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
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
96,000 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace engine (2 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
2016 Hyundai Tucson engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Hyundai Tucson Owner Comments

problem #3

Sep 142021

Tucson Sport 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,868 miles

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

I was driving my Tuscon down the freeway and I heard a snap, and a piece of metal fall out of the car, the car lost acceleration and if I had not have acted quickly to maneuver out of traffic - I would have been in a SERIOUS accident. Initially I had the car towed to the local Hyundai dealership in Algonquin, IL, then later to my home dealership in Chicago. They diagnose it as engine failure - very mysterious considering I've had all of my work done besides my tires with my certified dealership McGrath City Hyundai of Chicago. The report reads:

A C/S ENGINE SEIZED AND TOWED IN ADVISE

CAUSE: VERIFIED CONCERN, FOUND ENGINE SEIZED-DAMAGED TO BLOCK VERIFIED CONCERN,

FOUND THAT ENGINE WILL NOT TURN BY HAND UPON ARRIVE. FOUND THAT CYLINDER BLOCK HAD DAMAGE AS CYLINDER 4 CONNECTING ROAD HAD BROKEN AND EJECTED FROM BLOCK SIDE/BOTTOM. RECOMMED REPLACE ENGINE SHORT BLOCK SIDE/BOTTOM. RECOMMEND REPLACE ENGINE SHORT BLOCK WITH HEAD AND ALL OIL FED COMPONENTS DUE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.

I couldn't believe what I was reading, other customers on here have identical complaints about HYUNDAI TUSCON 2016 engines overheating and seizing - this is a common issue! This defect with their 3rd generation TUSCONS is not new - HYUNDAI knows by now this is a problem, and they are choosing too not be proactive, to pass the cost and liability on to innocent customers, who buy these vehicles in good faith and end up in dangerous situations while driving these defective cars and then are expected to fit the bill for repairs.

This engine failure could have killed me and on top of that to add insult to injury if I had not purchased an extended warranty with my dealership McGrath City Hyundai, the engine replacement was quoted at $10,000.00 dollars. It's now been almost half a year now and no word from Hyundai corporation, McGrath City Hyundai of Chicago or my warranty company regarding movement on a new engine for my vehicle, of course the dealership called to see if they could trade it in - I'm sure a month later it would have an engine and be ready to make a profit for the dealership if I traded it in with them.

- Hannah G., Chicago, US

problem #2

Nov 082021

Tucson 2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,000 miles

While I was driving my 2016 Hyundai Tucson with 119k miles on the highway at 65mph, all of a sudden my check engine light started flashing. I fortunately was going down hill and a 1/4 mile from an exit and was able to coast safely to it. Once I got to the exit and braked, my oil light and battery light popped on and I was not able to accelerate or move.

Tow truck came and ran diagnostics at the mechanic and they told me there was no oil in the engine. This is impossible since I was well within my oil change timeline and was religious in keeping those records. The kicker is the week prior I had my Tucson at the Hyundai dealership for a recall on "Service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: Control unit/module..." Whatever that means.

I had it towed to the Hyundai dealership and opened a case with corporate Hyundai. I better get a new engine because the mechanic quoted one for 13k.

- Keith D., Carmel, US

problem #1

Sep 032021

Tucson SE 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

Engine had oiling problem the year prior that was a known issues by Hyundai and the block was replaced under warranty at the dealership as it only had about 80k miles. Less than a year later the engine completely seized while I was going up a bridge and died with no warning lights putting me in a dangerous position. The car currently has 96K miles and we are now playing games with the dealership who has not said whether or not Hyundai will replace the engine this time. It is actually my wife's car that she uses to take our 3 children to and from school so luckily it was just me in the car this time.

The car was professionally maintained at the manufacturer's suggested intervals, and considering the 2013-2014 2.0L engine recalls Hyundai made I hope they do the right thing and cover the work. But either way, two complete engine failures in a year is enough to convince me to never buy another Hyundai.

- kreier.5, Streator, IL, US

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