Hyundai Tucson transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2026
1,104 of the 5,085 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Hyundai Tucson 2016–2026 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2016 (518), 2017 (291), 2018 (101). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 2 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Hyundai Tucson transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 15 | 4% | — | — | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | 10 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2023 | 26 | 15% | — | 12 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 in depth | 94 | 19% | — | 38 TSBs | the record → |
| 2021 | 8 | 10% | — | 3 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 9 | 5% | — | 9 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 42 | 11% | — | 12 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 in depth | 101 | 25% | 16k | 20 TSBs | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 291 | 27% | 9k | 28 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 518 | 32% | 8k | 36 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 1 · 2016: 210 · 2017: 114 · 2018: 112 · 2019: 127 · 2020: 70 · 2021: 62 · 2022: 79 · 2023: 121 · 2024: 69 · 2025: 75 · 2026: 64
Across the model years, half of the 587 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 3,000 and 23,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Purchased new tuscan and has 200 miles on it. My wife started backing up into our garage and warning light came on stating not to drive car due to transmission over heading. The car was towed to dealer. After a day they advised US not to drive the car in the eco mode as the tranny heats up.
Problem concerns the 7-speed dual clutch transmission. Clutch plates in the transmission may not engage in drive or any forward gears after stopping at an intersection, toll booth, etc. when you apply power to move forward the clutch plates inside the transmission will not engage. Even putting the vehicle in 1st (vs drive) does nothing.
As others have noted, the DCT seems to have a severe problem when trying to quickly accelerate from a stopped position. The car will generally creep forward a few feet at a very slow crawl of 1-2 MPH, but will not actually take off until 3-5 seconds into pushing the pedal.
The dual-clutch transmission is incredibly dangerous, as it has an extreme delayed acceleration when coming off a complete stop or just intermittently while driving, in which the engine will redline in RPM. Parking lots are absolute misery as well, as the vehicle jerks heavily at low speeds.
Dual clutch automatic transmission started having problems around 5k miles. The car has 15k currently. The following problem occurs about 2-3 time daily under normal driving 10-20 miles per day on surface routs.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- Jul 27, 2023 · 52,109 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Palisade Tucson, 2023 Sonata, Elantra, and Kona vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump controller to overheat.
- 16V628000 HighAug 30, 2016 · 41,000 vehicles
- Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016 Tucson vehicles manufactured May 20, 2015 through May 31, 2016 and equipped with a 7-speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission. Certain driving conditions and high temperatures may cause the vehicle to not move if the accelerator pedal is pressed and released repeatedly.
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Feb 21, 2026
- Some Santa Fe (TMA) and Tucson (NX4A) vehicles equipped with a 2.5L GDI engine and 8 speed automatic transmission may have DTC U028700 (Lost Communication With Trans Fluid Pump Module) set by the transmission Electric Oil Pump (EOP). This DTC can cause the Idle Stop & Go (ISG) system to become inoperative. Follow the procedure in this bulletin to replace the Electric Oil Pump on affected vehicles.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Hyundai Tucson
Source: the same files- automatic emergency braking problems
- electrical problems
- engine problems
- brake problems
- latch and lock problems
Every system, every model year: Hyundai Tucson problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Hyundai Tucson years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2016, 518; 2017, 291; 2018, 101. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (32%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Hyundai Tucson?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 23V526000 (2024), 16V628000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Hyundai Tucson?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 8,500 miles across the model years; half of them between 3,000 and 23,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.