2016 Hyundai Tucson problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (428) · Engine (236) · Structure:body (207)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Hyundai Tucson model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
834 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2020-09-04 · campaign 20V543000 · 652,024 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:wiring 2016-11-21 · campaign 16V842000 · 6,172 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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:software 2016-08-30 · campaign 16V628000 · 41,000 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Inability to move the vehicle while in traffic may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Latches/Locks/Linkages:hood:latch 2016-05-24 · campaign 16V348000 · 81,000 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights 2016-03-10 · campaign 16V147000 · 2,263 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: Failure to illuminate the trailer's turn signal lights would prevent the communication of the driver's intent, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (171)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2026-10-15 · 26-GI-004H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some hyundai vehicles may be equipped with a parking distance warning (pdw) sensor(s) that may trigger various dtcs and display warning messages on the instrument cluster, resulting in the pdw sensor(s) failing to detect nearby objects or triggering multiple false alarms. this condition may be a res
Engine 2026-10-08 · 26-EM-016H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this condition. all internal combustion engines consume some engine oil during normal operatio
Engine 2026-10-07 · 26-EM-015H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. this bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition. all internal combustion engines consume engine oil as part of normal engine operatio
Engine 2026-09-16 · 26-EM-014H TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some tucson (tl) vehicles equipped with a 2.0l engine may exhibit a continued dtc p132600 after an ecm logic update has been performed per tsb 24-01-068h, engine monitoring logic (service campaign 966). this bulletin provides instructions to inspect and resolve other engine mechanical issues and if
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DL · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn). these inflators were not supplied, approved, or authorized by the vehi
Air Bags 2026-04-10 · DTN DCS · Other
the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by jilin province detiannuo automobile safety system co., ltd. (dtn), that have been identified in u.s. vehicles following prior
Showing the 6 most recent of 171 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-24 · Unknown Or Other“description of defect: progressive, complete failure of all four (4) power window regulators on a low-mileage 2016 hyundai tucson (~29,848 miles). three windows failed in rapid succession, followed by the fourth, rendering all power windows completely inoperable. safety hazard: the inability to operate any window creates a dangerous safety risk du…”
2026-10-16 · Vehicle Speed Control“when i try accelerate from a stopped position vehicles acts as if it doesn’t want to move and you need your acceleration when crossing traffic or turning onto a busy street i just got the car from carmax 6 days ago so i will take it to their service department and try to find out more …”
2026-10-15 · Engine“excessive oil consumption. mileage is 116.7k miles. over 4 quarts used in approximately 3,500 miles. car went into "limp" mode with no power. top speed on level ground was 45 mph, on a hill 25 mph. had to pull over to the side of the road so that other cars could pass. drove to mechanic who saw about 1 quart remained in the car. oil light didn't …”
2026-10-14 · Power Train · 95,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai tucson. the contact stated that while driving at 15 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was pressed and released repeatedly at 1,200 rpm. the transmission warning light illuminated. additionally, the rear driver's and rear passenger's side doors failed to open. the dealer was notified of …”
2026-10-12 · Unknown Or Other“repeated window regulator failures on 2016 hyundai tucson to whom it may concern, i am the owner of a 2016 hyundai tucson with approximately 54,000 miles. i am writing to request goodwill assistance regarding repeated failures of the vehicle's power window regulators. over the past year and a half, all four power window regulators have failed, one…”
2026-10-05 · Unknown Or Other“hello, hyundai corp has a warranty extension tsb 21-bd-oo6h. i am 9 months out of warranty. i have 3 doors having issues opening with the door actuators. i am worried either myself or family member will get stuck in car upon an emergency. hyundai corp saying they will not pay for repair because warranty expired 8/9 months ago. i am out of work [x…”
2026-09-28 · Service Brakes · 120,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact owns a 2016 hyundai tucson. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced issues with the brakes on the driver's side. the vehicle was taken to both an independent mechanic and a dealer, where technicians from both locations diagnosed a brake system issue. later, while driving at approximately 15…”
2026-09-22 · Wheels · 🔥 fire“caliber / breaks sticking after changing them, car stopped in the middle of traffic after they locked up. changed them again brought to hyundai dealership i was told caliber needed changing . it was changed caliber caught fire while driving now hyundai says the abs system has to be replaced …”
2026-09-21 · Power Train“component: power train / automatic transmission / actuatorsdescription: my 2016 hyundai tucson (1.6l turbo 7-speed dct) suffered a catastrophic transmission assembly failure that caused a sudden and dangerous loss of forward motive power while driving. the vehicle completely refused to engage forward gears, creating an immediate traffic hazard.a ce…”
2026-09-09 · Engine“the vehicle unexpectedly entered 'limp mode' due to engine tracking code p1326. the vehicle severely restricts engine power and rpms while driving on public roads, preventing normal acceleration. this creates a severe safety hazard as the vehicle cannot safely merge into oncoming traffic, accelerate away from intersections, or maintain basic road s…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.