2016–2021 Hyundai Tucson

2016-2021 Hyundai Tucson — Battery Replacement

By Tom Becker ✓ Certified Mechanic · Published Sep 21, 2026 · Updated Oct 22, 2026

🔧 Easy 30-90 minutes $180 DIY

Save $120 by doing it yourself! Shop cost: $300

Quick answer: Battery Replacement on a 2016–2021 Hyundai Tucson is rated Easy and takes about 30-90 minutes. You'll need 2 tools for this job, and parts cost about $180. This guide walks you through the full job step by step, including the mistakes to avoid.

Quick Video Tutorial

Parts You Need

Total Cost

$180.00

Part Name	Part Number	Price	Buy
Replacement 12-volt battery for 2016-2021 Hyundai Tucson; verify group size, CCA, terminal layout, and VIN fitment	—	$180.00	Amazon
Anti-corrosion terminal protectant or felt washers (optional) Optional	—	$8.00	Amazon

About prices: shown prices are typical retail averages and change frequently; cheaper alternatives may be available. Confirm the current price before buying.

💡 Pro tip: Order all parts at once to save on shipping

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps carefully

Verify battery fitment and charging symptoms

Confirm fitment before buying. Watch for slow cranking, dim or flickering lights, a battery warning, or needing a jump more than once, and get a free battery and alternator test first — a weak charging system mimics a bad battery.

Make the vehicle safe

Park level, shift to Park, set the parking brake, ignition fully off. The 12-volt battery is under the hood, secured with a hold-down bracket. Wear gloves and safety glasses; remove metal jewelry.

Disconnect the old battery

If a plastic cover or air-filter housing blocks access, move it aside — check your layout before forcing anything. Loosen the negative (black) clamp first (typically 10 mm), twist it free, and tuck it safely away. Then remove the positive (red) clamp.

🔧 Mechanic's note — Tom Becker

I check the layout before forcing the air-filter housing out of the way — on some builds it's clipped over the battery and I've seen people snap the clips yanking it; a minute of looking beats a broken housing.

Seat the battery and reconnect

Seat it flat and refit the hold-down bracket snugly. Reconnect positive first, then negative, tightening each clamp until it won't twist on the post. Clean corrosion with a wire brush and apply dielectric grease.

Reset and verify operation

Start and confirm strong cranking with no warning lights. Take a 15–20 minute drive and confirm all electronics behave. Recheck terminal tightness and the hold-down after the drive. Return the old battery for the core refund — never put a lead-acid battery in household trash.

All Done!

Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying by appearance instead of group size, CCA, polarity, and hold-down fit
• Shorting the positive terminal to the body with a metal tool
• Lifting the battery by damaged terminals or leaving it unsecured
• Skipping battery registration, window/clock resets, or charging-system checks when required
• Assuming a new battery fixes a parasitic draw or charging fault

Tools You'll Need

10 mm wrench or socket, ratchet, and short extension Battery terminal brush and electrical-safe cleaner Memory saver only if the vehicle procedure permits it Gloves, eye protection, and a small flashlight

Related Trouble Codes

P0562 System Voltage Low

⚠️ Safety First!

• Informational DIY. EZ Car Fix is not a shop.
• Verify the exact engine, battery group, polarity, and battery-management/registration requirements before disconnecting the old battery.
• Keep sparks, flames, and metal tools away from the battery; wear eye protection and gloves.
• Use the service procedure for memory retention, battery registration, and post-replacement calibration when equipped.
• Stop if the case is swollen, leaking, frozen, the terminals are badly damaged, or the cable is hot.