move the vehicle while in traffic may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
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.
Consequence: Inability to move the vehicle while in traffic may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
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.
Consequence: Inability to move the vehicle while in traffic may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
16V348000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
May 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
16V147000 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
Mar 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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Failure to illuminate the trailer's turn signal lights would prevent the communication of the driver's intent, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.