2016 Hyundai Tucson Problems and Recalls (1,620 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson is Transmission / driveline (25% of 1,620 owner reports). There are 5 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-10-15 1,620 complaints · 5 recalls

What problems show up on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?

413 of 1,620 filings named Transmission / driveline (25% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Engine (256 reports).

There are 5 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Lights, Electrical, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2015 has 226 reports on file; this year has 1,620. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2016 Hyundai Tucson

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 5 campaigns on file below.
  2. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  3. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  4. Body / frame. Look for rust, collision repair and body gaps that do not match a clean truck.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Transmission / driveline. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Transmission / driveline 413 complaints · 25.5% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 14
  • Fires 26
  • Injuries 7
  • Deaths 0
All Hyundai Tucson years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) appears in 413 of 1,620 owner complaints (25.5%) in this vehicle snapshot. Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 413 complaints, 25.5% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 3 crash reports 3 fire reports 413 · 25.5% Engine (ENGINE): 256 complaints, 15.8% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 12 fire reports 256 · 15.8% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 188 complaints, 11.6% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 188 · 11.6% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 109 complaints, 6.7% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 1 crash reports 1 fire reports 109 · 6.7% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 93 complaints, 5.7% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 3 crash reports 93 · 5.7% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 37 complaints, 2.3% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 1 crash reports 37 · 2.3% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 32 complaints, 2.0% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 1 fire reports 32 · 2.0% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 30 complaints, 1.9% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 2 crash reports 2 fire reports 30 · 1.9% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 22 complaints, 1.4% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 22 · 1.4% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 643 complaints, 39.7% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 4 crash reports 6 fire reports 643 · 39.7% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 413 25.5% 3 crashes · 3 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 256 15.8% 0 crashes · 12 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 188 11.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 109 6.7% 1 crashes · 1 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 93 5.7% 3 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 37 2.3% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 32 2.0% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 30 1.9% 2 crashes · 2 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 22 1.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 643 39.7% 4 crashes · 6 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-10-15 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2015; the first recall shown was reported in Mar 2016. 2015-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2016-Q2: 62 owner reports 62 2016-Q3: 161 owner reports 161 2016-Q4: 33 owner reports 33 2017-Q1: 32 owner reports 32 2017-Q2: 31 owner reports 31 2017-Q3: 33 owner reports 33 2017-Q4: 19 owner reports 19 2018-Q1: 14 owner reports 14 2018-Q2: 19 owner reports 19 2018-Q3: 23 owner reports 23 2018-Q4: 17 owner reports 17 2019-Q1: 16 owner reports 16 2019-Q2: 22 owner reports 22 2019-Q3: 37 owner reports 37 2019-Q4: 37 owner reports 37 2020-Q1: 22 owner reports 22 2020-Q2: 20 owner reports 20 2020-Q3: 49 owner reports 49 2020-Q4: 50 owner reports 50 2021-Q1: 100 owner reports 100 2021-Q2: 118 owner reports 118 2021-Q3: 71 owner reports 71 2021-Q4: 29 owner reports 29 2022-Q1: 41 owner reports 41 2022-Q2: 50 owner reports 50 2022-Q3: 52 owner reports 52 2022-Q4: 28 owner reports 28 2023-Q1: 53 owner reports 53 2023-Q2: 47 owner reports 47 2023-Q3: 49 owner reports 49 2023-Q4: 27 owner reports 27 2024-Q1: 35 owner reports 35 2024-Q2: 29 owner reports 29 2024-Q3: 27 owner reports 27 2024-Q4: 30 owner reports 30 2025-Q1: 14 owner reports 14 2025-Q2: 16 owner reports 16 2025-Q3: 28 owner reports 28 2025-Q4: 18 owner reports 18 2026-Q1: 26 owner reports 26 2026-Q2: 19 owner reports 19 2026-Q3: 10 owner reports 10 2026-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Oct 2015 Oct 2026 Recall campaign 16V147000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V147000 Recall campaign 16V348000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V348000 Recall campaign 16V628000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V628000 Recall campaign 16V842000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V842000 Recall campaign 20V543000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V543000 Investigation DP22003 ● Investigation DP22003
  • Campaign 16V348000 was reported 144 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 16V628000 was reported 33 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 16V842000 was reported 116 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 20V543000 was reported 1,251 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2015-Q4 Owner reports 1
2016-Q1 Owner reports 4
2016-Q2 Owner reports 62
2016-Q3 Owner reports 161
2016-Q4 Owner reports 33
2017-Q1 Owner reports 32
2017-Q2 Owner reports 31
2017-Q3 Owner reports 33
2017-Q4 Owner reports 19
2018-Q1 Owner reports 14
2018-Q2 Owner reports 19
2018-Q3 Owner reports 23
2018-Q4 Owner reports 17
2019-Q1 Owner reports 16
2019-Q2 Owner reports 22
2019-Q3 Owner reports 37
2019-Q4 Owner reports 37
2020-Q1 Owner reports 22
2020-Q2 Owner reports 20
2020-Q3 Owner reports 49
2020-Q4 Owner reports 50
2021-Q1 Owner reports 100
2021-Q2 Owner reports 118
2021-Q3 Owner reports 71
2021-Q4 Owner reports 29
2022-Q1 Owner reports 41
2022-Q2 Owner reports 50
2022-Q3 Owner reports 52
2022-Q4 Owner reports 28
2023-Q1 Owner reports 53
2023-Q2 Owner reports 47
2023-Q3 Owner reports 49
2023-Q4 Owner reports 27
2024-Q1 Owner reports 35
2024-Q2 Owner reports 29
2024-Q3 Owner reports 27
2024-Q4 Owner reports 30
2025-Q1 Owner reports 14
2025-Q2 Owner reports 16
2025-Q3 Owner reports 28
2025-Q4 Owner reports 18
2026-Q1 Owner reports 26
2026-Q2 Owner reports 19
2026-Q3 Owner reports 10
2026-Q4 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 16V147000
Recall campaign 1 16V348000
Recall campaign 1 16V628000
Recall campaign 1 16V842000
Recall campaign 1 20V543000
Defect investigation 1 DP22003
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-10-15 Open source record

