NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Hyundai Tucson Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,626 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Hyundai dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2016 Hyundai Tucson owner complaints

Owners have filed 1,626 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, describing incidents dated August 31, 2015 to October 14, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Power Train 518 complaints
  • Engine 430 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 264 complaints
  • Structure 227 complaints
  • Electrical System 217 complaints
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages 158 complaints

Of the 1,626 complaints on file, 14 report a crash and 26 a fire; across all 1,626 complaints, owners report 7 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11773418 · Filed

    Description of Defect: Progressive, complete failure of all four (4) power window regulators on a low-mileage 2016 Hyundai Tucson (~29,848 miles). Three windows failed in rapid succession, followed by the fourth, rendering all power windows completely inoperable. Safety Hazard: The inability to…

  • ODI #11771720 · Filed

    When I try accelerate from a stopped position vehicles acts as if it doesn’t want to move and you need your acceleration when crossing traffic or turning onto a busy street I just got the car from carmax 6 days ago so I will take it to their service department and try to find out more

  • ODI #11771446 · Filed

    Excessive oil consumption. Mileage is 116.7K miles. Over 4 quarts used in approximately 3,500 miles. Car went into "limp" mode with no power. Top speed on level ground was 45 mph, on a hill 25 mph. Had to pull over to the side of the road so that other cars could pass. Drove to mechanic who saw…

Read all 1,626 complaints

Owner-reported

2016 Hyundai Tucson mileage at failure

828 of the 1,626 complaints on file for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Power TrainMedian 10,000 milesMiddle half 3,000–35,000 milesBased on 378 complaints
EngineMedian 90,000 milesMiddle half 55,000–105,000 milesBased on 170 complaints
Latches/Locks/LinkagesMedian 65,000 milesMiddle half 45,000–80,000 milesBased on 58 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2016 Hyundai Tucson in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

ABS Unit may cause Engine Compartment Fire

NHTSA #20V543000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module · NHTSA notice

Reported September 4, 2020 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 652,024 vehicles

Repair completion: 96.36% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 195 · Owners notified November 2, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Hyundai and Kia ABS module fires

Park outside only — fire risk while parked indoors or near structures.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Trailer Brakes May Stay Illuminated

NHTSA #16V842000 · Electrical System — Wiring · NHTSA notice

Reported November 21, 2016 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 6,172 vehicles

Repair completion: 75.16% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 153 · Owners notified January 13, 2017 · Vehicles built May 19, 2015 – September 23, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Inability to Accelerate from a Stop

NHTSA #16V628000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Control Module (TCM/PCM/TECM) · NHTSA notice

Reported August 30, 2016 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 41,000 vehicles

Repair completion: 85.59% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 149 · Owners notified October 11, 2016 · Vehicles built May 20, 2015 – May 31, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Secondary Hood Latch may Disengage

NHTSA #16V348000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Hood — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported May 24, 2016 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 81,000 vehicles

Repair completion: 91.64% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 145 · Owners notified July 11, 2016 · Vehicles built May 19, 2015 – March 14, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Trailer Turn Signals may not Work

NHTSA #16V147000 · Exterior Lighting — Tail Lights · NHTSA notice

Reported March 10, 2016 · Hyundai Motor America

Potentially affected: 2,263 vehicles

Repair completion: 80.73% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Hyundai campaign 142 · Owners notified May 2, 2016 · Vehicles built May 26, 2015 – January 15, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

Failure to illuminate the trailer's turn signal lights would prevent the communication of the driver's intent, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Hyundai Tucson model years

Check your 2016 Hyundai Tucson VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Hyundai Tucson at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Hyundai VIN