2016 Hyundai Tucson Exterior lighting Problems

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The airbag system, brake system, and HVAC system (air conditioning and heating) appear to have malfunctioned. A dealer confirmed that the HVAC system is defective, identifying a broken evaporator assembly and a faulty temperature door actuator. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The airbag safety light raises concerns about whether the airbags will deploy during an accident. The brake light error creates uncertainty about the reliability of the brake system. Additionally, the defective HVAC system is a significant safety hazard. The heater’s failure prevents the windshield from defogging, impairing visibility, particularly in cold or wet weather. This poses a serious risk while driving, especially in freezing temperatures. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the HVAC system defect has been confirmed by a dealer, who provided images and recommended replacing the evaporator assembly and temperature door actuator. Independent mechanics have also observed the airbag and brake light errors but were unable to identify the underlying causes. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle has been inspected by independent mechanics and one dealership but has not been evaluated by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The airbag safety light and brake light errors have been present since I acquired the vehicle. The HVAC system began failing intermittently shortly thereafter, with the issue worsening over time.These unresolved issues continue to jeopardize the safety and reliability of the vehicle

NHTSA ID

11630296

Incident

Dec 9, 2024

Mileage

108,398 mi

When driving All the warning light is on. Also when you reduce speed or stop at the light the steering wheel turn hard to turn or move. The battery seem to be low voltage, because when you lock the car the sound of the horn sound weak. And wouldn't start.

NHTSA ID

11587590

Incident

May 7, 2024

Mileage

233,147 mi

When both driving and idling, the car will either stall or feel like it is about to stall, when all of a sudden the vehicle “pauses” for a second and then all of the dashboard lights come on. This has now happened at least 4 times in the past month. It will reset after turning the car off, but on more than one occasion after turning the car off, the engine doesn’t restart right away. Thankfully, the car has restarted and it resets the dashboard lights. My safety is a concern if my car stalls while driving at any speed! I have yet to take it to the dealer, as there’s a VERY long wait for an appointment - another recurring issue. No one has inspected this for me, and it is very concerning. There is plenty of evidence that this is happening to others in both online forums and Hyundai owners sites online.

NHTSA ID

11575079

Incident

Feb 8, 2024

The passenger side headlight compartment has condensation in it. Enough condensation so the headlights don't work. when I took it in for recall work I mentioned this as I thought that it might have possibly been a short or a loose wire, and they shared that no it's not wired it's just water in that enclosure and I need to pay for it myself to get it replaced to the tune of $1900 for the new part.. I've seen other complaints about the same problem. Why will Hyundai not fix this? I found something from Hyundai that states, do not replace!

NHTSA ID

11567598

Incident

Jan 24, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that when she was near her vehicle, she noticed that the driver's side window was down. The contact stated that she could not roll the window up. The contact stated that over the next month, the other three windows were lowered and could not be rolled up. Additionally, the contact stated that the headlights had failed, and she had them replaced. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the windows mechanism needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.

NHTSA ID

11524041

Incident

Jun 9, 2021

Mileage

53,000 mi

i have a 2016 hyundai tucson and now that the vehicle is almost paid for, i am having issue with the blinker. when i put the let or right blinker on it stops blinking, also, my car smells like something is burning. i take good care of my car, i do routine maintenance on it when it is require, i have regular oil changes. i am taking to a hyundai shop this weekend

NHTSA ID

11479493

Incident

Jun 8, 2022

I have had problems with two trailer hitch sending units causing brake lights to be constantly illuminated. Hyundai has issues a recall for my model year on this issue, but for some reason my VIN is not covered in the recall.

