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Hyundai Tucson headlights problems

83 of the 6,347 owner complaints about the Hyundai Tucson describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2016 model year.

owner complaints
83
worst model year
2016
typical mileage
30,000
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 25, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · UT

I was driving home tonight and while driving the car lost all power on the full screen and headlights. This is the second report of the same problem. It was like a blackout at two o clock in the morning. I couldn’t see the speed and the lights went out. It did come back on in immediately.

Filed Oct 10, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · FL

Issues: 1. Stop lights failure light turns on and off. 2. Engine light failure notification turns on and off. 3. Headlights low bims failure notification turns on and off. Actions taken: 1. Headlights low bims bulbs were changed. 2. Engine light codes reviewed and updated as report showed; however, warning light still turning on. 3. Stop light fuse has been changed, light bulbs still working.

Filed Sep 25, 2026 · Electrical · UT

I was driving home tonight after dark. The car has been running just fine and all the sudden all the electrical on the car shut off, even the headlights and then everything turned back on.

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · NJ

Two instances of the center screen malfunctioning. One was an intermittent blip of the screen turning black and then turning back on while driving. Additionally, during this same instance of the intermittent blip of the screen turning off for about 3 seconds, my headlights which are set to auto also turned off while I was driving at night and then blipped back on when the screen came back at the same time. Second instance, the center screen was black and never came on when the car was initially turned on and the screen remained black for the entirety of my drive until the car was fully turned off and then back on. Yes, this is available for inspection upon request. Safety was put at risk by losing headlight visibility at night highly increasing the chances of an accident as well as losing important carplay navigational directions on center screen. Problem has been reproduced as these issues both occurred within one week (the week of August 16-23, 2026). The vehicle has not been inspected. During the time of both events there were no warning lamps or messages that appeared.

Filed Aug 15, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · RI

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.

Filed Aug 14, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 3,212 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and was cleared; however, the warning light returned hours or days later. The dealer had cleared the check engine warning light approximately 15-16 times. The vehicle occasionally stalled while driving at various speeds. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with terminal engine failure. The contact was informed that the fuel system needed to be overhauled, and the fuel injectors and caps needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired twice. The failure persisted after the contact had confirmed the diagnosis with a certified mechanic. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who replaced the engine. The vehicle was parked for several hours, and the contact attempted to turn on the headlights, but the headlights failed to illuminate. While driving the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated several times. The following day, the vehicle failed to start approximately four times. The vehicle was driven to the dealer but hesitated several times along the way and failed to start once at the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the battery and other parts needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 3,212.

Filed Aug 6, 2026 · Lights · MD

While driving at night, the headlights on my 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid shut off randomly, including when using the turn signal. The lights will turn off without warning at highway speeds, creating a serious safety hazard. Using the turn signal can cause the headlights to turn off, and sometimes using the turn signal will temporarily turn them back on. The headlight mode also changes by itself while driving (AUTO to OFF to ON to OFF). Additionally, when the vehicle is turned off, the headlights often stay on no matter what mode the switch is in. I have to restart the vehicle and manipulate the turn signal/headlight stalk multiple times to get the lights to turn off. This is a recurring and dangerous failure that affects nighttime visibility and safety for me and my family. No other electrical issues are present. This is available for inspection. Safety for my family and all others on the road put at risk as the headlights randomly shut off at night. The problem was reproduced by the dealer. The dealer quoted a $1,500 repair, but this a safety‑critical defect in the lighting control system.

Filed Aug 3, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · 25,800 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2022 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while his wife was operating the vehicle, the vehicle lost headlight functionality without warning. In addition, the contact stated that the radio intermittently failed to operate while driving the vehicle. The contact stated that the headlight became operable when his wife was near to her destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V938000 (Electrical System, Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,800.

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · TX

On July 24, 2026, while driving on a marked city street with no vehicle, pedestrian, or obstruction ahead, the Forward Collision-Avoidance system on our 2022 Hyundai Tucson Limited AWD applied emergency braking on its own, three to four separate times, each lasting one to two seconds. Traffic behind us nearly struck our vehicle. My family was in the car. This is the latest event in a progressive electrical fault history. In June 2025, under warranty at 48,037 miles, a Hyundai dealer documented recurring multi-system warning cascades (forward safety, lane keeping, high beam assist, speed limit warning) and a failed auto start/stop system. The dealer's listed resolution was "battery voltage / replace battery"; their invoice records that no repair was performed. We replaced the battery at our own expense. The faults continued. In June 2026, the start/stop system shut the engine off at a red light and the vehicle would not restart, leaving us disabled in a live traffic lane. Power was only restored by cycling the hood release. Since then, TCM and ECU software updates and a battery harness replacement (our expense, approx. $1,200) have been performed. The faults persisted after these repairs and have now escalated to uncommanded emergency braking. Date- and time-stamped video and photographs exist for multiple events. Two Hyundai dealerships have not identified a root cause. Similar phantom braking reports exist from other owners of this model year. We no longer consider the vehicle safe to drive.

