Is the 2016 Hyundai Tucson a bad year?
1,625 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 518, 52× a quiet Tucson year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 3k–22k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 9 of 517 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Tucson owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 8,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 518 (32%) | 3k–22k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 112 (7%) | 2k–32k miles · around this mileage | — |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 427 (26%) | 9k–93k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 227 (14%) | 44k–70k miles · ahead | — |
| Latches and locksSTANDS OUT | 158 (10%) | 46k–84k miles · ahead | — |
| Fuel system | 56 (3%) | 4k–32k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 217 (13%) | 15k–82k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 50 (3%) | 30k–88k miles · ahead | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Exterior lighting | 29 (2%) | 32k–68k miles · ahead | — |
| Air bags | 15 (1%) | 18k–69k miles · ahead | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 40 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 22 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 8 (0%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 8 (0%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 8,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 1,625 complaints: 14 mention a crash · 26 mention a fire · 6 report an injury · 43 say the car was towed.
71 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
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.
Issue has occurred 6 times. After coming to a stop at a stop sign on a city street, the vehicle will not accelerate when the traffic light turns green.
When I put my foot on the gas pedal from a stopped position the car hesitates and often will shudder. The company has admitted it is a flaw due to dual clutch transmission.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 8,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson: 5
The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire. An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
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. If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
Certain driving conditions and high temperatures may cause the vehicle to not move if the accelerator pedal is pressed and released repeatedly. Inability to move the vehicle while in traffic may increase the risk of a crash.
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. 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.
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). Failure to illuminate the trailer's turn signal lights would prevent the communication of the driver's intent, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Hyundai: 152
Repair instructions Hyundai sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine may exhibit a continued DTC P132600 after an ECM logic update has been performed per TSB 24-01-068H…
This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle's inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326…
Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs
Diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Loss of Motive Power
Neighbouring years
2015 Tucson: 229 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2017 Tucson: 1,096 complaints, consider selling.
Every Hyundai Tucson year
2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Tucson years side by side
Other Hyundai models: Hyundai Accent · Hyundai Azera · Hyundai Elantra · Hyundai Elantra Touring · Hyundai Entourage · Hyundai Genesis · Hyundai Genesis Coupe · Hyundai Ioniq 5 · Hyundai Kona · Hyundai Kona Electric · Hyundai Palisade · Hyundai Santa Cruz · Hyundai Santa Fe · Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid · Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · Hyundai Sonata · Hyundai Sonata Hybrid · Hyundai Tiburon · Hyundai Tucson Hybrid · Hyundai Veloster · Hyundai Veracruz · Hyundai XG350. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Hyundai Tucson a bad year?
1,625 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 518, 52× a quiet Tucson year. At 8,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 3k–22k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 9 of 517 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (518), speed control (112), engine (427), body structure (227), latches and locks (158). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 3k–22k miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Tucson have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 20V-543), Trailer hitch (NHTSA 16V-842), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 16V-628), Latches and locks (NHTSA 16V-348) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.