IllustrationThe engine is burning excessive oil. Down 3 quarts over approx. 3,000 miles. Mechanic verified there are no leaks - it is burning the oil.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tucson years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
470–25K
2125–50K
1750–75K
1375–100K
12100–150K
2150K+
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 reportsHigh Oil Consumption
My 2018 Hyundai Tucson has been experiencing oil consumption issues for over a year. It began at around 80k miles, when it should have been covered by warranty but they made me pay out of pocket for an oil consumption test only to ultimately recommend a top end cleaning, which I also paid for and it did not solve the problem. T…
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My 2018 Hyundai Tucson has been experiencing oil consumption issues for over a year. It began at around 80k miles, when it should have been covered by warranty but they made me pay out of pocket for an oil consumption test only to ultimately recommend a top end cleaning, which I also paid for and it did not solve the problem. This is a known issue with Hyundai, and they have settled many lawsuits but have consistently denied any repair or solution for me. I am burning about 5 quarts of oil every week, and this is a problem they refuse to help solve.
Oil consumption, will change oil and within weeks i will be down 23 Quarts of oil
The engine on this vehicle burns oil quickly which is a known defect. I took the vehicle to the dealership and both times I was told everything was working fine. On 12/5/2025 the vehicle just lost power while driving. After getting the vehicle towed to a mechanic they said I needed a new engine.
My 2018 Hyundai Tucson experienced complete engine failure at around 118,000 miles. The motor suddenly blew without warning. This vehicle uses an engine type known for widespread engine defects, including bearing wear and internal failure. I bought the vehicle used in 2023, maintained it regularly, and there were no warning ligh…
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My 2018 Hyundai Tucson experienced complete engine failure at around 118,000 miles. The motor suddenly blew without warning. This vehicle uses an engine type known for widespread engine defects, including bearing wear and internal failure. I bought the vehicle used in 2023, maintained it regularly, and there were no warning lights or overheating before the failure. I had to put oil in my vehicle every week. I had to use 5qts of oil. It smelled like fumes coming through the vents. It then stalled on the highway while we had our son in the vehicle and shaked profusely. Mind you we had our son in the vehicle. How unsafe is that. I then did my research and found out Hyundai engines of this generation have a history of stalling, seizing, and internal damage. I am filing this complaint because this appears to be part of a known safety defect that can cause sudden loss of power while driving. We took it to shop and confirmed the motor blew. It was faulty. Also, sometimes the electrical components would turn off in vehicle such as radio and would go black. Also the turn signal would be on and then turn off. It would also shake while driving. This needs to be taken care of ASAP as it almost caused danger to my family and also caused financial strain on my family too as I now had to roll over my vehicle loan into a new safe vehicle. I would like to be contacted in regards to this. Thank you.
My car on the expressway wouldn't go over 40 and this was happening intermittently so my car was unsafe. No check engine light but it was just at the dealership for an oil change. Has. been an ongoing problem since I bought the car! Smells, gets hot!
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle almost stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and was flashing off and on. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact pulled ove…
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The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle almost stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and was flashing off and on. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle remained running. The contact waited for a while and then shifted to drive(D) and was unable to accelerate above 30 MPH. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The vehicle was taken to a Parts Store and was scanned, and DTC: P1326 was retrieved. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was no longer driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.
Excessive oil consumption (failed 3 tests) now adding two quarts a week.... Transmission shifting issues (already had a replacement at 65,000 miles. Hesitation with acceleration. AWD and can barely make it up my driveway. Rpms rev when trying to go slow. Already needed a moonroof replaced because the motor died. USB random…
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Excessive oil consumption (failed 3 tests) now adding two quarts a week.... Transmission shifting issues (already had a replacement at 65,000 miles. Hesitation with acceleration. AWD and can barely make it up my driveway. Rpms rev when trying to go slow. Already needed a moonroof replaced because the motor died. USB randomly disconnects and reconnects for GPS.
Shortly after purchase, I had an oil change and vehicle inspection performed. I was informed that my engine may have an internal defect causing it to burn oil excessively. I later took the vehicle to a AAA-approved Hyundai service center, where they confirmed that the engine is burning oil due to a known manufacturer issue and t…
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Shortly after purchase, I had an oil change and vehicle inspection performed. I was informed that my engine may have an internal defect causing it to burn oil excessively. I later took the vehicle to a AAA-approved Hyundai service center, where they confirmed that the engine is burning oil due to a known manufacturer issue and that it is not the result of owner misuse or neglect. I have been quoted approximately $11,000 for a replacement engine, which is an extreme and unexpected cost for a recently purchased vehicle in otherwise good condition.
Official recalls
120V543000 · 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
1DP22003 · 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.