Home · 2016 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell · Complaints

What 1,536 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (1,536)Crash / fire / injury (36)Transmission & drivetrain (498)Engine (372)Body & structure (220)Electrical system (200)Latches & locks (156)Speed control (104)Fuel system (54)Brakes (48)Visibility & wipers (40)Lights (28)

498 of 1,536 complaints match · Transmission & drivetrain · clear filters · page 2 of 20

Oct 23, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

I already had a recall scheduled 4 days before this accident but 2 days before the engine failure I heard a ticking in the engine , didn’t think much of it because the engine was still running ( 93k miles on the car) so I was going to tell the dealer the problem when I took it for the recall fix appointment but on the way home my car instantly went from 70-30 in the middle of the highway I had the car towed to the Hyundai Dealer and they said rod had broke and said also something about the oil being dirty when I literally had the oil changed days before , but end result my 2nd owners warranty didn’t cover the vehicle even with rod failures being a recurring problem with my trim. They told me a new engine would be 13,500k while still owing 10k on the vechile has but me in a difficult situation

NHTSA ODI 11551283

Sep 4, 2023Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

I bought a used 2016 Hyundai Tucson locally. Had the car 3 days, & both rear window actuators had to be replaced. Had the car a week, oil pump/pan seal failed. Then the rear seal fail. Then the boot on the right CV joint failed. The aAC started blowing hot on the passenger side, while cold on the driver side, but I DON’T have dual controls for the temperature & it’s full. Bluetooth randomly connects/disconnects. Gas gauge is inaccurate says 40 miles left & then suddenly your light is on & it says you’ve 20. REPEATEDLY replaced my brake light bulbs/front turn signal bulbs, several times within a few months of each other, often on the same side. Having my phone plugged into the charging ports, the phone often overheats to the point of being too hot to touch. Even placed out of the sun’s rays, & shaded. Must pull front passenger door 2x externally before it will open. RR passenger door you can pull all day/push from inside /outside, doesn’t matter, WON’T OPEN.The car is equipped with a CVT, which allows you to shift manually if needed. Then the transmission refused to shift automatically. No codes would show. Today car died on me in the middle of the road, while I was turning, check engine is on, & car refuses to start. I was almost hit by cross traffic from both directions. A few people drove around me, before two very nice young men pushed my car out of the middle of the road onto the shoulder of a county road, on a holiday weekend. If not for a Good Samaritan, I’d have been walking 6 miles home in the dark. I’m almost 50, & a woman, & diabetic. The car has plenty of oil & coolant. Tried putting the car in neutral, still won’t start. Air filter is clean. Battery is good. Says it has gas; 40 miles til empty. Car tries to turn over but won’t catch. Tachometer will barely register to the line above zero, & even giving it gas makes NO difference. Have been told it is the timing & transmission. Dealer won’t honor extended warranty. Car has “just” passed Hyundai warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11542439

Aug 26, 2023Transmission & drivetrainEngine

I have been to multiple Hyundai dealerships, and opened about 3 to 4 Hyundai consumer cases; for WELL known engine problems. My vehicle has failed oil tests and combustion tests done by Hyundai dealers. Springfield Hyundai/ Genesis kept my vehicle for 5 months claiming they found issues with the engine that was consistent with the other vehicles recalled for obsessive oil consumption. After their findings, Hyundai corporate decided not to do any repairs, after 5 months! They claim my vehicle is out of warranty and can not carry through the goodwill repair/replacement. Hyundai corporate and I have proof of my engine complaints and failed oil tests before 100,000mi warranty expired (which is why Hyundai submitted a goodwill repair request on my behalf took the car in the first place). My vehicles VIN is not included in engine recall, nor the theft recall. My car has been driven away from the key fob multiple times through the years; indicating it can be stolen. My last communication with a Hyundai dealership, the service manager informed me that engines that have already failed can be submitted. Basically I and others that are trying to be proactive, will have to wait until the engine fails and possibly cause an accident, injuring or killing people!! Due to this fear myself and others have to check and get more frequent oil changes and travel with oil in the trunk to keep the engine from locking up on the highway. This vehicle continues stalling, hesitating, losing power, and loud knock engine noise. I have been complaining of the bad DCT system since 2017 (2nd complaint written to NHTSA). Before my limited warranty was expired I've been denied by corporate even when the dealership found issues and admitted Hyundai is screwing over thousands of people and I am just another one. I have every work order and oil change from day one, that indicates that I kept up with the maintenance of my vehicle. I believe Hyundai is not including VIN#s that should be included in recall

NHTSA ODI 11540950

Aug 14, 2023Transmission & drivetrainEngine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11538466

Aug 9, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

When coming from a stop and trying to accelerate the transmission slips and makes a strange noise. After a few seconds of releasing the gas pedal, it will drive again normally. It is intermittent and happens from either a full stop to first or first to second (while stuck in traffic). My vehicle should be included in the dual clutch transmission recall that is available for other vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11537430

Aug 4, 2023Transmission & drivetrainEngine

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.

NHTSA ODI 11536472

Jul 28, 2023Transmission & drivetrainEngine

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

NHTSA ODI 11534983

Jul 26, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Car shakes when when starting or stopping

NHTSA ODI 11534657

Jul 17, 2023Transmission & drivetrainVisibility & wipersSpeed control

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that all four automatic windows failed to operate as needed. The front driver’s side window started failing and an appointment was scheduled with the dealer to repair the window. While testing the windows in the dealer parking lot after the repair, the front passenger’s side window fractured, and the dealer agreed to cover the cost of the repair free of charge. Over time, the rear windows started to lower independently, and the vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle intermittently failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lunge forward while accelerating. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 11532800

Jul 5, 2023Transmission & drivetrainVisibility & wipers

excessive oil consumption. it has been confirmed by valvoline instant oil change center. after an oil change, round 600 miles the oil is to be checked and topped off completely because the reservoir is bone dry. can not make it a complete 3,000 miles until the next oil change. the oil has to be topped off at least 2-3 times until the next oil change. there are no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms to notify of the problem. it has been inspected by hyundai dealership, whom at someone point replaced the turbo in the limited 1.6L. also, the windshield wiper reservoir decided to stop working. I have to wait until it rains or go through a car wash to clean my windshield. all hoses have been checked and there are no leaks or disconnection of the hose. the windshield wiper fluid will not come out and remains completely full.

NHTSA ODI 11530483

Jun 12, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

While driving the car, when you press down on the accelerator to pick up speed, the car actually slows down. Eventually it will run normally at speed, however it creates a significant risk when pulling into traffic.

NHTSA ODI 11526565

Jun 9, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V628000 (Power Train, Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 51,800.

NHTSA ODI 11526246

May 23, 2023Transmission & drivetrainEngine

The vehicle is burning oil quickly. I have always gotten the oil changed on time. I just reached 89,000 miles and the vehicle has begun shaking when I accelerate and the check engine light has been flashing. I checked the oil and it is at the half way line between Full and Low - even though I just had it changed 3 weeks and less than 1,000 miles ago. I took it to the dealership, they said they do not recognize a problem with oil consumption. I told them my check engine light was flashing and it felt like it was going to stall when accelerating. The dealership said they used to do diagnostic testing, but don't anymore. They said they would look into, but I would have to pay $135 for the diagnostic testing.

NHTSA ODI 11523527

Apr 21, 2023Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

Unable to move the car while in traffic. The car slows down in traffic creating the possibility of accidents/crashes. The car will not go forward and only moves in reverse.

NHTSA ODI 11518363

Apr 12, 2023Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

Upon acceleration onto highway or up a hill the car at times will rev and not shift or move /increase speed. Getting onto the highway I have had to pull into the shoulder until vehicle snaps out of it and decides to shift. Extremely dangerous & happening more often than not now.

NHTSA ODI 11516642

Apr 4, 2023Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemBrakesCrash

I have a 2016 Hyundai Tuscon Limited Turbo which I bought USED in August of 2018. The same week I left the lot I returned multiple times complaining that the car was hesitating and seemed like the transmission was having problems. The car would hesitate to go from a stop, several times leaving me and my infant (at the time) in the middle of intersections crossing traffic and unable to move. It almost got us SLAMMED multiple times. I explained this to them and they just kept telling me it was because of the turbo. I said NO ONE in their right mind would manufacture a car that goes fast at the cost of safety. That was insane to me but they kept sending me home. I returned over and over and over again for the entire 1st year I had the car with no resolution. Eventually, I also discovered issues if I had to brake hard, several times almost running into the back of people and on 08/08/2020 I actually DID slam into the back of someone. I got to eat the cost of the insurance claim - only later to find out that there was a recall on the ABS system which I believe caused the accident. In 2020 when the transmission died, they replaced it under warranty. It took 49 days to replace, meanwhile I have an infant and riding a bus and riding my bike everywhere because the dealer did not help me with a rental or loaner. Then a year later in the middle of 2021 the engine died which they replaced under warranty, this time providing me with a rental for only a short time of the month long situation. Also racked up tow and tow storage bills exceeding $500 because it broke down on a major road in the middle of the night. Now, on 03/11/2023 I heard a sound coming from the engine which sounded like a cat screaming, coupled with severe hesitation when trying to accelerate. Took it to the dealer and they refuse to fix it, said the warranty company declined it. Called Hyundai Corporate and they said the same thing. Called warranty company and they said NO ONE EVER SUBMITTED A CLAIM!!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11515354

Feb 21, 2023Transmission & drivetrainEngine

My vehicle is burning excessive amounts of oil and no leaks can be found. Almost one quart every 750 to 1,000 miles. The turbo went bad recently and had to be replaced at a cost of $1,400 which, I'm told, is possibly due to the oil consumption problem. All services have been done at Hyundai dealership every 3,000 - 5,000 miles. I travel the interstate every day and am worried about engine failure in rush-hour traffic. Dealership indicates the only thing they can do is replace engine at a cost of at least $12,000!!

NHTSA ODI 11508395

Jan 28, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Has been happening for the last few years, but recently got worse: very difficult to get car to move forward from a dead stop, car would shudder like it was going to stall out. Took car to a Hyundai dealership on October 4, 2022, who were able to replicate the problem. Issue was for transmission to be replaced under drivetrain warranty. Once transmission had been replaced, there were no more problems with moving into first gear from a stop.

NHTSA ODI 11504184

Jan 24, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

When driving the vehicle is slow to accelerate hence posing a risk of being rear ended. It makes loud noises when going down hill and it tends to slow down even when you're foot is on the gas pedal. This is a concern for me since I have a small child that rides with me to and from school. The passenger a d driver doors jam on multiple occasions. The non acceleration especially when merging on highways or after traffic light stops is very dangerous since the person behind has no idea what's happening. When you stop the vehicle on a hill at a traffic stop and it's time to go on green the vehicle tends to pull back abit before accelerating, making the person behind wary of being hit. The loud noises made by the vehicle especially driving down a hill are just annoying, if you break to go slower, the noise is even louder. The lack of acceleration and jamming that the vehicle has me very worried for my safety and that of my young child, since we use the vehicle everyday for school drop offs and pickups and work. I am wary of driving it for any other reason that that which isn't fair because I pay for the car each month!!

NHTSA ODI 11503493

Jan 16, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Put the car in Drive and car failed to move with motor revving. Car finally moved about 20 mph max. Attempted to shift the car in and out of gear as well as shut it off and problem still existed. Got it home and made arrangements for tow truck to haul to dealer. In moving it the next day to prepare for tow truck the transmission worked normally and drove it to the dealer. Dealer could not duplicate the problem so they said there hands were essentially tied. Did and internet search on 2016 Tuscon DCT transmission problems and found the problem is very common. Hyundai attempted to address it with a computer update which this car has had. Many people have been placed in very dangerous situations with this problem. No warning lights were displayed despite the car being essentially undriveable . This is a known safety issue which should be addressed by the manufacturer. A car that suddenly becomes undriveable in traffic or leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere is definitely a safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11502060

Dec 19, 2022Transmission & drivetrainEngine

Inability to move the vehicle while in traffic, other 2016 Hyundai Tucsons have a recall for this problem. However, mine does not under my VIN, and the same exact thing is happening as described in 2016 Hyundai Tucson powertrain recall. (16V628000). My car doesn’t want to go when I stop at stoplights right away, leading to a risk of an accident. No warning signs prior to problem. Noticed a few weeks after purchasing my car in October of 2021.others in car have noticed as long with maintenance people have driven it.

NHTSA ODI 11498089

Dec 14, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission is defective. Car wanted to override my foot braking at lights & stop signs. The potential for the car to force me into traffic or a vehicle or wall in front of me made for a hazardous situation. Coconut Creek Hyundai Service Department (via [XXX]) stated the transmission had an internal failure & must be replaced. I do not know if the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others have inspected the transmission -- I am only aware that Coconut Creek Hyundai Service Department has inspected it. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. It first appeared in early November 2022. I tried to make an appointment & could not so I took it to the dealership on November 8, 2022. I bought this car from Coconut Creel Hyundai as Certified Used on September 6, 2019. Coconut Creek Hyundai in Coconut Creek, FL 33073 has had my car since Nov. 8, 2022. They replaced the defective transmission with another defective transmission the 1st week of December. I have had to pay out of my pocket for a rental car. Today is December 14, 2022. The least Hyundai can do is provide a car for me. The dealership has not done so. Hyundai USA (Case #: [XXX]) has not. My warranty only covers 10 days at $35.00 per day. A rental that I can use cost $40/day. I waited until December 1, 2022 to rent hoping my car would be fixed within a reasonable amount of time. My 10 days & my patience with this corporate pass the buck attitude has ended. I have no idea if the dealership got another new transmission or if they have installed it. This dealership has major communication issues. HyundaiUSA has lost a 3-time Hyundai owner. I just hung up with supervisor [XXX] from HyundaiUSA & she cannot authorize payment for a rental car nor speak to my case manager ([XXX]) about rental car payment/reimbursement. I have been without my car since Nov. 8, 2022. I stopped using my car Nov. 3, 2022 because it was too dangerous to do so. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11497451

Dec 13, 2022Transmission & drivetrainEngine

Similar to the recall for Hyundai's newest vehicles with its dual clutch system, and to its recall for the 2016 Tucson my vehicle will be unresponsive when we accelerate, delayed or no acceleration, jerking, shuddering, shaking, and stalling. Not sure if this issue was covered under [XXX] et al, v. Hyundai Motor America. We had been complaining of the way my 2016 Hyundai Tucson ([XXX]) was driving since Apr 2019 (32,299 miles), and again Mar 2021 (44,857 miles), and on both instances we were told that was normal operation because of the car's dual clutch system. Now that the car has passed the warranty period (5 year/60,000 miles), Hyundai is telling us we have to replace the dual clutch, and that they're not covering it because the vehicle is now outside of the warranty period. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11497280

Nov 14, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

Car having issues accelerating, switching gears and will not move when gear is in reverse.

NHTSA ODI 11493548

Oct 31, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated without warning. The contact stated that after several seconds the vehicle continued to operate normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The failure persisted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 2,400.

NHTSA ODI 11491563

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell verdict →