← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Power Train complaints

100 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2025
Power Train

I was driving on the highway, about to change lanes, when I looked in my rear view mirror and saw black smoke coming from my appeared to be my exhaust. I immediately started to pull over, and that is when the oil light first appeared on my dashboard. By the time I had put the car in park, the check engine light had also appeared…

Read full complaint

I was driving on the highway, about to change lanes, when I looked in my rear view mirror and saw black smoke coming from my appeared to be my exhaust. I immediately started to pull over, and that is when the oil light first appeared on my dashboard. By the time I had put the car in park, the check engine light had also appeared. After calling my boyfriend and a tow truck, I exited the vehicle and noticed a large pool of oil by my front tire. With the car on the tow truck, I could see oil continue to drip out. The car was towed to the local Hyundai dealership. Since this occurred on a Saturday afternoon, the service dept. was closed, and Hyundai called me on Monday, Aug 11, 2025 to explain that i should contact the auto mechanic that last changed my oil, as the oil plug had fallen out, and my engine had seized. (Had I not noticed the smoke right away, I could have been in an accident on the highway when the engine seized.) I explained to Hyundai that I had my oil changed 3,000 miles ago, and hadn't seen any indication of oil leakage, nor had the oil light come on prior to the incident on Aug 9, 2025. Hyundai insited I contact the oil change mechanics as it was clearly a craftsmanship defect, not the fault of Hyundai parts or material. Hyundai provided photos showing the oil plug was still laying on the block. I visited Superior Auto (mechanics that did the previous oil change) and they also deny responsibility due to the fact that the car drove fine for 3,000 miles without any indication of oil leakage, so there is no proof of fault craftsmanship.

NHTSA ODI #11679973

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2025
EnginePower Train

29 days after I bought a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The vehicle started making a ticking noise and stopped accelerating. I called the dealership and they said we didn't get a warranty. I said no that isn't correct, no warranty was offered and after seeing ALL the known engine problems I understand why ken ganley in medina wouldn't off…

Read full complaint

29 days after I bought a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The vehicle started making a ticking noise and stopped accelerating. I called the dealership and they said we didn't get a warranty. I said no that isn't correct, no warranty was offered and after seeing ALL the known engine problems I understand why ken ganley in medina wouldn't offer one. Now not even a month into having this vehicle, I have a brand new 5 year loan and a vehicle that won't move until I put a new engine in it and the dealership won't do anything for me. This is the worst experience I have ever had purchasing a vehicle

NHTSA ODI #11678122

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2025
EnginePower Train

My 2018 Hyundai Tucson 2.0L GDI engine with only 79,000 miles was "knocking" and wouldn't accelerate. We pulled over and towed the vehicle to the local Hyundai Dealer who declared "oil level good but failed bearing clearance test". Diagnosed with a rod and bearing failure. They submitted to Hyundai Motor Warranty the vehicle …

Read full complaint

My 2018 Hyundai Tucson 2.0L GDI engine with only 79,000 miles was "knocking" and wouldn't accelerate. We pulled over and towed the vehicle to the local Hyundai Dealer who declared "oil level good but failed bearing clearance test". Diagnosed with a rod and bearing failure. They submitted to Hyundai Motor Warranty the vehicle needed new engine. They declined. I know this is covered under the Hyundai Engine 2 Class action lawsuit with the extended 15 year/150,000 mile warranty as a result of the catastrophic engine failures. I have all oil change service records for every 5,000-6,000 miles while I was the second owner, as well as, have obtained another from the dealer who bought it from a rental/lease company starting at 14,000 miles. Hyundai Corporate is claiming "exceptional maintenance neglect" because of one missing oil change record from the rental company that I may not be able to obtain as the paper trail for the rental car company only states first owner was rental/fleet

NHTSA ODI #11674746

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2025
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

Won’t shift so that I can gain speed

NHTSA ODI #11670399

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2025
EnginePower Train

On April 12, 2025, my 2018 Hyundai Tuson which only has 99,000 miles started stalling out at random speeds. The vehicle stalled going up a hill and would not accelerate it would also not go past 55-60 miles per hour on the highway. There were no check engine lights or codes on the dashboard. The vehicle is also burning oil on 2 …

Read full complaint

On April 12, 2025, my 2018 Hyundai Tuson which only has 99,000 miles started stalling out at random speeds. The vehicle stalled going up a hill and would not accelerate it would also not go past 55-60 miles per hour on the highway. There were no check engine lights or codes on the dashboard. The vehicle is also burning oil on 2 occasions when having the oil changed. I feel like my life and others is in danger because the vehicle is stalling at random speeds which could cause a major accident due to this issue. I could be hit by another vehicle while trying to accelerate or merge on the highway. I reported the oil consumption last November and I contacted Hyundai customer care who issued a case number in May 2025 for the stalling issue, they instructed me to take it to the Hyundai dealership to be diagnosed. There is a recall out, but they said my vehicle is not included in it. I took the vehicle to the dealership, and they confirmed the vehicle was stalling and would not accelerate and were able to reproduce the issue. They informed me the vehicle needed a new transmission, and the vehicle only has 99,000 miles. Hyundai and the dealership declined to add the vehicle to the recall campaign for stalling vehicles. I had to cover the cost of $3,000 for a new transmission. I picked the vehicle up on June 6,2025 with the new transmission installed and it is still stalling and won't accelerate past 45 miles per hour.

