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Hyundai Tucson 2016–2021 (TL)

Hyundai Tucson
Photo: SsmIntrigue · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Price
$22,700–$33,000
MPG
50
  • Strength: Excellent safety
  • Strength: Strong cargo & utility
  • Strength: Strong value retention
  • Watch-out: Below-average driving fun
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How it scores for you10 scores
A top crash-safety scorer whose serious powertrain and engine complaint history is the trade-off buyers must weigh against modest driving and average tech.
Reliability51

Recalled about half as often as cars of the same model years; 2 of its 6 recalls were serious. About 4% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted -9 points for its wider reputation.

Safety100

5-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 5, side 5, rollover 4).

Running costs59

About $2,400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 59% of cars we track.

Cargo & utility70

31 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 70% of other SUVs we track.

Passenger space48

Five seats with 31 cu ft cargo (61.9 folded) is slightly below some compact rivals but broadly typical passenger and cargo room for the class.

Driving fun38

Base 164 hp Tucson is modest and unremarkable to drive; adequate but uninspiring handling and acceleration typical of a budget compact SUV, below segment sportier rivals.

Tech45

This generation offered decent basics like touchscreen and available CarPlay/Android Auto, but interface and feature depth trailed leaders. Roughly segment-typical for its era.

Comfort50

Compliant ride and reasonable seating make it segment-average; refinement acceptable but not standout in noise isolation or seat support.

Value retention70

SUVs and hybrids usually hold their value better than average.

Capability44

Rated to tow 1,500 lb; all- or four-wheel drive available.

Safety & recalls12 recalls
Overall 5/5
Frontal 5/5
Side 5/5
Rollover 4/5

12 recalls · 7 common complaint areas across 2016–2021

  • Powertrain — 512 complaints (2016)
  • Recall — Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module (2021)
  • Engine — 423 complaints (2017)

2021

  • RecallService brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module20V543000

    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 caus

  • Complaint clusterEngine29 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    Engine knock sensor went off and now the engine needs replacement due to faulty cylinder rod.

  • Complaint clusterElectrical9 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    Vehicle stalled approximately 15 times between April 17 and May 4, 2026, including once on Interstate XXX at approximately 50mph with minor children ages [XXX] and [XXX] in the vehicle. The oil and battery lights illuminated simultaneously at each stall. Diagnosed as ABS module failure first, then

  • Complaint clusterBrakes9 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES

    The issue started just before my vehicle had 60,000 miles on it and only occurred every once and a while but, now it happens more often. When braking at low speeds my car makes a hissing/buzzing noise and the pedal goes soft. We got to a dealership when it had 60,420 miles on it. The dealership had

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other7 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    This vehicle burns oil at an alarming rate. I am getting oil changes every 3K miles, and when I take it in, the dipstick is dry. I receive no oil lights to tell me it is low. I just had to get spark plugs and the mechanic at the garage told me this was due to the oil consumption issue in these v

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain6 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    The vehicle experienced a catalytic converter efficiency failure that was confirmed by an authorized dealership in January 2025. The dealer indicated the catalytic converter required replacement; however, the replacement was not performed, and the vehicle was returned to service with an unresolved e

2020

  • RecallService brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module20V543000

    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 caus

  • Complaint clusterEngine56 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    The contact owns a 2020 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while the vehicle was receiving a routine oil change, the contact was informed that the oil pan was empty. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The contact was informed about a possible oil consumption test. The co

  • Complaint clusterBrakes33 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES

    At times, this vehicle will refuse to go. You will get an alert in the dash that the emergency braking system has engaged. It may be a door is not completely shut, or sometimes it's just that I don't have my seat belt on. It seems to be inconsistent, because I often times put my seat belt on afte

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other26 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    My adult son was driving and under the hood started to smoke. He pulled over and opened the hood to take a look and then a fire started under the hood! The fire department was called and they put out the fire, cut the gasoline and duct taped it up so the fuel line would not further ignite the hot

  • Complaint clusterElectrical16 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    While driving on the expressway my car hit a bump and all the power from the vehicle was lost. I’ve been having issues with my car and have taking it to Hyundai dealership. Everytime I take it they are saying my car is fixed. But it’s not. Now they are saying they didn’t fix it because I didn’t expl

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain9 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    While driving, the engine began making a loud knocking/rattling noise and the check engine light began flashing. The vehicle experienced a loss of power and was unsafe to continue operating normally. The vehicle was taken to a Hyundai dealership for diagnosis. The engine requires replacement. Hyund

2019

  • RecallService brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module20V543000

    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 caus

  • Complaint clusterEngine132 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    While traveling northbound on [XXX] in Florida traffic came to a stop, and when I stopped, my engine seized, I attempted to restart, but was unable to get a restart. My attempts to restart caused the starter to start burning smoke was coming from under the hood this put me at serious risk being on a

  • Complaint clusterBrakes103 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES

    ABS light on dash is illuminated due to no known cause. Mechanic explained that the ABS system will not work when the light is illuminated which, I believe, contributed to a "fender bender" my vehicle was involved in due to the ABS system failure.