NHTSA ID

11455474

Incident

Apr 1, 2017

1) Front right driver headlight warning message, keeps illuminating. Mechanic, noticed wires are burning inside compartment. Safety issue burning wires may cause entire electrical system to burn out causing a fire and not having headlights. Vehicle being serviced 10/29/21 2) Driver Brake light message illuminated, replaced light 2 mo ago, as of today 10-28-21, brake light out again. Vehicle being serviced 10/29/21 3) Purchased vehicle 3/21. Vehicle will not accelerate, it will jerk causing a slow start, safety issue. Vehicle taken to mechanic covered thru warranty, he stated vehicle drove ok, still having same problem since 3/21

NHTSA ID

11438590

Incident

Jun 2, 2021

My transmission gears shift keeps on sticking in the park position and also I’ve been having to replace my left side parking lights I believe it’s an electric problem or fuse and the dealership seems to can’t fixed this issue with my vehicle each time I take it there

NHTSA ID

11427339

Incident

Apr 22, 2021

I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM OPENING UP MY DRIVER SIDE BACK DOOR SENSE SUMMER OF 2020 SO I'VE TAKEN THE BACK DOOR PANEL OFF AND I PULL ON THE WIRE FROM THE INSIDE TO OPEN IT UP. I'VE DEALT WITH THAT JUST FINE IT'S IRRITATING BUT NOW MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT IS NOT WANTING TO OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE DO I HAVE TO READ ACROSS AND OPEN UP THE DOOR IF ANYBODY IS GOING TO BE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAS STARTED DOING IT. SO NOW I'M EXPECTED TO CLIMB IN TRUE THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR AND UP INTO THE FRONT SEAT OR OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE AND THEN WALK BACK AROUND MY CAR. THAT IS UNTIL THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR DECIDES TO START DOING THE SAME THING AND THEN I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO CLIMB IN THROUGH THE TRUNK? OR MAYBE THAT'LL BE THE NEXT ONE TO GO? ANOTHER ISSUE THAT HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH IS THE FRONT INTERIOR DOME OR THE CONSOLE THE PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT DOESN'T LIKE TO COME ON MOST OF THE TIME, BUT OCCASIONALLY IT DOES. THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS. SO THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN NEEDING TO BE REPLACED MORE OFTEN THAN I EVER HEARD OF ANYBODY REPLACING THEM, LESS THAN 6 MONTH SOMETIMES. OTHER TIMES THAT HAD LIKE JUST GOES OUT AND THEN I HAVE TO GET UNDER THE HOOD AND HOPEFULLY GET THE CAP OFF SO THAT I CAN PLAY WITH THE FITTING AND HOPE THAT IT WILL COME BACK ON. BECAUSE I ACTUALLY DO MOST OF MY DRIVING IN THE DARK WHEN IT'S NIGHT TIME SO I KIND OF NEED MY LIGHTS. SOMETIMES THAT DOESN'T WORK BUT THE NEXT MORNING I WILL TURN ON THE VEHICLE THE LIGHT IS WORKING AGAIN?... I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THAT ISSUE FOR ABOUT A YEAR AS WELL. JUST RECENTLY WITHIN THE LAST FEW MONTHS BEE TAIL LIGHT OR BRAKE LIGHT HAS STARTED DOING THE SAME THING. SPECIFICALLY THE PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT SO FAR. I COULD SENSE THERE WAS SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL ISSUE COMING ON BUT WOULDN'T HAVE EXPECTED ALL OF THIS, BACK TO BACK AT THE SAME TIME.

NHTSA ID

11405289

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

ORIGINALLY WHEN I PURCHASED MY CAR I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT MY RADIO GOING BLACK AND THEY CLAIMED IT WAS DUE TO THE COLD AND BRUSHED IT OFF. NOW RECENTLY I HAD THE SAME ISSUE BUT NOW AS I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH KEEP FLICKERING ON AND OFF TELLING ME TO CHECK EVERY SYSTEM. MY CAR SIGNALS/HAZARDS WILL NOT WORK. SPEEDOMETER WILL NOT WORK ALONG WITH BLIND SPOT RECOGNITION AND OTHER THINGS.

NHTSA ID

11398815

Incident

Mar 2, 2021

Mileage

71,082 mi

BLINKER STAYS ON EVEN AFTER IT IS SHUT OFF, BRAKE LIKE CONTINUOUSLY GOES OUT, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES (MAY BE A WIRING ISSUE).

