IllustrationMY VEHICLE STALLS WHEN I HIT THE GAS. HAS TROUBLE SWITCHING GEARS.
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
Power Train complaints
516 reportsTHE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE, FROM A STOP, TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. IT SEEMS TO BE A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE DEALER TOLD ME JUST LEARN HOW TO DRIVE IT. WE HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS DEFECT AND MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THE TUCSON. HYUNDAI TOO KNOWS OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS HAD NO RECALL FOR TH…
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THE VEHICLE STALLS WHILE, FROM A STOP, TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. IT SEEMS TO BE A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE DEALER TOLD ME JUST LEARN HOW TO DRIVE IT. WE HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THIS DEFECT AND MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THE TUCSON. HYUNDAI TOO KNOWS OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS HAD NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. I UNDERSTAND THERE HAS ALSO BEEN LAW SUITS FOR THE LEMON LAW AGAINST THIS VEHICLE BUT, THE DEEP POCKETS OF HYUNDAI'S CORPORATE LAWYERS ALWAYS WINS OUT. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO BECOME SERIOUSLY INJURED OR PERHAPS DEAD BEFORE A RECALL HAPPENS? THE DATE BELOW REFLECTS THE LAST TIME I WAS ALMOST HIT BECAUSE THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE AND THEN STOPPED.
EVER SINCE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE WE HAVE EXPERIENCED HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP ON A CITY STREET. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING AN UNPTOTECTED LEFT TURN AND THE CAR WON'T PICK UP AND GO. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY MADE SOME ADJUSTMENT BUT I AM STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM.
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL, THE RPMS GO UP BUT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T MOVE. IT HAS HAPPENED FROM A DEAD STOP, AND ALSO WHEN ACCELERATING WHEN ALREADY MOVING, BOTH AT LOW RATES OF SPEED AND ON THE INTERSTATE.
WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 40 MPH THE RPM REVVED UP TO 5 RPM AND WOULD NOT COME DOWN EVEN WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PUTTING IT INTO PARK. I ALSO HAVE CONSTANT HESITATION WITH THE ENGINE WHEN STOPPING AT A LIGHT IN TOWN AND THEN MOVING FORWARD FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE CA…
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WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 40 MPH THE RPM REVVED UP TO 5 RPM AND WOULD NOT COME DOWN EVEN WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PUTTING IT INTO PARK. I ALSO HAVE CONSTANT HESITATION WITH THE ENGINE WHEN STOPPING AT A LIGHT IN TOWN AND THEN MOVING FORWARD FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR JERKS AND THEIR IS DELAY TO GO WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A LIGHT. THE CAR WILL AT TIMES NOT GO INTO REVERSE WHEN TRYING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I HAVE FOUND THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE TO COMPLETELY PUT CAR IN PARK AND TURN THE CAR OFF, THEN RESTART THE CAR AND PUT IT INTO REVERSE BEFORE I CAN BACK IT OUT SUCCESSFULLY.
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE IS NOT RESPONSIVE YET THE RPMS INCREASE THEN MAKING IT JUMP AND SHUDDER, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL YOUR SPEED WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS AND BUCKS. THIS OCCURS IN ANY SITUATION WHERE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED; AT STOP SIGNS…
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WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE IS NOT RESPONSIVE YET THE RPMS INCREASE THEN MAKING IT JUMP AND SHUDDER, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL YOUR SPEED WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS AND BUCKS. THIS OCCURS IN ANY SITUATION WHERE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED; AT STOP SIGNS, STOPLIGHTS, STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, WHILE TURNING, ETC..I HAVE HAD THIS 2016 VEHICLE FOR ONE WEEK AND THE DID CHECK SAFETY RECALLS FOR THE VIN. THERE WERE NO UNRESOLVED RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, I SEE THAT A RECALL CONCERNING THIS ISSUE WAS ISSUED FOR MY SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR REPORTS.
PURCHASED 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON ECO FROM A USED CAR DEALER. CARFAX REPORTED NO OPEN RECALLS. CONCERNED WITH HESITATION WHEN PRESSING GAS WHEN IN A STOPPED POSITION TO MOVING AT STOP SIGN OR STOPLIGHT . RECALL 149, BUT THIS VIN IS NOT SHOWING A RECALL.
AT CERTAIN INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE WON'T MOVE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. I STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE IS NOT BUDGING MAKING ME WORRY THAT THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME WILL HIT ME. IF IT MOVES AT ALL, THERE IS A DRAG, THEN IT WILL SUDDENLY LUNGES FORWARD WHERE I ALMOST HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME.
WHEN SLOWING DOWN THE CAR SHAKES WHEN I STEP ON BREAK AND IT SHAKES WHEN I STEP ON GO DURING DRIVING
IN AUGUST 2016 I PURCHASED A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON LIMITED. SINCE DAY ONE, WHILE IN TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO SHUDDER UNTIL NEAR STALL. THE SHUDDERING OCCURS WHEN EITHER ROLLING FORWARD, ACCELERATING THE GAS, OR SITTING IDLE, AS A RESULT MY CAR DOES NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATION AT ALL TIMES. DURING MY FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSH…
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IN AUGUST 2016 I PURCHASED A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON LIMITED. SINCE DAY ONE, WHILE IN TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO SHUDDER UNTIL NEAR STALL. THE SHUDDERING OCCURS WHEN EITHER ROLLING FORWARD, ACCELERATING THE GAS, OR SITTING IDLE, AS A RESULT MY CAR DOES NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATION AT ALL TIMES. DURING MY FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP THE DEALER DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DANGEROUS, MY WIFE'S IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER AND SHE IS RELUCTANT TO DRIVE IT FOR FEAR THAT SHE WILL BE INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES AND GET NO REAL ANSWERS EXCEPT THAT THE CAR CHECKS OUT FINE AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. THEY DO, HOWEVER, ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE PROBLEM IS A DESIGN ISSUE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS PROBLEM PERSISTS NO MATTER WHAT DRIVE MODE I AM IN. I HAVE TRIED TURNING OFF THE AC BUT THAT HAS NO AFFECT. I HAD ONE INSTANCE WHERE, WHILE MOVING FROM STOP TO MAKE A LEFT TURN IN AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR STUMBLED AND STALLED IN THE INTERSECTION AND WE NARROWLY MISSED BEING HIT BY THE CAR BEHIND ME. WE HELP WITH TRANSPORTATION FOR THE GRANDKIDS AND WE CANNOT DRIVE THE 10 YEAR OLD IN THIS CAR, SHE GETS CAR SICK FROM THE SHUDDERING/HESITATION. AS A RESULT, WE HAVE TO SUBSTITUTE ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE DAYS WE DRIVE HER.
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.