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

What owners actually said

1,617 reports

65,000 miles · Mar 8, 2020

Structure

BACK DOORS WILL NO OPEN AFTER THEY ARE LOCKED EVEN WHEN UNLOCKED THEY WILL NOT OPEN IF KIDS IN BACK YOU CAN'T OPEN DOORS TO GET KIDS OUT OF CAR SEAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THIS CAR IT'S A BIG SAFETY ISSUE IF YOU NEEDED TO GET ACCESS TO THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR IT'S IMPOSSIBLE THIS IS A ONGOING ISSUE …

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NHTSA ODI #11316840

60,000 miles · Mar 7, 2020

Unknown Or Other

DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN WHEN UNLOCKED ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY.

NHTSA ODI #11316726

50,000 miles · Mar 5, 2020

Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR LATCH FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

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NHTSA ODI #11316388

80,000 miles · Mar 4, 2020

Structure

PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR DOES NOT OPEN WHEN HANDLED IS PULLED - HAVE TO PULL IT MULTIPLE TIMES. REAR PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AT ALL FROM THE EXTERIOR OR THE INTERIOR.

NHTSA ODI #11316098

28,000 miles · Mar 4, 2020

Power Train

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MY 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON ECO DCT HAS A DANGEROUS RANDOM "SHUDDER/HESITATION" SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED.*DT A "SHUDDER / HESITATION" RANDOMLY OCCURS AT SLOWER SPEEDS. I'VE BROUGHT UP MY CONCERN EACH TIME I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE IN FOR REGULARLY SCHEDULED SERVICE. I HAVE ONLY 28000 MILES ON IT. THE MECHANICS REPORT THAT "IT DIDN'T OCCUR FOR THEM, OR SHOW-UP ON THEIR COMPUTER, SO THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT". I'VE EXPLAINED EACH TIME THAT IT OCCURS RANDOMLY, AND MOSTLY AT SLOW SPEED WHEN SLOWLY COMING TO A STOP, WHEN PARKING PULLING IN OR OUT OF A SPACE OR DRIVEWAY, AT STOP SIGNS EITHER SLOWLY STOPPING, OR PROCEEDING FORWARD AT A LIGHT OR INTERSECTION, AND SOMETIMES WHEN TRYING TO TURN INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I AM POSITIVE THAT HYUNDAI IS VERY AWARE OF WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE 2016 TUCSON ECO DCT. I RECENTLY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HYUNDAI REFERRING TO A 'PROPOSED CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT', BUT IT WAS EXPIRED ALREADY ! I MENTIONED THERE WERE OVER 300 COMPLAINTS OF A SIMILAR "SHUDDER / HESITATION" ON ONE WEB SITE ALONE! THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT IN A REAR END OR INTERSECTION COLLISION BECAUSE OF THE "SHUDDER / HESITATION" THAT OCCURS RANDOMLY. I HAVE PASSENGER WITNESSES AS WELL. THERE IS DEFINATELY A DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT CAUSING A "SHUDDER" IN THE 2016 TUCSON ECO DCT THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. I WAS GIVEN A HYUNDAI COMPLAINT DEPT. NUMBER TO CALL, AND I REPORTED THE PROBLEM. THE CLAIM ADMINISTRATOR SEEMED QUITE AWARE OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. HE GAVE ME A CLAIM NUMBER, AND SAID HE WOULD CALL ME BACK MONDAY, TO 'SET UP ANOTHER SERVICE APPOINTMENT', AND "ARRANGE FOR A SPECIALIST" TO BE THERE. I RECEIVED A CALL ON WEDNESDAY, AND WAS NOW INFORMED "THERE WAS NOTHING MORE HE COULD DO", AND HE WAS "CLOSING OUT MY CASE NUMBER, AND SUGGESTED I JUST BRING IT TO THE DEALER AGAIN", AND RE-FILE A NEW CLAIM# !