NHTSA ID

11394559

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

Mileage

40,000 mi

BRAKE LIGHT (LEFT SIDE) DOES NOT WORK.REAR DOOR DRIVETS SIDE WILL NOT OPEN.BOTH HAPPENED IN THE CITY

NHTSA ID

11374692

Incident

Nov 11, 2020

Mileage

81,500 mi

THE HEADLIGHTS TURN OFF AND ON ON THEIR OWN WHEN IT IS SET TO AUTO. I HAVE WORKED WITH HYUNDAI, AND ENGINEERING HAS CONFIRMED THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL CASES WHERE THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS AND TURNED THE HEADLIGHTS OFF AND ON. IT IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AS THIS HAPPENS AT NIGHT AND DURING THE DAY.

NHTSA ID

11373243

Incident

Oct 13, 2020

Mileage

71,000 mi

PASSENGER BRAKE LIGH REPEATEDLY GOES OUT, HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP HAS ADMITTED IT IS A RECURRING ISSUE ARISING FROM SUBPAR PARTS WITH KNOWN QUALITY PROBLEMS. OCCURS RANDOMLY; STATIONARY, IN MOTION. VEHICLE PRIMARILY USED FOR CITY DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11307901

Incident

Feb 8, 2020

Mileage

30,000 mi

THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE FAILING INTERMITTENTLY. HOWEVER THE BULBS ARE STILL WORKING. WHEN I SWITCH THE BRAKE LIGHTS BETWEEN THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT, THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS ON THE LEFT SIDE. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY AND ALL THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE WORKING FOR A WHILE. I HAVE NOT FIGURED OUT A PATTERN TO HOW LONG THEY WORK TO HOW LONG THEY DON'T WORK. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE SWITCH SINCE 2 OUT OF 3 LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS WORKING. IT IS NOT A LIGHT BULB PROBLEM BECAUSE THE FAILURE DID NOT FOLLOW THE BULB AFTER SWITCHING THEM.

NHTSA ID

11289848

Incident

Jul 9, 2019

Mileage

45,000 mi

FIRST MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR GOT TO STICKING AT 60, 500 MILE AND NOW MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR DOING THE SAME THING. MY TAILLIGHT SAYS IT'S NOT WORK AND IT BE WORKING AND VIS VERSUS, AS IF THERE'S A SHORTAGE. NOW THE STEEP HILL LIGHTS COME ON ALONG WITH THE CAR TRACTION LIGHT. IT'S DOING IT MORE NOW THAN EVER. HAVING TO RESTART MY VEHICLE EVERYTIME NOW TO RESET IT. IT DOING IT AT RED LIGHT AND WHILE I'M DRIVING ALL ON IT OWN. MY BIGGEST FEAR IS MY DOORS STICKING AND THE DEALERSHIP IN TUPELO MS TOLD ME I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND TO ME I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BECAUSE THAT DEALING WITH MY SAFETY. THERE HAVE NOT BE ANY THING DONE TO EITHER DOOR FOR THE TO BE THAT WAY ON MY BEHALF.

NHTSA ID

11279820

Incident

Dec 1, 2017

Mileage

60,500 mi

THE RIGHT PASSENGER BRAKE LIGHT SAYS IT IS OUT. WITHIN SAME DAY OR SOON AFTER WILL BE WORKING AGAIN. I REPLACE THE LIGHT BULB IT STOPS WORKING THE SAME DAY OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER. SOUNDS LIKE A WIRE ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY. IT WILL BE WORKING THE WHOLE DAY AND SUDDENLY WHEN I PUSH THE BRAKE IT GOES OUT.

NHTSA ID

11258231

Incident

Jul 1, 2018

Mileage

60,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11235281

Incident

Jul 27, 2019

Mileage

40,000 mi

LIGHTS OF STOP DO NOT HAVE NORMAL FUNCTION. SOMETIMES, TURN ON AND MOST OF TIME, NOT.

NHTSA ID

11233282

Incident

May 31, 2019

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE DRIVING AFTER DUSK, THERE WAS REDUCED VISIBILITY FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLAMP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO DARK SPOTS ON THE HEADLAMP. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE REFRACTIVE LENS IN THE HEADLAMP ALONG WITH THE PLACEMENT OF THE HEADLAMP. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF THE HEADLAMP WAS PLACED IMPROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLAMP WAS A REPLACEMENT AFTER A CRASH INVOLVING A DEER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.* CONSUMER STATED DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED.*JB

NHTSA ID

11184847

Incident

Jun 1, 2018

Mileage

37,000 mi

"TAKATA RECALL": FRONT LIGHT SIGNATURES FOR THE "LEFT-SIDE" SWICH ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY. WHEN THE INITIAL CAR TURNS ON, THE DASHBOARD ON OCCASIONS, GOES BLACK! THE CAR WHEN GOES ON TO HIGHWAYS, THE ENGINE (RPM) GOES UP TO 7000 RPM FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND GEAR! THS WILL HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS TURN ON. LASTLY, THE TRUNK AUTOMATICALLY STARTED OPENING EVEN WHEN THE KEYS ARE AWAY OR IN MY JACKET OR POCKET ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNED OFF THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11151527

Incident

Oct 1, 2017

Mileage

6,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT SIGNAL FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED WHILE COMPLETING A LEFT TURN. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY ADJUST THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER TO COMPLETE THE TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEW ROCHELLE HYUNDAI (125 E MAIN STREET, NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK 10801, (914) 618-4209) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND WITH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TURN SIGNALS. THE DEALER ALSO TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED ON THEIR OWN AND THE LANE CHANGE WARNING SYSTEM ALSO FAILED TO ALERT WHEN A VEHICLE WAS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER, BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,453.

NHTSA ID

11140705

Incident

Feb 1, 2018

Mileage

9,453 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE OR FUNCTION. HOWEVER, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS OPERATED NORMALLY WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED OFF. ALSO, WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE DRIVER SIDE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, WHEN SWITCHING THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER FROM PARK INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (BOB STALLINGS HYUNDAI, 39444 LBJ FREEWAY S., DALLAS, TX) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA ID

11128073

Incident

Jul 1, 2018

Mileage

49,000 mi

I PURCHASED A HYUNDAI TUCSON IN SEPEMBER OF 2016 NEW. I NOTICED RIGHT AWAY THAT I COULD NOT SEE VERY WELL AT NIGHT. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE AIMED AT THE GROUND 2-3 CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF THE BUMPER. WITH THE HIGH BEAMS ON YOU CAN SEE THE DEFINITE LINE BETWEEN LIGHT AND DARK APPROX 4-5 CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF THE BUMPER. WHEN CARS ARE APPROACHING ON AN UNDIVIDED ROAD, THE VISIBILITY IS REDUCED EVEN MORE FROM THE GLARE OF THE ONCOMING LIGHTS. I HAVE HAD 2 CLOSE CALLS WHERE I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN WALKING ON THE EDGE OF THE ROAD WITH DARK CLOTHES ON. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AUTOFAIR HYUNDAI IN MANCHESTER, NH ON TWO OCCASIONS TO HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS ADJUSTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I QUOTE THE RESPONSE,"CUSTOMER WOULD LIKE US TO ADJUST THE HEADLIGHTS, STATES HE CAN NOT SEE AT NIGHT, CAN SEE IF WE CAN ADJUST THEM, MISC PER STATE LAW WE CANNOT ADJUST THE HEADLIGHTS ABOVE WHERE THEY ARE CURRENTLY. 6686 ISP" THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY'S EVALUATIONS SAYS "MANUFACTURERS AREN'T PAYING ENOUGH ATTENTION TO THE ACTUAL ON-ROAD PERFORMANCE OF THE BASIC EQUIPMENT,WE'RE OPTIMISTIC THAT IMPROVEMENTS WILL COME QUICKLY NOW THAT WE'VE GIVEN AUTOMAKERS SOMETHING TO STRIVE FOR." FOR 2017, VEHICLES WILL NEED GOOD OR ACCEPTABLE HEADLIGHTS IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THE INSTITUTE'S HIGHEST AWARD, TOP SAFETY PICK+.THAT'S REAL NICE OF THEM. WHAT HAPPENS TO MY 2016 MODEL? I WANT MY VEHICLE RECALLED AND REPAIRED. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO WAIT AND BE FORCED TO BUY A 2017 MODEL IN ORDER TO HAVE A SAFE CAR AT NIGHT?

NHTSA ID

10947418

Incident

Oct 5, 2016

Mileage

225 mi