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2016 Hyundai Tucson Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20261 Critical Recalls
Daniel Wilson
2016 Hyundai Tucson Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson has 2,091 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve power train and engine.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

2.3/ 10

Based on 2,091 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

POWER TRAIN

500 23.9%

ENGINE

393 18.8%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

250 12%

STRUCTURE:BODY

215 10.3%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

204 9.8%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is POWER TRAIN, accounting for 23.9% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 53 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson has 2,091 owner complaints in this dataset. POWER TRAIN is the most common complaint category, representing about 24% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson are POWER TRAIN (500), ENGINE (393), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (250).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 760 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2016 Hyundai Tucson?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2017 Tucson complaints2015 Tucson complaints2018 Tucson complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 14 of 14 systems

POWER TRAIN

163 Reports65% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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

12/14/2015

TWIN CLUTCH SEVEN SPEED TRANSMISSION NEEDS UPDATING HESITATES ON ACCELERATION FROM A START AT A RED LIGHT / STOP SIGN / ETC. JERKING AUTO & CREATING VIBRATIONS IN DRIVING AXLES HAD DEALERSHIP INSTALL TCM SW UPDATE {15-01-050} ON JAN 14 2016 STILL HAVE SAME RESULTS ON OCCASIONS HELP!!!!!!!!!

3/28/2016

161 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

27 Reports11% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

FOR "ALL" CARS, WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED "ON", THE WHOLE CAR FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHERE YOU MUST EITHER PULL THE CAR AND STOP OR OPEN THE WINDOWS. THE SAME THING HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR DRIVES FROM ZERO TO 50 MPG, THE CAR ALSO GETS HEAVY FUMES. LASTLY, THE TACHOMETER WHEN STARTES DRIVING IN 1ST, 2ND & 3RD GEARS, THE "RPM" SHOW 5000 TO 6500 RPM B-4 GETS TO THE NEXT GEAR; THIS WAS ESPECIALLY FOR AUTOMATIC CARS!

4/11/2016

PURCHASED VEHICLE 12/13/2015. TODAY (4/24/16) DRIVING VEHICLE IN NORMAL TO LIGHT TRAFFIC, FOUR TIMES VEHICLE LOST POWER. I STEPPED ALL THE WAY ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. VERY DANGEROUS AS THERE WERE CARS BEHIND ME. I HAD DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 8 MILES WHEN THIS STARTED. CURRENT MILEAGE 4452. IF THIS HAPPENS WHEN ON FREEWAY/HIGHWAY I WOULD BE AFRAID OF GETTING HIT IN THE REAR.

4/25/2016

25 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

20 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUSCON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OVER HEATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25.

4/22/2016

THE CAR OCCASIONALLY EXHIBITS THE FOLLOWING BEHAVIOR: 1.UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STOP, THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE IN A GEAR HIGHER THAN FIRST, WHICH THEN CAUSES THE MOTOR TO STALL AND LOSE POWER FOR ONE TO THREE SECONDS BEFORE RESUMING ACCELERATION. THE LOSS OF POWER PUTS THE CAR IN PERIL OF BEING REAR ENDED BY VEHICLES FOLLOWING BEHIND. 2.WHEN IN THIS STATE, MOVING THE GEARSHIFT LEVER LEFT TO ENTER MANUAL MODE FAILS ' THE TRANSMISSION STAYS IN DRIVE DESPITE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO ENGAGE MANUAL MODE. 3.BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION NEVER DOWNSHIFTS TO LOWER GEARS, THE CAR RUNS ROUGH AT SLOWER SPEEDS. 4.TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN RESTORES IT TO NORMAL OPERATION UNTIL THE ERRANT BEHAVIOR HAPPENS AGAIN ON RANDOM, UNPREDICTABLE OCCASIONS. THIS CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A TURBO-CHARGER. A FACTORY RECALL TO FIX AN ACCELERATOR HESITATION IMPROVED, BUT DID NOT ELIMINATE, SAID HESITATION.

