2016 Hyundai Tucson Problems

Severe Issues

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson. Part of Generation 3 — 2016–2021.

20152017
Complaints
2,135
per 10K Sold
238.0
US Sales
89,713
Crashes
23
Fires
39
Injuries
12
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2016 Hyundai Tucson Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1508 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:17,636 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:3
#2412 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:53,097 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:17
#3217 complaints

Body Structure

Avg mileage:59,231 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson.

Transmission / Drivetrain
508
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
3
Avg Miles
17,636
Engine Problems
412
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
17
Avg Miles
53,097
Body Structure
217
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
59,231
Electrical Faults
208
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
6
Avg Miles
50,964
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
126
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
66,532
Unintended Acceleration
109
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
1
Avg Miles
19,227
Fuel System
55
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
17,865
Brakes
33
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Avg Miles
52,649
Headlight/Taillight Failures
26
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
57,513
Steering Defects
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
71,827
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
21
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
48,800
Airbags
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
46,740
Latches / Locks
15
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
66,433
Hydraulic Brakes
14
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
36,572
Wipers & Visibility
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
26,475
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Lock
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
68,752
Electronic Stability Control
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
18,386
Suspension Failures
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
14,987
Structure:Body:Door
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
40,000
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Side/Rear Glass
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Software
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2016 Hyundai Tucson

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~782,459 vehicles.

20V543000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module
~652,024 affected

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.

16V842000Trailer Hitches · Electrical System:wiring
~6,172 affected

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."

16V628000Electrical System:software · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
~41,000 affected

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.

16V348000Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
~81,000 affected

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.

16V147000Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
~2,263 affected

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."

Other Hyundai Tucson Years

2016 Hyundai Tucson — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2016 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 2016 Hyundai Tucson has 2,135 NHTSA complaints, 23 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 508 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (508 complaints, avg 17,636 mi); Engine Problems (412 complaints, avg 53,097 mi); Body Structure (217 complaints, avg 59,231 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 41,251 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson include 23 crash-related reports, 39 fire reports, 12 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2016 Hyundai Tucson have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 782,459 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 2016 Hyundai Tucson shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Hyundai Tucson reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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