The Lemon Index

All cars · Hyundai Tucson · 2016

2016 Hyundai Tucson. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index626100 = average car
Complaints561NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold89,713U.S. model year
Per 100K sold625complaints
Year rank#15 of 15#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 5

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.6L 4-cyl turboAuto (AM7)FWD25 / 30 / 27Regular$2,300
1.6L 4-cyl turboAuto (AM7)AWD24 / 28 / 25Regular$2,500
2.0L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD23 / 30 / 26Regular$2,400
2.0L 4-cylAuto (S6)AWD21 / 26 / 23Regular$2,700
ElectricAuto (A1)FWD49 / 51 / 50Hydrogen$0

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,000 and 65,000 miles. Median 29,800, from 834 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Transmission & drivetrain7,5002,400–22,000381
Engine56,0006,900–91,800168
Body structure59,50043,700–70,000117
Electrical53,90011,300–82,200104
Doors, locks & latches64,00045,800–86,10058

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Transmission & drivetrain68%
Engine19%
Speed control14%
Electrical10%
Fuel or ev drive system5%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
1,62514266043

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 5

  • 20V543000 Sep 2020 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip / Control Unit/Module

    Defect. 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.

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

    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 custom

  • 16V842000 Nov 2016 Electrical System / Wiring

    Defect. 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 Equip

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

    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.

  • 16V628000 Aug 2016 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)

    Defect. 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.

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

    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.

  • 16V348000 May 2016 Latches/Locks/Linkages / Hood / Latch

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

    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.

  • 16V147000 Mar 2016 Exterior Lighting / Tail Lights

    Defect. 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 Sta

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

    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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedLoss of motive power20222023

Manufacturer communications 171

Hyundai filed 171 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • "the 2016 tucson (tl) is available with an accessory trailer hitch and accompanying wiring…
  • The shift lever on some 6-speed vehicles may intermittently not shift out of park

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell SUV FWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2016–2021 Hyundai Tucson, 32.0M views.

TopicVideosViews
Gauges, lights & wiring31.4M
Driveshaft, axles & 4x41792K
Windows, doors & mirrors3454K
Brakes & ABS1338K
Infotainment, battery & electrical2248K
Transmission & shifter1241K
Spark plugs & ignition coils1182K
Death wobble & steering1129K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2013341941,906Airbags
2014422247,306Steering
2015493063,591Engine
201662656189,713Transmission & drivetrain
2017245297114,735Transmission & drivetrain
201895137142,263Engine
2019132185137,381Brakes

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data