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:
4 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,292 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2016 Hyundai Tucson Owner Comments (Page 21 of 25)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #88

Jul 222016

Tucson

  • 9,500 miles

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

I was at a traffic light on a city street waiting for the light to turn green. When the light turned green I depressed the gas pedal and my car barely moved. The RPM's rev'd up but the car was barely moving. I thought I was in neutral at first but was not. I kept hitting the gas trying to get power to the car to get through the intersection. Cars behind me were beeping. The car finally found a gear and continued on. That was scary. If I were making a left turn someone could have been seriously injured or even worse! I am afraid to drive this car now. This seems to be a growing issue with owners of this vehicle. I believe it has something to due with the dual clutch transmission. I have contacted Hyundai corporate and the dealership. I want to help get the word out to escalated the fix for this issue or a resolution.

- Mays Landing, NJ, USA

problem #87

Jul 182016

Tucson

  • 7,000 miles
I have taken the car into dealer (at 6800 miles) because of significant jumpiness and hesitation. They told me this was "normal" even though it was not doing this earlier. Then less than 1 week later, my car refused to move. Was driving, came to a red light and stopped normally. When the light turned green, the car would not drive. Rpms revved up to 4000/5000 and...nothing. I moved through the gears, tried different modes, and got the car to inch forward with high revs of the engine. This was good cuz I was able to get off the roadway. It was raining heavily and I was afraid I would get rear ended. Finally, car decided it would drive. Got home. Next morning backed out of garage, and no forward movement. Had to have vehicle towed to dealer. I don't believe they know what is wrong. One person says waiting for Hyundai to tell them something. Another says software issue. Internet postings suggest clutch assembly actuator. I bought this car in good faith, but I believe they knew there were issues.

- Hockessin, DE, USA

problem #86

Jun 122016

Tucson

  • miles
Vehicle was stationary at traffic light, after light turn green and applying the accelerator the vehicle would not accelerate. High rpms and zero speed. Thirty seconds later the transmission shifted into gear and started accelerating the way it should.

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #85

Jul 152016

Tucson

  • 2,700 miles

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

I have a 2016 Tucson limited - purchased 2/2016...has 2700 miles on it. The transmission has always been "jumpy" but last week and the week before I was in traffic at a signal and when I went to accelerate nothing happened. The RPM's went up to 6000 RPM but the car would not move...it was very scary and I came so close to getting hit. I had people coming toward me and behind me going 40 mph. I kept pressing the pedal and it finally took off...I took it to the dealer the first time and they could not replicate it and they said there was no known issue. I took it again yesterday and they gave me a rental and they called today and said they did a 'software update' and its fixed. I will see how it goes. But it will be hard to ever drive this car with any confidence again.

- Williamsville, NY, USA

problem #84

Jun 072016

Tucson

  • 6,000 miles
On two occasions, when my Tucson was at a stop (in drive, brake engaged), releasing the brake and attempting to accelerator resulted in the car stalling, staying in place and the engine revving as if the vehicle was in neutral. The first time this occurred was at a stop light and I was able to get the vehicle to go by putting the car in park, turning the engine off, turning the engine back on then putting the car in drive. The second time this occurred, I was in a drive-thru. Powering the vehicle off and putting it in park, then drive did not resolve the problem. I revved the engine, putting a lot of force down onto the gas pedal and my vehicle slowly began rolling forward. After getting out of the drive-thru, I had to do this again and once the vehicle got up to a speed of 30mph or so, it appeared to return to normal with shifting.

- Stillwater, OK, USA

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problem #83

Jul 172016

Tucson

  • 10,000 miles
Dct transmission hesitates off the line on normal acceleration; every time you take off from a dead stop. Very irritating, never sure of a quick smooth acceleration. If you roll to almost a stop then accelerate briskly, clutches will hesitate before engaging several seconds, then grab causing the car to lunge. Several times a month - I bought the car new, now has 10K miles. When sitting still at red light, then accelerate slowly nothing happens -this is like you are in neutral. I have to physically knock the gear shift in low then back to drive, etc., to finally get the clutches to engage.-I have had to get out of the car and wave people around several times. Dealer said normal for dct nothing now can be done but Hyundai is trying to come up with a soft-ware fix. They have done one already but no fix and car vibrates-consumer reports talks about this on line.

