Owner complaint record
2016 Hyundai Tucson Problems and Recalls: What Owners Report
This page shows the problems 2016 Hyundai Tucson owners reported to NHTSA, the federal agency that tracks car safety: 1,616 complaints sorted by system, the mileage they started at, the check engine codes owners named, and the recalls to check before you buy.
NHTSA owner complaintsChecked Oct 2, 20261,616 complaintsFederal file of Aug 25, 2026
+615% vs 2015, most of any Tucson year
513 complaints, 32% of the total
half of the powertrain reports that give a mileage came before this
6 mention an injury, 24 a fire
The powertrain leads the 2016 Hyundai Tucson record at 32%, with engine close behind. Of the powertrain reports that give a mileage, half came before 7,500 miles. The costliest part on our cost list is the front window regulator, $67 to $249 for the part alone.
It's a count of reports, not a failure rate. Use it to decide what to inspect before buying, not to grade the car.
Door complaints are filed under three systems on this car, and nearly all of them describe doors that won't unlock or open from inside or out.
2016 Hyundai Tucson overview
The 2016 Tucson came with a 2.0-liter four and a six-speed automatic, or a 1.6-liter turbo with a seven-speed automated manual, the dual-clutch kind, in front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Owners filed 7 times as many complaints about the 2016 as the 2015 (226), and the powertrain leads only in 2016. The 2017 drew 1,081, with engine named most.
- Power
- 164 hp at 6,200 rpm
- Torque
- 151 lb-ft
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Direct injection
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
- Power
- 175 hp at 5,500 rpm
- Torque
- 195 lb-ft
- Gearbox
- 7-speed automated manual
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Direct injection
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
Fuel economy from EPA fueleconomy.gov; power and torque from Kelley Blue Book's spec pages.
Is the 2016 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
Owners filed more complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Tucson than about any other Tucson year, and the powertrain draws the largest share. The four checks below are what the federal record can say; none of them is a reliability score.
- 1stCompared with other Tucson years1,616 complaints, the most of 16 model years (next is 2017 with 1,081).By model year
- 32%The system named mostPowertrain, in 513 complaints. Half of the powertrain reports that give a mileage came before 7,500 miles.Problems by system
- 5Recalls5 recall campaigns cover the 2016 Hyundai Tucson.Recalls
- 14Crashes, injuries, fires14 complaints mention a crash, 6 an injury and 24 a fire.
A complaint count is not a failure rate: the record doesn't say how many were sold, so a popular year draws more reports.
2016 Hyundai Tucson problems by system
Every complaint to NHTSA names the part of the car that gave the owner trouble, such as the engine or the steering. The cards below sort the 1,616 complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Tucson that way, largest first: open one to read what owners wrote, when it usually starts, and what to check.
Powertrain32%513 complaintsHesitation from a stop, stalling, jerky dual-clutch
Show detailsHide details
What owners describe
Twin clutch seven speed transmission needs updating hesitates on acceleration from a start at a red light / stop sign / etc. Jerking auto & creating vibrations in driving axles had dealership install tcm sw update {15-01-050} on jan 14 2016 still have same results on occasions help!!!!!!!!!
On 3 occasions my 2016 hyundai tucson stalled when approaching an on ramp to a major interstate road. The loss of power placed me in a very dangerous position, a similar state of danger when entering a busy intersection. This vehicle is extremely unpredictable and needs to be recalled
NYNJAZFLRead 4 more owner reports+4
The car does not accelerate at a light or traffic. The car is on and revs and the dials move but does not drive. This has happened 3 times and the dealer cannot find anything wrong because the computer doesn't show an issue. I am scared to drive the car.
On multiple occasions, the car will not go into any forward gear after stopping. This has happened on at least 3 occasions. Once, the vehicle had to be driven in reverse to get off the highway safely. The dealer has updated the transmission software, but it concerns me that this could happen again.
Vehicle will not accelerate from a stop at times until 3000 rpm and then squeals tires. It is a saftey issue. Hyunda dealer did a recall which has not fixed the problem completely. It is intermittant.
Have 2016 with a terrible transmission shutter, in slow traffic the car jerks and has very little power, if you attempt to make a left turn across traffic you take your life in your hands and the car can stall during the turn and you are now stuck in on coming traffic. It is very dangerous.
When it starts
Usually starts around 7,498 miles. Half of owners reported it between 2,400 and 21,875.
What to do
Pull away from a full stop several times and feel for a delay.
Our guideCar Jerks When Accelerating: Causes, Costs and FixesEngine26%422 complaintsEngine noise, warning lights, oil use
Show detailsHide details
What owners describe
The vehicle accelerates suddenly without driver input. Also, it turns off while driving, causing the loss of brake and steering controls. Finally, transmission gear switch without input while driving. This situations occur while driving in both city and highway driving. The vehicle was taken to dealer on 12/26/19; no response has been received either from dealer or manuifacturer.
Car is using more than one quart of oil per 1,000 miles. Car is not leaking oil and oil changes are done at the dealership every 3500 miles. Having to check oil levels constantly and keep quarts of oil in car to fill in case it is low. Hyundai st augustine dealership says there is not a problem.