5/22/2016

18 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

18 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW DEC 28 AND DROVE IT HOME ON DEC 30, 2015. I DISCOVERED THAT IT DID NOT HAVE BLIND SPOT DETECTION, REAR CROSS-TRAFFIC ALERT OR LANE CHANGE ASSIST, ALL THREE TECHNOLOGIES WERE ADVERTISED AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THIS MODEL. IN ADDITION A CHEAPER MIRROR THAT DID NOT BELONG ON THIS MODEL WAS INSTALLED, IT HAD A SMALL CONVEX MIRROR AND WAS CALLED A BLIND SPOT MIRROR. THIS WAS A DELIBERATE DECEPTION INTENDED TO CONFUSE THE PURCHASER BECAUSE WHEN I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THAT THE CAR DID NOT HAVE THE BLIND SPOT DETECTION SYSTEM, HE RESPONDED THAT IT DID HAVE BLIND SPOT TECHNOLOGY! THEN HE SAID THAT HYUNDAI DID NOT SHIP CARS WITH BLIND SPOT DETECTION TO PUERTO RICO, USA. NOT SHIP SAFETY TECHNOLOGY THAT I PAID FOR AND WAS ADVERTISED AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT?

1/1/2016

FOR "ALL" CARS, WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED "ON", THE WHOLE CAR FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHERE YOU MUST EITHER PULL THE CAR AND STOP OR OPEN THE WINDOWS. THE SAME THING HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR DRIVES FROM ZERO TO 50 MPG, THE CAR ALSO GETS HEAVY FUMES. LASTLY, THE TACHOMETER WHEN STARTES DRIVING IN 1ST, 2ND & 3RD GEARS, THE "RPM" SHOW 5000 TO 6500 RPM B-4 GETS TO THE NEXT GEAR; THIS WAS ESPECIALLY FOR AUTOMATIC CARS!

4/11/2016

16 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

8 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR I RENTED A HYUNDAI TUCSON FROM NATIONAL AT HOBBY AIRPORT IN HOUSTON, TX. IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO THE COMPLAINT I JUST FILED REGARDING AN EARLIER EXPERIENCE WITH A HYUNDAI SANTA FE SPORT (#10822299) THIS SUV ALSO EXHIBITED SIMILAR BEHAVIORS - A TENDENCY TO HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, ESPECIALLY (BUT BY NO MEANS EXCLUSIVELY) WHEN A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN WAS TO BE EXECUTED AT THE SAME TIME. SINCE THIS WAS MY SECOND EXPERIENCE WITH A RENTAL HYUNDAI SUV, I THOUGHT IT WISE TO ADVISE YOU OF THIS POSSIBLY ENDEMIC DEFECT IN THAT MAKER'S MODELS. THE PROBLEM WAS SO SEVERE THAT I HAD TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS PLENTY OF ROOM, TRAFFIC-WISE, TO ACCELERATE FROM ZERO WITHOUT POSSIBLY GETTING STRUCK. I AM NOW OUT OF THE MARKET FOR FUTURE HYUNDAI SUV RENTALS.

1/26/2016

THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE AT A LIGHT OR TRAFFIC. THE CAR IS ON AND REVS AND THE DIALS MOVE BUT DOES NOT DRIVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES AND THE DEALER CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG BECAUSE THE COMPUTER DOESN'T SHOW AN ISSUE. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR.