- Florence, AL, USA

problem #82

Jul 182016

Tucson

  • 3,600 miles

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

I just purchased this vehicle a month ago and on numerous occasions the engines revs but it wont drive. Always happens when I'm at a stop or in stop and go traffic. I was almost rear ended because an approaching car didn't see me stopped at the light but I could not go. I tried turning off and on, putting into reverse and nothing. Again the engine revs, sounds like its not in gear. This is a major safety issue that needs addressed. Someone is going to get killed. The problem resolves itself usually after a few minutes but it leaves you stuck in traffic. The drive train, transmission, etc must be defective! I have 3600 miles on the car. I took it to the dealer and they could replicate the problem (of course!). very little power and lets you get to about 20 miles per hour - very dangerous! I've read online about numerous other people that have the same issue - please help!

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #81

Jul 142016

Tucson

  • 22,100 miles
When you are either stopped or in motion the car hesitates on acceleration. For example when pulling in traffic your RPM's are going up and your wheels are not moving. This new type of transmission (duel clutch) does not feel right when you hit gas it either hesitates and jerks ahead. Also getting message of the transmission getting hot. This is not normal. This happens when sitting in traffic. I think this is a issue not only with Hyundai, but other car makers

- Hillsborough, NJ, USA

problem #80

Apr 012016

Tucson

  • 10 miles
When accelerating from a stop, engine/transmission lags and engine bogs down. After about 1-2 seconds, car will then accelerate too quickly. Unable to safely pull out into traffic fearing car will inch into street too slowly and cause an accident. This is a constant issue from the day I bought it new from dealer. The car now has 5100 miles and there is no difference in the hesitation.

- Oswego, IL, USA

problem #79

Jul 112016

Tucson

  • 5,200 miles
After coming to a complete stop at traffic light started to proceed when light changed. Car would not move and actually rolled backward a bit after releasing brake. RPM's increased with depression of gas pedal but car would not move. It took a more than 10 seconds for the transmission to engage but even then it was barely engaging (car would barely move). Terribly scary moment on a busy highway during rush hour. My wife and I do not feel safe driving this car.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #78

Jul 142016

Tucson

  • 496 miles

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

While at a red light waiting to make a left turn pressed the gas and engine just reved to about 5000 RPM with no movement. Car was in drive tried again car reved again and suddenly started moving. This vehicle is dangerous and I only purchased it a week ago.

- Nyack, NY, USA

problem #77

Jun 242016

Tucson

  • 425 miles
Was sitting still and attempted to move forward and the engine showed RPM's moving but vehicle did not move. Have had several instances when car was very slow to respond when attempting to drive from a stopped position and turning with oncoming traffic.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #76

Jun 292016

Tucson

  • 5,000 miles
While sitting at traffic lights/stop signs, upon acceleration the car did not move. Rpms increased however the car would not move. Usually putting the car in park then back to drive would work. I took the car into the shop on July 6,2016 the dealership was able to duplicate the issue on the computer, as well as the tech driving did experience the same issue. The dealership has been very good with keeping us up to date. We waiting to hear from Hyundai on how they intend on fixing this issue. I am being told they could possibly have the car for 3 weeks or longer. The car has been deemed unsafe to drive.

- Abingdon, MD, USA

problem #75

Feb 242016

Tucson

  • 5,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle decelerated and the transmission overheat warning light illuminated. The contact noticed smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle through the rearview mirror. The contact coasted to the side of the road, restarted the vehicle, and was able to resume driving. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but the technician could not find a failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

- South Gate, CA, USA

problem #74

Jul 012016

Tucson

  • 2,500 miles
Transmission fails to engage. It happened the first time right in the morning from my driveway. Put the car in drive and car was inching forward while giving it plenty of gas/rpms. Car finally went into gear and started to move and was driving normal for the rest of the day. Thought nothing of it since it only happened once. Then about 3 weeks later, stopped at red light, once it turned green I stepped on the gas and the same thing, inching forward, high rpms, finally took gear after about 30 seconds and many upset people behind me. This bring me to yesterday, stopped at a stop sign to cross a busy non-stopping cross traffic, waiting to cross the street, found an opening and stepped on the gas expecting the car to make it through the intersection. I had plenty of time to move through, but suddenly my car just decided to not move while stuck right in the middle of the street. Oncoming car had to swerve and nearly hit my hood. Finally car started to move to barely make it out of the way for the 2nd oncoming car, scary stuff. Took it to the dealership for service and told them about my 2 incidents and was told this was "normal for the turbo". also, I noticed that when I drive up an incline (say a parking garage) when I get to the top and level out, my car gets a huge rush of rpms and im not even stepping on the gas. Not sure if this is at all related, but just assuming that it is part of the bigger problem with the transmission. Car is 2016 Tucson, limited, ultimate package, AWD I don't feel safe in this car at all. I hope there is a fix for this soon.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #73

Jun 242016

Tucson

  • 4,000 miles
I am experiencing an unsafe issue with 2016 Hyundai not shifting properly. Bought on 02/22/16 at williamsburg Hyundai, va. In may, early June, there where 3 occasions after stopping the car would not move at all. Early June stopped at an intersection, depressed accelerator and nothing, happened. The engine RPM's increased but no forward movement. Started to roll backwards almost hitting the car behind me. Had to shift to park and then back to drive to move forward. Mid-June stopped at a traffic light attempting to make a left hand turn, hit the gas, the car sat still. The RPM's increased but no forward movement. My wife had to place in park and back into drive before she could move forward causing her to sit through the entire cycle on the light. Late June entering meg auto spa (car wash), stopped to enter the washing tunnel and could not move forward until shifted the car to park and the back to drive. Scheduled an appointment at the dealership on 06/27/2016. Told that lag in shifting was normal for this vehicle. Asked them to take a look at the vehicle anyway. Day 1 was contacted by dealership and told that they could not find issue but wanted to keep the car for a week to test. At the end of each day they contacted us to keep us informed as the status of the testing. On Friday, July 1st, I was informed they were able to replicate the issue and they will send the data to Hyundai engineers to be studied. The dealership indicated that they are aware that other dealers having similar issues and that they are not sure of what the next steps would be. We returned to return to the dealership on Tuesday July 5th where we will be provided with a loaner car while this issue is investigated. So far the dealer ship has been very cooperative and attentive to our situation. However, as of today, June 14, 2016 they still have our car and there is no solution to this issue.

- Williamsburg, VA, USA

problem #72

Jul 072016

Tucson

  • 3,121 miles
On two occasions, car was stopped at a stop light. When the light turned green and foot was let off the brake and applied to the accelerator; car did not move! rpms went up; however, car did not move.

- Huntingtown, MD, USA

problem #71

Jul 112016

Tucson

  • 6,500 miles
The vehicle was stationary in the left turn lane of an intersection. When the turn arrow went green the vehicle would not move even though it was in drive. After shifting in and out of park to drive the vehicle finally started moving. Once I was underway the engine started revving but the vehicle would barely go. I was almost struck by oncoming traffic trying to get out of harms way. Then the vehicle started responding normally. I took it to the dealer immediately and was informed that there had been numerous issues reported similar to this. They plan to reset the dct to factory settings but I now have no confidence in this vehicle while in traffic...updated 06/08/17

- Litchfield Park, AZ, USA

problem #70

Jul 132016

Tucson

  • 6,300 miles
Problem with dct transmission. On multiple occasions the car has difficulties accelerating from a complete stop. The issue is intermittent. When the problem occurs and you push the gas pedal after a complete stop the vehicle vibrates and jerks back and forth but does not fully accelerate. Also, sometimes it fails to move at all even though the rpms go up to 4000-5000 range. This is a big safety concern if you are trying to cross through traffic and the car does not move.

- Pearland, TX, USA

problem #69

Jun 222016

Tucson

  • 6,000 miles
2016 tuscon limited..same issue as indicated here with disengaged dct transmission after being stopped, or very slow speeds. At 3500 miles mine started with a vibration at 1-2 mph, dealer noted the issue but had no fix. Engineer was sent to review. Now at 6000 miles my transmission started to disengage at random times. I contacted Hyundai Consumer Affairs and a case was open. My business partner also purchased one on the same weekend as I did, and some friends did also a few months later. All 3 of the cars are at the dealership. Unsafe to drive. This is my wife's car and I will not let her drive it. I have requested a buyback. If I do not get this to happen soon, I will seek lemon law or open up a class action. Very unsafe and only a matter of time someone is killed or seriously injured on a left turn intersection

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

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