2016 Hyundai Tucson Engine Problems

The car has been diagnosed with internal engine failure by both an independent service center and a dealership service center. The issue was described as a rod timing issue causing knocking, leading to failure of the engine. A light was not on for a majority of the issue but did start flashing before car became completely undrivable. The car was sold to me with this issue and has been driven for nearly 3 years with a power loss issue that was dismissed as turbo lag or other issues. Driving a car with this issue that does not alert with a check engine light is a major threat to driver and passenger safety as it can result in engine seizure and vehicle fires. The engine issues began at the least before 58,000 miles, with total failure occuring at roughly 96,000 miles. Hyundai is known for this issue, particularly in turbo model engines. Only once during ownership of the car did the check engine light come on prior to engine failure. When checked, it was described as a catalytic converter issue. The service center also did an oil change on the car, and the light went off. The check engine light did not come on again for more than a year. The check engine light did not come on until after the issue was diagnosed by the independent service center it was taken to in January 2026.

The engine, specifically cylinder # 3, has had a catastrophic failure at 114,000 miles. Engine repair shops and engine experts have determined the only fix is a complete engine replacement. Cost estimates are $8500 for a new engine + labor estimated at $2000. Scrap value is estimated at $1000 - $1500 The dealer from whom we bought the car in late 2015 said it is out of warranty. This is unacceptable. Please, please issue a recall on the engine of this vehicle. The vehicle is available for inspection if requested. Failure was catastrophic Problem has been confirmed by engine experts The car is not drivable to a manufacturing facility The engine has not been inspected by police nor our insurance company There we no warning lamps or messages Symptoms include shuddering at initial acceleration beginning at 75,000 miles Dealer said there was no problem and recommended and performed a transmission fluid change

On my husband's way home from work he explained to me that the car had a "hiccup" and then an engine light blinked on, then it died at an intersection. He was pretty close to home so he got it started again and drove it home. He replaced spark plugs and coil packs and it still had a misfire. We took it to an auto repair shop where they did a scan and told us it had a dead hole in cylinder 2 and that it needs a full engine replacement. The car also had an oil change just before Thanksgiving. My husband checks oil regularly and added a quart a month before the oil change and it seems to consume more oil then it should.

Numerous issues with this vehicle. Now, when having oil change, told by the hyundai service center that it is using excessive oil and may need a new engine. In researching this problem, have discovered hyundai has had several problems with excessive oil consumption in their many of their hyundai vehicles, including the 2016 Tuscan

Excessive oil consumption caused engine failure on December 17, 2025. My truck stopped and I was stranded on Highway I55 South for 4 hours. Hyundai and the Extended warranty has denied fixing my truck. It is still at [XXX] Hyundai as of today. Hyundai’s failure to properly diagnose or repair this issue when it was first reported under warranty has caused financial burden, diminished vehicle value, loss of use and inconvenience, and emotional distress and stress. This is a legitimate safety concern. I am demanding resolution of an ongoing excessive oil consumption defect in my 2016 Hyundai vehicle. This defect began while the vehicle was under warranty and has continued despite proper maintenance and compliance with Hyundai’s service requirements. I expect Hyundai to honor its legal and contractual obligations without further delay. Please contact [XXX] [XXX] Hyundai) @ [XXX] for details regarding repairs, oil consumption tests, etc. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Vehicle is showing KSDS-related engine warning behavior and the Hyundai dealership performed a diagnostic scan. The service manager told me, “I don’t recommend you driving it,” due to a potential engine safety issue. However, Hyundai Motor America’s National Consumer Affairs team is refusing to authorize towing or a loaner/rental until after a full diagnosis is completed. The dealership cannot complete the diagnosis unless the vehicle stays on-site, but I am unable to safely leave it because Hyundai is refusing transportation assistance and I was told not to drive it. This forces me to drive a vehicle they identified as unsafe in order to complete the required inspection. This involves KSDS/engine failure risk, which has been associated with stalling, loss of power, and possible fire hazards. Being advised not to drive while being denied towing or transportation creates a serious safety concern for myself and my children. I am requesting NHTSA document this incident because Hyundai is creating a safety hazard by refusing support for a vehicle they identified as unsafe to operate.