5/9/2016

6 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

PURCHASED JANUARY 2016 - LIMITED AWD WITH FACTORY INSTALLED TOW HITCH. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED FLICKERING INTERIOR LIGHTS AND BOTH HEAD LIGHTS LEAKED, ONE SIDE HAS BEEN REPLACED. LATER ON DEVELOPED HARD START UPS, SHIFTING AND ACCELERATION ISSUES. ALONG WITH INTERMITTING FRONT SAFETY SENSORS AND A GLITCHING CENTER CONSOLE/BACK UP CAMERA. 7,500 MILES IN THE AC STOPPED WORKING FROM FREEZING OVER. TOOK TO DEALER WHILE ON VACATION AND DISCOVERED A MELTED FUSE BOX COVER AND BURNT TOW HITCH/ECU WIRES WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF CORROSION. DEALERS COULD NO CONFIRM RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TOW HITCH HARNESS, CLAIMED IT WAS NOT FACTORY INSTALLED WHEN IT WAS FACTORY INSTALLED AND EVEN ON THE ORIGINAL WINDOW STICKER. WE CALLED HYUNDAI CORPORATE EVERYDAY FOR OVER A WEEK BEGGING FOR HELP WITH NO CALL BACKS. ROADSIDE WOULD NOT COVER A TOW TO THE SELLING DEALER. ENDED UP DRIVING OURSELVES AN HOUR SOUTH TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAITS FOR A HYUNDAI ENGINEER TO FLY IN AND LOOK AT IT. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THIS WIRING HARNESS IN OTHER MODELS, THE DEALER WASN'T EVEN ABLE TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT PART BECAUSE IT WAS DISCONTINUED. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS CURRENTLY OUT FOR OUR CAR. WE CONSIDER THIS A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE AS THE MELTING WIRES ARE A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD ALONG WITH THE UNRELIABLE TRANSMISSION AND SAFETY SENSORS.

6/9/2016

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY, THE CAR DOES NOT TRANSMIT POWER TO THE WHEELS AFTER STOPPING OR SLOWING TO A NEAR STOP - E.G. AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, MERGING INTO INTERSTATE TRAFFIC, OR, GOD FORBID, TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION. I WILL PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE RPMS CAN ROAR INTO THE 6000 RANGE WHILE MY CAR INCHES FORWARD AT 1-5 MPH INTO TRAFFIC. INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. MOST RECENTLY THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO SUNSET BLVD IN LOS ANGELES. WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFE LEFT TURN BECAME A HARROWING EXPERIENCE AS MY CAR ENTERED SUNSET AT ABOUT 1-2 MPH AS TRAFFIC CLOSED IN FROM BOTH DIRECTIONS, WITH A 6 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR, NO LESS! NOT MY VIDEO, BUT A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE FROM ANOTHER TUCSON DRIVER IS HERE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=TCVTR_ZCYRS AND ANOTHER: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=TCVTR_ZCYRS PLENTY OF REPORTS OF THIS AT HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM *HTTP://WWW.HYUNDAI-FORUMS.COM/2016-TUCSON-IX35-MODELS/454074-DANGEROUS-HORRIBLE-DCT-36.HTML AND YET NO ACTION FROM HYUNDAI. DEALERSHIPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE RESPONDING VARIOUSLY WITH "WE CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM" (IT'S INTERMITTENT AND DANGEROUSLY UNPREDICTABLE), TO "SOUNDS LIKE NORMAL DCT BEHAVIOR TO ME!", TO AS MY DEALER TOLD ME, "UNTIL THE MALFUNCTIONING PART FAILS COMPLETELY, WE CAN'T ID THE PROBLEM SO CAN'T FIX IT." LETTING THAT PART FAIL MAY, LITERALLY, BE THE LAST THING I DO! STILL WORKING ON A RESOLUTION WITH HYUNDAI, BUT THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION AND HYNUDAI NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT AS SUCH.

6/24/2016

2 more complaints are available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH EAST ON INTERSTATE 10 IN LOUISIANA AROUND MILE MARKER 257.3 WHEN THE HOOD LATCH FAILED AND MY HOOD FLEW UP, SMASHING MY WINDSHIELD AND COMPLETELY BLOCKING MY FIELD OF VIEW. THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND ME AS IT WAS 4:30 AM AND I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. IT APPEARS THAT BOTH THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES HAVE FAILED, CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY OPEN.

4/20/2016

THE VEHICLE MAKES A SOUND IN THE DASH AREA SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT. AFTER SEVERAL INSPECTIONS IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHERE THE LEFT FRONT POST WELDS WERE LOOSE OR WERE NOT PERFORMED.