NYCTMSINRead 4 more owner reports+4
The car does not accelerate at a light or traffic. The car is on and revs and the dials move but does not drive. This has happened 3 times and the dealer cannot find anything wrong because the computer doesn't show an issue. I am scared to drive the car.
Driving down highway on june 20,2019 and engine stopped running. Ri state police pushed vehicle to the side of the road and the car was towed to the nearest hyundai dealer in ri. As of today, july 23,2019, the vehicle is still at the dealer waiting for a replacement engine. Engine is covered under warranty.
I have a 2016 hyundai tucson which has a 120k on it and I thought I might have needed a tune which I got performed. But it turns out that the engine has compression failure on cylinders 2 and 3. The oil was changed regularly so I'm not sure what happen. Since I was driving home and the vehicle started stalling.
Our vehicle has started using a lot of oil around 80,000. We now need to add a quart of oil about every 1000 miles. The front driver's side window switch will occasionally not work. We had the rear passenger door lock replaced because if stopped working.
When it starts
Usually starts around 56,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 6,901 and 91,750.
What to do
Check the oil level and listen for a knock at idle.
Our guideDo High-Mileage Cars Burn Oil? Is a Quart per 1,000 NormalBody14%221 complaintsDoors that won't open from inside or out
Show detailsHide details
What owners describe
The doors will not open from the inside or the outside after you lock the doors. You have to pull the handle anywhere from 5-10 times to get to open or not. I feel this is a safety issue for my passager if the car was involved in a wreck or caught on fire . This is an ongoing problem and the hyundai dealership kwon about the issue.
Rear driver door will not unlock either from the inside or the outside. You can hear the remaining doors lock and unlock but not the rear driver. I transport my grand children and this is a safety issue. The cars has 16k miles on it and is still under warranty. Dealer said it will take about 1 to 2 weeks to get the part in. I was told that this has happened to alot of the hyundai tucsons.
IDFLGACARead 4 more owner reports+4
The rear passenger door will not unlock regardless of how or when it is tried. The dealer says the door actuator is faulty. No one can enter or exit the vehicle from that side, even in an emergency. This problem appears in hundreds of posts about this model of hyundai tuscon. Only a dealer can repair and replace the problem at a cost of $1600. No recall has been issued for this.
Rear passenger side door will not unlock/open. Cannot be unlocked by any switch. From info I have been able to find this could be a very dangerous situation. I have not been to the dealer or contacted the manufactuer. No warning lights or alarms have been activated by the vehicle.o6/
Rear passenger door failure to open from either inside or outside. Vehicle diagnosed faulty door actuator and repaired at dealer for 500.00. Four months later the front passenger door will not open from outside showing exact same symptoms as previous door. Vehicle is only 3 years old.
My front passenger side door would only open from the outside after 3+ pulls on the handle. Now the rear passenger door will not open from the inside or the outside. Lock still engages and disengages, but door will not open. This compromises the safety of my rear passengers.
When it starts
Usually starts around 59,500 miles. Half of owners reported it between 43,700 and 70,000.
What to do
Lock and unlock every door from the fob, the inside handle and the outside handle.
Electrical system13%211 complaintsDoor locks, warning lights, stalling
Show detailsHide details
What owners describe
After installing a new hood latch under the recall. The dealership installed the dashboard software upgrade. The incorrect software update for the dash assembly was installed. It seems that the company hyundai put in charge for the software, failed to update the software and it could not tell the diff. Between the 2 diff. Styles of dash assemblies. As of the 27th of july, the dash will not display anything.
Our vehicle has started using a lot of oil around 80,000. We now need to add a quart of oil about every 1000 miles. The front driver's side window switch will occasionally not work. We had the rear passenger door lock replaced because if stopped working.
FLTXRead 2 more owner reports+2
Unable to open the back passenger door because door lock actuator fails. Won't open from inside (manually or with key fob) or outside thus trapping the passenger. This is a concerning safety hazard. The car is only 5 years old.
This is the 2 time this happens the 1st times was the back door we still had warranty we got that fixed not its the driver side it does not unlock we have to go into the passenger side to unlock the driver side. If someone is following me how an I going to get into my car! This is a hazardous safety issue.
When it starts
Usually starts around 50,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 10,012 and 82,000.
What to do
Lock and unlock every door from the fob, the inside handle and the outside handle.
Door latch8%126 complaintsDoors stuck locked, rear doors that won't open
Show detailsHide details
What owners describe
My passenger side door and back door not opening from outside. We have a kid in the seat so we have a child lock in the back. Because of that we couldn't able to open the door. When I called hyundai about that they said they will first evaluate for that I need to pay and then they charge me for the 2 doors. This is very absurd.
Two doors will not unlock or open.if in a wreck you are trapped. Dealer said I would have to pay to fix the car. Car will not speed up when on a rough road, which other cars will run over you. Mileage 90122
ILMARead 2 more owner reports+2
Passenger door lock won’t unlock from inside or outside. 4-year old grandson could not get out this happened before with the passenger front seat door. Took to dealer and fixed. I am seeing online that many people are having the same problem. This could be dangerous.