My motor has a knocking/tapping noise that is obnoxiously loud. My oil level is always changed on time every 3k miles. I have 146,257 miles on my vehicle. I was informed from my mechanic shop that many of the 1.6L motors have issues. I have never had an engine noise then boom its knocking. I was informed not to drive my car to further damage the vehicle. I do not drive it but now am stuck in a loan for a vehicle I cannot drive. I had zero warning for this matter.

While driving under normal conditions, my engine experienced a sudden and catastrophic failure. The check-engine light illuminated, the vehicle began shaking violently, and I was forced to pull over immediately due to safety concerns. There was no prior warning and no oil pressure or oil warning light activated at any time before or during the failure. After stopping safely, I checked the oil level and found it lower than expected. I added oil as a precaution, but the condition did not improve and the vehicle became inoperable and required towing. The engine assembly remains intact and available for inspection upon request. This failure posed a serious safety risk, as the loss of engine function occurred without warning while the vehicle was in motion, creating the risk of stalling or loss of control. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Hyundai dealership. Hyundai Motor America denied warranty and goodwill assistance, citing mileage and alleged insufficient maintenance documentation, despite the vehicle being within the 10-year powertrain period and despite the nature of the failure. Routine maintenance was performed throughout ownership; however, some historical service records are unavailable due to the age of the vehicle and changes in service locations over time. Multiple facilities no longer retain records from that period. Notably, no oil warning indicators never activated, which raises concern regarding the failure mechanism. Hyundai has acknowledged widespread engine issues in this engine family involving oil consumption, bearing failure, and sudden engine seizure. The symptoms and progression of this failure closely align with those known defect patterns. This complaint is submitted to document a sudden engine failure presenting a clear safety concern and to assist in identifying potential defect trends. This car has undergone previous engine repair, AC condenser and entire turbo by their service department previously 2022 & 2024 respectively.

Vehicle: 2016 Hyundai Tucson Issue Category: Engine / Powertrain / Vehicle Safety Complaint: I am reporting a serious safety issue involving my 2016 Hyundai Tucson equipped with a Theta II engine. My vehicle first displayed an engine oil warning light. I immediately took the vehicle to an authorized Hyundai dealership, where I was charged approximately $500 for an oil change and diagnostic testing. I was told there were no issues with the vehicle. Within approximately 20 miles of leaving the dealership, the vehicle suddenly entered limp mode while driving and displayed diagnostic code P1326. This created a dangerous situation as the vehicle lost power unexpectedly. I returned the vehicle to the dealership, where a software update was performed. However, within another 20–30 miles, the exact same issue occurred again, with the vehicle entering limp mode and triggering code P1326. Hyundai has now refused to repair the engine under warranty and is attempting to attribute the issue to a catalytic converter problem, despite the presence of code P1326, which is associated with engine rod bearing failure and is part of a known defect affecting these vehicles. This condition presents a significant safety risk, as the vehicle can lose power suddenly while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. I believe this issue is directly related to the known Hyundai Theta II engine defect, which has been the subject of recalls and a class action settlement. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate Hyundai’s handling of these failures and their refusal to repair vehicles experiencing known engine defects that pose a safety risk

Engine ran out of oil with no indication on instrument panel that it was happening. Engine now knocks and needs replacing. My independent service center has determined a failure. It is available for inspection.

