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2016 Hyundai Tucson: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson: one for brakes (filed 2020), one for electrical parts (filed 2016), one for the powertrain (filed 2016) and two more for other parts. Owners have filed 1,620 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train and the engine. For comparison, owners filed 228 for the 2015 and 1,089 for the 2017 Tucson. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall, with a 15.5% rollover risk.

Summary reviewed by Recalls & Safety Desk · Oct 6, 2026 How we write summaries Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 5campaigns 2 electrical · 1 brake · 1 latch Source: NHTSA Complaints 1,620filed Owner reports, 2012–2021 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Crash tests 5★overall ★★★★★ Frontal 5★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★ Source: NHTSA NCAP Fuel economy 50mpg combined $1,306/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs Automatic 7 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
Compare

Recalls (5)

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2016 Hyundai Tucson. Not checked against your VIN.
Park outside: fire risk. NHTSA advises parking outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.
Recall 20V543000 Filed Sep 4, 2020

ABS Unit may cause Engine Compartment Fire

Service brakes, hydraulic · antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · control unit/module
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
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 customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.
96.4% repairedof 652,024 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V543000
Listed for 2016 Hyundai Tucson. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V842000 Filed Nov 21, 2016

Trailer Brakes May Stay Illuminated

Electrical system · wiring
Official NHTSA text
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."
Consequence
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.
75.2% repairedof 6,172 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V842000
Listed for 2016 Hyundai Tucson. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V628000 Filed Aug 30, 2016

Inability to Accelerate from a Stop

Electrical system · software
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
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.
85.6% repairedof 41,000 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V628000
Listed for 2016 Hyundai Tucson. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V348000 Filed May 24, 2016

Secondary Hood Latch may Disengage

Latches/locks/linkages · hood · latch
Official NHTSA text
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.
Consequence
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.
91.6% repairedof 81,000 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V348000
Listed for 2016 Hyundai Tucson. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V147000 Filed Mar 10, 2016

Trailer Turn Signals may not Work

Exterior lighting · tail lights
Official NHTSA text
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."
Consequence
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.
80.7% repairedof 2,263 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V147000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which Tucson years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Hyundai TucsonAll model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (1,620)

1,620 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.

14involved a crash
26involved a fire
7injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 1,620.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2016 compares with other Tucson years

Best and worst Tucson years →
255 266 202 228 1,620 1,089 397 380 178 79
2012201320142015201620172018201920202021
This year (2016)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★☆
RolloverRollover risk 15.5%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2016 Hyundai Tucson suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 50 mpg combined

50
mpg combined
49
city
51
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
—
CO₂ tailpipe
—
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$1,306per year
$109per month
300gallons a year

Miles ÷ 50 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2016 Hyundai Tucson configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
AutomaticFront-Wheel Drive49 / 51 / 50——
1.6 L 4-cyl · AutomaticFront-Wheel Drive26 / 32 / 28$2,400317
1.6 L 4-cyl · AutomaticFront-Wheel Drive25 / 30 / 27$2,500335
1.6 L 4-cyl · AutomaticAll-Wheel Drive25 / 30 / 27$2,500334
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive23 / 30 / 26$2,600342
1.6 L 4-cyl · AutomaticAll-Wheel Drive24 / 28 / 25$2,700355
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive21 / 26 / 23$2,900389

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2016 Tucson for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Tucson years

Where to next

Which Tucson years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2017 Hyundai Tucson report1,089 complaints · 3 campaigns →2015 Hyundai Tucson report228 complaints · 1 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2016 Hyundai Tucson FAQ

How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Tucson have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 20V543000 (brake), 16V842000 (electrical), 16V628000 (electrical), 16V348000 (latch), 16V147000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2016 Hyundai Tucson problems?

Owners filed 1,620 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (517), Engine (423), Unknown or other (261) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2016 Hyundai Tucson get?

EPA rates the Automatic version at 49 city, 51 highway and 50 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2016 Hyundai Tucson get?

NHTSA rated the 2016 Hyundai Tucson suv fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (15.5% rollover risk).

How does the 2016 Tucson compare with other years?

Among the 2012–2021 Hyundai Tucson model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (79) and the 2016 the most (1,620). The 2016 drew 1,620. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Summary reviewed on Oct 6, 2026.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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