One of the worst Tucson years
Owners filed about 6.2 times as many complaints as a typical Tucson year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 8,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2020 and 2021.
Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Tucson years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
Owners have filed 1,626 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The most reported problem area is the transmission and drivetrain (518, 32% of complaints), followed by the engine and cooling and the body, doors and structure. That is the most complaints of any Tucson year from 2012 to 2024. It has 5 recalls.
5 of these complaints came from Utah owners.
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Start my car searchMost reported problems
Problem areas ranked by how many complaints mention them. One complaint can name more than one area. Open an area to see what to check on a 2016 Hyundai Tucson before you buy.
Transmission and drivetrain
518 complaintsHarsh or delayed shifts, slipping, shuddering, CVT whine, and drivetrain clunks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
- Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
- Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
- If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Transmission previously replaced after failed Judder test. Transmission is failing again: Last few days the car will accelerate to 15 then it attempts to shift and power drops and pressing the pedal has no response or very little then it changes into what feels like 4th or 5th gear at 20 mph and acceleration is very sluggish and also…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Engine and cooling
430 complaintsStalling, misfires, oil consumption, leaks, overheating and engine failure.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
- Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
- Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
- Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026
The engine is failing at 128,000 miles. The car is burning so much oil that it is impossible to drive more than 500 miles without the oil running dry. The problem has been inspected by the Hyundai dealership nearest me. The vehicle notified me of the oil issue by illuminating the oil light. The issue started after the turbo failed at…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Body, doors and structure
383 complaintsRust, doors and liftgates that will not latch, leaks, and frame or structure concerns.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (221), Doors: latch (128).
What to check before you buy
- Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
- Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.
Tools that help
What owners said
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. To have multiple doors fail at the same time seems like a true design failure / flaw and an inoperable door a true…Owner complaint, filed 2026
All the door locks and actuators/latches are failing. Hyundai claims there is no recall for it, and the price for one door repair is $1384... This is a safety issue since the passenger in the rear seat could not get out in an emergency!Owner complaint, filed 2026
Electrical system
217 complaintsDead batteries, warning lights, failed screens and cameras, and electrical shorts.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
- Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
- Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.
Tools that help
What owners said
Took vehicle to dealership and had it diagnosed for the electrical system faults cause all the dashboard warning lights came on. Shop said it could be bad vacuum pump.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Three power window regulators have failed on my 2016 Hyundai Tucson within a six-month period. The front driver and front passenger windows both failed first and required replacement. The rear driver-side window has now also failed and is currently stuck in the open position. When the failures occur, the window will move up slightly but…Owner complaint, filed 2026
Cruise control and acceleration
112 complaintsHesitation, loss of power, sudden acceleration and cruise control problems.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 8,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
- Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.
Tools that help
What owners said
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 moreOwner complaint, filed 2026
The car did not accelerate after pressing gas pedal all way down. Encountered this while idling and trying to accelerate from a steady speed as well.Owner complaint, filed 2024
Lights, wipers and visibility
69 complaintsHeadlights that dim or fail, wiper and washer failures, and windshield cracks.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 52,000 miles. Parts named most: Power window devices and controls (21).
What to check before you buy
- Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
- Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.
Tools that help
What owners said
The regulators and motors for the automatic windows have failed. The windows do not remain in the closed position causing the window to slide open. The front passenger window motor failed first and the driver's window failed shortly after. Both regulators and motors were replaced by the dealer in April 2024. The back passenger side…Owner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at various speeds, the four windows rolled down independently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the front driver’s side window was replaced; however, the three remaining windows failed to operate as needed. Recently…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 60,000 miles
Brakes and stability control
57 complaintsBrakes that feel soft or grab, grinding, ABS and stability control faults.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 45,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
- The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
- Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.
Tools that help
What owners said
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…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 120,000 miles
Brakes locks and the vehicle do not move. Vehicle was parked. Recently I noticed that the vehicle was breaking by itself instead of keep moving. Until today the vehicle brakes lock and do not move.Owner complaint, filed 2025
Fuel system
56 complaintsHesitation, stalling, fuel smell, fuel pump and injector failures.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 11,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
- On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
- Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Over the last 5-6 years, the 2016 Tucson has experienced an acceleration issue. When making a turn after a stop, the car will not accelerate above 30 mph. The RPMs will go up to 3000-4000, but the car will not go above 30 miles per hour. This has happened 5 times. I have had my mechanic look at the car, but because it was intermittent…Owner complaint, filed 2024
The contact’s daughter owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that his daughter took the vehicle for routine maintenance for an oil change however, the contact’s daughter was informed that gasoline was seen in the oil. No warning light was illuminated. The contact then stated that he took the vehicle to the dealer where it was…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 89,000 miles
Steering
22 complaintsLoss of power steering assist, wandering, play in the wheel and noises when turning.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
- On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
- A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.
Tools that help
What owners said
Purchased a used 2016 Hyundai Tucson, approx. 79,000 miles. A few weeks later I noticed a rattling in the steering column when driving over railroad tracks, rough roads, etc. When sitting stationary, I could rock the steering wheel back and forth and got a clunking sound. Took to the dealership, they wanted $250 just to diagnose. Did my…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Pronounced rattle from the steering column (not the wheel) when going over a rough surface. Vehicle has only 49,000 miles on it. Hyundai dealer checked and determined the rattle was not a safety issue and said a small plastic piece in the steering mechanism had broken and quoted a repair cost of over $1,000. I do not believe the…Owner complaint, filed 2024
Air bags
15 complaintsAir bag warning lights, air bags that did not deploy, and inflator recalls.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 33,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
- Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.