NHTSA ODI #11315976

66,000 miles · Mar 3, 2020

Structure

THE PASSENGER BACK DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11315928

49,997 miles · Mar 1, 2020

Engine

SLOW OR NO EXCELERATION FROM STOP SLOW TRANSMISSION SHIFT POWER LOSS KNOCKING NOISE ON FRONT VIBRATION CONTINOUS SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT LOW TURBO BOOST THIS HAVE BEEN CONTINOUS AND SEVERAL ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE BY HYUNDAI WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS

NHTSA ODI #11315418

42,500 miles · Feb 24, 2020

EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

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HELLO, I BOUGHT A USED 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON ECO LESS THEN A MONTH AGO FROM AUTONATION THAT HAD ONLY 40,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF BUYING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE TURNED ON FOR A P259F TROUBLE CODE FOR A TURBOCHARGER POSITION SENSOR THAT I HAD GOT FROM USING AUTONATION'S VEHICLE APP. NATURALLY , I CALLED AUTONATION TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED, BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF BEFORE I BROUGHT MY IN VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. WHEN I DID BRING MY VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FROM MY TURBO, BUT THAT IT HAD GONE OFF AND THAT THE CAR WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY, AND TO GO TO A HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP FOR A SPECIAL DIAGNOSTIC IF THE ISSUE CONSISTED. ON THE SAME DAY OF GETTING MY CAR BACK, I STARTED NOTICING ENGINE PERFORMANCE ISSUES, MY ACCELERATION WOULD BE AFFECTED BY 1 TO 2 SECONDS WHERE THE CAR WOULD NOT GO, AND WHEN IT WOULD FINALLY NOTICE THE THROTTLE IT WOULD JUMP KICK THE CAR. ALSO THE WORST OF ALL, IT ALSO CUT OUT AT ONE POINT WHERE IT DID NOT WANT TO GIVE ANY SORT OF THROTTLE AT ALL, I NEEDED TO HAVE MY FOOT ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE PEDAL TO JUST GO 30 MPH. DURING THAT TIME I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD BE REVVING HIGH WHILE NO SPEED WAS BEING GAINED, AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WHERE GOING OFF EITHER. BECAUSE OF THAT, I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I COULD NOT ACCELERATE OUT OF AN INTERSECTION WHEN MAKING A TURN. WHAT MAKES ME BELIEVE THIS IS THE TURBO ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, IS THAT THE WAY I GOT MY CAR TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY IS THAT I PARKED IT AND RESTARTED IT, AFTER THAT IT STARTED ACCELERATING NORMALLY, BUT AT TIMES THE ACCELERATION WOULD STILL BE AFFECTED.

NHTSA ODI #11311293

147,000 miles · Feb 11, 2020

EngineSteeringStructure

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I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2016 TUCSON. HERE ARE ALL THE SYMPTOMS AND ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE: DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DEC 2019 AND I HAD THE PART REPLACED. HAD AN OIL CHANGE ON 1-26-2020 AND THE NEXT WEEK ON 2-2-2020 THE ENGINE WAS TAPPING, CHECKED THE OIL AND DISCOVERED NO OIL IN THE ENGINE. THE LOW OIL INDICATOR LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. THE CAR CONTINUES TO BURN OIL. MECHANICS CHECKED CAR AGAIN AND NO LEAKS WAS DISCOVERED. AND STILL UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THIS CAR IS BURNING OIL. MECHANIC IS RECOMMENDING A NEW ENGINE. ALSO, THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE ACCURATELY AND HESITATES AT ABOUT 45 MPH. THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT DOES CAUSE ANY PROBLEMS BUT THE PART CAN BE REPLACED. THE DRIVERS DOOR STICKS HAVE TO PULL ON THE DOOR HANDLE 2-3 TIMES BEFORE THE DOOR OPENS. MAJOR ENGINE ISSUES,

NHTSA ODI #11308433

30,000 miles · Feb 8, 2020

Exterior Lighting

PASSENGER BRAKE LIGH REPEATEDLY GOES OUT, HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP HAS ADMITTED IT IS A RECURRING ISSUE ARISING FROM SUBPAR PARTS WITH KNOWN QUALITY PROBLEMS. OCCURS RANDOMLY; STATIONARY, IN MOTION. VEHICLE PRIMARILY USED FOR CITY DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11307901

Official recalls

20V543000 · 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

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

Consequence: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

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

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)

Consequence: Inability to move the vehicle while in traffic may increase the risk of a crash.

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

DP22003 · 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.

Go deeper into Hyundai Tucson problems

Hyundai Tucson transmission problems →Hyundai Tucson electrical problems →