7/13/2016

SUSPENSION

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I HAVE 4000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND ALREADY HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES! TRANSMISSION- IS VERY JERKY, DOESN'T HAVE PICK UP MOST THE TIME, DOESN'T SHIFT RIGHT AWAY IT TAKES A MOMENT TO KICK IN WHILE RPM'S ARE JUMPING. HESITATION FROM A DEAD STOP, ONCE AT A DEAD STOP AND YOU SLOWLY TAKE FOOT OFF BREAK THE RPM'S DROP AND THE CAR SHUTTERS AND FEELS LIKE ITS GOING TO DIE! DEALER SAID ITS NORMAL FOR A DUAL CLUTCH BECAUSE ITS LIKE A MANUAL AND THAT I NEED TO DRIVE 2 FOOTED OR DEAL WITH IT. I ALSO HAD IT TO DEALER SAY PRIOR TO THIS TIME, IT'S BECAUSE THE DUAL TRANSMISSION IS STAYING IN SECOND GEAR AND THAT'S NORMAL AND THAT'S WHY IT FEELS LIKE ITS GOING TO DIE. TRANSMISSION NEVER SHIFTS THE SAME.. WHEN IN ECO IT WORSE AND WHEN IN SPORT MODE IT VERY JERKY AND THE SHIFTING IS AWFUL AND NEVER SMOOTH. BOTTOM LINE IS THIS.. FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION HAS NO IDEA WHEN TO SHIFT AND OR HOW TO SHIFT. THE RPM'S GO UP BUT THE CAR DOESN'T SEEM TO PICK UP SPEED LIKE IT SHOULD AS FAR WHERE THE RPM'S ARE AT, ALWAYS REVS UP BEFORE IT WILL EVEN MORE. ALSO WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT TAKES A LOT TO KICK IT DOWN TO PICK UP SPEED WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE VIBRATION AT HIGHER SPEEDS IS HORRIBLE . HAD TIRES ROTATED AND BALANCED 2 TIMES ALREADY AND IT TILL HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP DOESN'T SEEM TO FIND T TO BE THAT BIG OF A DEAL. HWY SPEEDS THE CABIN SOUND LIKE YOU HAVE ONE WINDOW OPEN AND YOU GET THAT SOUND OF BEING IN A TUNNEL. SINCE DAY 1 WHEN PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE AND THEN TO DRIVE, THERE IS A CLUNKING POPPING SOUND FROM THE BACK OF CAR AFTER IT HITS ABOUT 20 MPH. HAD THAT LOOKED AT 3 TIMES AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. IT IS MUCH LOUDER AND MORE OFTEN NOW WITH MORE MILES DEAL SAYS ALL MY PROBLEMS ARE NORMAL AND NOTHING THEY CAN DO BUT TO DEAL WITH IT. WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED!!!!! HAD IN SHOP 6 TIMES ALREADY IN 9 MONTHS AND HYUNDAI WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP . *TR

