YearToAvoid

2016 Hyundai Tucson Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2016 Hyundai Tucson ranks 2nd-worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 95 and 1,619 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Transmission & powertrain (32%) and engine (31%) issues dominate, backed by 5 recalls including a dual-clutch transmission software fix.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
95/100
#2 of 21 Tucson years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
1,619
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
5
1 Park Outside
Crashes
14
reported in complaints
Fires
25
Injuries
7
Top issue
Transmission & Powertrain
Best nearby year
2009
rated Good
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
27
25 city / 30 hwy
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0

Top 2016 Hyundai Tucson problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain517 (32%)
  2. Engine504 (31%)
  3. Structure & Body385 (24%)
  4. Other264 (16%)
  5. Electrical System235 (15%)
  6. Brakes56 (3%)
  7. Fuel System56 (3%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers40 (2%)
  9. Steering22 (1%)
  10. Airbags15 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Transmission overheat warnings and smoke from the rear of the vehicle while driving around 40 mph, sometimes recurring multiple times.
  • Sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, leading to collisions with stationary objects.
  • Transmission slipping or hesitation on acceleration starting within a week of purchase and recurring afterward.
  • Steering wheel seizing without warning during a sharp low-speed turn, causing loss of control.
  • Engine compartment fires accompanied by rumbling noise, loss of power, and smoke after highway driving.
  • Airbag deploying only partially before deflating during a broadside collision.
2016 Hyundai Tucson complaints: complaints filed per quarter1612015 Q42017 Q22018 Q42020 Q22021 Q42023 Q22024 Q42026 Q2
1,619 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2016 Q3 (161).

2016 Hyundai Tucson recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

See all 5 recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson →

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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Caution35201222.5
2015Caution45227123
2016Avoid951,619527
2017Avoid851,086327
2018Avoid75396124.5

All Hyundai Tucson years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Tucson ranks 2nd-worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 95, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Tucson years.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
NHTSA complaint data shows Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 32% of complaints and Engine issues make up 31%, with a median mileage at failure of 29,363 miles overall.
Does the 2016 Hyundai Tucson have transmission recalls?
Yes. Recall 16V628000 covers the 7-speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission control module software, and recall 20V543000 covers a brake HECU fuse issue that expanded to include 2016-2018 Tucson models.
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 system components.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
EPA rates the 2016 Tucson at 27 mpg combined (25 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,450.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.