IllustrationCAR USUALLY BOGS DOWN WHEN STARTING OUT FROM A STOP. LIKE IT ISNT GETTING ANY FUEL. MY CAR IS A TURBO AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS ITS NORMAL FOR TURBOS. BULL!
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
261 reportsTHE DOORS AT TIMES WILL NOT OPEN, POWER WINDOWS WILL NOT GO DOWN. VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN DRIVING. WHEN UNLOCKING DOORS WITH REMOTE, DOORS LOCK BACK ON THEIR OWN.
NOT LONG AFTER THE PURCHASE OF MY 2016 TUCSON, PROBABLY WHEN I FIRST STARTED USING THE AC THE FIRST SUMMER I OWNED IT, I STARTED TO GET SOME MUSTY SMELLS COMING FROM THE VENTS. THIS PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE EACH YEAR AND CHANGING THE CABIN AIR FILTER DOESN'T SEEM TO HELP. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH ANY OTHER CAR…
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NOT LONG AFTER THE PURCHASE OF MY 2016 TUCSON, PROBABLY WHEN I FIRST STARTED USING THE AC THE FIRST SUMMER I OWNED IT, I STARTED TO GET SOME MUSTY SMELLS COMING FROM THE VENTS. THIS PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE EACH YEAR AND CHANGING THE CABIN AIR FILTER DOESN'T SEEM TO HELP. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH ANY OTHER CAR, AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING CARS FOR 40 YEARS. THE SMELL SEEMS TO POP UP IN HUMID WEATHER WHEN USING THE AC. I WORRY THAT THE EVAPORATOR COIL MAY BE GROWING MOLD OR MICROBES.
I CANNOT ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC. THERE IS A HESITATION IN THE ACCELERATOR. SOMETIMES NOTHING HAPPENS, SOMETIMES IT CHUGS FIRST THEN GOES. I HAVE TROUBLE MERGING AND GETTING INTO TRAFFIC. IT IS UNRELIABLE FROM A STATIONARY TO MOVEMENT.
MY VEHICLE STALLS TO ACCELERATE.WHEN I HIT THE GAS IT WILL STALL TO MOVE, IT'S DRAGGING VERY SLOW. THIS IS VERY SCARY WHEN I'M DRIVING AND MY SUV SLOWS DOWN WHEN OTHER CARS ARE DRIVING FAST BEHIND ME.
WHEN IN DRIVING MODE CAR IS SHAKING, VERY OFTEN CAR WOULD STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I AM DRIVING 15 MPH AND WANT TO ACCELERATE OR WHEN I PRESS ACCELERATE PEDAL CAR WOULDN'T REACT. REACTION IS LATE 3,4 SECONDS UNTIL CAR STARTS MOVING.I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE FIRST DAY WE BOUGHT THE CAR..OUR DEALER HYUNDAI GROSINGER D…
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WHEN IN DRIVING MODE CAR IS SHAKING, VERY OFTEN CAR WOULD STOPPED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I AM DRIVING 15 MPH AND WANT TO ACCELERATE OR WHEN I PRESS ACCELERATE PEDAL CAR WOULDN'T REACT. REACTION IS LATE 3,4 SECONDS UNTIL CAR STARTS MOVING.I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE FIRST DAY WE BOUGHT THE CAR..OUR DEALER HYUNDAI GROSINGER DIDN'T WANT TO CHECK IF EVERYTHING WAS OK WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR ENGINE
ON OR ABOUT 8/17/2019, THE DATE AND TIME DISAPPEARED FROM THE DISPLAY. DEALERSHIP STATES THAT IT IS A HYUNDAI SATELLITE COMMUNICATION ERROR AFFECTING 100 OF THOUSANDS VEHICLES. NUMEROUS CONTACTS VIA TWITTER, FACEBOOK AND MYHYUNDAI WEBSITE HAVE NOT BEEN RESPONDED TOO. TELEPHONE CALLS TO HYUNDAI CUSTOMER AWARENESS JUST REPEAT T…
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ON OR ABOUT 8/17/2019, THE DATE AND TIME DISAPPEARED FROM THE DISPLAY. DEALERSHIP STATES THAT IT IS A HYUNDAI SATELLITE COMMUNICATION ERROR AFFECTING 100 OF THOUSANDS VEHICLES. NUMEROUS CONTACTS VIA TWITTER, FACEBOOK AND MYHYUNDAI WEBSITE HAVE NOT BEEN RESPONDED TOO. TELEPHONE CALLS TO HYUNDAI CUSTOMER AWARENESS JUST REPEAT THAT HYUNDAI IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION BUT NO FIX OR SOLUTION IS AVAILABLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE NOT HAVING ACCESS TO THE TIME REQUIRES CHECKING CELL PHONE WHICH IN WASHINGTON STATE IS CONSIDERED DISTRACTED DRIVING AND IS ILLEGAL. SINCE USING VEHICLE FOR WORK, KNOWING THE TIME NUMEROUS TIMES DURING VARIOUS TRIPS AS WELL KIDS CONTINUALLY CHECKING THE TIME ON CELL PHONES A SAFETY ISSUE HAS DEVELOPED AND HYUNDAI IS IGNORING NOT ONLY THE PROBLEM BUT THE CAR OWNERS. NOT HAVING A WORKING CLOCK MAY SEEM TRIVIAL, BUT HAVING TO PICK UP A CELL PHONE TO CHECK THE CURRENT TIME IS DANGEROUS AND WOULD BE UNNECESSARY IF HYUNDAI FIXED A FEATURE THAT CAME WITH THE CAR.
THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHEN SITTING IDLE AND ABOUT TO ACCELERATE TO TURN INTO TRAFFIC, MY CAR HAS STALLED, SHOOK AND ALMOST STOPPED. IN ONE INSTANCE MY CAR WAS IN PARK WHEN I STOPPED TO TAKE SOMETHING OUT OF MY VEHICLE. UPON PUTTING IN DRIVE, THE ENGINE REVVED AND BUT DID NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE. TWO TIMES ALMOST …
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THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHEN SITTING IDLE AND ABOUT TO ACCELERATE TO TURN INTO TRAFFIC, MY CAR HAS STALLED, SHOOK AND ALMOST STOPPED. IN ONE INSTANCE MY CAR WAS IN PARK WHEN I STOPPED TO TAKE SOMETHING OUT OF MY VEHICLE. UPON PUTTING IN DRIVE, THE ENGINE REVVED AND BUT DID NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE. TWO TIMES ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE!! THESE INSTANCES HAPPENED THIS WEEK, DATING 8/17/12019 - 8/19/2019 AT APPROX 23,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. ONCE IN OUR RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, ONCE ON A VERY BUSY 4 LANE HIGHWAY.
I'VE OWNED MY 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON FOR LESS THEN 1 MONTH NOW. ON 3 OCCASSIONS AFTER COMING TO A STOP AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE GAS PEDAL SEEMS TO FAIL. MY RPMS GO UP BUT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T ACCELERATE UNTIL PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL 3 TIMES OR MORE VERY HARD. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 30K MILES ON IT. I WILL BE BRINGING IT TO THE DEALER…
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I'VE OWNED MY 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON FOR LESS THEN 1 MONTH NOW. ON 3 OCCASSIONS AFTER COMING TO A STOP AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE GAS PEDAL SEEMS TO FAIL. MY RPMS GO UP BUT THE VEHICLE DOESN'T ACCELERATE UNTIL PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL 3 TIMES OR MORE VERY HARD. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 30K MILES ON IT. I WILL BE BRINGING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING AND ON COMING TRAFFIC IS COMING BUT THE VEHICLE WON'T MOVE. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY KILL ME IF STRUCK WHILE MERGING ON TO THE FREEWAY. I'M NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE AND FEAR FOR MY SAFETY. A RECALL SHOULD BE MADE OUT TO PULL THESE OFF THE ROADS!!
LATCHING/LOCKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK ON THE PASSENGER FRONT, AND BOTH REAR DOORS. UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK DOORS FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR WILL OPEN FROM THE INSIDE BUT MUST BE PULLED 3 TIMES TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. ONCE THE DOOR HAS BEEN OPENED INITIALLY IT WILL CLOSE AND OPEN WITHOUT PROBLEM. AFTER…
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LATCHING/LOCKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK ON THE PASSENGER FRONT, AND BOTH REAR DOORS. UNABLE TO OPEN THE BACK DOORS FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR WILL OPEN FROM THE INSIDE BUT MUST BE PULLED 3 TIMES TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. ONCE THE DOOR HAS BEEN OPENED INITIALLY IT WILL CLOSE AND OPEN WITHOUT PROBLEM. AFTER THE LOCK HAS BEEN ENGAGED AND UNLOCKED AGAIN, THE DOOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER FRONT MUST BE PULLED 3 TIMES IN ORDER TO OPEN.
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.