This problem was observed about 1 month ago: While driving and headlights set on AUTO, during the day, and the light switch NOT on, the dashboard would indicate the lights were ON, for just a second or two, and would go off. At night with the headlights set on AUTO and the headlights ON, while driving, the headlights go OFF and ON briefly (1-3 seconds) causing a dangerous situation as visibility of road is lost. This condition was initially observed at night, after using the turn signals (left/right), but is now happening with greater frequency while driving without using turn signals. I Will schedule a visit with dealership to report/confirm problem.
2016 Hyundai Tucson: headlights failing or too dim
15 of the 1,626 complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Tucson describe headlights failing or too dim.
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 45,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Headlights failing or too dim by model year
What owners say
While driving, on multiple occasions all warning lights will come on and the car will start to lose power. The headlights constantly go off and come back on randomly. Turn the blinker on and the rear window wipers intermittently come on. The vehicle has been towed to the dealership so many times and we either get “can’t duplicate” or needs oil change, which had just been done. Now we are being told that we need a second engine replacement. Unfortunately this time it will not be covered by warranty. We have reached out to Hyundaii Motors 3 times and the BBB Auto but they stand behind it not qualifying for the Lemon Law. Hyundai should have some obligation as all these issues are “known issues” just not recalls.The 2016 Hyundai Tucson is not a safe vehicle.
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!
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.
The engine has been consuming too much oil for a few months now. Most recently, an oil change was done on 2/17/2022 after driving 879 miles by an independent mechanic, and there was only 2.5 quarts of oil left. This occurred after the Hyundai dealer said that it passed an oil consumption test. Also on two occasions, the dashboard lights and headlights went out while driving, then came back on moments after. This has not been replicated. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.
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
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 hyundai tucson. The contact stated that the brake lights would not operate if the headlights were activated. The brake lights only worked when the headlights were off. In addition, "brake light out" appeared on the instrument panel. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 45,000.
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.
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.
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.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: tail lights
- What is wrong
- 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 the vehicle's engine is running and the brake lights are illuminated, if the turn signal is activated, the trailer turn signal lights will either turn off or remain continuously illuminated (not flash). As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Failure to illuminate the trailer's turn signal lights would prevent the communication of the driver's intent, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the tow hitch harness, free of charge. The recall began on May 2, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1‑855‑371‑9640. Hyundai's number for this recall is 142.
Recall number 16V147000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2016 Hyundai Tucson headlights
Is headlights failing or too dim a common problem on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
15 of 1,626 owner complaints about the 2016 Hyundai Tucson (1%) mention headlights failing or too dim. The model year with the most reports is 2016.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson?
There is 1 recall and 2 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2016 Hyundai Tucson
Door locks 302Hesitation 146Engine failure 126Stalling 122Jerking 120Check engine light 112Oil consumption 91Power windows 81Knocking 78Loss of power 57Shudder 39Fire or smoke 38Slipping 31Won't shift 30Overheating 28Transmission failure 28Key fob 27Misfire 21Sudden acceleration 18ABS 14Warning lights 12Grinding brakes 10Harsh shifting 10Airbag light 7Fuel pump 5Won't start 5
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