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2018 Hyundai Tucson

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tucson years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson are substantially higher than the model-year median of 180.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

112 reports with mileage · 283 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 243 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 100 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports9 fire reports8 injury reports

Engine complaints

243 reports
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49,000 miles · Oct 12, 2021
EngineService Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel as the vehicle stalled. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where they informed her of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V543000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); howe…

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The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel as the vehicle stalled. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where they informed her of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V543000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the parts for the recall were unavailable. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer for four months and recently informed her that her engine needed to be replaced; she was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000. (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ODI #11436476

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2021
Engine

Bought car on 7/14/2021 with 43,200 miles - on September 18, 2021 the car stopped working on the highway. Towed to dealership and after 7 days in the lot was told it had a cracked engine block. Over 2 weeks later they still have no idea when the replacement block will be in and when the vehicle will be fixed. Can't offer a lo…

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Bought car on 7/14/2021 with 43,200 miles - on September 18, 2021 the car stopped working on the highway. Towed to dealership and after 7 days in the lot was told it had a cracked engine block. Over 2 weeks later they still have no idea when the replacement block will be in and when the vehicle will be fixed. Can't offer a loaner even though warranty calls for them to supply one.

NHTSA ODI #11435682

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2021
Engine

The Engine check engine light activated and within a few miles while accelerating from a stop sign the engine had very little power, just missed a colision by cross traffic. Upon inspection the engine had very little engine oil. There was no indication of low oil pressure, and the oil was changed at regular intervals as recomme…

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The Engine check engine light activated and within a few miles while accelerating from a stop sign the engine had very little power, just missed a colision by cross traffic. Upon inspection the engine had very little engine oil. There was no indication of low oil pressure, and the oil was changed at regular intervals as recommended by Hyundai. This vehicle HAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND THERE IS NO INDICATION WHEN IT IS GETTING VERY LOW UNTIL THE ENGINE FAILS TO RESPOND.

NHTSA ODI #11434799

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2021
Engine

On the way to taking my son to the hospital, the car stopped working, delaying the medical care I needed for my son after being attacked by a pitbull. It was then towed to the dealership who regularly services the car. They stated it was the motor. Stated I need a new one. Stated it failed due to missing the oil change by two we…

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On the way to taking my son to the hospital, the car stopped working, delaying the medical care I needed for my son after being attacked by a pitbull. It was then towed to the dealership who regularly services the car. They stated it was the motor. Stated I need a new one. Stated it failed due to missing the oil change by two weeks. There were no warning signs/signals or anything coming from the car that would have caused me to bring the car in sooner.

NHTSA ODI #11423637

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2021
Engine

44,000 miles on car. While driving on highway noticed an 18 wheeler three feet behind me, tried to accelerate and nothing happened. Right before the car started making a noise, luckily no one was in the right lane so I coasted to the median. I was just informed the car needs an engine. Two days before I heard a fluttering sound …

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44,000 miles on car. While driving on highway noticed an 18 wheeler three feet behind me, tried to accelerate and nothing happened. Right before the car started making a noise, luckily no one was in the right lane so I coasted to the median. I was just informed the car needs an engine. Two days before I heard a fluttering sound and the car seemed to have trouble accelerating.

NHTSA ODI #11423460

60,000 miles · May 11, 2021
Engine

WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE 10 SECONDS THEN A LOUD BOOM AND BLEW DARK SMOKE OUT THE BACK AND ENGINE STOPPED. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED OFF THE FREEWAY. REAR WINDSHIELD AND TAILGATE WERE COVERED IN OIL, AT LEAST IT WAS CLEAN, I HAD CHANGED IT A FEW DAYS PRIOR. TO…

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WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE 10 SECONDS THEN A LOUD BOOM AND BLEW DARK SMOKE OUT THE BACK AND ENGINE STOPPED. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED OFF THE FREEWAY. REAR WINDSHIELD AND TAILGATE WERE COVERED IN OIL, AT LEAST IT WAS CLEAN, I HAD CHANGED IT A FEW DAYS PRIOR. TOWED TO SHOP AND ONCE ON THE LIFT THE ROD STICKING OUT THROUGH THE BLOCK WAS A SHOCK TO SAY THE LEAST. 14 MONTHS AGO I REPLACED THE ENGINE AFTER SEVERE OIL LEAKS LED TO THE BLOCK WARPING. THAT WAS $6000 THAT HYUNDAI DECLINED TO COVER. PUT A USED THETA ENGINE IN AND EVERYTHING WAS GOOD UNTIL THIS. OBVIOUSLY HYUNDAI ISN'T GOING TO COVER THIS EITHER. HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND STILL OWE OVER $10K ON LOAN. I'M ABOUT TO PAY FOR ANOTHER THETA ENGINE THAT IS COMING FROM THE SAME MODEL YEAR AS THE PREVIOUS TWO. I FEEL INSANE DOING THIS, LIKE I'M ASKING FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN BUT NO OTHER OPTIONS.