The drivers door and drivers side back door doesn’t open from the inside or the outside. It opens after like 10 tries of yanking on it. This is a serious issue if I had to get out of there quickly or if I had someone in the back that couldn’t climb. I should have to climb out of my car. Recall this.
When it starts
Usually starts around 63,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 45,500 and 83,000.
What to do
Lock and unlock every door from the fob, the inside handle and the outside handle.
What repairs cost on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson
Part prices for the problems 2016 Tucson owners report most. They are shelf and mail-order prices for the part alone, so a shop bill adds labor and its own markup.
Bulb 2357, from Wagner up to Sylvania’s LED.
Check brake light bulbsFive brands, from WAI up to Dorman, with Hyundai’s own between them. Priced per door.
Check window regulatorsPrices on this page are our own research, not the store’s, and store prices change daily.
Prices read on RockAuto on Oct 2, 2026, for the parts listed as fitting this car; regular stock only, closeouts left out.
Check engine codes owners report
8 owners name P1326 (a Hyundai-specific code) in their complaints, the code named most for this car.
Complaints whose text names the code, one count per complaint. Tap a code to read our guide; grey codes have no guide yet.
When problems show up on the odometer
Powertrain complaints start earliest, typically around 7,500 miles. Door latch complaints start latest, around 63,000 miles.
Dot: typical mileage. Bar: the middle half of reports. From the mileage owners wrote on the form.
Hyundai Tucson complaints by model year
2016 has the most complaints of any Tucson year. The powertrain is named most in 1 other Tucson year.
Show chartHide chart
2016 has the most complaints of any Tucson year. The powertrain is named most in 1 other Tucson year.
When owners filed
Complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Tucson have kept arriving since 2015, with peaks in 2016 and 2021. A peak often follows a recall or a news story, not a new fault.
Show chartHide chart
2016 Hyundai Tucson recalls
5 recall campaigns cover the 2016 Hyundai Tucson. A recall list is by model year; whether one car had the work done is in its VIN record.
2016 Hyundai Tucson crash tests and investigations
NHTSA crash tests rate the 2016 Hyundai Tucson five stars overall, the same for all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. Its defect office has opened one investigation that covers this model year.
Ratings run from 1 to 5 stars: 5 is the safest result, 1 the least safe.
Frontal stars compare cars of about the same weight; side stars compare every vehicle. Rollover stars show how top-heavy the car is: NHTSA puts the 2016 Hyundai Tucson’s chance of rolling over in a single-car crash at 16%.
Safety equipment NHTSA recommends
Optional means some trims have it and some don’t. Check the car you are looking at.
Federal investigations
Before you buy a used 2016 Hyundai Tucson
These checks follow what 2016 Tucson owners reported most: hesitation when pulling away, engine noise and oil use, and doors that won't open. Ask for the service history by VIN, which shows latch and engine work and recall repairs.
- 1Open every door from inside and out
Doors that won't unlock or open are filed under three systems on this car.
- 2Pull away from a stop several times
Hesitation from a stop leads the powertrain complaints.
- 3Check the oil level
Oil use between changes comes up in the engine complaints.
- 4Listen at idle
Engine noise is a repeated engine complaint.
- 5Run the VIN for open recalls
Only the VIN says if this car got the recall repairs.
Oil and service for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson
This is what Hyundai's manual says the 2016 Tucson needs: which oil to use and how much, the fluids for the transmission and the cooling system, and when each job is due. Hyundai sets fixed miles and months, and the oil change timing is different for each engine.
- Engine oil
- 5W-20
- Oil capacity
- 4.23 US quarts
- Transmission fluid
- Hyundai ATF SP-IV
- Coolant
- Phosphate-based ethylene glycol coolant, mixed with water
- Engine oil
- 5W-30
- Oil capacity
- 4.76 US quarts
- Transmission fluid
- Dual clutch fluid, SAE 70W (API GL-4)
- Coolant
- Phosphate-based ethylene glycol coolant, mixed with water
Service schedule
From the Hyundai 2016 Tucson Owner's Manual, read Oct 2, 2026. Normal schedule.
Common questions
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
Owners name the powertrain most (513 complaints), then engine (422) and body (221).
Is 2016 a good year for the Hyundai Tucson?
The complaint record can't grade a car, but it shows what to check: the powertrain complaints that lead this year, the mileage they start at, and whether the recall repairs were done.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson: power train, electrical system, exterior lighting, latches/locks/linkages, brakes. A dealer can tell from the VIN whether one car got the repairs.
At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Tucson problems start?
Powertrain complaints start earliest, around 7,500 miles. Door latch complaints come later, around 63,000 miles.
Which Tucson years have the most and fewest complaints?
The 2016 and 2017 model years have the most in the file, and the 2010 and 2021 the fewest, though newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
What the complaint record can't tell you
Sources
Show all 6 sources
Owner quotes are changed from all capitals to normal case only. Counts by system and year cover vehicles with at least 10 complaints.