Tools that help
What owners said
Air Bag light is staying on constantly. Took it to the dealer and said it is the Air bag control module. Not covered under extended warranty. Called Hyundai and they said not covered since vehicle is at 69,000 miles. Noticed Hyundai has recalls for air bag modules on other vehicles.Owner complaint, filed 2022
Passenger front airbag is faulty. Dealer stated that there is no obvious reason why it would be damaged. There was a similar recall on these passenger airbags for a previous model.Owner complaint, filed 2021
Suspension
8 complaintsClunks over bumps, broken springs, worn struts and uneven tire wear.What to check before you buy
Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 1,000 miles.
What to check before you buy
- Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
- Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
- Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.
Tools that help
What owners said
Engine is burning oil and has been for sometime. Won’t Accelerate and sputters Tie rods are worn out. This car is a lemon and dangerous to driveOwner complaint, filed 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the starter had failed and needed to be replaced. The starter was replaced. The independent mechanic also informed the contact that the brake pedal needed to be replaced, and the…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 37,861 miles
Seats and seat belts
7 complaintsBelts that will not latch or retract, seat adjusters and passenger occupancy sensors.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
- Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while attempting to buckle the driver's side seat belt, the seat belt failed to buckle securely, and the seat belt failed to retract as designed. The contact had not attempted to pull on the seat belt and the seat belt was unable to buckle securely. The contact had not taken…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 78,361 miles
While driving, the driver seat adjusted causing my seat to move up to the steering wheel. At the time I was on the expressway. I was too terrified to scream, I had to pull over to catch my breathe before I could continue driving to get home. I took my car to Hyundai and the service man stated that it didn't happen when he drove it and…Owner complaint, filed 2022
Driver assist systems
6 complaintsPhantom braking, false collision warnings, and lane keeping or backup sensors that act up.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
- Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
- Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.
Tools that help
What owners said
The contact owns a 2016 hyundai tucson. The contact stated that the forward collision avoidance system did not function as designed. The contact stated that the vehicle was supposed to chime with a warning indicator stating that the sensor was obstructed. After manually blocking the sensor, it did not function. The vehicle was taken to…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 3,113 miles
All the warning lights in the day lit up. Brake, LDWS, AEB, outside air temperature won’t read and the a/c blows hot. $486 to diagnose at dealer and they state that it’s an electrical issue due to a bad vacuum pump. I can’t get an answer as to whether the vacuum pump safety campaign was completed or not. Dealer wants $1500 to replace.Owner complaint, filed 2026
Wheels and tires
2 complaintsTire failures, wheels and lug nuts, and tire pressure sensor faults.What to check before you buy
What to check before you buy
- Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
- Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
- The tire pressure light should go out after startup.
Tools that help
What owners said
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 replacedOwner complaint, filed 2026
Brought brand new august 2015. Many times the car lurches into gear. Several dct transmission hesitates noticeable when accelerating from dead stop. Car has 16,000 miles (but started around 1000 miles), . Dct clutches periodically when at a dead stop will not engage, but once rpm's drop it will start to move, but prior it's like the car…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 1,000 miles
Hyundai Tucson complaints by year
Compare the 2016 with other years before you choose one. Tap a year to see its problems.
Compare with similar 2016 compact SUVs
Each car is rated against its own other years, since popular models always get more complaints than rare ones.
| Car | Vs. its other years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Hyundai Tucson | Among the worst years | 5 |
| 2016 Toyota RAV4 | About average | 3 |
| 2016 Honda CR-V | About average | 3 |
| 2016 Mazda CX-5 | Among the worst years | 5 |
2016 Hyundai Tucson recalls
Brakes Control unit / modulePark outside until fixed
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Electrical system Wiring
- 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.
Full recall summary
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."
Transmission and drivetrain Control module
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Doors, hood and latches
- 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.
Full recall summary
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.
Lights Tail lights
- 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.
Full recall summary
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."
2016 Hyundai Tucson questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
The most reported problem areas on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson are the transmission and drivetrain (518 complaints), the engine and cooling (430 complaints) and the body, doors and structure (383 complaints).
Is the 2016 Hyundai Tucson a good year to buy?
One of the worst Tucson years. Owners filed about 6.2 times as many complaints as a typical Tucson year. The main thing to watch is the transmission and drivetrain, which half of owners reported by about 8,000 miles. Years with fewer complaints: 2020 and 2021. Based on owner complaints to NHTSA, compared with other Tucson years from 2012 to 2024. A good year can still be a bad car, so check the one you are looking at.
How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Tucson have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The most recent, from Sep 2020, covers the control unit / module. One of them tells owners to park outside or not drive the car until it is fixed. Recalls cover the whole model year, so check the VIN of the car you are looking at to see which are still open.
At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Tucson problems start?
Half of the owners who reported a problem with the transmission and drivetrain gave a mileage of about 8,000 miles or less. Half of the owners who reported a problem with the engine and cooling gave a mileage of about 60,000 miles or less. Plenty of cars have these problems later or never, so ask for service records.
Which Hyundai Tucson years should I avoid?
The Tucson years with the most complaints compared with the rest are 2016 and 2017. Years with clearly fewer complaints are 2020 and 2021. Years from 2022 on are too new to rate fairly yet.
Check the exact car
These problems are for the model year as a whole. Here is how to find out about the one you are looking at.
Looking at a 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
We inspect the car with a scan tool and paint gauge, read the history report and tell you whether it is worth the asking price, before you hand over any money.
- Check a specific car for open recalls at NHTSA
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