NHTSA ODI #11416135

100,000 miles · May 7, 2021
EngineService BrakesUnknown Or Other

I HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO AUTO NATION WHERE I PURCHASED MY 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE WAS A SWISHING NOISE AND SPUTTERING THE CAR JUST STOPPED I WAS HOWEVER ABLE TO GET ON THE OFF RAMP THE CAR WAS TOWED WHICH COST ME 528.00 TO GET OUT HAD HE RE-TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND THE ENGINE ROD BLEW OUT …

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I HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO AUTO NATION WHERE I PURCHASED MY 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE WAS A SWISHING NOISE AND SPUTTERING THE CAR JUST STOPPED I WAS HOWEVER ABLE TO GET ON THE OFF RAMP THE CAR WAS TOWED WHICH COST ME 528.00 TO GET OUT HAD HE RE-TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND THE ENGINE ROD BLEW OUT AND UP MAKING A GOOD SIZE HOLE IN THE OIL PAN NOW I HAVE TO PAY 120.00 DIAGNOSTICS CHARGES BUT THEY DO NOT THINK HYUNDAI WILL PAY FOR REPAIRS SO I'M PAYING FOR A CAR THAT IS COMPLETELY INCAPACITATED. I WAS READING ON YOUR REPORTS CONCERNING HYUNDAI AND KIA THE LAW SUIT FOR THEIR SLOW RESPONSE BUT TO THIS DAY I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THIS PROBLEM YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND REPORT ON THE ENGINE PROBLEM AND ROD IS EXACTLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY HYUNDAI EXCEPT IT HASN'T CAUGHT ON FIRE AS OF YET MY UNDERSTANDING IS PARK IT AWAY FROM EVERYTHING AS JUST BEING PARKED IT CAN STILL CATCH ON FIRE. I NEED HELP ON THIS MATTER... THANK YOU I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLVED SINCE MARCH 2021

NHTSA ODI #11415535

74,600 miles · Apr 30, 2021
Engine

I HAVE A 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON WITH LESS THEN 75000 MILES THAT I HAVE JUST HAD FOR A YEAR THAT SUDDENLY STARTED KNOCKING AFTER HAVING IT CHECK AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS BEARING MATERIAL IN MY OIL AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY REFUSED TO COVER AS I WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ALL MA…

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I HAVE A 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON WITH LESS THEN 75000 MILES THAT I HAVE JUST HAD FOR A YEAR THAT SUDDENLY STARTED KNOCKING AFTER HAVING IT CHECK AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS BEARING MATERIAL IN MY OIL AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY REFUSED TO COVER AS I WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS FOR THE LAST YEAR. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO LOCATE A NEW OR REFURBISHED ENGINE AND CANNOT PROVIDE A PREDICTED DATE ONE WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I REACHED OUT TO AUTOZONE TO SEE IF I CAN PURCHASE AN ENGINE FROM THEM AND THEY STATED IT SAYS NA WHEN THEY ENTERED MY VIN SO THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE AN ENGINE AT ALL. SO I AM PAYING FOR A VEHICLE THAT I CAN'T DRIVE BECAUSE IT NEEDS AN ENGINE BUT I ALSO CAN'T BUY AN ENGINE?!

NHTSA ODI #11414668

61,000 miles · Apr 30, 2021
Engine

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED KNOCKING LOUDLY THEN A LOUD BOOM AND ALL THIS BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM THE BACK END. THE VEHICLE ENGINE SEIZED AND I WAS ALMOST KILLED BY A SEMI TRUCK TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AS THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMEN…

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DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED KNOCKING LOUDLY THEN A LOUD BOOM AND ALL THIS BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM THE BACK END. THE VEHICLE ENGINE SEIZED AND I WAS ALMOST KILLED BY A SEMI TRUCK TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AS THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE ROD BLEW A HUGE HOLE IN MY ENGINE AND IT WAS NO GOOD. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 61K MILES PRACTICALLY BRAND NEW. OPENED A CASE WITH HYUNDAI AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME I HAD NO WARRANTY. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE. ALSO THERE ARE TWO OTHER SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR THAT WERE ALSO UP AT THE SERVICE STATION FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND WITH LOW MILES AND HYUNDAI REFUSED TO MAKE THE MATTER RIGHT BY REPLACING THE MOTORS. THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND RIPPING OFF THE AMERICAN CONSUMER. 7300$ FOR A REPLACEMENT MOTOR AND THE VEHICLE IS PRACTICALLY NEW WITH THE LOW MILES I HAVE.

NHTSA ODI #11414615

88,000 miles · Mar 28, 2021
Engine

I CHANGED ENGINE OIL A MONTH AGO AND STILL HAVE 500MILE LEFT UNTIL RE-CHANGE, BUT AFTER WHEN I WENT SHOPPING THE ENGINE SOUND WAS BAD SO I CHECKED THE ENGINE OIL STATUS AND THERE WERE NO ENGINE OIL AT ALL. THIS WAS NOT FIRST TIME, DOING THIS. I HEARD HYUNDAI ENGINE EAT SOME OIL, BUT IT IS KIND OF DANGEROUS IF I DIDNT CHECK THE S…

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I CHANGED ENGINE OIL A MONTH AGO AND STILL HAVE 500MILE LEFT UNTIL RE-CHANGE, BUT AFTER WHEN I WENT SHOPPING THE ENGINE SOUND WAS BAD SO I CHECKED THE ENGINE OIL STATUS AND THERE WERE NO ENGINE OIL AT ALL. THIS WAS NOT FIRST TIME, DOING THIS. I HEARD HYUNDAI ENGINE EAT SOME OIL, BUT IT IS KIND OF DANGEROUS IF I DIDNT CHECK THE STATUS.

NHTSA ODI #11405207

Official recalls

1

20V543000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 4, 2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Hyundai expanded the recall population, and added certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.

Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

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