Diagsheet

2016 Hyundai Tucson · symptom sheet

Engine stalls or loses power while driving

  • 190owner reports
  • 23,025median miles
  • $500median quote
  • 1involved a crash

Newest report Jul 28, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

993 of the 1,616 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 190 of those describe stalling. Only transmission shudder is reported more often on this car.

Tick what matches of 190 reports

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What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (9 reports), the battery (5 reports) and the ignition coil or plugs (5 reports).

Recalls and investigations

2 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

16V-842Nov 21, 2016
Electrical System:Wiring

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
Risk: If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
16V-628Aug 30, 2016
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

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
Risk: Inability to move the vehicle while in traffic may increase the risk of a crash.
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.

NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Tucson

DP22-005opened Jan 27, 2023
Electrical · model years 2022

Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.

NHTSA summary
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22-003opened Sep 12, 2022
Engine · model years 2010 to 2022

Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.

NHTSA summary
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan as
EA21-003opened Dec 22, 2021
Engine · model years 2012 to 2017

Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.

NHTSA summary
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement. Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is being installed under recalls and non-safety field actions, and both companies have extended limited engine warranties (see recall files). On December 22, 2021, ODI upgraded PE19-003 and PE19-004 to this Engineering Analysis (EA21-003, covering both Hyundai and Kia) to evaluate the scope of the prior recalls related to engine failures/fires and the efficacy of the recall remedies for the recalls, as well as the long-term viability of related programs and non-safety field actions being conducted by Hyundai and Kia. The former issue involved approximately 550,000 MY 2013 Hyundai Elantra, MY

What owners paid

9 of the 190 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $200 to $2,800.

$200$500$2,800
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 6,000 and 74,287 miles, from the 108 reports that gave a mileage.

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What owners wrote

“Misfire, excessive oil consumption, engine knocking, loss of power/acceleration, gas smell, excessive gas consumption”

Filed Jun 9, 2025

“The engine sometimes stalls and does not accelerate in relation to the pressure applied to the gas pedal. This has caused me scenarios where I am waiting to make a left turn and putter into the lane of opposing traffic, instead of accelerating through the turn. Another symptom of the engine is burning engine oil excessively. I am not aware if the issues are related or not.”

Filed Apr 10, 2025

“loss of power, transmission slipping. unable to get car to move creating hazard. happened 5 times. Diagnosed by dealer as systemic transmission component failure and known issue. many of the same complaints on internet, Code p1921”

Filed Sep 3, 2024

“Entering on the 65 mph interstate. Tucson would not accelerate past 60 mph. When it reached 60 mph it rapidly lost power and speed. Air conditioner was on also. When accelerating while at a stop light or making a turn vehicle hesitates to accelerate. All occurrences of this happening A/c was on.”

Filed Jul 26, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 190 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. 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.

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