6/10/2016

I HAD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AND REAR SHOCK AT APPROXIMATELY UNDER 2000 MILES. IT HESITATES BADLY. IT DECELERATES AS I PRESS DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR. IT HAD LOW COOLANT BEFORE A LONG TRIP SO I FILLED IT UP AS IT ADVISED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS HOT THE COOLANT WAS APPROXIMATELY 1/2 INCH TO 1 INCH BELOW THE MINIMUM FILL LINE. AFTER MY TRIP I TOOK IT TO THE CERTIFIED HYUNDAI DEALER SERVICE CENTER FOR TIRE ROTATION AND OIL CHANGE AND THEY ADVISED THE COOLANT WAS LOW AGAIN, BUT THAT THERE ARE NO LEAKS. I TOLD THEM I JUST FILLED IT UP AND SO THEY ARE CHECKING AGAIN FOR LEAKS. IT SLAMMED INTO GEAR AS I WAS GOING ON AN OFF RAMP FROM AN INTERSTATE. IT JERKED AND SHIMMIED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE WHEN I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT. IT IS BRAND NEW. IT SHOULD NOT BE HAVING SO MANY ISSUES AND NO ONE WILL HELP ME WITH IT I JUST KEEP HEARING "THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, IT IS JUST THE WAY HYUNDAI DESIGNED THE VEHICLE." HYUNDAI NEEDS TO WORK ON THIS. THERE SHOULD BE MULTIPLE RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS A POPPING SOUND EVERY TIME I REACH 20 MPH AFTER TAKING IT OUT OF PARK. IT HAS A RATTLE IN THE FRAME/REAR PASSENGER DOOR AREA. NO PLACE CAN FIX THESE SOUNDS. I JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT ALL. IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE SINCE PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2015. THIS REALLY NEEDS MULTIPLE RECALLS ON IT. I JUST GOT AN EMAIL ABOUT A HOOD LATCH RECALL TOO. NOT EVEN FROM HYUNDAI... FROM CAR FAX. HYUNDAI DID NOT CONTACT CONSUMERS REGARDING THE HOOD LATCH RECALL. THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO. THE DEALER DID NOT CONTACT ME ABOUT IT EITHER. THE DEALER, BOB POYNTER COLUMBUS, IN REFUSES TO SERVICE MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NOT SPEAK WITH ME AT ALL. THEY WILL NOT TELL ME WHERE THEY OBTAINED MY VEHICLE FROM AS A DEALER TRADE EITHER.

6/21/2016

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH EAST ON INTERSTATE 10 IN LOUISIANA AROUND MILE MARKER 257.3 WHEN THE HOOD LATCH FAILED AND MY HOOD FLEW UP, SMASHING MY WINDSHIELD AND COMPLETELY BLOCKING MY FIELD OF VIEW. THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND ME AS IT WAS 4:30 AM AND I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. IT APPEARS THAT BOTH THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY HOOD LATCHES HAVE FAILED, CAUSING THE HOOD TO FLY OPEN.

4/20/2016

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

A/C DIGITAL DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS IS VERY DIM AND CANNOT BE ADJUSTED. IT IS SO DIM THAT I AM UNABLE TO READ THE DISPLAY DURING DAYTIME HOURS. THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS IS ADJUSTABLE. DEALER TOOK A NEW TUCSON OFF THE LOT AND. IT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY ISSUED A CASE NUMBER 9227369. HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM HYUNDAI ABOUT THIS DESIGN PROBLEM.

5/18/2016

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

PURCHASED JANUARY 2016 - LIMITED AWD WITH FACTORY INSTALLED TOW HITCH. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED FLICKERING INTERIOR LIGHTS AND BOTH HEAD LIGHTS LEAKED, ONE SIDE HAS BEEN REPLACED. LATER ON DEVELOPED HARD START UPS, SHIFTING AND ACCELERATION ISSUES. ALONG WITH INTERMITTING FRONT SAFETY SENSORS AND A GLITCHING CENTER CONSOLE/BACK UP CAMERA. 7,500 MILES IN THE AC STOPPED WORKING FROM FREEZING OVER. TOOK TO DEALER WHILE ON VACATION AND DISCOVERED A MELTED FUSE BOX COVER AND BURNT TOW HITCH/ECU WIRES WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF CORROSION. DEALERS COULD NO CONFIRM RESPONSIBILITY OF THE TOW HITCH HARNESS, CLAIMED IT WAS NOT FACTORY INSTALLED WHEN IT WAS FACTORY INSTALLED AND EVEN ON THE ORIGINAL WINDOW STICKER. WE CALLED HYUNDAI CORPORATE EVERYDAY FOR OVER A WEEK BEGGING FOR HELP WITH NO CALL BACKS. ROADSIDE WOULD NOT COVER A TOW TO THE SELLING DEALER. ENDED UP DRIVING OURSELVES AN HOUR SOUTH TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAITS FOR A HYUNDAI ENGINEER TO FLY IN AND LOOK AT IT. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THIS WIRING HARNESS IN OTHER MODELS, THE DEALER WASN'T EVEN ABLE TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT PART BECAUSE IT WAS DISCONTINUED. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS CURRENTLY OUT FOR OUR CAR. WE CONSIDER THIS A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE AS THE MELTING WIRES ARE A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD ALONG WITH THE UNRELIABLE TRANSMISSION AND SAFETY SENSORS.