Safety Recalls (5)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Lights, Electrical, and Brakes.

  1. Recall campaign 16V147000

    Lights

    Report date
    Component:
    Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 16V348000

    Safety recall 16V348000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 16V628000

    Electrical

    Report date
    Component:
    Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 16V842000

    Electrical

    Report date
    Component:
    Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 20V543000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-10-14
Safety incident filters
Showing 7 of 1,620 complaints · page 1 of 65
2026-10-05Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11769087
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Hello, Hyundai Corp has a Warranty extension TSB 21-BD-OO6H. I am 9 months out of warranty. I have 3 doors having issues opening with the door actuators. I am worried either myself or family member will get stuck in car upon an emergency. Hyundai Corp saying they will not pay for repair because warranty expired 8/9 months ago. I am out of work [XXX] and could use your help with this issue. Thank you for helping , [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2026-09-28Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11767565
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 approximately 15 MPH, the contact noticed a yanking sensation before the vehicle began slowing down on its own. The contact drove the vehicle back to her residence, where she noticed a burning smell. Once stopped, she observed smoke and discovered that the brake caliper had caught on fire. The contact extinguished the fire herself using a garden hose, and the vehicle was subsequently towed to the dealer. The contact noted that weeks prior to this incident, the vehicle's brakes suddenly locked up on their own with no warning while driving at an undisclosed speed. The contact stated occasionally there was burning odor with smoke but could not tell where it was coming from. The dealer has confirmed that the ABS breaks need to be replaced. The contact stated the calipers were replaced twice before, now that the brakes had caught fire they recommend the ABS module to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.
2026-09-22WHEELS
NHTSA ODI 11766204
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 replaced
2026-09-21Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11765922
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 hazard.A certified Hyundai dealership diagnosed the vehicle and pulled fault codes P073F73, P073F77 (Unable to Engage Gear 1), and P092177 (Gear Shift Forward Actuator Circuit Performance). These codes explicitly confirm a total mechanical and electrical failure of the transmission shift actuators.This failure mirrors the exact safety risks and clutch-slippage/engagement defects outlined in federal Safety Recall Campaign 149 (NHTSA Campaign Number 16V574000). Hyundai Corporate refused to provide any goodwill coverage, citing that the vehicle is out of its standard warranty period. However, the failure of these actuators is a direct consequence of the known, recurring manufacturing defect that prompted the initial federal safety recall. The vehicle remains an unresolved safety hazard.
2026-09-09Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11763199
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The vehicle unexpectedly entered 'Limp Mode' due to engine tracking code P1326. The vehicle severely restricts engine power and RPMs while driving on public roads, preventing normal acceleration. This creates a severe safety hazard as the vehicle cannot safely merge into oncoming traffic, accelerate away from intersections, or maintain basic road speeds, putting me at a high risk of being rear-ended.The fault is under Hyundai Theta II Txxm. I have been given the runaround by both hyunday corporate and the local dealer.
2026-08-15Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)
NHTSA ODI 11757119
CrashFireInjuryDeath
This problem was observed about 1 month ago: While driving and headlights set on AUTO, during the day, and the light switch NOT on, the dashboard would indicate the lights were ON, for just a second or two, and would go off. At night with the headlights set on AUTO and the headlights ON, while driving, the headlights go OFF and ON briefly (1-3 seconds) causing a dangerous situation as visibility of road is lost. This condition was initially observed at night, after using the turn signals (left/right), but is now happening with greater frequency while driving without using turn signals. I Will schedule a visit with dealership to report/confirm problem.
2026-08-03Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11754445
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 safety hazard.

Hyundai Tucson Complaints and Recalls by Year

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?

Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 413 of 1,620 reports (25%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Lights, Electrical, and Brakes. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2016 Hyundai Tucson?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-10-04 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-10-04
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-10-14. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources