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 23 of 25)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #48

Jun 222016

Tucson

  • 2,400 miles

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

In two separate incidents about a month apart, I was stopped at a traffic light behind several other cars. When the light changed and I pressed the accelerator, the engine revved, but the automatic transmission did not engage and the car would not go forward. It would go backward, but not forward. A warning light came on for a few minutes that said the transmission fluid was too hot and I should stop the car safely. (like it wasn't already utterly stopped, in the middle of a left-turn lane.) after a few minutes, the warning light went off, but the car still would not go forward, first incident occurred after about 2,400 miles. The dealer said that Hyundai technical told him there was an update to the sensor software that would fix the problem. He said he performed the update. Second incident was about a month and 600 miles later. Different traffic light, different left turn lane, same problem. This time, as I waited 2 hours for a tow truck, after about 25 minutes, the car spontaneously dropped back into gear and I was able to drive it 2-3 blocks before it stopped dead again at another traffic light. In the remaining 90 minutes while I waited for the tow truck, the car would sporadically be able to lurch forward a few feet in low gear before dropping out of gear again and stopping. The tow truck driver who tried to drive the car up the truck ramp experienced the same problem and verified it. Car has been at the dealer now for over a week. Today, Hyundai technical gave it a "fast track" number. Service manager is still waiting for direction from Hyundai technical for what to do to fix it. He told me that my car is not the first car he has seen with this problem. And while my car has been in his shop this week, another vehicle has come in with the same problem.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #47

Jun 112016

Tucson

  • 400 miles
This is an intermittent issue with the dct transmission. After stopping at a stoplight, the vehicle will not move after releasing brake/applying gas pedal. Vehicle shows that is in "D". tried putting the vehicle in "P" and back in "D"; vehicle still does not move. Putting the shifter in manual mode still shows "D" instead of the actual gear it is in. Took the vehicle to a Hyundai dealer. Service department could not replicate the issue so they did nothing to resolve issue.

- Zanesville, OH, USA

problem #46

May 312016

Tucson

  • 1,622 miles
There is a delay between when you hit the accelerator and when the car actually accelerates, which causes me to press harder and causes the car to jerk forward when it accelerates. There is also a very uncomfortable level of jerking when the car shifts gears. This is dangerous because when I want to make a left turn at a busy intersection or beat a yellow light the delay causes the car to take longer to speed up. Additionally, when accelerating at a green light because of the delay, I press harder on the accelerator and when the car actually starts moving it jerks forward at an unwanted speed and I have to then brake to avoid going faster than the car in front of me. Also, sometimes the car seems to stall when I press the accelerator and the rpms rev up to 5000 rpms, but the car doesn't move. I have had these problem almost from the time I bought the car. Not only is the car not enjoyable to drive - to say the least - it also may be unsafe.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #45

May 302016

Tucson

  • 2,800 miles

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

Dual clutch problems like others I was simply stopped at a red light and when it turned green I pressed the gas and no movement, at first I thought the car stalled because the ac was on high, and then I pressed again and see the tack revving up. I was so shocked I could not even think to use the hazard lights and tried the shifter, then every drive mode and even AWD to no avail. I shut the car off in park and re started still no go, it would back up, luckily my sister was behind me, we had just left our mothers 95th birthday. I got out started to push and noticed it still in drive (glad it did not take off with my wife in there) I quickly put in neutral and turned right on a downhill grade to parking lot, while coasting I put in drive and rev the engine and feel it trying to slightly move. The Hyundai dealer is mile away so I decide to try and get it there even though it is memorial day. While revving it to get there I did get the transmission temp hot warning to pull over and stop, I did not since I was almost there. I should have left the car run but shut it off, some sales people where there but no mechanics. It would not do it again for the salesman after sitting just a short time. This happened 5/30/16 at appx. 2800 miles 3 weeks later with them unable to duplicate the problem and 3100 miles, I was told by the service manager he proceeds to explain there is absolutely nothing wrong with our car according to Hyundai it is acting as it was designed and Hyundai needs to inform the owners they must drive this car like a standard (huh). In stop and go traffic you cannot edge the car forward this is allowing the clutches to slip and overheat but instead you must leave a 1 to 2 car length gap then get the car up to 3mph and stop again if needed. This is very unsafe in my opinion it is playing russian roulette with every stop any driver makes in this car.

- Colerain, OH, USA

problem #44

May 282016

Tucson

  • 6,000 miles
Just as many others have reported on three occasions I have not had movement to the wheels when in drive. It feels as though you are in neutral and hitting the gas. Lucking two of the times this occurred while leaving my garage, the other time was while at a red light that turned green. The car would not move. It is an accident waiting to happen, I am very scared to drive it. It is now in the shop for a second time. However, they can't reproduce the problem and nothing shows up on the vehicles computer. I'm nervous they are going to want me to take it back when it is so unsafe to drive. This started happening around the 6,000 miles mark.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

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problem #43

Jun 272016

Tucson

  • 6,280 miles
The vehicle has refused to accelerate 3 times when the temp is > 90 degrees and the vehicle has stopped at a stop sign/light. It acts like the clutch on a manual transmission is engaged, but it's an automatic. I have had this happen 3 times and the mileage is only 6300 miles. I push the accelerator down and the engine revs, but no vehicle movement happens. It takes > 30 seconds before the vehicle reluctantly moves. It is a very scary situation when pulling into traffic.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #42

Jun 162016

Tucson

  • 200 miles

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

I have Hyundai Tucson limited 1.6T with the dual clutch transmission. I have only had my new car 2 weeks and have experienced the failure of the car to move in drive 4 times. Each time the car was shifted into drive from park or reverse and the engine revs but the car does not move for ~ 5 minutes then slowly moves. There are wide spread reports of others having the same problem but in dangerous situations such as the failure occurring in traffic.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #41

Jun 172016

Tucson

  • 3,863 miles
When the vehicle is in drive and you are stopped at a light or waiting to make a turn and then you go to accelerate, the car acts as if it's in neutral or limps along. This only happens when the car is stopped and you go to accelerate from a stop. Clearly in my video, you can see that the car is at a stop, the car is in drive and this time the car didn't even move until the engine was producing 4500rpm's and then only achieved 7mph. It almost seems like the car has neutraled out or the gear is slipping. We took the vehicle to Hyundai two times concerning this issue, the first time the tech was able to reproduce our concern and they performed a 'relearn' on the transmission. The second time they weren't able to reproduce the problem and we were sent on our way as if everything was ok. This concern is dangerous and we are scared, literally terrified to drive this vehicle because I was almost T-boned while making a left turn through an intersection and vehicle didn't respond. Our concern is intermittent and Hyundai just sends us on our way as if nothing is wrong with the vehicle. If anything happens to me, myself or my family because of this vehicle, please investigate the powertrain. Hyundai has declined my request to repurchase or replace under the Arizona lemon law. This vehicle is dangerous and now Hyundai is not helping to resolve this issue. I have a couple off videos showing the car demonstrating the concern. Please help

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #40

Jun 252016

Tucson

  • 3,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. While at a stop light, the vehicle did not accelerate when the light turned green. There was no warning indicator illuminated. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle felt as though it were in neutral. The vehicle was placed in manual transmission and driven home. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the issue would be investigated. The failure mileage was 3,000.

- St. Marys, GA, USA

problem #39

Jun 192016

Tucson

  • 2,500 miles
Vehicle would not move forward in stop and go traffic, while traveling uphill. Transmission warning light came on indicating it was overheating, which eventually locked up the transmission, disabling the car. An immobile vehicle in traffic is inherently unsafe, and with under 3000 miles, this vehicle is in need of a recall and a redesigned clutch.

- Newbury Park, CA, USA

problem #38

May 262016

Tucson

  • 19,000 miles

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

I am the owner of a 2016 Hyundai Tucson which I purchased this fall and have approximately 25,000 miles on it. I am reporting the same problem that over 50 others have on this site. It is a 1.6 liter turbo with the dcvt transmission. Starting about 5 weeks ago I have been having a problem with the transmission not engaging. When it started, I was stopped in traffic at a light and I was in drive with no special mode. I took my foot off the brake and the vehicle being on a slight incline started to roll backwards. I had to rev the rpms up what looked like to be over 3000 to get the car to go forward. I took it to the dealer where I purchased, sheehy Hyundai in waldorf, md and they checked it over and said they could not find anything. Has happened 4 additional times. This is a bad situation, about two weeks ago I was leaving a gas station, idling out to a side road that had a slight incline, and again I took my foot off the brake while waiting at the intersection, and again instead of going forward, the vehicle rolled backward and this time I stopped the vehicle, putting it in park, and shut it off hoping it was just something electronic. I restarted and had to again rev the rpms way up so to avoid over revving and having the vehicle jump, I put it into 1st gear manually and was able to move forward, but I noticed it was jerky starting out. About an hour later during continuous driving with some stop starts, I was at a light which had turned red and was waiting for it to change. When it did and I started to go, with the vehicle in drive it again would not go. I again had to rev it up significantly to get it to start rolling forward. I again took it to sheehy and they had it for three days. They said they went though it diagnostically as much as they could and checked the fluid, but still could not find anything wrong. On Tuesday I was coming.

- Brandywine, MD, USA

problem #37

Jun 262016

Tucson

  • 8,000 miles
Vehicle will not shift into gear from stationary position. Has occurred periodically (at least 25 times) since odometer read 1800 miles (current milage is 8000 miles).. it has occurred while stopped in traffic and took at least 5 minutes to go into gear. It has also failed to shift into gear while starting from a stop in traffic and leaves car powerless for forward motion with moving traffic all around. Have had it to dealer at least 3 times reporting shifting/ transmission problem. Transmission reprogrammed once but issue started again after about 500 miles. Dealer can find nothing wrong with the car.

- Panhandle, TX, USA

problem #36

Jun 042016

Tucson

  • 7,000 miles
Stopped at a gas station to get gas, turned the vehicle ignition off, pumped gas, got back in & started the vehicle, sat there for a minute or two put the vehicle in park & pressed the gas, RPM's revved way up but the vehicle would not move forward. Checked everything to make sure I wasn't overlooking anything; no 'check engine' light came on or any other dashlights, emergency brake was not engaged. Turned the switch off & on several times, waiting a few minutes each time, then would start and shift into reverse (it would back up), neutral, & finally drive & still nothing happened. Finally gave up, put it in reverse & backed away from the pumps to a safe place. Called Hyundai blue link but they were no help as the vehicle wasn't sending any codes. I tried a couple more times then gave up & had it towed to the dealership (after speaking with the salesman). Once it was off the truck, the salesman tried it several times & got the same result. He was just as stunned as I was. On mon I called Hyundai America & opened a case so there would be documentation. I had done some research online over the weekend & found a Hyundai forum where people were discussing the same problem that I was had. I then went to the dealership & met with the service director & the technician working on my vehicle. Of course, they didn't know what to do even though it had done the same thing with the service director that morning but he finally got it to move. The dealership called Hyundai tech services & they made an update/adjustment. For now it seems to be fine, but I am totally paranoid about driving it now! I think it's very important that the NHTSA get involved & get to the bottom of this issue as soon as possible.

- Springville, AL, USA

problem #35

Jun 142016

Tucson

  • 2,075 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. When the accelerator pedal was depressed from a stop, the vehicle reversed and then moved forward. The failure continuously recurred. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was switched into the neutral position and restarted. The vehicle restarted after multiple attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,075.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #34

Jun 182016

Tucson

  • 8,000 miles
On multiple occasions and with increasing frequency, the car does not transmit power to the wheels after stopping or slowing to a near stop - e.g. at a traffic light, merging into interstate traffic, or, god forbid, turning left at an intersection. I will put my foot on the accelerator and the rpms can roar into the 6000 range while my car inches forward at 1-5 mph into traffic. Incredibly dangerous. Most recently this happened as I was turning left onto sunset blvd in los angeles. What should have been a safe left turn became a harrowing experience as my car entered sunset at about 1-2 mph as traffic closed in from both directions, with a 6 year old in the car, no less! not my video, but a similar experience from another Tucson driver is here: Https://www.youtube.com/watch"V=tcvtr_zcyrs and another: Https://www.youtube.com/watch"V=tcvtr_zcyrs plenty of reports of this at Hyundai-forums.com *www.Hyundai-forums.com/2016-Tucson-IX35-models/454074-dangerous-horrible-dct-36.html and yet no action from Hyundai. Dealerships across the country are responding variously with "we can't replicate the problem" (it's intermittent and dangerously unpredictable), to "sounds like normal dct behavior to me!", to as my dealer told me, "until the malfunctioning part fails completely, we can't id the problem so can't fix it." Letting that part fail may, literally, be the last thing I do! still working on a resolution with Hyundai, but this is an incredibly dangerous malfunction and hynudai needs to address it as such.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #33

Jun 042016

Tucson 4-cyl

  • 1,700 miles
I was sitting at a red light, behind a couple of other cars, waiting to make a left turn. When the light turned green, I eased up on the brake and allowed the car to pull forward slowly. When it was my turn to make a left, I gently put my foot on the accelerator. The rpms rose but the car did not engage in a gear and thus didn't pull forward beyond a slow roll. I tried stepping on the gas harder and allowed the rpms to get up to about 4,000. The car still do not engage in a gear. I was in "normal" driving mode when this occurred. I tried shifting the stick to manual mode and back, and also putting it sport mode---all while in the middle of the intersection. After several round trips up to 4,000 RPM and back, the car eventually got in gear. I'm not exactly sure which, if any of my actions, corrected the issue. Researching online, I see this is a very common problem and it's shocking to me that Hyundai hasn't publicly acknowledged this or issued a recall. An online Tucson forum entitled "dangerous horrible dct" has over 40,000 views and several hundred posts regarding this matter. (www.Hyundai-forums.com/2016-Tucson-IX35-models/454074-dangerous-horrible-dct.html). forum posts note that dealers are playing dumb on this one unless they can recreate the issue 1st-hand. A youtube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=tcvtr_zcyrs) provides ample evidence of what is happening and is very consistent with my experience (and that of many others it would seem. This situation is very, very dangerous!!! I sincerely hope the NHTSA looks into this matter immediately.

- Jackson, WY, USA

problem #32

Apr 182016

Tucson

  • 7,800 miles
Just happened to me yesterday. 7000+ miles on my Tucson. I was waiting to go straight at a red light and when the light turned green I couldn't accelerate. Revved high but didn't move until I let off the gas a little and it seemed like the clutch finally engaged and I was moving at about 5 mph while still reaching high rpms. Cars yielding to make a left were waiting for me to continue straight. Luckily I wasn't trying to make any right turns at any intersection because I'd imagine a car coming at full speed could've hit me if I didn't pick up my speed quick enough. As I was attempting to get back to my work parking lot (all the streets were busy during the lunch hour), I was at a slight incline and the car didn't accelerate again as it should. I floored the pedal to avoid rolling backwards into another car and as soon as the clutch engaged my car peeled out and accelerated abruptly. The "transmission temp. Too high" indicator light came on. Luckily was able to make it to work. This happened once before but only once on one acceleration at a red light. I didn't think anything of it as it drove normal afterwards. Hyundai did the ECU flash update (as a tsb that I wasn't aware of) at the dealership a few weeks later and I thought it may have taken care of the issue. When it happened yesterday, it was much worse than the first time as it continuously had acceleration issues. After work, I drove very carefully to the dealership to drop the car off. It was a very dangerous situation and I hope they can get fix on this car. I love this car and it fits my daily needs perfectly. Hopefully, Hyundai can get this issue taken care of where all service departments are on the same page and get a tsb sent out to all owners who may own affected models.

- La Palma, CA, USA

problem #31

Jun 202016

Tucson

  • miles
No drive gear or reverse gear sometimes and sporadically, take off from drive or reverse. No power on take off it revs rpms.at an stand still at a corner or a red light or in traffic on a busy highway it just revs rpms you have to keep taking in and out of gear and hope youcan make it home without no one crashing into the back of you or car lunging forward into some 1 else.

- Union, NJ, USA

problem #30

Jun 212016

Tucson 4-cyl

  • 13,700 miles
Waiting at a light on a slight incline. Pushed accelerator engine revs and nothing. No power is transferred to the drive wheels. Tried several times. I thought I accidentally moved the shift to neutral. Nope. Tried again and just engine rev, no movement. Put in neutral and shifted back to drive and finally got going. Next intersection I had to make a left against opposing traffic and chickened out until the light changed to red. Same [xxx] thing occurred! could have been T-boned and whose fault would it have been" mine since there is no owning up to the issue with Hyundai and no indication of the issue recorded by the car's computer! no engine light or any other indication recorded by the vehicle that there is a problem. How many people have already had accidents due to this issue and were deemed at fault by their insurance? this link shows exactly what occurs. Watch and listen. Https://www.youtube.com/watch"V=tcvtr_zcyrs information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Burlington, NJ, USA

problem #29

Jun 182016

Tucson

  • 1,300 miles
Car is a 2016 Tucson with the 1.6T engine and dual clutch automatic transmission. On 3 occasions while driving in slow traffic the car will not move after coming to a stop. The engine revs as if in neutral with no power to the wheels. After 10-15 seconds and shifting from park back to drive the electronic clutch partially engages enough to get the car moving again, but behaves like a manual transmission car with the clutch pedal partially depressed. The car does not display any warning lights or error codes. Took it to Hyundai dealer who advised it is a known problem but they have no solution. This is a hazard as it has left me stuck in traffic unable to move. Unbelievable that Hyundai is aware and offers nothing. Google search of "2016 Hyundai Tucson dct problems" hits over 25K search results. I see other NHTSA complaints on same issue.

- Denver, CO, USA

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