Car Record Book

2016 Hyundai Tucson recalls & problems

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson has 5 safety recalls and 1,626 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (519 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints1,626filed by owners
Crashes · fires14 · 26reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths7 · 0reported in complaints
2016 Hyundai Tucson in an NHTSA crash test
2016 Hyundai Tucson in an NHTSA crash test

1 recall for this model year carries an NHTSA park outside advisory. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

NHTSA recall 20V543000 · Sep 4, 2020 · 652,024 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)

NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from buildings until repaired (fire risk).

Problem: 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.

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. 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.

Trailer hitches

NHTSA recall 16V842000 · Nov 21, 2016 · 6,172 vehicles

Problem: 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."

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. 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.

Components: Trailer hitches; Electrical system › Wiring

Electrical system › Software

NHTSA recall 16V628000 · Aug 30, 2016 · 41,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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. 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.

Components: Electrical system › Software; Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch

NHTSA recall 16V348000 · May 24, 2016 · 81,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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. 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.

Exterior lighting › Tail lights

NHTSA recall 16V147000 · Mar 10, 2016 · 2,263 vehicles

Problem: 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."

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. 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2016 Hyundai Tucson NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2016 Hyundai Tucson NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

2016 Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk16.2%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2016 Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk15.5%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2016 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell SUV FWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Tucson Fuel Cell FCV

50mpg combined
City / highway49 / 51 mpg
FuelHydrogen

Automatic (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive

Tucson Eco FWD

28mpg combined
City / highway26 / 32 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM7) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

Tucson FWD

27mpg combined
City / highway25 / 30 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM7) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Tucson Eco AWD

27mpg combined
City / highway25 / 30 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM7) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Tucson FWD

26mpg combined
City / highway23 / 30 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Tucson AWD

25mpg combined
City / highway24 / 28 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM7) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Tucson AWD

23mpg combined
City / highway21 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Power train
Automatic transmission; Clutch assembly
5194307,500 mi
Engine
424217256,000 mi
Unknown or other
26436039,300 mi
Structure
Body; Body › Door
22711159,500 mi
Electrical system
Software; Ignition › Anti-theft › Immobilizer/proximity › Key/sender
21727253,900 mi
Latches/locks/linkages
Doors › Latch; Doors › Lock
15800064,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
1124117,500 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
551129,600 mi
Service brakes
3524062,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Turn signal › Flasher unit; Headlights
3000045,000 mi
Visibility
Power window devices and controls; Glass, side/rear
3010164,000 mi
Steering
2210050,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations