Hyundai Tucson 2016–2021
3rd generation (TL)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20265,015 complaints, 2,054 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
- Reports with mileage
- 2,054
- Median of reported failures
- 25,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Engine (30.8%)
- Recalls
- 6
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, 38% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 13 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000.
Figure 1 · Hyundai Tucson 2016–2021 · 2,054 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 479 complaints.
- First 12,000 miles — 38% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 4 complaints (0.2%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 957
- 25%
- 5,200
- Median
- 25,000
- 75%
- 62,500
- 90%
- 92,622
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 479 | 23.3% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 224 | 10.9% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 114 | 5.6% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 105 | 5.1% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 100 | 4.9% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 68 | 3.3% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 101 | 4.9% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 50 | 2.4% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 63 | 3.1% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 70 | 3.4% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 43 | 2.1% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 57 | 2.8% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 88 | 4.3% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 81 | 3.9% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 59 | 2.9% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 28 | 1.4% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 47 | 2.3% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 37 | 1.8% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 58 | 2.8% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 27 | 1.3% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 53 | 2.6% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 24 | 1.2% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 17 | 0.8% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 11 | 0.5% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 11 | 0.5% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 7 | 0.3% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 8 | 0.4% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 6 | 0.3% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 200,000+ | 4 | 0.2% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 5,015 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016–2021 Hyundai Tucson, and 2,054 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
38% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 13 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
The most-reported areas are the engine (30.8% of complaints, typically around 56,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (19.2% of complaints, typically around 8,000 miles), problems owners could not categorise (10.0% of complaints, typically around 27,000 miles).
6 recall campaigns cover this generation. 1 of them carry a severe NHTSA advisory.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2016–2021 Hyundai Tucson last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2016–2021 Hyundai Tucson were filed by 25,000 miles and 90% by 93,000 miles — figures drawn from 2,054 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
4 reports (0.2%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Tucson reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2016–2021 Tucson: the 3-minute check
Generated from 2,054 mileage-tagged complaints, 6 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Ask for transmission and driveline repair records. This area fails at a median of 8,000 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Ask for throttle and speed control repair records. This area fails at a median of 9,500 miles — on any car this age it already happened or never will; the question is whether it was fixed under warranty.
- Check transmission (7-speed DCT) on 2016–2018 cars. Clutch application logic causes delayed engagement, hesitation and jerking at low speed, and repeated accelerator pedal cycling in high ambient temperatures can leave the vehicle unable to accelerate at all; owners also…
- Check engine (2.4l theta ii gdi) on 2016–2019 cars. Connecting-rod bearing wear and seizure from oil-passage debris — the same Theta II mechanism as the LM, covered by the engine settlement and KSDS software campaign.
- Check brakes / ABS (hecu) on 2019–2021 cars. Electrical short in the ABS hydraulic electronic control unit can ignite even with the vehicle parked and off; Hyundai issued recalls with a park-outside advisory covering 2019-2021 Tucsons among other models.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 38% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, the engine and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 8,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Hyundai Tucson 2016–2021
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Fuel and propulsion system189 reports7,5002,000–25,000Fuel and propulsion system: 189 reports, median 7,500 miles, middle half 2,000 to 25,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline964 reports8,0002,000–22,000Transmission and driveline: 964 reports, median 8,000 miles, middle half 2,000 to 22,000 miles.
- Throttle and speed control235 reports9,5002,000–29,000Throttle and speed control: 235 reports, median 9,500 miles, middle half 2,000 to 29,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise502 reports27,0005,500–60,000Problems owners could not categorise: 502 reports, median 27,000 miles, middle half 5,500 to 60,000 miles.
- Electrical system400 reports40,0008,500–70,000Electrical system: 400 reports, median 40,000 miles, middle half 8,500 to 70,000 miles.
- Engine1,547 reports56,00016,000–87,000Engine: 1,547 reports, median 56,000 miles, middle half 16,000 to 87,000 miles.
- Body structure289 reports58,00040,000–70,000Body structure: 289 reports, median 58,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 70,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,547 | 30.8% | 56,000 | 16,000–87,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 964 | 19.2% | 8,000 | 2,000–22,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 502 | 10.0% | 27,000 | 5,500–60,000 |
| Electrical system | 400 | 8.0% | 40,000 | 8,500–70,000 |
| Body structure | 289 | 5.8% | 58,000 | 40,000–70,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 235 | 4.7% | 9,500 | 2,000–29,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 189 | 3.8% | 7,500 | 2,000–25,000 |
| Latches and locks | 174 | 3.5% | 63,000 | 45,000–81,000 |
| Brakes | 169 | 3.4% | 23,000 | 6,000–46,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 135 | 2.7% | 49,000 | 28,000–89,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Hyundai Tucson 2016–2021 · 2,054 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 72% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 88% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 100%: the remaining 0.2% of reports (4) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
72% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Transmission and driveline — median 8,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 27,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 9,500 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 7,500 mi
In the reporting window
- Engine — middle half 16,000–87,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 8,500–70,000 mi
- Body structure — middle half 40,000–70,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
88% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 56,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 8,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 27,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 40,000 mi
- Body structure — median 58,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 9,500 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 7,500 mi
At 120,000 miles
98% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Engine — median 56,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline — median 8,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 27,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 40,000 mi
- Body structure — median 58,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control — median 9,500 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 7,500 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 25,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 30.8% of complaints (1,547 reports, 459 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 56,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 16,000 and 87,000 miles.
A single system taking 30.8% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 19.2% of complaints (964 reports, 601 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 8,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 2,000 and 22,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 10.0% of complaints (502 reports, 152 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 27,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 5,500 and 60,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 8.0% of complaints (400 reports, 157 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 40,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 8,500 and 70,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 5.8% of complaints (289 reports, 136 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 58,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 70,000 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 4.7% of complaints (235 reports, 138 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 9,500 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 2,000 and 29,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2016 model year drew the most — 2,166 complaints — while 2021 drew the fewest at 107. The median year sits at 527.
That makes 2016 an outlier: roughly 4.1 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 6 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
1 of these carry a severe advisory — NHTSA's do not drive or park outside warnings, which the agency applies only when it considers the risk immediate. If you own one of these vehicles, that is the first thing to check by VIN.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 5,015 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 96 (1.9%)
- Fires
- 117
- Injury reports
- 63
- Fatality reports
- 2
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Transmission (7-Speed Dct) 2016–2018
Clutch application logic causes delayed engagement, hesitation and jerking at low speed, and repeated accelerator pedal cycling in high ambient temperatures can leave the vehicle unable to accelerate at all; owners also report loss of power and stalling. NHTSA recall 16V-628 covered 2016 Tucsons with the 7-speed DCT built 20 May 2015 to 31 May 2016; a class action settled for $41.2 million with a warranty extension and repair reimbursement, and MY2017 cars required a TCM software update.
Engine (2.4l Theta Ii Gdi) 2016–2019
Connecting-rod bearing wear and seizure from oil-passage debris — the same Theta II mechanism as the LM, covered by the engine settlement and KSDS software campaign.
Brakes / ABS (hecu) 2019–2021
Electrical short in the ABS hydraulic electronic control unit can ignite even with the vehicle parked and off; Hyundai issued recalls with a park-outside advisory covering 2019-2021 Tucsons among other models.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2,166 | 1,127 |
| 2017 | 1,454 | 590 |
| 2018 | 536 | 152 |
| 2019 | 519 | 128 |
| 2020 | 233 | 39 |
| 2021 | 107 | 18 |
Recalls (6) — is your car included?
Jan 2022 · 2017 · EngineA damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Tucson and Sonata Hybrid vehicles. The connecting rod bearings inside the engine may wear prematurely, which can result in engine damage.
What can happen. A damaged engine can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the engine. If bearing damage is found, the engine will be replaced. Dealers will also install a software update containing a new Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners were notified of the defect on November 16, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed January 15, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 209.
Nov 2020 · 2016–2021 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic park outsideAn engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
The 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.
What can happen. An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
The free fix. 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.
Jan 2017 · 2016–2017 · Trailer HitchesIf the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the…
The 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
What can happen. If the trailer brake lights stay illuminated while being used, other drivers may be confused, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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.
Oct 2016 · 2016 · Electrical SystemInability to move the vehicle while in traffic may increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
What can happen. Inability to move the vehicle while in traffic may increase the risk of a crash.
The free 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.
Jul 2016 · 2016 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesIf the primary hood latch is inadvertently released and the secondary latch cannot secure the hood, the hood…
The 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.
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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.
May 2016 · 2016 · Exterior LightingFailure to illuminate the trailer's turn signal lights would prevent the communication of the driver's…
The 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
What can happen. Failure to illuminate the trailer's turn signal lights would prevent the communication of the driver's intent, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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.
What owners reported
Had an accident while parking the accelerator just took off on its own it stop because it hit a concert wall./Reported the accident to Hyundai and they said to just fix.I later found out that their is a recall only on certain VIN numbers well car VIN number is not on the list but i still had the accident. Got in touch…
2016 · Throttle and speed control
Since purchasing the vehicle in november 2015, the vehicle has had difficulty shifting at lower speeds and accelerating at higher speeds. Initially, the dealership told me i just needed to get used to driving a turbo. I have had all three updates done to the dual-clutch transmission. Afterwards, in january 2017, while…
2016 · 2 miles · Transmission and driveline
This is the 3rd and worst time that this has happened. I approached the stop sign came to a complete stop my right blinker on i went to pull out onto the road and and stepped on the accelerator and the car would not go anywhere for approximately 2 and a 1/2 to 3 seconds. A vehicle traveling from the south to the north…
2016 · 2 miles · Transmission and driveline
Dealer has tried to fix car three times. At times car will not accelerate at all.Engine RPM will increase but car will not move. Very dangerous..I take my granddaughter to school and this scares the crap out of me.Especially in intersections.Other times transmission shudders and or jumps out of gear.A complaint has…
2016 · 5 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 2,054 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page