Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 1,536 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 313 | 20% |
| Engine | 191 | 12% |
| Structure | 171 | 11% |
| Unknown or other | 146 | 10% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 145 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 62 | 4% |
| Power train | 46 | 3% |
| Power train | 30 | 2% |
| Power train | 26 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 25 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Have had to replace all four window regulators. From searching online, it appears there are quite a few other people who have had the same issue. Raising this issue in case others have to to create a recall. Thank you
NHTSA complaint: Structure
Oil consumption is uneven, unpredictable, and has been a problem for at least 30,000 miles and since 2020. The car has ~74k miles on it and I carry a case of oil in the trunk. A couple years ago our catalytic converter c
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
original owner. Car shook badly and hesitated losing speed at 61k. dealership replaced all or four ignition coils and spark plugs. Car started and burning oil at 61,000 despite regular oil changes at 3500. Mostly done by
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
1. December 2024: Hyundai dealership diagnosed my transmission as defective (unable to shift properly) and recommended a full replacement. Despite this, they assured me the vehicle was "safe to drive" without disclosing
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I have been dealing with ongoing engine performance problems for over a year. My Tucson consumes oil at an abnormal rate, and I constantly have to refill it. There is also sluggish acceleration, and the Check Engine Ligh
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The reason of this complain is due to excessive oil consumption which now damaged my catalytic converter against Hyundai Motors America. The complained started 2021 where we noticed that the low oil engine light up after
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
All Windows regulators failed one after another. They make sound when trying to close but nothing happens. The windows get stucked.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
| Reliability raw | 45 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 63 | average |
| Maintenance | 84 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 79 | good |
| Performance | 55 | average |
| Efficiency | 76 | good |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,536 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 313 of them (20%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 45/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 63/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2016 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.