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2016 Hyundai Tucson: Recalls, Complaints and Vehicle Data

Records last imported Oct 31, 2026 · Published · By CarTold Editorial Team

Owner complaints
1,626
4.2× the typical year
Open investigations
0
1 closed on file
Combined MPG
23–50
EPA rating
Recall campaigns
5

Before you buy a 2016 Tucson

  • Recalls vs. other years

    With 5 recall campaigns, the 2016 Tucson has the most of the six model years we cover (2016–2021); the quietest year has 1.

  • Where complaints cluster

    Complaints concentrate on the power train: 32% of the 1,626 on file. The top components are power train (514, of which 4 mention a crash and 3 a fire), engine (229, of which 9 a fire and 1 an injury) and structure (195, of which 1 mentions a crash, 1 a fire and 1 an injury). Across all 1,626 reports, 14 describe a crash, 26 a fire and 6 at least one injury.

  • Complaints vs. other years

    Owners have filed 1,626 complaints about the 2016 Tucson, about 4.2 times the typical Tucson year (391). It is also the oldest year we cover, so it has had the longest to collect reports.

  • Recent reports

    74 complaints (5% of the total) were filed in the last 12 months, a slow but steady flow of new reports, most often about the engine (23).

  • Fuel economy and running cost

    Its most efficient version (1.6-litre 4-cylinder) is rated 28 mpg combined, better than most for the 2016 SUVs we cover (median 24 mpg across 40 other EPA listings); the thirstiest version is rated 23 mpg. At 15,000 miles a year and the national average regular gasoline price of $4.28 (EIA, week of Oct 19, 2026), fuel would cost about $2,290 a year in the most efficient version and about $2,790 in the thirstiest.

Body class
SUV
Drive types
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Complaint trends

1,626 complaints on file with NHTSA, by category.

Other 552 (34%)
Drivetrain 516 (32%)
Engine 284 (17%)
Electrical 162 (10%)
Visibility & lighting 45 (3%)
Brakes 35 (2%)
Steering 22 (1%)
Airbag 9 (1%)
Fuel system 1 (0%)

Top components as NHTSA logged them:

  • Power train — 318 complaints (20%)
  • Engine — 218 complaints (13%)
  • Structure — 178 complaints (11%)
  • Unknown or other — 157 complaints (10%)
  • Latches/locks/linkages — 145 complaints (9%)
  • Electrical system — 65 complaints (4%)

What owners told NHTSA

Short excerpts from owner reports submitted to NHTSA. They are unverified and describe one vehicle each.

“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.”

Engine · received Oct 2026

“The driver side door will no longer open from the outside. I have to crawl through the passenger side to open the door from the inside. According to a Google search, this is a common issue with this car.”

Latches/locks/linkages · received Apr 2024

“Door latch issue. Driver's side door has to be pulled multiple times after unlocking to open from the exterior. Passenger side door latch has become completely inoperable and does not open from the interior or exterior now.”

Structure · received Aug 2026

Recalls

5 campaigns on file. Check a specific car with our VIN recall check.

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module · 20V543000 · 2020-09-04
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.

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: 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.

Electrical system:wiring · 16V842000 · 2016-11-21
If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) · 16V628000 · 2016-08-30
Inability to move the vehicle while in traffic may increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:LATCH · 16V348000 · 2016-05-24
If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch cannot secure the hood, the hood may unexpectedly open while driving, increasing th…

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: 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.

Exterior lighting:tail lights · 16V147000 · 2016-03-10
Failure to illuminate the trailer's turn signal lights would prevent the communication of the driver's intent, increasing the risk of a crash.

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: 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.

Investigations

DP22003 (DP) Closed

Engine

Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12

NHTSA summary

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 complai…

Manufacturer communications

Service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. They are not recalls.

