YearToAvoid

2016 Hyundai Tucson Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 517 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, 32% of all 1,619 complaints that year, the highest share of any model year for this component. Median mileage at failure is 7,498, and no related recalls are listed.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
517
32% of 1,619
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
7,498 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the dual-clutch transmission hesitates or delays several seconds when accelerating from a stop at lights, stop signs, or on ramps.
  • Some describe the vehicle jerking or vibrating through the drive axles even after a dealer transmission control module software update.
  • Several owners say the car unexpectedly slows down on its own while driving on the highway, risking a rear-end collision.
  • One owner reported a transmission overheat warning light with smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle while driving 40 mph.
  • Multiple complaints describe the transmission ignoring manual shift mode and staying in drive even when the shifter is moved.
  • Owners also report sudden loss of power or the engine revving without the car moving, occurring repeatedly within the same trip.

When 2016 Hyundai Tucson transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 14, 2015, latest Sep 21, 2026.

2016 Hyundai Tucson transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter1362015 Q42017 Q22018 Q42020 Q22021 Q42023 Q22025 Q12026 Q3
517 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2015 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2016 Q3 (136).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Tucson model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200516 (9%)
  2. 20068 (6%)
  3. 20076 (9%)
  4. 20082 (5%)
  5. 20090 (0%)
  6. 201022 (37%)
  7. 201120 (16%)
  8. 201226 (10%)
  9. 201316 (6%)
  10. 201411 (5%)
  11. 201520 (9%)
  12. 2016517 (32%)
  13. 2017290 (27%)
  14. 2018101 (26%)
  15. 201941 (11%)
  16. 20209 (5%)
  17. 20218 (10%)
  18. 202263 (17%)
  19. 202314 (11%)
  20. 20244 (4%)
  21. 202515 (5%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
NHTSA lists 517 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2016 Tucson, which is 32% of all 1,619 complaints filed for that model year, the largest share among all Tucson model years.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
No related recalls are listed in the NHTSA data for this component on the 2016 Tucson.
At what mileage do 2016 Tucson transmission problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure among these complaints is 7,498 miles, indicating many issues appeared early in ownership.
What kind of transmission symptoms do 2016 Tucson owners report?
Owners describe hesitation when accelerating from a stop, jerking or vibration, unexpected slowdowns on the highway, and the transmission ignoring manual shift commands.
Did any 2016 Tucson transmission complaints involve crashes or fires?
Yes, NHTSA data shows 4 crashes and 3 fires among the 517 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2016 Tucson, with 0 injuries reported.

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.