6/9/2016

SEATS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TAKATA RECALL -THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE AT THE PROPER TIMES. HEADRESTS MAKE YOUR HEAD BEND SO FAR FOWARD YOUR CHIN IS ALMOST TOUCHING YOUR CHEST.

6/13/2016

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM DID NOT FUNCTION AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO CHIME WITH A WARNING INDICATOR STATING THAT THE SENSOR WAS OBSTRUCTED. AFTER MANUALLY BLOCKING THE SENSOR, IT DID NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED DUE TO NO ERROR CODES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,113. UPDATED 09/23/16*LJ *CN

7/25/2016

WHEELS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

BROUGHT BRAND NEW AUGUST 2015. MANY TIMES THE CAR LURCHES INTO GEAR. SEVERAL DCT TRANSMISSION HESITATES NOTICEABLE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM DEAD STOP. CAR HAS 16,000 MILES (BUT STARTED AROUND 1000 MILES), . DCT CLUTCHES PERIODICALLY WHEN AT A DEAD STOP WILL NOT ENGAGE, BUT ONCE RPM'S DROP IT WILL START TO MOVE, BUT PRIOR IT'S LIKE THE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL.YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE RPM'S COME DOWN AND PUSH ACCELERATOR AGAIN AND THEN IT WILL ENGAGE. OF COURSE THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE, SO THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG.. MANY TIMES I WAS ALMOST HIT WHEN TURNING DUE TO THE CAR NOT MOVING.. VERY DANGEROUS AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR DIE!!! WILL HYUNDAI DO SOMETHING THEN, BECAUSE ITS SEEMS THAT AFTER 167 COMPLAINTS THEY STILL DON'T CARE TO DO A THING ABOUT IT!! SHAME ON YOU! SINCE ABOUT 12,000 MILES THE CAR HAS BEEN MAKING A HISSING TYPE NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING, BROUGHT TO DEALER, THEY SAID ITS NORMAL & THAT ITS THE FUEL PUMP FINALLY BEING BROKE INTO THE ENGINE AND THAT IS VERY NORMAL..THEY ALSO LIED ON MY WORK ORDER THAT THEY COMPARED THAT NOISE TO A LIKE VEHICLE WITH THE SAME AMOUNT OF MILES AND IT DID THE SAME THING, HOWEVER THEY TOLD ME ON THE PHONE THAT THEY WOULD FIND ME THE SAME CAR WITH THE SAME MILES TO SHOW ME ITS NORMAL. WELL THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN, SO THEY LIED ON THE WORK ORDER TO COVER THEIR BUTTS AND TO WORK AGAINST ME WHEN I CONTACT LEMON LAW ATTORNEYS. WHO THE HECK ARE THEY KIDDING?!! BROUGHT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC & HE SAID THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM AT ALL, BUT CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS..SO IM SPENDING MONEY TO HAVE THEM TRY & DIAGNOSIS IT EVEN THO I HAVE A WARRANTY. TIRES (I THINK) CAUSING THE CAR TO SHIMMY SHAKE ALL THE TIME AT HIGH SPEEDS. THEY HAVE BEEN ROTATED & BALANCED 5 TIMES & THE PASSENGER SEAT SHAKES LIKE CRAZY, BUT AGAIN THAT IS ALL NORMAL THEY SAY. SHAME ON HYUNDAI FOR DOING NOTHING ABOUT ALL THESE COMPLAINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8/9/2016

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?

The most reported complaint category for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson is POWER TRAIN, with 500 owner reports. That is about 24% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Are complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Tucson a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 760 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Tucson severe?

760 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Hyundai Tucson: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
2,091
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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