Electrical system 27 documents (2018-09-24 – 2024-09-11)
DateTypeComponent
2024-09-11 general service procedure Electrical system
2024-06-29 service bulletin Electrical system
2024-05-10 general service procedure Electrical system
2024-05-09 general service procedure Electrical system
2024-02-12 service bulletin Electrical system, electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module
2024-02-01 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment:electrical:anti-theft devices
2024-01-22 service bulletin Electrical system
2023-12-19 service bulletin Electrical system
2023-11-10 service bulletin Electrical system, electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:immobilizer/proximity:…
2023-08-17 service bulletin Electrical system
2023-08-17 service bulletin Electrical system, power train
2023-07-10 service bulletin Electrical system, electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:immobilizer/proximity:…
2023-07-10 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment:electrical:anti-theft devices
2023-06-08 service bulletin Electrical system, electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module
2023-05-12 service bulletin Electrical system
2023-04-06 service bulletin Electrical system, visibility:power window devices and controls
2022-03-10 service bulletin Electrical system, engine and engine cooling
2022-03-08 service bulletin Electrical system, engine and engine cooling
2021-12-23 service bulletin Electrical system
2020-08-10 service bulletin Electrical system, steering:column, steering:automated/adaptive steering:motor/…
2020-04-23 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment
2020-01-16 service bulletin Electrical system
2019-11-15 service bulletin Electrical system
2019-07-10 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment
2019-04-15 service bulletin Electrical system, power train
2019-01-30 service bulletin Electrical system
2018-09-24 service bulletin Electrical system, equipment
Engine and engine cooling 22 documents (2020-02-18 – 2024-03-08)
DateTypeComponent
2024-03-08 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2023-10-13 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2023-07-11 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2022-07-28 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2022-04-28 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2022-04-28 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2022-04-28 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2022-04-28 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2022-04-28 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2022-04-15 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2022-04-15 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2022-04-15 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2022-01-03 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling, electrical system:software
2021-12-21 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2021-11-03 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2021-11-03 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2021-10-27 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2021-10-27 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2021-10-25 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling
2021-03-30 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling, equipment
2021-03-10 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling, equipment
2020-02-18 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling, equipment adaptive/mobility, electrical system:softw…
Electrical system:software 13 documents (2015-10-01 – 2021-12-23)
DateTypeComponent
2021-12-23 service bulletin Electrical system:software
2020-02-18 service bulletin Electrical system:software, engine and engine cooling, equipment adaptive/mobil…
2018-11-12 service bulletin Electrical system:software
2018-02-27 service bulletin Electrical system:software
2018-02-26 service bulletin Electrical system:software, electrical system
2017-03-16 service bulletin Electrical system:software, power train:automatic transmission:cooling unit and…
2016-11-14 service bulletin Electrical system:software
2016-11-14 service bulletin Electrical system:software, power train:automatic transmission
2016-11-14 service bulletin Electrical system:software
2016-11-14 service bulletin Electrical system:software
2016-09-06 service bulletin Electrical system:software, power train:automatic transmission
2016-08-17 service bulletin Electrical system:software
2015-10-01 service bulletin Electrical system:software, engine
Power train 11 documents (2016-04-01 – 2024-04-09)
DateTypeComponent
2024-04-09 service bulletin Power train
2020-10-13 service bulletin Power train
2020-05-21 service bulletin Power train
2020-05-07 service bulletin Power train
2020-04-09 service bulletin Power train, equipment, equipment adaptive/mobility
2020-01-02 service bulletin Power train
2019-06-04 service bulletin Power train