NHTSA ODI #11665437

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2025
EnginePower Train

While starting and accelerating my 2018 Hyundai Tucson, I began hearing abnormal engine knocking and noticed rough performance. I took the vehicle to an authorized Hyundai dealership, where they diagnosed an internal engine defect. They confirmed the engine issue but refused to cover the repair, citing that I’m not the original …

Read full complaint

While starting and accelerating my 2018 Hyundai Tucson, I began hearing abnormal engine knocking and noticed rough performance. I took the vehicle to an authorized Hyundai dealership, where they diagnosed an internal engine defect. They confirmed the engine issue but refused to cover the repair, citing that I’m not the original owner—despite public information stating that Hyundai’s extended engine defect warranty (related to known bearing failures) applies to all owners for up to 15 years/150,000 miles. This creates a major safety concern, as I drive long distances on highways daily and fear the engine may seize or fail at high speeds. The vehicle remains at the dealership and is currently undrivable. I’ve submitted proper maintenance records, and the issue has been escalated through Hyundai Consumer Affairs and the Better Business Bureau. This appears to be a widely reported engine defect that Hyundai is not consistently addressing. The lack of coverage and delay in resolution places drivers at unnecessary risk.

NHTSA ODI #11663268

94,000 miles · Mar 27, 2025
EnginePower Train

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil with the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a dealer to be inspected and two oil consumption tests were performed by the dealer. The oil consumption tests sh…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil with the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a dealer to be inspected and two oil consumption tests were performed by the dealer. The oil consumption tests showed no defects with the engine. The dealer performed an engine flush; however, the failure persisted. The contact was advised to have oil changes performed every 3,000 miles instead of the recommended 5,000 miles. The contact stated that recently, after having an oil change, the dealer recommended a transmission fluid flush. The contact stated that after the transmission fluid flush was performed, the vehicle jerked and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

NHTSA ODI #11651027

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2025
EnginePower Train

In late September of ‘24 my husband was driving our oldest to school when my 2018 Hyundai tuscon seized mid drive with our son in the back seat with no oil or engine light warning. Husband inspected the oil and I was still full. A Hyundai dealer towed at their expense in October, diagnosed an engine failure. Denied me service si…

Read full complaint

In late September of ‘24 my husband was driving our oldest to school when my 2018 Hyundai tuscon seized mid drive with our son in the back seat with no oil or engine light warning. Husband inspected the oil and I was still full. A Hyundai dealer towed at their expense in October, diagnosed an engine failure. Denied me service since my extended warranty expired and I didn’t have the KSDS update. I wish they would as I still owe on the vehicle and I’m out of work. Making this complaint is to only spread awareness that 2017 Tucson with the 2.0 L engine had an engine failure connecting to rod bearings. My 2018 has the same engine type and failure as the 2017. Hyundai Corp fails to recognize the problem. My 2018 didn’t fail due to lack of oil changes as I can I prove that. My 2018 failed on Hyundai’s fault. Now my car sits at the dealership in Anchorage, Alaska and I still owe 9k and I live in Fairbanks, Alaska. 360 miles away from me.

NHTSA ODI #11644967

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2025
EnginePower Train

Me my wife and our dogs were driving from California to Las Vegas when we experience loss of power in the engine we managed to Coast downhill to State Line Nevada and got to the off ramp and then had to push the car to the nearest gas station it was towed the next day to Centennial Hyundai in Las Vegas, case # [XXX] this happene…

Read full complaint

Me my wife and our dogs were driving from California to Las Vegas when we experience loss of power in the engine we managed to Coast downhill to State Line Nevada and got to the off ramp and then had to push the car to the nearest gas station it was towed the next day to Centennial Hyundai in Las Vegas, case # [XXX] this happened while on vacation just before Christmas they were not able to look at it till after Christmas but they found that one of the valves had broken and was sitting on top of the piston we were told that the engine the turbo the exhaust and the catalytic would all have to be replaced also later they discovered a leak in the transmission on the Dual clutch which also needed replacing we were just told that they have finished the work and we would be responsible for about $5,300 worth of the work I have all maintenance records on this vehicle it had all scheduled maintenance done at the dealership including oil changes and any other repairs that or needed including engine cleaning once the car reached about 100,000 MI it started consuming about a quart of oil every oil change I'm [XXX] old and have had many new and used cars and have never ever had an engine failure happen at such a low mileage when this occurred the car had approximately 122,000 miles on it I have a claim with Hyundai customer care, case # [XXX] and they have not been very cooperative they don't seem to be able to contact the dealership to get any kind of resolution for the costs that I don't feel are my responsibility this is unbelievable I will never recommend anybody by a Hyundai or a Kia I will tell them buy a Honda or a Toyota not a Hyundai or a Kia they have horrible engines and Transmissions it should not be failing at less than 100,000 miles or before the car is even paid off unbelievable don't know how we're going to cover the cost the dealership wants to get our car back I guess they'll just have to keep it for a while. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11639241

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2024
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

car would not speed up no matter how hard i pressed accelerator, vehicle wouldn't speed up kept going at slower speed had to have towed to dealership. Don't know what is wrong. I was scared someone would hit me, or my speed would cause an accident. Only after issue started did engine light come on.

NHTSA ODI #11617721

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.

Go deeper into Hyundai Tucson problems