IllustrationDOORS WILL NOT OPEN. I SEE FROM READING ONLINR THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE. THIS HAS TO BE A BIG SAFTY ISSUE. I HAVE A BACJ DOOR THAT WILL.NOT OPEN AT ALL.AND NOW MY FRONT DOOR CAN NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE.
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
Structure complaints
227 reportsTHE REAR PASSENGER DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE, EVEN THOUGH THE HANDLE WAS NOT STUCK. SPRINGFIELD HYUNDAI IN SPRINGFIELD, PA INSPECTED AND CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT FIX BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. ANOTHER SHOP REPLACED THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR.
REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR ACTUATOR NO LONGER WORKS. UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR AT ALL. CAR WAS PARKED.
REAR DRIVER DOOR STOPPED OPENING FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE EVEN THOUGH THE HANDLE MOVES FREELY AND THE LOCKS ARE FUNCTIONING (CHILD SAFETY IS NOT ENGAGED). A FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT DOOR STOPPED WORKING THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR OUTSIDE HANDLE FAILS TO OPEN 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 BUT LOCKS STILL FUNCTION. EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT THE DOORS W…
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REAR DRIVER DOOR STOPPED OPENING FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE EVEN THOUGH THE HANDLE MOVES FREELY AND THE LOCKS ARE FUNCTIONING (CHILD SAFETY IS NOT ENGAGED). A FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT DOOR STOPPED WORKING THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR OUTSIDE HANDLE FAILS TO OPEN 9 TIMES OUT OF 10 BUT LOCKS STILL FUNCTION. EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT THE DOORS WORK FINE AND THERE HAS BEEN NO TRAUMA TO THE VEHICLE.
THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD AND I WAS TOLD THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT CLICKS WHEN EVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. I WAS TOLD IT IS FINE TO DRIVE IT UNTIL I GET IT REPAIRED BUT AFTER READING WHAT COULD HAPPEN THAT DOESN'T SEEM TRUE. I HAVE HAD THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR LATCH REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'…
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THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD AND I WAS TOLD THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT CLICKS WHEN EVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. I WAS TOLD IT IS FINE TO DRIVE IT UNTIL I GET IT REPAIRED BUT AFTER READING WHAT COULD HAPPEN THAT DOESN'T SEEM TRUE. I HAVE HAD THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR LATCH REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. NOW TO OPEN MY FROM PASSENGER DOOR YOU HAVE TO PULL THE DOOR HANDLE 3 TIMES TO GET IT TO OPEN. MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WILL GO UP AND DOWN WHEN TRYING TO PUT JUST UP OR DOWN.*DT*JB
MY BACK PASSENGER DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. YOU CAN HEAR THE POWER LOCK WORKING, BUT THE DOOR WON'T OPEN. THE PROBLEM STARTED OUT GRADUALLY WHERE THE DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN UNLESS YOU PULLED THE HANDLE MORE THAN ONCE AND NOW IT WON'T OPEN AT ALL. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEAT BECAUSE THEY CAN…
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MY BACK PASSENGER DOOR WON'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE. YOU CAN HEAR THE POWER LOCK WORKING, BUT THE DOOR WON'T OPEN. THE PROBLEM STARTED OUT GRADUALLY WHERE THE DOOR WOULDN'T OPEN UNLESS YOU PULLED THE HANDLE MORE THAN ONCE AND NOW IT WON'T OPEN AT ALL. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEAT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET OUT IN AN EMERGENCY THROUGH THAT DOOR.
THE REAR DRIVER DOOR IS STUCK CLOSED NO MATTER WHAT I DO. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, IT SEEMS LIKE MULTIPLE PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE DOOR ACTUATOR GOING OUT. NOW IF PEOPLE ARE IN MY BACK SEAT, PEOPLE ARE STUCK AND HAVE TO GO OUT THE OTHER DOOR. MY FEAR NOW IS THE OTHER DOOR WILL GO OUT ALSO AND SOMEONE WILL BE STUCK …
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THE REAR DRIVER DOOR IS STUCK CLOSED NO MATTER WHAT I DO. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, IT SEEMS LIKE MULTIPLE PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE DOOR ACTUATOR GOING OUT. NOW IF PEOPLE ARE IN MY BACK SEAT, PEOPLE ARE STUCK AND HAVE TO GO OUT THE OTHER DOOR. MY FEAR NOW IS THE OTHER DOOR WILL GO OUT ALSO AND SOMEONE WILL BE STUCK IN THE BACK OF MY CAR.
REAR PASSENGER DOOR IS LOCKED FROM THE INSIDE AND OUT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. ALL THE LOCKS ON THE DOOR NEED TO BE UPGRADED AND REPAIRED NOT JUST REPLACED BY THE SAME FAULTY LOCKS.
2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENED JANUARY 2021. I WAS WAITING FOR THE ENTIRE FIRE RECALL TO COME UP WITH A FIX SO I COULD TAKE IT IN AT THE SAME TIME. NOW, THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, ONLY THE INSIDE. HYUNDAI IS SAYING IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY A…
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2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS HAPPENED JANUARY 2021. I WAS WAITING FOR THE ENTIRE FIRE RECALL TO COME UP WITH A FIX SO I COULD TAKE IT IN AT THE SAME TIME. NOW, THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, ONLY THE INSIDE. HYUNDAI IS SAYING IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WILL NEED TO PAY FOR BOTH. QUICK RESEARCH ONLINE SHOWS ME THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE EVALUATED AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF MY CAR CATCHES FIRE BEFORE THERE CAN BE A FIX FOR THE RECALL AND MYSELF OR MY PASSENGERS ARE UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IF IT IS ON FIRE.
AFTER PICKING MY GRANDSON UP FROM SURGERY ON BOTH LEGS WENT TO GET HIM OUT OF THE CAR AND NEITHER OF THE DOORS IN THE REAR WOULD OPEN THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED THEY SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION SPECIALLY IN A PLACE LIKE FLORIDA WHERE WE HAVE BODIES OF WATER ALL OVER NE…
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AFTER PICKING MY GRANDSON UP FROM SURGERY ON BOTH LEGS WENT TO GET HIM OUT OF THE CAR AND NEITHER OF THE DOORS IN THE REAR WOULD OPEN THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH HYUNDAI THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED THEY SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION SPECIALLY IN A PLACE LIKE FLORIDA WHERE WE HAVE BODIES OF WATER ALL OVER NEXT TO THE ROADS IN AN EMERGENCYYOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT
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.