2016 Hyundai Tucson · symptom sheet
Engine knocking or ticking
- 67owner reports
- 85,000median miles
- $4,800median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jul 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
67 of the 166 reports of engine failure on the 2016 Tucson describe engine knock.
Part of Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (166 reports)
Tick what matches of 67 reports
Engine knock on other Tucson years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2015, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the knock sensor (12 reports), the rod bearing (9 reports) and the engine (8 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Tucson
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
What owners paid
9 of the 67 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,000 to $8,300.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 70,000 and 111,000 miles, from the 39 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson that deal with this problem. 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.
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.
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.
What owners wrote
“Engine ran out of oil with no indication on instrument panel that it was happening. Engine now knocks and needs replacing. My independent service center has determined a failure. It is available for inspection.”
Filed Nov 1, 2025
“My catalytic converter caught on fire a couple months back then I hit a code for the knock sensor replaced it and it started to act up again I canât go over 49 burning oil took it to Hyundai now they are saying my engine is going out and Iâm still panting carmart got the car”
Filed Aug 14, 2025
“Engine began ticking and knocking and needs complete replacement confirmed by independent service center. No warning lights came on, regular maintenance has been performed, including oil changes at dealership.”
Filed Aug 9, 2023
“Engine started Knocking, check engine light came on and car went in to âlimp modeâ. Car needs new engine.”
Filed Feb 2, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 67 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 213 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 198 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 190 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 93 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 85 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 56 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 50 reports
- Turbo failure or loss of boost 39 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 37 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 30 reports
- Vehicle fire 25 reports
- Delay or no response when I press the gas 25 reports