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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

1,617 reports
Mileage unknown · May 13, 2024
Engine

I was driving to work Tuesday and noticed that my car wasn't accelerating and losing speed, pulled over and as soon as I came to a stop, it dies. I got it towed to my mechanic, they said I was out of oil and throwing a p1326 code for the ksds. I'm not sure how that is possible, cause I changed the oil a month prior on April 6, t…

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I was driving to work Tuesday and noticed that my car wasn't accelerating and losing speed, pulled over and as soon as I came to a stop, it dies. I got it towed to my mechanic, they said I was out of oil and throwing a p1326 code for the ksds. I'm not sure how that is possible, cause I changed the oil a month prior on April 6, this happened May 7. Mechanic put more oil in and I was taking it home. I noticed a funny noise and took it back to my mechanic; got there and it started knocking and cut off as soon as I stopped again. Mechanic did another diagnostic and it threw the code again. Got it towed to the dealership and I'm now waiting on them. Apparently it's the engine, they have been having lots of issues with them.

NHTSA ODI #11588363

Mileage unknown · May 12, 2024
Vehicle Speed Control

The car did not accelerate after pressing gas pedal all way down. Encountered this while idling and trying to accelerate from a steady speed as well.

NHTSA ODI #11588352

233,147 miles · May 8, 2024
Exterior LightingSteering

When driving All the warning light is on. Also when you reduce speed or stop at the light the steering wheel turn hard to turn or move. The battery seem to be low voltage, because when you lock the car the sound of the horn sound weak. And wouldn't start.

NHTSA ODI #11587590

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2024
Unknown Or Other

There is no power when accelerating, especially up a hill. The rpm's hover over 4k for a long time before downshifting, hence, eating up gas like crazy. Also, the passenger side back door does not open at all, the driver's side back door takes several pulls before opening, the driver's door takes 3 pulls to open, and the front p…

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There is no power when accelerating, especially up a hill. The rpm's hover over 4k for a long time before downshifting, hence, eating up gas like crazy. Also, the passenger side back door does not open at all, the driver's side back door takes several pulls before opening, the driver's door takes 3 pulls to open, and the front passenger door takes a minimum of three pulls to open. The no power just recently started happening. The door issue started in late 2023 and has gotten progressively worse just recently.

NHTSA ODI #11586944

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2024
Electrical System

My rear passenger door will not open from the inside or outside. My front passenger door has difficulties opening, I have to try to handle a few times. The front passenger door has been since I purchased the vehicle in 2022 but the rear passenger vehicle just started 5/2/24. The alternator has already been replaced as of 2022 an…

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My rear passenger door will not open from the inside or outside. My front passenger door has difficulties opening, I have to try to handle a few times. The front passenger door has been since I purchased the vehicle in 2022 but the rear passenger vehicle just started 5/2/24. The alternator has already been replaced as of 2022 and the front passenger motor has already been replaced as of April 2024 because the window stopped going up. And all of these have been at my expense!! I have read owner blogs that have all of these same issues. This is a HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. What if there is an emergency and I can't get my child safely out of his car seat? These issues, especially the door actuators, needs to be a recall and fixed immediately at no expense to the owners.

NHTSA ODI #11586854

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2024
Unknown Or Other

The back door latch does not unlock so neither back passanger doors will open at all. If something were to happen where we need to evacuate quickly this puts people in the back at a huge risk. I have taken it to get repaired and they want at least $250 for each door. There were no warnings one day the door just stopped opening…

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The back door latch does not unlock so neither back passanger doors will open at all. If something were to happen where we need to evacuate quickly this puts people in the back at a huge risk. I have taken it to get repaired and they want at least $250 for each door. There were no warnings one day the door just stopped opening and then the other stopped. It’s been over a year now. There are multiple videos on youtube on how to “fix” it for this specific vehicle so I don’t understand how this hasn’t been recalled already.

NHTSA ODI #11585091

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2024
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I have a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. So far I had to have both the front driver side and passenger side window regulators replaced. I just recently noticed that both of my back windows do not work. I currently have an appointment with the Hyundai dealer to replace both of the back window regulators. I drive around with a piece of duck …

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I have a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. So far I had to have both the front driver side and passenger side window regulators replaced. I just recently noticed that both of my back windows do not work. I currently have an appointment with the Hyundai dealer to replace both of the back window regulators. I drive around with a piece of duck tape holding the back windows up. Hyundai has to know that this is a problem. Hyundai requires an anti theft recall but it’s useless as anyone can pull my windows down by force due to broken regulator in each door. Insanely ridiculous and unsafe.

NHTSA ODI #11584110

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2024
Engine

My 2016 Hyundai Tucson has been experiencing sudden engine failures for about 10 months now. Driving at 70 mph on a freeway and experiencing a loss of torque is terrifying. Glad I was able to pull off safely. Engine lights came on for a few seconds and then turned off. Visit to the dealer showed... nothing. The engine is under w…

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My 2016 Hyundai Tucson has been experiencing sudden engine failures for about 10 months now. Driving at 70 mph on a freeway and experiencing a loss of torque is terrifying. Glad I was able to pull off safely. Engine lights came on for a few seconds and then turned off. Visit to the dealer showed... nothing. The engine is under warranty, but Hyundai dealers continue to dismiss the issue. Also, this engine has been excessively burning oil during the very same timeframe. There are no leaks - confirmed by Hyundai dealers. I have to put in about a quarter every other 2-3 weeks. Hadn't I done this, my vehicle would not make it to the next oil change. Really frustrating! Reading thru complaints to NTHSA, there a lot of us facing the same issues, with faulty engines and excessive oil consumption. This must be investigated, and a recall notice settled. Hyundai must be held accountable.

NHTSA ODI #11584100

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2024
Latches/locks/linkages

The driver side door will no longer open from the outside. I have to crawl through the passenger side to open the door from the inside. According to a Google search, this is a common issue with this car.

NHTSA ODI #11583897

60,000 miles · Apr 18, 2024
Visibility

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at various speeds, the four windows rolled down independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the front driver’s side window was replaced; however, the three remaining windows failed to operate as needed. R…

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The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at various speeds, the four windows rolled down independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the front driver’s side window was replaced; however, the three remaining windows failed to operate as needed. Recently, the rear passenger’s side window was locked in place by a mechanic to prevent the persistent failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not under recall or warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #11583802

Official recalls

5

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

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

1

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.

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