2016 Hyundai Tucson: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jun 12, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · NC

The vehicle severely shudders, jerks, and hesitates from a stop and while making a turn, during both acceleration and deceleration, making it entirely unsafe to drive. The vehicle has been completely un-driveable for the past 6 days. The check engine light illuminated, and on 4/9/26, the dealer documented a failed transmission judder test and kept the car, issuing a loaner. A temporary software patch failed after two weeks. Upon return, the dealer reported they were unable to recreate the problem, recommended returning when the vehicle demonstrates the problem more frequently, and refused to mechanically repair the dual-clutch transmission under my active original-owner 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, basically instructing me to continue to drive a seriously un-safe vehicle. Most recently, a yellow dashboard warning light illuminated, and the vehicle entered a dangerous 'limp mode,' severely restricting power and struggling to move before the light cleared after cooling down. The vehicle is completely un-driveable and parked.

Filed Jun 4, 2026 · Engine · SC

Oil consumption engine ticking hesitate to change gears poor acceleration.

Filed Mar 28, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · PA

All dash warning lights are on and dash lights have a intermittent bright light surge. Hard to shut off engine and have to disconnect battery for electric power to shut off. Very noticeable hesitation in acceleration starting to drive

Filed Mar 11, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · FL

The transmission began slipping and hesitating within days of purchase. The vehicle intermittently fails to accelerate when pressing the gas pedal, especially when pulling into traffic or crossing intersections. This creates a serious safety risk because the vehicle does not respond when needed, leaving me exposed to oncoming traffic. The issue is intermittent and does not always trigger warning lamps or fault codes. The problem has been reproduced multiple times by me while driving under normal conditions. The selling dealer performed only a brief test drive and stated they could not duplicate the issue, but the hesitation and failure‑to‑accelerate continue to occur. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Hyundai, but the symptoms match known issues with the 2016 Tucson’s dual‑clutch transmission and TCM logic. There were no warning lights prior to the failure, and the symptoms first appeared within the first week of ownership. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request.

Filed Nov 21, 2025 · Engine · PA

Part(s) Affected: Engine / Engine Control / Stall / Loss of Power Summary: My 2016 Hyundai Tucson (VIN: [XXX] ) has an active P1326 – Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) code, which indicates rod bearing wear and imminent engine failure. The vehicle experiences: •loss of power •inability to accelerate •engine hesitation •risk of stalling while driving These are serious safety risks. This issue is part of the Hyundai/Kia engine defect settlement XXX), yet Hyundai refuses to provide towing or address the safety risk despite the P1326 code being a known precursor to engine seizure. The vehicle is currently unsafe to drive, and Hyundai Customer Care has refused to escalate my case according to settlement requirements. This is a safety hazard that can cause engine seizure and sudden loss of power while driving. Details: •Hyundai Case #: XXX •Engine settlement code P1326 confirmed •Hyundai refusing proper support •Vehicle should not be driven the federal safety agency intervention is needed due to Hyundai’s failure to address a known safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 6, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · TX

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 the dealership. Car has been burning oil uses 1 quart every 500 miles. All four window regulators have stopped working. I replaced one.

Filed May 31, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · TX

I’ve been having ongoing issues with my 2016 Hyundai Tucson where the car struggles to accelerate, especially after stopping at red lights or pulling out into traffic. Sometimes, when I press the gas pedal, the car either hesitates badly or doesn’t move at all. A few times it’s completely stalled while trying to make turns or cross intersections, which has been really scary and dangerous. I did some research and found there was a known recall for this exact problem related to the Transmission Control Module software and the dual-clutch transmission. The symptoms described in the recall match mine perfectly, but when I checked my VIN, my vehicle isn’t included. I haven’t taken it to the dealer yet because I’m worried I’ll have to pay out of pocket for something that I believe is part of a known manufacturer issue.

Filed Oct 19, 2024 · Transmission · WI

I bought my 2016 Tuscon brand new. Ever since I bought the vehicle, I've complained to the dealer about the transmission slipping. They have told me that this issue is common but there is nothing they can do. Now it seems to be getting worse so I decided to look up the problem and found out a recall notice was issued for some 2016 Tuscons but mine wasn't included. My Tuscon has the exact same problem as described in the recall issued by Hyundai. I"ve almost been in accidents because you press on the gas to go and it hesitates,l. What can I do? My Vin number is [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 23, 2024 · TX

The vehicle hesitates sometimes starting from stop/idle and sometimes even when the gas paddle is completely pressed it doesn’t proceed and stalls in middle of road or red light and may take more attempts to get it to move further. I read online that there was a safety recall on this same model in 2016 for this exact same problem but I never received recall on my vehicle from Hyundai.

Filed Aug 16, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · 140,000 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle lunged forward. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that when the vehicle was stopped, after depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and then lunged forward. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V628000 (Power Train, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Filed Jul 30, 2024 · Engine · CT

I was driving in the main road with my grandkids and the vehicle just shut down . I bought it in November of 2023. I brought it back to carmax because it was hesitating and not acting properly and it was within my 90 day warranty and they said nothing was wrong . Motor seized and turbo no good a few months later and I owe 19000 on this car and they refuse to replace the motor since I’m second owner without a warranty they were suppose to give me . I had to get people to push my car to the side and wait 2 hours for a tow and now the garage says it’s 10-11000for a motor . Carmax just said they would pay for labor charges but that still leaves me with a hefty bill on top of what I owe . I told them to just take the car and give me another or pay for the motor and they refuse . My cars now sitting at my house because I can’t afford a motor . It’s a 1.6L motor with turbo . That price is a used motor :(

Filed Mar 5, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · 93,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that after the vehicle came to a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle lurched forward but hesitated to accelerate immediately. An unknown warning light illuminated, and the check engine warning light was later illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who retrieved DTC Code: P073F (Unable to Engage Gear 1), but no repair was recommended. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V628000 (Power Train, Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.