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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

Structure complaints

227 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2023
Structure

3 of the doors on this vehicle are hard to open from the outside. The cable that runs from the outside door handle to the door latch mechanism is stretched. You must yank hard on the outside door handle several times before the door latch will release opening the door. Replacing the inner door cable system for the door latch cor…

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3 of the doors on this vehicle are hard to open from the outside. The cable that runs from the outside door handle to the door latch mechanism is stretched. You must yank hard on the outside door handle several times before the door latch will release opening the door. Replacing the inner door cable system for the door latch corrects this problem. This is a very well known problem on the internet with many youtube video's showing how to replace this cable system. If this vehicle is involved in a crash it may become difficult to get the occupants out in a timely manner.

NHTSA ODI #11538395

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2023
EngineStructure

1.6 Turbo engine failure while on freeway. Towed to mechanic, then informed needs new engine. This vehicle seized on the freeway

NHTSA ODI #11536939

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2023
Structure

The passenger doors have an issue where the door CANNOT be opened from the inside (or outside). This seems to be a common problem with this car since it can be found very easily on the internet. I was traveling with visitors from overseas and sometimes I was unable to open the door from the outside for them. I was lucky that onl…

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The passenger doors have an issue where the door CANNOT be opened from the inside (or outside). This seems to be a common problem with this car since it can be found very easily on the internet. I was traveling with visitors from overseas and sometimes I was unable to open the door from the outside for them. I was lucky that only one door was affected. I think this matter should be considered a very serious defect as persons needing to exit the vehicle in an emergency would be trapped. Please consider a recall for this issue since there are many Hyundai's with this problem. Thank you for your consideration. John Sommo, Jr.

NHTSA ODI #11536007

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2023
Structure

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP ON 7/05/23. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND WHILE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS PULLING CAR OUT HE PUT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DOWN AND IT WOULD NOT ROLL UP. I HAD THIS WINDOW DOWN 2 HOURS PRIOR AND HAD NO ISSUES WITH IT GOING UP. HYUNDAI OF ORANGE PARK SAID MOTOR AND WINDOW REGUL…

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FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP ON 7/05/23. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND WHILE SERVICE ADVISOR WAS PULLING CAR OUT HE PUT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DOWN AND IT WOULD NOT ROLL UP. I HAD THIS WINDOW DOWN 2 HOURS PRIOR AND HAD NO ISSUES WITH IT GOING UP. HYUNDAI OF ORANGE PARK SAID MOTOR AND WINDOW REGULATOR ASSEMBLY STRIPPED DUE TO ASSEMBLY BEING CHEAP PLASTIC. COST TO REPLACE AND GET WINDOW BACK UP IS $1400.00. HAD TO HAVE DEALERSHIP PUT UP WINDOW AND SHORE IT UP DUE TO IT BEING COST PROHIBITIVE TO REPAIR. SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE WINDOW WILL NOT GO DOWN IN CASE OF EMERGENCY IF DOOR MECHANISM FAILS AND DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. ON 1/24/23, HYUNDAI ST AUGUSTINE REPLACED DRIVE SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR ASSEMBLY AT THE COST OF 737.27 DUE TO WINDOW NOT BEING ABLE TO GO DOWN. A SEPARATE COMPLAINT WAS FILED FOR THIS OCCURENCE.

NHTSA ODI #11532049

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2023
Structure

FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR ASSEMBLY BROKE IN WHICH WINDOW WOULD NOT GO DOWN. REPAIRED ON 1/24/23 AT HYUNDAI OF ST AUGUSTINE FOR $737.27. THIS IS A SAFETY RISK DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO PUT WINDOW DOWN IN CASE OF EMERGENCY AND DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN.

NHTSA ODI #11532043

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2023
Structure

Rear passenger door will not open from inside or outside

NHTSA ODI #11530299

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2023
StructureUnknown Or Other

Rear driver door does not open from the outside or inside. The doors are unlocked but will not open at all.

NHTSA ODI #11530178

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2023
Structure

Door latch suddenly stopped working, making it impossible to open the door from either inside or outside the vehicle. Had this occurred in an emergency situation passengers could have been trapped inside. Hyundai is aware of this defect and has issued a Technical Service Bulletin and purportedly extended the warranty but there …

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Door latch suddenly stopped working, making it impossible to open the door from either inside or outside the vehicle. Had this occurred in an emergency situation passengers could have been trapped inside. Hyundai is aware of this defect and has issued a Technical Service Bulletin and purportedly extended the warranty but there is a shortage of parts to make repairs and so they cannot effectively honor that warranty or make needed repairs. NHTSA should require a recall on this problem to inform owners of this potential hazard and force Hyundai to put more resources into correcting the defective latches and possibly avoid unnecessary loss of life.

NHTSA ODI #11529048

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2023
Structure

About a year ago, the driver's side door stopped opening. Since the vehicle was out of warrantee, I had it repaired but do not have the invoice any longer. I didn't expect it to happen to another door. A couple of months ago, the rear passenger door stopped opening. I have had it fixed. There was no warning, the doors just stopp…

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About a year ago, the driver's side door stopped opening. Since the vehicle was out of warrantee, I had it repaired but do not have the invoice any longer. I didn't expect it to happen to another door. A couple of months ago, the rear passenger door stopped opening. I have had it fixed. There was no warning, the doors just stopped opening, trapping whoever was inside at the time. Of course another door could be used, but that's assuming it didn't just stop working at the same time.

NHTSA ODI #11526819

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2023
Electrical SystemStructure

Passenger doors do not physically open when unlocked from outside and inside. Known stretched cable problems, with hundreds of complaints when doing a Google search. Elderly parents cannot yank hard enough to get them open by brute force. God forbid if there was an accident, you would not be able to open to door from inside to g…

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Passenger doors do not physically open when unlocked from outside and inside. Known stretched cable problems, with hundreds of complaints when doing a Google search. Elderly parents cannot yank hard enough to get them open by brute force. God forbid if there was an accident, you would not be able to open to door from inside to get out and others from outside would not be able to open either to assist. Rolling death trap. Hyundai Korea knows about the door cable problem and fixes it for free. USA wants you to pay $400 per door to fix. Shame on you Hyundai USA!!!

NHTSA ODI #11526099

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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