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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

Power Train complaints

100 reports
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109,000 miles · Aug 23, 2024
Electrical SystemEnginePower TrainCrash

In May 2024 my Hyundai Tucson died in a middle of an intersection with no warning. Worse than that is Hyundai motor USA informed me that the car was on a recall list for an engine failure issue that was apart of class action suit . Ans further told me that that were obligated to have the highway transportation safety dept notifi…

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In May 2024 my Hyundai Tucson died in a middle of an intersection with no warning. Worse than that is Hyundai motor USA informed me that the car was on a recall list for an engine failure issue that was apart of class action suit . Ans further told me that that were obligated to have the highway transportation safety dept notified first consider cause of the issue. They told an inspector from your department was required to inspect vehicle before repairs could be started and or returned fo me. That has not happened and they are using your office as the reason for delay on my vehicle. They have systematically m supplied the same answer to my case with no resolution. I have done everything I can as a consumer to handle my case and believed that they were going through the correct process but the dealer has informed me their own manufacturer and corporate is not following guidelines and handling recalls. This is soo dangerous as this vehicle was Already on a list for recall repair and they did NOT inform me the customer when it was brought in for repairs before this incident.

NHTSA ODI #11610579

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2024
EnginePower Train

End of April/beginning of may, driving down highway check engine light flashing loud knocking and loss of power. Got it towed by AAA. Wasnt able to make appt until May 9th. Got it towed to the Hyundai dealership. Got phone call that is filed the bearing test and need a total engine replacement. Was told by the dealership th…

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End of April/beginning of may, driving down highway check engine light flashing loud knocking and loss of power. Got it towed by AAA. Wasnt able to make appt until May 9th. Got it towed to the Hyundai dealership. Got phone call that is filed the bearing test and need a total engine replacement. Was told by the dealership that it could take 3 months or more to get an engine in and get it replaced. They have no loaners, and hyundai expeacts me to pay out of pocket for a rental for work to keep my job as well as my independent contracting job accounting/taxes. I have to have a vehicle. A rental is easily 1200+ a month. Hyundai refuses to give me a trade in value for my vehicle until the new engine is in. Hyundai also refunded to reimbursement me for a rental until all work is completed and a work order is in hand ( which can be many many months) I dont have money to pay 1200+ a month for a rental and also pay by car payment every month for a vehicle that is stuck at the dealership undrivable because Hyundai installed faulty bad engines. I am stuck and all Hyundai can tell me is that it takes months for the engines. Purchased the vehicle in Feb 2022 and have perfect maintance records, service records and everything else for upkeep. Still owe 15545 on the vehicle and its undrivable. So im paying a car payment on a vehicle that Hyundai made undrivable

NHTSA ODI #11588035

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 2024
EnginePower TrainSteering

My vehicle had been in the shop for 30 day due to engine shutdown in the middle of the road, I barely was able to get vehicle off the road and avoid oncoming traffic. I got my vehicle back and driven it a total of 40 minutes within a 3 day time period. During my drive to work my vehicle shut off in the middle of the highway and …

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My vehicle had been in the shop for 30 day due to engine shutdown in the middle of the road, I barely was able to get vehicle off the road and avoid oncoming traffic. I got my vehicle back and driven it a total of 40 minutes within a 3 day time period. During my drive to work my vehicle shut off in the middle of the highway and would not turn on again. My concerns are not being taken seriously with Hyundai and it is a disaster waiting to happen. I have a one year old daughter and I can not risk her safety as well as the other on-coming people on the road when it quits and oncoming traffic has to swerve to not T-bone me. Hyundai will not take any action to correct this other than giving it a temporary fix of a 45 minute drive before they allow me to get back on the road and put myself and others at risk of injury.

NHTSA ODI #11584474

Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2024
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes

ABS SENSOR, downhill light, traction control light stays on. In August 2023 the transmission had to be rebuilt from slipping. After work there is still transmission slipping. Media display goes blank often and will not show all of display sometimes.

NHTSA ODI #11584294

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2024
Power Train

While on the highway going 70mph the check engine light flashed on the immediately off out of nowhere and car started aggressively shaking before loosing temporary power. My wife and toddler were in the car and we were all pretty shaken up. Luckily I was able to gain control of the car but I'm concerned that another issue may oc…

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While on the highway going 70mph the check engine light flashed on the immediately off out of nowhere and car started aggressively shaking before loosing temporary power. My wife and toddler were in the car and we were all pretty shaken up. Luckily I was able to gain control of the car but I'm concerned that another issue may occur. I immediately took my car in to the shop and they were unable to replicate the issue. Spark plugs, oil, transmission fluid and coolant fluids were all as regular maintenance but no real issue was addressed. My car has also had issues with struggling to accelerate from stop, causing jerking motion and my oil seems to be burning faster than usual.