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain40 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    I had bought my car in May of 2025 and within 12 hours of owning it. The check engine light came on. They replaced the sensor well. A couple days later, the check engine light came on again, and they had to rebuild my whole engine had the car for a month at this time. When they rebuilt the engine, t

  • Complaint clusterElectrical36 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    The 2019 Tucson has 60,413 miles. My daughter drives it very low mileage - a couple of miles a day back and forth to school. Friday she was driving and the car lost engine power and it stopped driving. No warning lights. There was a cloud of smoke and it smelled like burning plastic. She was on a

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other23 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    My 2019 Hyundai Tucson repeatedly shuts off while driving , without any warning. It rolls backwards while in park. The car could easily hit me taking things out of the trunk or hit my neighbors walking past my drive. The car has no power. It can’t get up to speed. It shakes and I have to get someone

2018

  • RecallService brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module20V543000

    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 caus

  • Complaint clusterEngine157 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    2018 Hyundai Tucson catastrophic engine failure consistent with known Hyundai Nu engine defect pattern documented across 141 prior owner-filed NHTSA complaints for this same vehicle. OBD codes P0326, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 documented July 19–25, 2026. Independent licensed mechanic confirmed in w

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain99 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    While driving my 2018 Hyundai Tucson Limited 1.6L Turbo with the 7-speed EcoShift dual clutch transmission (DCT), the vehicle has repeatedly failed to engage and hold gears, resulting in loss of motive power in traffic. Diagnostic scanning retrieved codes P074B (Unable to Engage Gear 3), P074B71 (Un

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other34 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    I took my Tucson to my local Hyundai dealership on Friday, August 28, 2026. It was there for a standard oil change and tire rotation. When I scheduled the appointment online the system also said there was a recall. I always stay on top of that so I let them take care of that as well. The recall

  • Complaint clusterBrakes34 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES

    I purchased this car [XXX] as a CPO vehicle from a Ford dealership. By [XXX] the oil pressure light would flicker and it was clear the car was burning a lot of oil between changes. On 8/22 an oil change was completed at dealer. On [XXX] the oil pressure light flickered and it was three quarts down

  • Complaint clusterElectrical20 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    While idling at a standstill (in a drive-thru queue), my 2018 Hyundai Tucson suddenly experienced a severe engine overheat, causing the vehicle's air conditioning system to immediately blow hot air and shut down. The vehicle was brought directly to an authorized Hyundai dealership (Chapman Hyundai o

2017

  • RecallElectrical: wiring; trailer hitches16V842000

    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 ha

  • RecallService brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module20V543000

    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 caus

  • RecallEngine21V727000

    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.

  • Complaint clusterEngine423 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    Franchise dealer Preson Hyundai is actively obstructing a court-ordered settlement tracking test for an engine burning 2.0 qts internally, forcing a young driver with child to operate an oil starving vehicle at risk of highway engine seizure and fire.

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain285 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? **Transmission How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? **Car stalled, no warming. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? **Yes, J&M

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other105 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    Vehicle is losing a lot of oil. But there is no oil leaking on the ground. Upon looking at the safety recall, it says it might be fire hazardous. I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Vehicle run rough and also hear sounds.

  • Complaint clusterElectrical65 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    The vehicle has a difficult time turning over when cranking, the RPMs are sticking and the car periodically shuts off at red lights. Several warning lights pop up when it won't crank and then other warnings when the car just completely shuts off at red lights. I drive the interstate in [XXX] daily

  • Complaint clusterCruise control49 complaintscomplaints:VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

    My 2017 Hyundai Tucson is experiencing dangerous, sudden engine stalling, which are symptoms directly matching Service Campaign T1B. These critical safety issues surfaced following a total engine replacement in June 2025. Despite the vehicle being within the 12-month/12,000 mile workmanship warran

2016

  • RecallExterior lighting: tail lights16V147000

    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

  • RecallLatches/locks/linkages: hood: LATCH16V348000

    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 pre

  • RecallElectrical: software; power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)16V628000

    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 pe

  • RecallElectrical: wiring; trailer hitches16V842000

    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 ha

  • RecallService brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module20V543000

    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 caus

  • Complaint clusterPowertrain512 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN

    While stopped at a traffic light, the engine began producing a loud metallic clattering and clanking sound, consistent with connecting rod bearing failure (rod knock). There was no prior warning light or indication of this specific failure. When the light changed, the vehicle would not accelerate no

  • Complaint clusterEngine228 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE

    The engine is failing at 128,000 miles. The car is burning so much oil that it is impossible to drive more than 500 miles without the oil running dry. The problem has been inspected by the Hyundai dealership nearest me. The vehicle notified me of the oil issue by illuminating the oil light. The issu

  • Complaint clusterStructure195 complaintscomplaints:STRUCTURE

    Door latch issue. Driver's side door has to be pulled multiple times after unlocking to open from the exterior. Passenger side door latch has become completely inoperable and does not open from the interior or exterior now. To have multiple doors fail at the same time seems like a true design failur

  • Complaint clusterUnknown or other191 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER

    The power window motor and regulator on the drivers side failed to roll up the window. It was raining and made it stessful driving home . The window was stuck down and the rain was soaking the inside of the car. Very distracting while driving.

  • Complaint clusterElectrical161 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

    The vehicle unexpectedly entered 'Limp Mode' due to engine tracking code P1326. The vehicle severely restricts engine power and RPMs while driving on public roads, preventing normal acceleration. This creates a severe safety hazard as the vehicle cannot safely merge into oncoming traffic, accelerate

Cost to own$18,500 / 5 yr

MSRP, new

$22,700–$33,000

Estimated used price, by model year

2021$18,800–$22,100
2020$16,400–$19,300
2019$14,200–$16,700
2018$12,300–$14,400
2017$10,600–$12,400
2016$9,000–$10,600

$2,400/yr

EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.

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Specs
MSRPNew $22,700–$33,000
Efficiency50 MPG
Seats5
DrivetrainAWD
PowertrainGas

City MPG

49

Highway MPG

51

Combined MPG

50

Electric range

265 mi

Horsepower

164 hp

Doors

4

Length

176.4 in

Width

72.8 in

Height

65.0 in

Wheelbase

105.1 in

Curb weight

3,602 lb

Cargo volume

31 cu ft

Cargo (seats folded)

61.9 cu ft

Towing capacity

1,500 lbs

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