Third generation (TL)
2016 Hyundai Tucson
The most reported problem on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson is transmission shudder, with 213 complaints, usually around 13,000 miles.
- 1,620owner complaints
- 5recalls
- 14involved a crash
- 37,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Tucson doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2016 model year.
Is the 2016 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
The 2016 Hyundai Tucson has 1,620 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 6.5 times the median of 248 for 2016 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Tucson model years since 2014, it has the most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017
- At 147 complaints for each year on the road, the 2016 runs above the 2017 (109). That's the only adjacent model year with enough complaints to set beside it.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Transmission shudder has 213 complaints and door latch has 198, out of 1,620 in all. Transmission shudder tends to show up early. Of the 150 owners who gave a mileage for it, half were under about 13,000 miles and a quarter under about 4,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- Only 42 of the 1,620 complaints (3%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, well under the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 14 reports mention a crash, 26 mention a fire and 7 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Transmission shudder and door latch each have a recall on the same system (16V-628; 16V-348). Stalling has none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2021 at 318 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 76. So far in 2026, 55 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard, 213 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
1,620 complaints is 6.4 times the median 2016 model on this site and 6.5 times the median 2016 SUV. Among the 13 Tucson model years here it ranks 1st for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai filed 168 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2016 Hyundai Tucson. 19 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 2 bulletins · 213 complaints
If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with the following symptoms and DTC, follow the Service Procedure on Page 4.
If you are servicing a vehicle with a harsh and/or delayed shift, use the GDS as shown in the Service Procedure to measure shift engagement time.
Doors, latches or locks fail 1 bulletin · 198 complaints
Certain Elantra (AD/ADa) and Tucson (TL) vehicles may experience an internal or external door handle being inoperative or requiring repeated attempts to open the door. If this condition occurs, replace the affected door latch.
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 2 bulletins · 166 complaints
Applicable vehicles with 2.0L T-GDI and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit Abnormal Noise or No Crank/No Start condition.
Applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326.
Transmission hesitates when accelerating 2 bulletins · 110 complaints
This bulletin provides the procedure to update the TCU for vehicles that may exhibit a hesitation at acceleration particularly from a rolling stop condition. This update optimizes the TCU torque control logic.
This bulletin provides the procedure to update both the ECM (Engine Control Module) and the TCM (Transmission Control Module) on some 2016 and 2017 Hyundai Tucsons equipped with a 7-speed EcoShift® Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT).
Check engine light or misfire 3 bulletins · 93 complaints
Hyundai has launched a Service Campaign for applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L GDI engines that may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326.
If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid and oil pressure harness.
1 more on this problem
If you are servicing a vehicle with the DTC or symptoms listed below, refer to the Service Procedure to diagnose the condition.
Engine knocking or ticking 4 bulletins · 67 complaints
Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs.
Hyundai is conducting a service campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs.
2 more on this problem
Hyundai is conducting a product improvement campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs.
Hyundai has developed a new engine monitoring technology called a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). The technology uses software innovations and leverages existing engine sensors to continuously monitor for symptoms that may precede an engine failure.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 2 bulletins · 50 complaints
If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid and oil pressure harness.
Some subject vehicles may experience the illumination of various warning lamps including the brake warning lamp and other lamps.
Transmission slips 3 bulletins · 34 complaints
This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2.
This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and repair a transaxle for the following Incorrect Ratio DTC (transaxle clutch slipping more than 200 rpm in gear).
1 more on this problem
If you are servicing a vehicle with a transmission slipping concern, follow the Service Procedure shown below and perform a stall test. This TSB provides a procedure to test each clutch in the transmission.
Complaints filed by year
318 complaints came in 2021, 2.2 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2016 Hyundai Tucson
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary hood latch, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 145.
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."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began on May 2, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9640. Hyundai's number for this recall is 142.
All 5 recalls on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
Transmission shudder, with 213 of the 1,620 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 13,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2016 Hyundai Tucson problems start?
Of the 889 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 7,000 miles and half by about 37,000.
Is the 2016 Hyundai Tucson better or worse than the 2017?
Counted per year on the road, the 2016 has more complaints than the 2017: 147 a year against 109.
How many 2016 Hyundai Tucson complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
42 of them (3%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for transmission shudder on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 16V-628. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.