IllustrationTHE BACK DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT OPEN. THE LOCK IS WORKING, BUT THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THE CHILD LOCKS ARE NOT ON. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE.
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
What owners actually said
1,617 reportsBRAKE LIGHT (LEFT SIDE) DOES NOT WORK.REAR DOOR DRIVETS SIDE WILL NOT OPEN.BOTH HAPPENED IN THE CITY
MY TUSCON HAS QT THIS MOMENT 36,960 MILES I PURCHASED IT BACK IN JUNE/JULY MY REAR PASSENGER DOORS OPEN WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT AS OF RIGHT NOW I CAN'T GET ONE OF THEM TO OPEN AT ALL. AND THE GAS GUAGE HASN'T FUNCTIONED SINCE I GOT THE VEHICLE. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE I SEE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE DOOR…
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MY TUSCON HAS QT THIS MOMENT 36,960 MILES I PURCHASED IT BACK IN JUNE/JULY MY REAR PASSENGER DOORS OPEN WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT AS OF RIGHT NOW I CAN'T GET ONE OF THEM TO OPEN AT ALL. AND THE GAS GUAGE HASN'T FUNCTIONED SINCE I GOT THE VEHICLE. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE I SEE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE DOORS. THIS IS A REAL NUISANCE AS I HAVE A CHILD AND NEED TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS TO GET TO HIM WITHOUT FAIL.
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THE LOCK CLICKS AND THE DOOR SOUNDS AS IF IT IS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING, BUT THE DOOR ITSELF DOESN'T ACTUALLY OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THIS ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED. I'VE TRIED OPENING THE DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AND OFF.
WINDOWS GET STOCK UP OR DOW CAR IS PARK AND RUNNING THIS ISSUE HAPPING TREE TIME IN LESS OF ONE YEAR FIRST THE DRIVER SIDE THEM THE REAR PASSENGER AND NOW THE FRONT PASSENGER. STERLING WHEEL HAS A CLOCKING NOISE TOOK TO THE DEALER THEY SAY THEY FIX THE PROBLEM BUT STILL MAKING NOISE THIS IS WENT THE CAR IS IN MOTION SPECIAL WHE…
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WINDOWS GET STOCK UP OR DOW CAR IS PARK AND RUNNING THIS ISSUE HAPPING TREE TIME IN LESS OF ONE YEAR FIRST THE DRIVER SIDE THEM THE REAR PASSENGER AND NOW THE FRONT PASSENGER. STERLING WHEEL HAS A CLOCKING NOISE TOOK TO THE DEALER THEY SAY THEY FIX THE PROBLEM BUT STILL MAKING NOISE THIS IS WENT THE CAR IS IN MOTION SPECIAL WHEN MADE TURNS
THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF AND ON ON THEIR OWN WHEN IT IS SET TO AUTO. I HAVE WORKED WITH HYUNDAI, AND ENGINEERING HAS CONFIRMED THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL CASES WHERE THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS AND TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND ON. IT IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AS THIS HAPPENS AT NIGHT AND DURING THE DAY.
THE MOTOR IN THE DOORS BLOW (ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION I RECEIVED FROM HYUNDAI A COUPLE YEARS AGO.) WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE PASSENGERS ARE LOCKED IN THE CAR WITHOUT ANY WAY OF BEING ABLE TO GET OUT. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THESE PARTS WERE REPLACED WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THI…
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THE MOTOR IN THE DOORS BLOW (ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION I RECEIVED FROM HYUNDAI A COUPLE YEARS AGO.) WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE PASSENGERS ARE LOCKED IN THE CAR WITHOUT ANY WAY OF BEING ABLE TO GET OUT. THE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THESE PARTS WERE REPLACED WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AND NOW WILL NOT BE COVERED SINCE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT TRAPS THE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR.
THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS LEFT AND RIGHT DO NOT OPEN. THE DOORS ARE UNLOCKED AND THEY BOTH WILL NOT OPEN. YOU HAVE TO PULL THE HANDLE MORE THAN 30 TIMES FOR THE DOORS TO OPEN. IT'S NOT SAFE AND MY CHILD HAS BEEN STUCK IN THE CAR WAITING FOR ME TO GET HER OUT.
WHILE DRIVING ON OCTOBER 31ST OUR CAR STARTING MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON SO WE THOUGHT MAYBE SOMETHING GOT STUCK ON THE BOTTOM BUT NOTHING WAS THERE. ON NOV 1ST THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON SO WE WENT TO GET THE OIL CHANGED. ON THE WAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SHORTLY AFTER THE KNOCKING…
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WHILE DRIVING ON OCTOBER 31ST OUR CAR STARTING MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON SO WE THOUGHT MAYBE SOMETHING GOT STUCK ON THE BOTTOM BUT NOTHING WAS THERE. ON NOV 1ST THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON SO WE WENT TO GET THE OIL CHANGED. ON THE WAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SHORTLY AFTER THE KNOCKING SOUND GOT WORSE. WHEN THE SOUND GOT WORSE THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE NO MATTER HOW HARD I PRESSED THE PEDDLE. WE ASSUMED IT WAS THE BATTERY AND GOT A REPLACEMENT BUT THE ISSUE DIDN'T GO AWAY. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A PLACE FOR AN OIL CHANGE BUT AFTER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS EVEN WORSE. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR WHEN THE CAR COMPLETELY GAVE OUT, IT WOULD NO LONGER START. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY YOU CAN HEAR THE ENGINE WANTING TO TURN ON BIT IT NEVER DOES. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC THE SAME DAY AND HE WAS ABLE TO LOOK AT IT TODAY (NOV 1ST). HE SAID THE MOTOR WAS COMPLETELY SHOT AND THE CAR WAS UNUSABLE. WE ARE ABOUT 1200 OVER THE WARRANTY SO THE DEALSHIP WILL NOT HELP US. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS WARNING THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR THE CAR TO GIVE OUT ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT NOTICE. NOW WE ARE STUCK WITH THE EXPENSE WHILE HYU YOUNDAI DOES NOTHING ABOUT CHECKING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT ARE WAY TOO SIMILAR TO MINE, THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO.
FIRST THE BACK BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WENT OUT AND I TRIED SEVERAL BULBS PUT IN BUT THEY DIDN'T WORK. NEXT THE DRIVERD DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THR OUTSIDE AFTER THR UNLOCK BUTTON WAS PUSHED. THEN THE AIRBAGS WENT OUT. LAST WEEK MY ENGINE WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING.
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.