NHTSA ODI #11583173

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2024
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

It started [XXX] when i took my car to the dealership due to it going into limp mode. The dealership took it in and said it was throwing error code p1326 which is the knock sensor code. they replaced the knock sensor, drove my tucson home after the replacement, by the time i got home it went into limp mode again, took my car bac…

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It started [XXX] when i took my car to the dealership due to it going into limp mode. The dealership took it in and said it was throwing error code p1326 which is the knock sensor code. they replaced the knock sensor, drove my tucson home after the replacement, by the time i got home it went into limp mode again, took my car back to the dealership turns out it was a faulty sensor they received. So the dealership replaced the sensor again, did not have an issue with it until decemember 2023, so i took it to get the error code read again and it was the p1326, so i make an appointment with the dealership to bring it back in and they said hyundai of america says it needed the combustion chamber cleaning, which i had to pay for. even though it was throwing the p1326 error code. but after the cleaning is done i pick it back up and not even ten miles from the dealership my car goes back into limp mode, so i turn around and take it back. they just got back to me on [XXX] saying hyundia of america is declining to replace my engine since its no longer under warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11574982

Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2024
Power Train

Check engine light stayed on vehicle transmission unable to shift in reverse and lower power when car is driven in a low speed.

NHTSA ODI #11572472

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2024
EnginePower Train

issues with the 2018 Tucson- Transmission has always sputtered, had numerous updates and resets for it. still an issue. also it doesn't want to go into gear sometimes and bob when going into drive, or reverse. slow pick up from a complete stop, the other morning it became a safety concern when I had my daughter in the car. The c…

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issues with the 2018 Tucson- Transmission has always sputtered, had numerous updates and resets for it. still an issue. also it doesn't want to go into gear sometimes and bob when going into drive, or reverse. slow pick up from a complete stop, the other morning it became a safety concern when I had my daughter in the car. The car start to move when I stepped on the gas, then stopped in the middle of the intersection of [XXX] four way. The RPM's as I was stepping on the gas was shifting between 5-7 and the car it wasn't moving. Engine- in September I noticed my oil pressure light flashing on and off, this pointed me to check the oil. the oil was very low, added oil to the vehicle. since then I have had the dealer involved due to high oil burning . in [XX] I had an oil change done and no oil was found in the engine after I had placed oil in it prior. they did the oil change and I went back at the end of October and they had noticed my oil burnt off again. they did the combustion cleaning and returned the vehicle back to me [XXX]. Since then I drove 950 miles on the vehicle, Last Saturday the oil pressure light was flashing as I took my daughter to her dance class, I checked the oil and the oil was reading below the low mark on the dipstick. I returned to the dealer that morning for the oil consumption test, in which they said it was only a quart low which seemed odd to me since it was low on the dipstick. I have had corporate involved as well and all my concerns have gone as this is normal for your car. Hyundai has had issues with my Year Tucson, from my research since I started having the issues they have settled a lawsuit for the problems with the engine and transmission which I have in it.my research, as the vehicle ages, the engine burns large amounts of oil and transmission failure, stopping while driving. I would like them to replace the engine and transmission before my warranty is up. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11571838

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2023
EnginePower TrainFire

I was driving home from a family get together with my husband and daughter in my car. We smelled something burning, and suddenly smoke was coming out of my center console. I pulled over and flames were coming out of the driver side. As soon as we evacuated the vehicle, it burst into flames. There was no warning, nothing lit up o…

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I was driving home from a family get together with my husband and daughter in my car. We smelled something burning, and suddenly smoke was coming out of my center console. I pulled over and flames were coming out of the driver side. As soon as we evacuated the vehicle, it burst into flames. There was no warning, nothing lit up on the dashboard to warn me of this hazard. A witness was driving behind us and called 911 when he noticed flames underneath my vehicle right before I pulled over. A police report was filed and it was reported to my insurance agent, it is currently still under investigation since it just happened 2 days ago during a Holiday weekend. My safety and my family's safety was put at risk due to no warning, how fast the vehicle went up in flames, etc. The car was a total loss.

NHTSA ODI #11557015

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2023
EnginePower Train

The engine has failed in my 2018 Hyundai Tuscon. I was driving the car daily since purchasing in July of 2023. Everything was fine until the first week of October, I had just picked up my son and was getting on the interstate when my check engine light came on and my oil light would flash on and off occasionally not persistent…

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The engine has failed in my 2018 Hyundai Tuscon. I was driving the car daily since purchasing in July of 2023. Everything was fine until the first week of October, I had just picked up my son and was getting on the interstate when my check engine light came on and my oil light would flash on and off occasionally not persistently. I had the car checked immediately and there was no oil in the car at all. I added oil to the car, but it was too late the engine had already blown. I drove my son to school the next morning and the car sounded like a lawn mower and was knocking continuously. The dealership has the car now and this is a known problem with this model car. The car could've locked up while I was on the interstate with my child and we or others could have been severely hurt in an accident or car fire if the engine caught fire. The dealership is not offering to remedy the situation even knowing this is a known problem for their cars. There is already a recall for most of these cars but for my engine the cut off stops at year 2017, I think this should be reconsidered and 2018 should also be included in the recall as I have read many testimonials regarding people having the same problem I had, there was no indication anything was wrong with the oil or engine until it was too late.

NHTSA ODI #11551014

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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