2019-02-12 service bulletin Power train
2019-01-23 service bulletin Power train
2018-04-30 service bulletin Power train, equipment, power train:manual transmission:internal:gears
2016-04-01 service bulletin Power train
Equipment 10 documents (2018-08-08 – 2022-05-19)
DateTypeComponent
2022-05-19 service bulletin Equipment, power train
2022-01-21 service bulletin Equipment, engine and engine cooling
2020-09-09 service bulletin Equipment, steering
2020-05-01 service bulletin Equipment
2020-02-20 service bulletin Equipment, equipment adaptive/mobility, electrical system, power train
2020-02-18 service bulletin Equipment, equipment adaptive/mobility, electrical system:software, engine and …
2019-12-17 service bulletin Equipment, power train
2019-10-18 service bulletin Equipment, equipment:electrical
2018-09-24 service bulletin Equipment
2018-08-08 service bulletin Equipment
Equipment adaptive/mobility 6 documents (2019-08-12 – 2020-04-17)
DateTypeComponent
2020-04-17 service bulletin Equipment adaptive/mobility, power train, equipment:other:owners/service/other …
2020-03-23 service bulletin Equipment adaptive/mobility
2020-02-27 service bulletin Equipment adaptive/mobility, equipment, engine and engine cooling
2019-10-18 service bulletin Equipment adaptive/mobility
2019-10-14 service bulletin Equipment adaptive/mobility
2019-08-12 service bulletin Equipment adaptive/mobility, engine, power train:automatic transmission
Service brakes 5 documents (2019-04-24 – 2021-03-23)
DateTypeComponent
2021-03-23 service bulletin Service brakes, equipment, equipment adaptive/mobility
2020-11-30 service bulletin Service brakes
2020-03-25 service bulletin Service brakes, air:antilock:wheel speed sensor
2019-04-24 service bulletin Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum, service brakes
2019-04-24 service bulletin Service brakes, hydraulic, service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Trailer hitches 5 documents (2016-04-01 – 2016-04-27)
DateTypeComponent
2016-04-27 service bulletin Trailer hitches
2016-04-27 service bulletin Trailer hitches
2016-04-05 service bulletin Trailer hitches
2016-04-05 service bulletin Trailer hitches
2016-04-01 service bulletin Trailer hitches
Show all 41 categories
Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system) 4 documents (2016-05-10 – 2020-06-15)
DateTypeComponent
2020-06-15 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system), electrical…
2017-12-20 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
2016-06-21 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
2016-05-10 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
Power train:automatic transmission 4 documents (2016-02-01 – 2018-04-06)
DateTypeComponent
2018-04-06 service bulletin Power train:automatic transmission, equipment
2016-09-07 service bulletin Power train:automatic transmission
2016-09-02 service bulletin Power train:automatic transmission
2016-02-01 service bulletin Power train:automatic transmission
Electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery 4 documents (2016-04-01 – 2017-08-09)
DateTypeComponent
2017-08-09 service bulletin Electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery
2016-04-20 service bulletin Electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery
2016-04-20 service bulletin Electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery
2016-04-01 service bulletin Electrical system:12V/24V/48V battery
Air bags 3 documents (2024-10-17 – 2024-11-26)
DateTypeComponent
2024-11-26 warranty extension Air bags
2024-10-17 warranty extension Air bags
2024-10-17 warranty extension Air bags
Engine 2 documents (2019-04-19 – 2024-08-19)
DateTypeComponent
2024-08-19 general service procedure Engine
2019-04-19 service bulletin Engine, engine and engine cooling
Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module 2 documents (2023-10-26 – 2023-11-10)
DateTypeComponent
2023-11-10 service bulletin Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module, electrical system
2023-10-26 service bulletin Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:control module, electrical system
Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:immobilizer/proximity:sensor 2 documents (2023-04-13)
DateTypeComponent
2023-04-13 service bulletin Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:immobilizer/proximity:sensor, electrical …
2023-04-13 service bulletin Electrical system:ignition:anti-theft:immobilizer/proximity:sensor, electrical …
Visibility 2 documents (2019-03-13 – 2023-01-30)
DateTypeComponent
2023-01-30 service bulletin Visibility
2019-03-13 service bulletin Visibility, visibility:rearview mirrors/devices
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual 2 documents (2016-09-09 – 2022-11-03)
DateTypeComponent
2022-11-03 service bulletin Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual, engine and engine cooling, engine …
2016-09-09 service bulletin Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Tires 2 documents (2020-11-19 – 2022-07-14)