Filed Jul 2, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · IL

Good morning the problems I am having with my 2025 are very discouraging. Started October of 2025, my tire light illuminated stated the tires were low when they are all at correct specs when using an air guage to check. November of 2025 while driving at night the headlights suddenly shut off briefly then came back back on. January of 2026 while leaving work the transmission would not shift, held accelerator pedal to floor but could not go above 20 mph all the way home for 3 miles. April of 2026 the right side of navigation screen went completely black, shut vehicle off twice and on third restart the screen reilluminated. June of 2026 same thing with the screen going black. I have had my Tuscon at the local dealer here in my town for supposedly a repair that they state was a "coaxel cable" behind the dash that was fixed that was causing this issue. I also had the recall performed for the front view camera software update but it is still showing not completed. This is very frustrating to be having experiencing these kind of issues on this new of a vehicle. Clearly something is going on with the software or something and the dealer keeps telling me they are not finding anything wrong. I am a service advisor myself at a small independent shop so I understand the terms they are using but something needs to be addressed to correct the issues that I am having. It is scary when driving and the screen goes black or driving at night and losing the headlight functions. I would appreciate if somebody will look into this and reach out to me to get some kind of remedy for why this is happening. I am paying alot for this vehicle and to say I am satisifed is an understatement. I have purchased Hyundai as my choice of vehicle due to the quality, great warranties and good reviews from other consumers however I am seriously thinking of exploring alternative makes as I do not want to keep going through this. Plus the engine consumes oil. I have attached p/w for review as well

Related recalls

Exterior lighting: tail lightsReported March 10, 2016 · 2,263 vehicles affected
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

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported April 1, 2013 · 1,712,336 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2006-2009 Accent, model year 2007-2011 Azera, Sonata and Sante Fe,2006-2011 Tucson, 2009-2011 Elantra Touring, 2007-2010 Elantra, 2008-2011 Veracruz, 2009-2011 Genesis, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-2008 Entourage, and 2006-2008 Tiburon vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Hyundai recalled 1,059,824 model year 2007-2009 Accent and Tucson, model year 2007-2010 Elantra, model year 2007-2011 Santa Fe, model year 2008-2009 Veracruz, model year 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, and model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. In September 2013, Hyundai informed the agency that it was adding more vehicles to this campaign, representing an additional 652,512 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 1,712,336. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake transmission shift interlock feature, preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Risk
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of Park without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1‑800‑633‑5151. Hyundai's recall campaign number is 110.

Recall number 13V113000 · Recall details

Exterior lightingReported April 26, 2011 · 7,829 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2010 tucson vehicles manufactured from february 27, 2010, through april 17, 2010 for failing to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment," for the photometry requirements of the rear reflector assemblies installed in the rear bumpers.
Risk
This could lead to reduced visibility of the rear of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear reflector assemblies, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during june 2011. Owners may contact hyundai's customer assistance center at 1‑800‑633‑5151.

Recall number 11V259000 · Recall details

Exterior lightingReported July 21, 2009 · 3,011 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai is recalling 3,011 model year 2005-2007 elantra, tucson, sonata, azera and accent vehicles. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to fail to illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause the brake lights to remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released. A defective stop lamp switch may also affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature so the transmission would not be able to be shift out of the "park" position. It may also cause the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate, and it may not deactivate the cruise control when the brake pedal is depressed.
Risk
Any of these malfunctions could lead to a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on september 2, 2009. Owners may contact hyundai of puerto rico customer service at 1‑787‑999‑4310.

Recall number 09V280000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switchReported April 15, 2009 · 532,633 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Hyundai is recalling 532,633 my 2006-2007 accent, entourage, sonata, my 2007 azera, elantra and santa fe, my 2005-2007 tucson and my 2007-2008 veracruz vehicles. The stop lamp switch in the affected vehicles may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause the brake lights to remain illuminated when the brake pedal is released. A stop lamp switch malfunction may also affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature so the transmission shifter would not be able to be shifted out of the park position. It may also cause the electronic stability control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate, and it may not deactivate the cruise control when the brake pedal is depressed.
Risk
Any of these malfunctions, alone or in combination, may lead to a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch free of charge. The recall began on june 29, 2009. Owners may contact the hyundai customer assistance center at 1‑800‑633‑5151.

Recall number 09V122000 · Recall details

Questions about the Hyundai Tucson headlights

Which Hyundai Tucson years have headlights failing or too dim problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2016 (15 complaints), 2017 (14 complaints) and 2018 (12 complaints).

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