The car jerks when starting from a stop. It feels like someone is tapping and releasing the brake. The problem is worse when starting from a stop going uphill.
2016 Hyundai Tucson powertrain problems
moderate 509 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
509
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
4crashes
3fires
When does it fail?
Of the 509 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 19 model years of Hyundai Tucson we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 509.
Powertrain accounts for 32% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
The engine began to make a knocking noise. Upon our inspection, the vehicle had lost all oil. Vehicle was towed to our local dealership. Dealership informed us a bearing had become worn causing rapid oil loss and a rod to break, sending metal shards into the engine compartment. Engine could have seized up or caught on fire, had the vehicle continued to run. Dealership informed us of other Hyundai…
When pulling out of parking area, or starting up from a complete stop at a light or stop sign, when I press the gas of the vehicle , it hesitates . It almost seems like it's going to cut out, or bogs downs, and then catches. I make sure if there is an oncoming vehicle coming , I don't pull out in fear this will happen , and I'll get hit by another car. This happens everytime it's driven
The transmission at starting from a stop has hesitation and skips when slowing down. The car has no open recall for the transmission. It has been fixed or updated from the 2016 recall. This needs to be addressed and truly fixed.
Dual clutch transmission recall: I have had issues with my tucson a week after purchase (july 2016). It's a brand new vehicle. I have had problems with shifting, accelerating, and have taken my vehicle in to be looked at several times. The Hyundai dealer in iowa said there's nothing they can do. There was a recall on the issues I have been having with my vehicle but no fix. It's the DCT (dual…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 509 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 323 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 4,153 and 26,300 miles, with the median around 9,600. A quarter of owners report trouble before 4,153; a quarter make it past 26,300. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Hyundai/Tucson.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.