2016 Hyundai Tucson · symptom sheet

Doors, latches or locks fail

78owner reports
55,000median miles
0involved a crash

Newest report Jun 29, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

160 of the 1,616 complaints on this car are about the latches/locks/linkages. 78 of those describe door latch.

Tick what matches of 78 reports

door will not open from inside

door will not close or latch

locks act on their own

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the latch (28 reports), the handle (25 reports) and the actuator (10 reports).

Recalls and investigations

2 recalls on the latches/locks/linkages cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

20V-543Sep 4, 2020

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 and remedy

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.

16V-348May 24, 2016

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch

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

Risk: If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch cannot secure the hood, the hood may unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.

NHTSA investigations into the latches/locks/linkages on the Tucson

AQ23-002opened Nov 17, 2023

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · model years 2010 to 2021

Hyundai and kia abs module fires. Open.

NHTSA summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kiaâs defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 43,977 and 72,000 miles, from the 28 reports that gave a mileage.

118

119

420

4221

2222

723

126

What owners wrote

“The rear door will not open. The vehicle only has 52,000 miles and nothing was done to cause this failure. After research, his is a known issue with the Hyundai Tucson and could be a safety issue if passengers need to exit the vehicle quickly. The door actuator's in certain years of the Tucson are known to fail.”
Filed Jul 29, 2021 · 52,000 miles

“Rear passenger side door handle suddenly will not open from the inside or outside of the car. Only 34,000 miles on the car and rarely use the back seats or doors. Door handle worked fine and a short drive later no longer opens from inside or outside.”
Filed Jul 29, 2021 · 34,000 miles

“Passenger side rear door lock failed at 71000 miles. Could not open door from outside or inside.”
Filed Jun 14, 2021 · 71,000 miles

“My front passenger door and rear driver passenger door will not open from the outside or the inside. Issue with door latch mechanism. Mechanism was repaired approx. 1 yr ago on passenger rear door. Safety issue since doors can not be opened from inside if am emergency happened. Child age 5 rides in car regularly. Big safety concern.”
Filed Jun 14, 2021

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 78 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.