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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

What owners actually said

395 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2022
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

While driving the vehicle, while accelerating the vehicle would lose power or disengage from gas pedal at 17 mph and then again at 26 mph. After about 3 miles the check engine light came on and a TCM warning appeared on the radio screen. Immediately took the car to the dealership and was turned away since I didn’t have an appoin…

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While driving the vehicle, while accelerating the vehicle would lose power or disengage from gas pedal at 17 mph and then again at 26 mph. After about 3 miles the check engine light came on and a TCM warning appeared on the radio screen. Immediately took the car to the dealership and was turned away since I didn’t have an appointment. On my way home from the dealership I made a stop at a store. I reversed out of the parking spot with no issues. When I put the vehicle in drive, it would not accelerate. I could drive in reverse but not forward. Vehicle was towed to the dealership. Diagnostics revealed it was a failed TCM. Further research revealed this same issue occurred in 2016 models. How was this not fixed or prevented in later models?

NHTSA ODI #11467907

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2022
Engine

An oil change was done and part of the transmission pan overflowed and then engine failed.

NHTSA ODI #11466943

Mileage unknown · May 13, 2022
Electrical System

Left turn signal sporadically works during a left turn. Can be safety issue when turn signal stops mid turn even the slightest turn it can stop working and then when finished turning it turns on again. Reported issue to dealership and is being replaced through extended warranty. Issue is a faulty Multi functional turn signa…

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Left turn signal sporadically works during a left turn. Can be safety issue when turn signal stops mid turn even the slightest turn it can stop working and then when finished turning it turns on again. Reported issue to dealership and is being replaced through extended warranty. Issue is a faulty Multi functional turn signal switch. Had been several month since issue started. I have video if the turn signal failing.

NHTSA ODI #11464486

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2022
Engine

Powertrain issue. Multiple times the after stopping the engine revs for a few seconds and then the vehicle will lurch forward. It acts like the CVT transmission has a delayed response to the accelerator. The condition comes and goes and sometimes it happens multiple times in the same trip.

NHTSA ODI #11463154

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2022
Power Train

Powertrain issue. Multiple times the after stopping the engine revs for a few seconds and then the vehicle will lurch forward. It acts like the CVT transmission has a delayed response to the accelerator. The condition comes and goes and sometimes it happens multiple times in the same trip.

NHTSA ODI #11461870

100,000 miles · Mar 30, 2022
EngineVehicle Speed Control

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving up a hill, the vehicle lost motive power. While driving the vehicle at undisclosed speeds and turning, the vehicle hesitated and then accelerated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where however, the me…

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The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving up a hill, the vehicle lost motive power. While driving the vehicle at undisclosed speeds and turning, the vehicle hesitated and then accelerated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11459016

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2022
Engine

Driving down the road, accelerated to speed limit, but the car slowed down and the RPM's stayed at 2000. The car just stopped running and I was able to pull over into the middle lane. Towed to dealership, 6 weeks min. to diagnose until we know what happened . DANGEROUS!!!

NHTSA ODI #11457785

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2022
Power Train

Car has no power when accelerating, when accelerating from a stop the car revs but does not move, then when it does move it takes off like a rocket, in slow moving traffic 5 mph, you accelerate and the car seems like it wants to stall, a lot of hesitation, In fast moving traffic, if you want to merge or pass another vehicle you …

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Car has no power when accelerating, when accelerating from a stop the car revs but does not move, then when it does move it takes off like a rocket, in slow moving traffic 5 mph, you accelerate and the car seems like it wants to stall, a lot of hesitation, In fast moving traffic, if you want to merge or pass another vehicle you must give yourself ample time and make sure it is clear to make your move, if you need to get out of the way really fast you cant, its very dangerous and Hyundai needs to move quick on this before something really bad happens to someone.

NHTSA ODI #11456880

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2022
EnginePower Train

my 2018 Hyundai Tucson starting having lurching issues on when first started. i have to back into my driveway so i dont have to go in reverse then go forward. it jerks back and forth so hard. It finally took its toll on the transfer case and it exploded internally. the Dealership said they had never seen this before. i was h…

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my 2018 Hyundai Tucson starting having lurching issues on when first started. i have to back into my driveway so i dont have to go in reverse then go forward. it jerks back and forth so hard. It finally took its toll on the transfer case and it exploded internally. the Dealership said they had never seen this before. i was hoping that was the cause of the issue but it wasnt. Still doing it and am afraid it will do it again. i was under warranty when it happened, so teh $2000 replair was covered. i'm concerned it will happen again. teh problem goes away after it's been completely warmed up. but like many others, its a scary issue when first started. it also will also shift hard when it firsts get's going (after the initial hard lurching back and forth). i dont know what to do. Love the car otherwise, but concerned with ever buying a Hyundai again.

NHTSA ODI #11455214

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2022
EnginePower Train

very bad acceleration from a stop position, engine revs but does not move, in slow traffic it hesitates and lunges forward like it’s not sure what it’s suppose to do, when trying to merge or pass another car, you have to give yourself time, it’s very dangerous, took it to the dealer 2 times, was told that’s how the car is made, …

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very bad acceleration from a stop position, engine revs but does not move, in slow traffic it hesitates and lunges forward like it’s not sure what it’s suppose to do, when trying to merge or pass another car, you have to give yourself time, it’s very dangerous, took it to the dealer 2 times, was told that’s how the car is made, there is no way this is suppose to be the way the car was built. also a smell of antifreeze but no leaks detected,

NHTSA ODI #11454968

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