2016 Hyundai Tucson Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
93/100
#2 most-complained of 16 Tucson years
The 2016 Hyundai Tucson ranks 2nd worst out of 16 model years, with 1,619 complaints and a complaint index of 93. Transmission & Powertrain issues lead at 32% of complaints, followed by Engine problems at 31%, backed by 5 recalls.
- Complaints
- 1,619
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 14 / 25
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 25 city / 30 hwy
Top 2016 Hyundai Tucson problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain517 (32%)
- Engine504 (31%)
- Structure & Body385 (24%)
- Other264 (16%)
- Electrical System235 (15%)
- Brakes56 (3%)
- Fuel System56 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers40 (2%)
- Steering22 (1%)
- Airbags15 (1%)
What owners report
- Transmission overheat warnings appear around 40 mph accompanied by smoke from the rear of the vehicle, sometimes recurring multiple times before repair.
- Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while parking, causing low-speed collisions into walls or buildings.
- Engine compartments have caught fire, in one case after the vehicle had already been serviced for transmission and fuel pump issues.
- Steering has seized without warning during low-speed sharp turns, leading to loss of control and collisions with barriers.
- Owners report flickering interior lights, headlight failures, and glitching center console or backup camera displays alongside hard starting.
- Airbags reportedly deployed only briefly (1-2 inches) before deflating during a moderate-speed broadside collision.
2016 Hyundai Tucson recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V543000Sep 4, 2020Brakes652,024 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
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.
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.
- NHTSA 16V842000Nov 21, 2016Structure & Body6,172 vehicles
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."
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 16V628000Aug 30, 2016Electrical System41,000 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
2016 Hyundai Tucson fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Tucson years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
- Compared to other Tucson model years, the 2016 ranks 2nd worst out of 16 years tracked, with a complaint index of 93 and 1,619 total complaints logged with NHTSA.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 32% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 7,498 miles. Engine problems follow closely at 31% of complaints.
- Does the 2016 Hyundai Tucson have transmission recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 16V628000 covers the 7-speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission, addressing driving conditions that required a Transmission Control Module software update.
- How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Tucson have?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Tucson, covering brakes, structure/body (hood latch and trailer hitch harness), and electrical/transmission software.
- How does the 2016 Tucson compare to the 2017 model?
- The 2017 Tucson also carries an Avoid verdict with a complaint index of 80, but the 2016 model's index of 93 is higher, making 2016 the worse of the two.