Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 5% | — |
| 2025 | 17 | 6% | 4,000 miles |
| 2024 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 4% | — |
| 2022 | 8 | 2% | 26,000 miles |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2020 | 4 | 2% | 100,000 miles |
| 2019 | 6 | 2% | 7,000 miles |
| 2018 | 13 | 3% | 18,000 miles |
| 2017 | 15 | 1% | 29,000 miles |
| 2016 | 29 | 2% | 49,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% | 9,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% | 8,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2010 | 3 | 5% | 90,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 6% | 1,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 8% | 104,000 miles |
| 2006 | 9 | 7% | 80,000 miles |
| 2005 | 13 | 7% | 66,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Rear turn light visibility, turn signals are a foot off the ground and hard to see by cars following due to location on the bumper. This is only pertaining to the 4th generation Tucson (current), not any other generation. We didn't realize the issue when we bought the car, nor did we realize the placement in the bumpers. However someone stated it was hard to see the blinkers, especially in the rain. At first we thought the wiring had come undone, but then we noticed the same issue on all 2025-2026 model Tucsons. Then I noticed this video on Youtube and realized it's been a problem. This gentleman seems to have a fix, which imo should already be done, maybe Hyundai accidently missed the hookup when making the vehicle. It seems the brake lights were meant to be hooked up as blinkers and the rear horizontal line light was to be a part of the braking lights. …
I own a 2026 Hyundai Tucson Limited and am reporting extremely poor daytime visibility of the entire lower row of touch-sensitive controls on the center dashboard. The illuminated symbols and status indicators are so dim in normal daylight, and especially in bright sunlight, that they are difficult to see while driving. This includes the climate controls and heated/ventilated seat controls. The ventilated-seat control is a particularly concerning example because I can press the control but cannot reliably determine whether it is OFF, LOW, MEDIUM, or HIGH without looking closely at the panel. The controls function properly, but their status is essentially invisible in daylight, requiring the driver to divert their attention from the road. …
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was illuminated for approximately 30-seconds to 4-minutes. Additionally, while driving in the daytime, the message "Headlights Off" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The failure had occurred four times. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and suggested that the dealer contact an engineer to go to the residence to inspect the vehicle. The failure mileage was 3,940.
On 08/31/2025, I was involved in an accident while driving my 2025 Hyundai Tucson. While attempting to change lanes at highway speed, the driver behind me failed to see my turn signal and collided with my vehicle. I believe the cause was the unusually low placement of the rear bumper-mounted turn signals, which creates a direct visibility flaw. The Tucson's turn signals are mounted low on the rear bumper instead of at eye level within the taillight assembly. This design makes them especially difficult to see in two critical conditions: Bright Sunlight: The low-mounted signals are easily washed out in daytime conditions, reducing visibility to following drivers. Low Light/Traffic Conditions: At night or in heavy traffic, larger vehicles and brake light glare further obscure the signals. …
Headlights get covered with slush and snow while driving causing you to lose vision of the roadway at night. You are not able to see creating a safety risk to you and others on the road, potentially causing an accident that would cause serious injuries or death. Yes, it can be inspected upon request. Notified our dealer and was advised that this has never been brought to their attention as a problem from any other buyer. During our last vehicle service at our dealership when notifying them of the concern no issues with the vehicle were found. Warning lamp (obstruction) appears while driving. When the warning lamp illuminates, we need to pull over (sometimes not in a safe environment), wipe the slush/snow off of the headlights and proceed traveling. After wiping the headlights off, warning lamp on dashboard returns to normal operations.
I have a 2024 Hyundai Tuscon SLE that I purchased new and several months ago there was a recall on the trailer hitch wiring. I took the car to Hyundai and they removed the wiring harness hitch due to a fire danager. Todate I have not received a replacement hiring harness, so my vehicle is now useless for pulling a trailer for several months. (The spring and summer months are when I use this the most and have not been able to.) All I hear from Hyundai is that they do not have a cure for this. I notice that the 2025 and 2026 models have a wiring harness on them that do not need replacing. I need something done ASAP regarding this matter. Why has NOTHING been done regarding this replacement? It has been MUCH TOO LONG! Is there ANYONE at your organization that can help me with this matter ASAP!!!! Thank you.
The rear turn signals on the 2023 Hyundai Tucson are on the rear bumper. They are never seen by any car or truck sitting behind you or next to you in your blindspot. I believe the 2022 & the 2024 also have this issue, and there are numerous complaints about it online, especially on Reddit and auto forums. They are dangerous. Cars too close behind you or next to you in your blindspot, will never see your signal, especially the larger cars & trucks or tall autos such as buses, garbage trucks, etc. Here is one of many articles & videos about this issue: [redacted]
When driving in dark areas with low outdoor lighting, the instrument panel is reflected in the drivers window. Aside from being distracting, there is obstructed visibility where the reflection occurs. I have made repeated calls, that go ignored, to Hyndai Customer Care, brought it to my service dealer upon request for protocol, who could not react because it was daytime. The instrument panel happens not to be recessed as in other cars I have had. I simply want suggestions on how to alleviate the problem. Thank you
Related recalls (5)
Exterior lighting › Tail lights
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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.
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.
Exterior lighting
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.
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.
Exterior lighting
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Hyundai Tucson years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (29), 2025 (17), 2017 (15), 2005 (13) and 2018 (13) model years. Headlight complaints make up 2% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Hyundai Tucson headlight problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 16V-147 (tail lights, Mar 10, 2016); 13V-113 (switch, Apr 1, 2013); 11V-259 (exterior lighting, Apr 26, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Hyundai Tucson headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles; 54% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the brake lights (8 mentions), followed by the brake lights › switch (5).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.