DateTypeComponent
2022-07-14 service bulletin Tires
2020-11-19 service bulletin Tires, wheels
Exterior lighting 2 documents (2016-04-27 – 2020-07-14)
DateTypeComponent
2020-07-14 service bulletin Exterior lighting, equipment adaptive/mobility, equipment
2016-04-27 service bulletin Exterior lighting, trailer hitches
Suspension 2 documents (2017-09-15 – 2020-02-05)
DateTypeComponent
2020-02-05 service bulletin Suspension
2017-09-15 service bulletin Suspension
Steering 2 documents (2019-04-22 – 2020-01-03)
DateTypeComponent
2020-01-03 service bulletin Steering
2019-04-22 service bulletin Steering
Lane departure 2 documents (2019-05-16 – 2019-11-04)
DateTypeComponent
2019-11-04 service bulletin Lane departure, back over prevention
2019-05-16 service bulletin Lane departure, forward collision avoidance
Equipment:electrical 2 documents (2017-08-03 – 2017-09-06)
DateTypeComponent
2017-09-06 service bulletin Equipment:electrical, equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc.
2017-08-03 service bulletin Equipment:electrical
Power train:manual transmission 2 documents (2016-04-18 – 2016-08-02)
DateTypeComponent
2016-08-02 service bulletin Power train:manual transmission
2016-04-18 service bulletin Power train:manual transmission
Visibility/wiper 1 document (2024-02-14)
DateTypeComponent
2024-02-14 service bulletin Visibility/wiper, visibility
Equipment:electrical:anti-theft devices 1 document (2024-02-01)
DateTypeComponent
2024-02-01 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:anti-theft devices, electrical system
Structure:body 1 document (2023-04-24)
DateTypeComponent
2023-04-24 service bulletin Structure:body
Engine and engine cooling:engine:crank/camshaft position sensor 1 document (2022-11-03)
DateTypeComponent
2022-11-03 service bulletin Engine and engine cooling:engine:crank/camshaft position sensor, engine and eng…
Power train:automatic transmission:control module:software 1 document (2021-08-19)
DateTypeComponent
2021-08-19 service bulletin Power train:automatic transmission:control module:software, power train
Latches/locks/linkages 1 document (2021-05-19)
DateTypeComponent
2021-05-19 service bulletin Latches/locks/linkages
Equipment adaptive/mobility:vehicle controls:speed control 1 document (2021-02-12)
DateTypeComponent
2021-02-12 service bulletin Equipment adaptive/mobility:vehicle controls:speed control, power train
Wheels 1 document (2020-05-06)
DateTypeComponent
2020-05-06 service bulletin Wheels, tires
Structure 1 document (2019-10-02)
DateTypeComponent
2019-10-02 service bulletin Structure
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly 1 document (2019-10-02)
DateTypeComponent
2019-10-02 service bulletin Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Electrical system:propulsion system:fuel cell 1 document (2018-04-25)
DateTypeComponent
2018-04-25 service bulletin Electrical system:propulsion system:fuel cell, electrical system:12V/24V/48V ba…
Equipment:appliance:air conditioner 1 document (2018-04-02)
DateTypeComponent
2018-04-02 service bulletin Equipment:appliance:air conditioner, equipment
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc. 1 document (2017-12-21)
DateTypeComponent
2017-12-21 service bulletin Equipment:electrical:radio/tape deck/CD etc.
Power train:automatic transmission:torque converter 1 document (2017-10-04)
DateTypeComponent
2017-10-04 service bulletin Power train:automatic transmission:torque converter
Electrical system:wiring 1 document (2016-12-22)
DateTypeComponent
2016-12-22 service bulletin Electrical system:wiring, trailer hitches
Power train:axle assembly 1 document (2016-08-09)
DateTypeComponent
2016-08-09 service bulletin Power train:axle assembly, power train:automatic transmission:control module (t…
Structure:body:door 1 document (2016-02-01)
DateTypeComponent
2016-02-01 service bulletin Structure:body:door, electrical system:wiring

155 communications on file, grouped into 41 categories.

Fuel economy

TrimEngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyCombined
Tucson Fuel Cell — Automatic (A1) Front-Wheel Drive 49 51 50
Tucson Eco FWD 1.6L 4cyl Automatic (AM7) Front-Wheel Drive 26 32 28
Tucson Eco AWD 1.6L 4cyl Automatic (AM7) All-Wheel Drive 25 30 27
Tucson FWD 1.6L 4cyl Automatic (AM7) Front-Wheel Drive 25 30 27
Tucson FWD 2.0L 4cyl Automatic (S6) Front-Wheel Drive 23 30 26
Tucson AWD 1.6L 4cyl Automatic (AM7) All-Wheel Drive 24 28 25
Tucson AWD 2.0L 4cyl Automatic (S6) All-Wheel Drive 21 26 23

Fuel cost calculator

Safety ratings

ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRollover
2016 Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD ★★★★★ 5/5 5/5 5/5 4/5
2016 Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD ★★★★★ 5/5 5/5 5/5 4/5

Built from NHTSA, EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and EIA records with fixed rules; complaint counts reflect reporting, not defect rates. How we make CarTold · Methodology · Buyer guides