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power and was unable to accelerate above 35 MPH, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the engine knock sensor and catalytic converter. The contact was informed that the vehicle was consuming an abnormal amount of engine oil. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was provided with Goodwill assistance. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Dear NHTSA, I am submitting this complaint to report a recurring issue with oil consumption in my Hyundai vehicle, which I understand is a known problem affecting this particular engine type and model. I am the original owner and have been a loyal Hyundai customer for many years. I have followed all recommended maintenance, including regular oil changes. Despite this, my vehicle has developed excessive oil consumption that has not been resolved through standard service procedures. The dealership has contacted Hyundai for approval to perform a combustion chamber cleaning, but based on my research and feedback from other owners, this procedure does not effectively address the root cause of the issue. My concern is that this problem may be indicative of a broader mechanical defect that could impact engine performance and safety. My 10-year warranty is nearing expiration, and I am worried that delays in resolving this issue may result in the loss of warranty coverage for necessary repairs. I believe this issue warrants further investigation, as it appears to be affecting multiple vehicles with the same engine configuration. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this matter and consider whether a broader safety investigation is warranted. Thank you for your attention. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Brought vehicle in on 07/10/25 to dealership with very low oil, it was determined vehicle was burning oil and combustion cleaning was recommended. Hyundai Corp. denied claim due to 2nd owner. We are not 2nd owner had to transfer title upon my father's death, vehicle owned by family. Hyundai then approved claim and combustion cleaning was done. We were then told by dealership to bring in vehicle every 1000 to check oil. On 2nd 1000 check it was determined to be burning oil and needed engine replacement. Hyundai Corp. denied claim this time stating gross maintenance neglect from 01/2018-06/2019 period but only 3084 miles were put on between oil change. This was not brought up during combustion denial. Also Hyundai stating out of warranty which expired 08/24/25 but issues started in 07/2025. I have asked Hyundai Case Manager to provide written proof in owner's manual where it shows we did not maintain vehicle in accordance to manual.

I have diligently maintained the vehicle with all scheduled services performed at the Rick Case Hyundai dealership. My maintenance records show a documented history of proper oil changes and other essential services. These records confirm that the vehicle was regularly serviced according to the manufacturer's recommendations. The diagnostic report from the dealership indicates bad piston and heat marks, but there is no evidence to suggest this was caused by a lack of proper maintenance.

Engine has rod knock and low power due to rod bearing failure. There was never an illuminated oil light or message of any sort prior to failure. this vehicle has had oil changes regularly and never been an issue till now. With Hyundai not having a recall on this engine, and seeing many other reviews about this same issue it is a very dangerous issue leaving people stranded and loosing power in times where serious harm issues could occur and this issue is very costly being that the engine will have to be replaced. As a consumer taking care of the vehicle and still the engine failing due to the lack of integrity of Hyundai I believe Hyundai should step up and make it right and take care of the people who have spent there hard earned money on these cars and are now left in the dark.

Me and my daughter were headed back home from a family trip and we were stranded on the side of the road luckily we had family tailing us!! My engine light came on while we were still in the city in Savannah so we stopped by an autozone and changed the spark plugs so the engine light stopped blinking but when we got about 20 miles from home it stopped going we had to pull over it started smoking and it was really hot but the temperature had never moved we had it towed home!! I keep my maintenance up regularly on my car I had 2 mechanics check it out they both said the piston is breaking the spark plugs and it’s something down in the motor that’s doing it I should not have any motor issues at all with my car!! Especially when I do my part at keeping it up I was quoted 7,738 to fix my car which I don’t have both mechanics said the engine in those cars are no good and it’s been recalls on them just not my model it’s not right I’m out of a car and no way to work or no way for my kids to get around they have to ride in Lyfts and Ubers with strangers I feel like my car should be fixed because I did my part at keeping it up and I’m still out of car and frustrated due to the companies negligence!!

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. Moments later, the vehicle stalled after driving a very short distance. An independent mechanic arrived at the residence to perform an oil change and found metal shavings inside the oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

Was driving down busy road when engine suddenly knocked violently and shut off rendering car inoperable. Inspection revealed low oil, despite not being due for an oil change after and no visible/identifiable leaks. Investigation by mechanic resulted in being told that numerous Hyundai engines like this are having the same problems and need total engine replacements. The call only had 70,000. Dealership said they see one a week.

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 55 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and started vibrating abnormally. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over and was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was advised that the ignition coils, water pump, spark plugs, valve, oil filter, and the engine were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.