Reliable Auto DB

2016 Hyundai Tucson reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson holds 1,619 complaints after 11 years, a rate of 150 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 13 Tucson years on this site. NHTSA has 5 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Wiring, and Transmission control module.

2012 Hyundai Tucson
Photo by Mr.choppers, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Complaints

1,619

Per year

150

Recalls

5

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (517 of 1,619), then Engine (423) and Structure (227). Those filings include 14 that report a crash, 25 that report a fire, and 6 that report an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 Tucson has 227 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2017 has 1,086 complaints, 84 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 Hyundai Tucson. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (5)

Recall Brake control module 2020-09-04 · NHTSA campaign 20V543000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall electrical system, wiring 2016-11-21 · NHTSA campaign 16V842000
Summary 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."
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.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, transmission control module 2016-08-30 · NHTSA campaign 16V628000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall latches, locks, and linkages, hood, latch 2016-05-24 · NHTSA campaign 16V348000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall exterior lighting, tail lights 2016-03-10 · NHTSA campaign 16V147000
Summary 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."
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.

Complaints by component (1619 total)

Powertrain
517
Engine
423
Structure
227
Electrical system
216
Latches, locks, and linkages
157
Speed control
111
Fuel and propulsion system
55
Service brakes
34
Exterior lighting
29
Visibility
29
Steering
22
Air bags
15
Hydraulic brakes
15
Visibility and wipers
12
Engine and engine cooling
10
Electronic stability control (ESC)
8
Suspension
8
Forward collision avoidance
5
Seats
4
Equipment
3
Lane departure
3
Seat belts
3
Wheels
2
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Show 16 more Show less
Crash-flagged

14

Fire-flagged

25

Injury reports

6

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

1201526020161152017732018112201914220203182021171202217620231212024762025542026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Caliber / Breaks sticking after changing them, Car stopped in the middle of traffic after they locked up. Changed them again Brought to Hyundai dealership I was told Caliber needed changing . It was changed Caliber…"
    Electrical system, Wheels, Service brakes · filed 2026-09-22
  • "Component: Power Train / Automatic Transmission / ActuatorsDescription: My 2016 Hyundai Tucson (1.6L Turbo 7-speed DCT) suffered a catastrophic transmission assembly failure that caused a sudden and dangerous loss of…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-21
  • "The vehicle unexpectedly entered 'Limp Mode' due to engine tracking code P1326. The vehicle severely restricts engine power and RPMs while driving on public roads, preventing normal acceleration. This creates a severe…"
    Electrical system, Engine · filed 2026-09-09
  • "This problem was observed about 1 month ago: While driving and headlights set on AUTO, during the day, and the light switch NOT on, the dashboard would indicate the lights were ON, for just a second or two, and would go…"
    Electrical system, Exterior lighting · filed 2026-08-15
  • "Door latch issue. Driver's side door has to be pulled multiple times after unlocking to open from the exterior. Passenger side door latch has become completely inoperable and does not open from the interior or exterior…"
    Structure · filed 2026-08-03

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2016 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell SUV FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2016 Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2016 Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Tucson all-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 21 26 23 MPG $2800
Tucson all-wheel drive 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) All-wheel drive 24 28 25 MPG $2600
Tucson Eco all-wheel drive 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) All-wheel drive 25 30 27 MPG $2400
Tucson Eco front-wheel drive 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) Front-wheel drive 26 32 28 MPG $2300
Tucson front-wheel drive 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) Front-wheel drive 25 30 27 MPG $2400
Tucson front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 23 30 26 MPG $2500
Tucson Fuel Cell — Automatic (1-speed) Front-wheel drive 49 51 50 MPG / 265 mi range —

Specs and fitment

3rd generation (TL), 2012–2020
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.0L and 1.6L turbo per manual) , 4.8 qt capacity
Tire size 225/60R17 to 245/45R19 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 2,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Owner complaints for mid-generation years (especially 2016) concentrate on the power train and engine. Safety recall 20V-543 covers certain 2016-2021 Tucson vehicles: the anti-lock brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) can corrode internally and short, with a possible engine-compartment fire; dealers replace the HECU fuse, and for 2019-2021 also update ESC software, while owners are advised to park outside until remedied. Safety recall 16V-628 covers certain 2016 Tucsons with the 7-speed EcoShift dual-clutch transmission that may fail to move after repeated accelerator tip-in in heat; dealers update TCM software. Safety recall 16V-348 covers certain 2016 Tucsons whose secondary hood latch may not hold if the primary latch is released, so the hood can open while driving; dealers replace that latch.

Compare

Previous year 2015 Hyundai Tucson Next year 2017 Hyundai Tucson See every Hyundai Tucson model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Hyundai Tucson reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson holds 1,619 complaints after 11 years, a rate of 150 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 13 Tucson years on this site. NHTSA has 5 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Wiring, and Transmission control module.

What are common problems with a 2016 Hyundai Tucson?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (517 of 1,619), then Engine (423) and Structure (227). Those filings include 14 that report a crash, 25 that report a fire, and 6 that report an injury.

Is the 2016 Hyundai Tucson more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 Tucson has 227 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2017 has 1,086 complaints, 84 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Hyundai Tucson been recalled?

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson has 5 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?

Owners have filed 1619 complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Tucson with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 Hyundai Tucson get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson is 29.4 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Tucson take?

5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.0L and 1.6L turbo per manual)

What does NHTSA recall 20V-543 cover on the Hyundai Tucson?

Safety recall 20V-543 covers certain 2016-2021 Tucson vehicles: the anti-lock brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) can corrode internally and short, with a possible engine-compartment fire; dealers replace the HECU fuse, and for 2019-2021 also update ESC software,…

What generation is the 2013 Hyundai Tucson?

3rd generation (TL) (2012-2020).