CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2016 Tucson comes with a dual-clutch, 7-speed transmission. But Hyundai forgot to tell you about one key phrase – zero-move. That's right, an alarming number of owners have said their SUV wouldn't accelerate after a stop.

Turns out that's because the transmission's application logic has been stumbling all over itself. Hyundai recalled the issue in September 2016, but it's difficult to say if owners are out-of-the-woods, or if this is just a sign of things to come.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 14
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,694 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Hyundai Tucson engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Hyundai Tucson Owner Comments (Page 1 of 15)

problem #288

Jun 092023

Tucson

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Heading to Dallas from Houston. I got halfway to Dallas and my car started making this crazy knocking noise. Sound like a Go-Kart. Well we never made it to Dallas. Check engine light didn-??t come on until hours later. A knocking noise from the engine that increases in frequency as the engine rpm increases. Reduced power and/or hesitation and vibration. I realized my 2016 Hydaui did not have an engine recall on it even though it was a well known issue. Every year was recalled but my car. Called dealership and received no response. My car has 111k miles and is paid off. I have known complaints at the dealership on my oil change that it was burning oil before 3k miles. They looked as me as if I was exaggerating. Majority of the time the oil light never even came on.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #287

Dec 012022

Tucson

  • miles
I recently purchased a 2016 Hyundai Tucson, Limited 1.6T. After a few weeks of driving I noticed it would shake when at a stoplight. It also loses acceleration and 'skips' when making turns, going over speed bumps or just taking off from a complete stop. There have also been times that I press the accelerator pedal and the car doesn't move. After researching I discovered this is a known issue and Hyundai issued a Technical Service Bulletin (number 21-AT-014H) in August 2021 instead of a recall. My vehicle had less than 40K miles on it when I purchased it (from a non-Hyundai used dealership) I took my car to a Hyundai service center, when I explained the problems to a technician, he suspected he knew exactly what the problem was. I chose to have them perform a "judder" test to confirm and the tech was right, it did in fact fail the judder test. In order to fix this issue, I have to have the entire clutch assembly replaced for approximately $2500. This issue is a huge safety risk and I believe Hyundai should issue a recall and fix this issue at no charge to the vehicle owner. I have read hundreds of similar complaints, they know there is a problem, they know how to fix the problem, the financial burden should not fall on the consumer.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #286

Aug 142023

Tucson

  • 129,222 miles
Engine consistently burns oil over federal regulations. This increased oil consumption has led to the catalytic converter to fail on the vehicle.

- Covington, LA, USA

problem #285

Aug 082023

Tucson

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine began ticking and knocking and needs complete replacement confirmed by independent service center. No warning lights came on, regular maintenance has been performed, including oil changes at dealership.

- Puyallup, WA, USA

problem #284

Aug 062023

Tucson

  • miles
1.6 Turbo engine failure while on freeway. Towed to mechanic, then informed needs new engine. This vehicle seized on the freeway

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #283

May 012023

Tucson

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse. After several attempts, the vehicle worked as designed. While approaching a stop, the vehicle was jerking. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #282

Jul 202023

Tucson

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Excessive oil consumption NM, replaced catalytic converter twice. Losing power again. 122450 miles. Trans mission slipping, not shifting into higher gear. Gas mpg down to 19mpg. Unsafe on highway, loses speed and revs too high

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #281

Jul 262023

Tucson

  • miles
Entering on the 65 mph interstate. Tucson would not accelerate past 60 mph. When it reached 60 mph it rapidly lost power and speed. Air conditioner was on also. When accelerating while at a stop light or making a turn vehicle hesitates to accelerate. All occurrences of this happening A/c was on.

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #280

Jul 032023

Tucson

  • miles
There are four safety concerns I have with the 2016 Hyundai Tuscon: 1.) The Check Oil light failed to illuminate indicating the need for more oil. 2.) The excessive oil consumption may have caused my catalytic converter to misfire and melt. 3.) The Check Engine light failed to illuminate when my catalytic converter misfired and melted. 4.) The Knock Sensor (if it is bad), which is installed on my vehicle, could fail and not warn me about any engine problems. On 7/3/23, my vehicle was having a difficult time accelerating up a mountain. My brother and I also heard a rattling noise, so my brother drove to a safe place. I had my vehicle towed to a local auto service garage, where I was told the catalytic converter melted due to misfiring and that I needed to replace it. On 7/5/23, I had my vehicle towed to the closest Hyundai Dealership, where they confirmed that the vehicle's catalytic converter was melted due to misfiring. After researching the causes catalytic converters misfiring, I read several complaints about the said vehicle's oil consumption and poor acceleration. I suspect there might be a connection to the catalytic converter misfiring and melting. Incidentally, I have had two other incidents where my vehicle lacked acceleration and started shaking. One occurred on 12/28/22, while I was entering an intersection. The other happened on 4/1/23, while I was attempting to pass another vehicle. All three incidents could've ended tragically. The Check Engine light did illuminate during two of the incidents, but not the incident that occurred on 7/3/23. Additionally, the catalytic converter was previously tested on 12/31/22 and it didn't have any bad codes. Sparkplugs were also replaced on 12/31/22, and a 3-Step Fuel System Cleaning was done on 6/12/23. The Check Oil light only illuminated once since I have owned the vehicle, but failed to illuminate when my oil was getting low in between oil changes. My SUV is still in service waiting for a Catalytic Converter.

- Rocklin, CA, USA

problem #279

Jul 202020

Tucson

  • miles
The engine of my car is consuming several quarts of oil between oil changes. I have read that this is a common problem with some models of Hyundia vehicles. I have also read that this defect has led to engine failures and possibly fires.

- Lenoir City, TN, USA

problem #278

Mar 152021

Tucson

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car is using more than one quart of oil per 1,000 miles. Car is not leaking oil and oil changes are done at the dealership every 3500 miles. Having to check oil levels constantly and keep quarts of oil in car to fill in case it is low. Hyundai St augustine dealership says there is not a problem.

- St Augustine, FL, USA

problem #277

Apr 172021

Tucson

  • miles
Engine is consuming oil and we are waiting for it to totally fail. We have a long list of things. These are notes from the end of the process when we gave up. I responded after the fourth consumption test on 11/28/2022 asking for them to re-open my case and have not heard from them so I called on 12/9/2022 to speak to my case manager. We started this journey with 118,000 miles and now we have close to 164,000. Went from 1qt every 1000 miles to 2qt-??s every 1000 miles. Had to get another case manager to leave a message for my case manager to call me back. I don-??t even know if they re opened my case. Hyundai has refused to admit the have a large issue with their GDI motors. They should not be consuming oil as much as they are. Only Theta motors are being covered in Non Turbo cars. This is my second vehicle currently owned with a gamma turbo motor. This one is waiting to fail and the other one has failed.

- Blanchard , OK, USA

problem #276

Jul 052023

Tucson

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under warranty and the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) was replaced; however, after the repair, while driving 62 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that he drove the vehicle back to the dealer and was informed by the mechanic that there would be a cost for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

- Moscow, ID, USA

problem #275

Feb 202023

Tucson

  • miles
I purchased a 2016 Hyundai Tuscon new in April 2017. From the beginning I felt there were issues with this vehicle but was also told that everything was fine. In 2019 the car stopped getting power and I was unable to go over 60mph on the highway. Hyundai said it had run out of oil but I had always gotten my oil changes from Hyundai directly. Also- no alert that my oil was low every came on. They replaced the engine or parts of it but I was still required to pay about $3,000 at the time. In Jan. of this year I realized that the car was not running as it should. Hyundai in Milford, CT had me pay for the oil change and also pay for the oil consumption test. On Feb. 20th I was approved for a new engine. I have been given multiple dates of when I my car would be repaired with the last date being May 17, 2023. I have not heard anything from Hyundai. I submitted a complaint with Hyundai corporate (21515374) and they have done nothing except tell me that they are still waiting for an answer as well. I am afraid to drive my vehicle long distances and do not know what kind of service I should get while waiting for a new engine. I am now carrying oil around in my vehicle but think that this is horrible wrong. I am still paying almost $600 a month for a vehicle that I am afraid to drive and I have not received any answers from anyone regarding when my repairs will be done or even getting a rental while I wait. After reading hundreds of other complaints this seems to be an issue with Hyundai and everyone says the same thing about the oil warning light not coming on at all. I purchased my vehicle from Hyundai in Milford, CT.

- Bridgeport, CT, USA

problem #274

Aug 092022

Tucson

  • miles
Complete Engine failure under 100k miles. Electrical issues with toggle switches

- Garden Grovegarden Grove, CA, USA

problem #273

Jun 252023

Tucson

  • miles
Similar to other owners my car has been burning oil at a higher-than-normal rate. Because of this, there has been a carbon build-up causing my engine to start misfiring and stop working while driving on the interstate.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #272

Jun 162023

Tucson

  • miles
Was driving on the highway and my car wouldn't go above 45mph, then check engine light and oil pressure lights came on. Pulled over on the shoulder and checked the oil and it was low oil by about 2 quarts. I checked the oil about 3 weeks prior and had no issues with oil loss and had no lights ever come on the dash prior. Had to get towed home because the car was sputtering and would accelerate. The car is inoperable now and needs engine repair.

- Johnsonville, NY, USA

problem #271

Jun 012023

Tucson

  • miles
My engine has 98,000 miles and is burning two quarts of oil every 1000 miles. I have no visible oil leaks.

- Prattville, AL, USA

problem #270

Jun 152023

Tucson

  • miles
My car was having issues with the engine making a rattling sound and having difficulty accelerating. About a week after the symptoms came up, my car died on the side of the road. I am so lucky I was in a neighborhood and not on the freeway. No lights came on at all until 10-20 seconds before it died. I was able to get my car to the dealership and was told I'd need a new engine. Although I bought it used, I've only had this car for four months. I'm hoping Hyundai places the 2016 Tucson under recall as many others seems to have similar issues.

- Buffalo, MN, USA

problem #269

May 272023

Tucson

  • miles
The vehicle had been well maintained. Have receipts for most all services. At around 90,000 miles, the car started "burning oil" and needed frequent top offs. At 108,000 miles, I have car serviced and started a road trip. In less than 40 miles, it started to shudder and miss fire on the interstate. Causing loss of power and control. Fortunately, I was able to pull over safely off interstate 40. I did not drive further and had car towed back to town. At dealership, I was told "engine failure" due to 2nd cylinder loss of compression, and new engine is only option. I was denied any service under warranty due to being over 100,000 miles. The dealership will not work with me on variance or goodwill gesture. I have seen in online forums that this is happening to other owners. The vehicle was well maintained and never gave any hint of the pending failure. I am filing this as formal complaint and safety hazard with this vehicle.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

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