Free Preview
#BS-2016-HYUTUC-345E2016 Hyundai TucsonProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 2,183 owners and 5 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 2,183 complaints, 23 crashes, 43 fires, and 5 recalls. Complaint rate is 5.2x the class average.
Top reported problems
no acceleration from stop
53 complaints • Severity 8.9/10
ac intermittently blows warm air
30 complaints • Severity 7.1/10
power window malfunction
25 complaints • Severity 7/10
hesitation
24 complaints • Severity 8.6/10
not shifting properly
23 complaints • Severity 8.4/10
Preview: What's in your full report
Each card shows a real sample from your report — unlock all 10 sections from $2.00
Mechanic Inspection Checklist
515 owners reported drivetrain issues — failures commonly reported around 29K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (569 reports) • Median: 29K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Drivetrain (515 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2016 Hyundai Tucson: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 24% of all reports filed for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, with 515 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 29,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 29K-mile mark.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 20% of all reports filed for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, with 428 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Structure:body Issues
Structure:body complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, with 221 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to structure:body-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, with 214 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson. Recent trend: stable.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (5 recalls)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
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."
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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.
TRAILER HITCHES
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."
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.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2016 Hyundai Tucson NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (1)
All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.
Loss of Motive Power
ENGINE
The worst model year for the Hyundai Tucson is the 2017 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is transmission.
2016 Hyundai Tucson vs. Class Average (Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD)
This vehicle
2,183
Class avg
421
5.2x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical small sport utility vehicle 2wd vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 2,183 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 5 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated . NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Hyundai Tucson Model Years
View all Hyundai Tucson years →2016 Hyundai Tucson: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
Is the 2016 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
How safe is the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
How much does it cost to fix 2016 Hyundai Tucson problems?
Does the 2016 Hyundai Tucson have any recalls?
What mileage do Hyundai Tucson problems start?
When was the 2016 Hyundai Tucson data last updated?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
How is this different from Carfax?
What if the report isn’t useful?
Get the Full 2016 Hyundai Tucson Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 2,183 owner reports. Know before you buy.