Is the 2016 Hyundai TUCSON reliable?

The 2016 Hyundai TUCSON has 2152 complaints filed with NHTSA (6.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Hyundai TUCSON?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (515 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (428 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (265 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Hyundai TUCSON?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. Contact any Hyundai dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Hyundai TUCSON?

The 2016 Hyundai TUCSON gets 24 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2016 Hyundai TUCSON often stolen?

The Hyundai TUCSON was the #17 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 5,900 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: high. Pre-2022 models are affected by the Kia Boys challenge — verify your VIN has the manufacturer security update.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Hyundai TUCSON?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Hyundai TUCSON is approximately $1,748/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Hyundai TUCSON

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2016 Hyundai TUCSON has 2152 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 6.9x the segment average of 314. The most common issue is transmission problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: the problem that i am having is when i start to accelerate going through the gears 1,2,3 and 4 there is a huge, pause/delay in shifting through the gears. in fact there has been may times when i start to accelerate the gears pauses and i hit the gas again and the vehicle does not accelerate at all t. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 35 fire reports filed.

35 fire reports 17 crash reports 8 injuries

2152

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

6.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

515 complaints

24%

• THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING IS WHEN I START TO ACCELERATE GOING THROUGH THE GEARS 1,2,3 AND 4 THERE IS A HUGE, PAUSE/DELAY IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE GEARS. IN FACT THERE HAS BEEN MAY TIMES WHEN I START TO ACCELERATE THE GEARS PAUSES AND I HIT THE GAS AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL T
• TWIN CLUTCH SEVEN SPEED TRANSMISSION NEEDS UPDATING HESITATES ON ACCELERATION FROM A START AT A RED LIGHT / STOP SIGN / ETC. JERKING AUTO & CREATING VIBRATIONS IN DRIVING AXLES HAD DEALERSHIP INSTALL TCM SW UPDATE {15-01-050} ON JAN 14 2016 STILL HAVE SAME RESULTS ON OCCASIONS HELP!!!!!!!!!
• THE FEW MONTHS OLD VEHICLE WOULD GET INTO A DEGRADED MODE AND SEVERELY HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THIS CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE I WAS ALMOST HIT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE IGNORED MANUAL SHIFTING AND STAYED IN DRIVE MODE EVEN WHEN THE SHIFT

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports💥 4 crashes

“THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING IS WHEN I START TO ACCELERATE GOING THROUGH THE GEARS 1,2,3 AND 4 THERE IS A HUGE, PAUSE/DELAY IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE GEARS. IN FACT THERE HAS BEEN MAY TIMES WHEN I START TO ACCELERATE THE GEARS PAUSES AND I HIT THE GAS AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Hyundai TUCSON

Based on 1,127 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 29K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

569

30-60K

221

60-100K

252

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 8K mi · 381 reports

0-30K

303

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 61K mi · 176 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 40K mi · 96 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 8K mi · 74 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 11K mi · 30 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 50K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)30/08/2016

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.

Fix: 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.

High theft risk

#17 most stolen in 2025

The Hyundai TUCSON was the #17 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 5,900 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Kia Boys / TikTok theft vulnerabilityModel years 2010-2021 Hyundai and Kia vehicles without engine immobilizers were widely targeted starting in 2022 after a viral TikTok exploit. If you own this vehicle, verify it has an ignition immobilizer or install a security upgrade. Hyundai and Kia both offered free software updates and steering-wheel-lock programs for affected models.

Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Hyundai TUCSON

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,001

Per month

$167

Per mile

16.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Hyundai TUCSON

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,748

Full coverage / month

$146

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

+4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.15x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1748

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Hyundai TUCSON Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (1.6T, 2.0T) need premium fuel and more frequent oil (some owners service at 5,000 miles).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Hyundai New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / unlimited mi

10 years/100K powertrain warranty is transferable only to first purchaser after initial owner

These are the terms for a new Hyundai. If you're buying a used 2016 TUCSON, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Hyundai dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 2152 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING IS WHEN I START TO ACCELERATE GOING THROUGH THE GEARS 1,2,3 AND 4 THERE IS A HUGE, PAUSE/DELAY IN SHIFTING THROUGH THE GEARS. IN FACT THERE HAS BEEN MAY TIMES WHEN I START TO ACCELERATE THE GEARS PAUSES AND I HIT THE GAS AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: FOR "ALL" CARS, WHEN THE HEATER IS TURNED "ON", THE WHOLE CAR FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHERE YOU MUST EITHER PULL THE CAR AND STOP OR OPEN THE WINDOWS. THE SAME THING HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR DRIVES FROM ZERO TO 50 MPG, THE CAR ALSO GETS HEAVY FUMES. LASTLY, THE TACHOMETER WHEN STARTES DRIVING IN 1ST,
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW DEC 28 AND DROVE IT HOME ON DEC 30, 2015. I DISCOVERED THAT IT DID NOT HAVE BLIND SPOT DETECTION, REAR CROSS-TRAFFIC ALERT OR LANE CHANGE ASSIST, ALL THREE TECHNOLOGIES WERE ADVERTISED AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR THIS MODEL. IN ADDITION A CHEAPER MIRROR THAT DID NOT BELO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH EAST ON INTERSTATE 10 IN LOUISIANA AROUND MILE MARKER 257.3 WHEN THE HOOD LATCH FAILED AND MY HOOD FLEW UP, SMASHING MY WINDSHIELD AND COMPLETELY BLOCKING MY FIELD OF VIEW. THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND ME AS IT WAS 4:30 AM AND I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF TO THE SIDE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Hyundai dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)