KnownCarProblemsHome › Hyundai › Tucson › 2018
2018 Hyundai Tucson Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 399 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson, most often about the engine (63% of complaints, typically around 61,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Tucson model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2018 Hyundai Tucson problems
Engine
250 complaints · 63%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system.
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…
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…
Transmission
101 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 16,000 miles.
Car was slowly entering garage and came to a full stop with brake pedal depressed in gear. Car without warning, engine revved up to full power and crashed in garage. I am alleging condition known as sudden unintended acceleration. I have had the damage repaired and the cost of repair was over $4,000.00. Pictures…
I have bought this vehicle last year. There is a loud noise when I take off after I have started the car and go. I have taken it in they told me it is the gear shifter. []. This car has no power when you take off and the brakes have squeaked since day 2.I have taken it in and they have scraped the brakes 3 times. I…
Other or unspecified
44 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles.
Ongoing issues with the engine transimission. After 3 dealership visits, problem was duplicated at bob mayberry Hyundai-monroe, nc. We were told this was a known problem and "fix/part" was coming in march/april 2020. I was never contacted. Continued to drive the car until finally got fed up with the same issue. I went…
I was driving down the highway when I heard a very loud pop... I pulled over to inspect the car... The panoramic sun roof had shattered for no apparent reason.. No cars were in front of me or behind me... I saw no debris on the car or in the road... The road was paved.. I was really at a lost as to what could have…
Brakes
42 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock.
Warning light on dashboard board goes on and off constantly indicating rear brake light needs attention. When warning light is on, brake light does not work. When warning light turns off, brake light works. This happens when car is on and constantly at random times even when I'm stationary. Also, when I'm stopped, car…
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…
Electrical
29 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles.
Warning light on dashboard board goes on and off constantly indicating rear brake light needs attention. When warning light is on, brake light does not work. When warning light turns off, brake light works. This happens when car is on and constantly at random times even when I'm stationary. Also, when I'm stopped, car…
Hello everyone, 2018 Hyundai tuscon problem: engine/air bag cause: unknown * after a collision with 2 large deer on a main highway early morning, immediately brought it to a shop. The body work was finished and I had the car back, unfortunately after that my engine was very very sluggish. Irregular shifting, slight…
Fuel system
22 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 2,000 miles.
Around 1500 ,iles the car started to either stall completely or "jump" forward in al drivemodes, took to dealership , they said it has to do with transmission being essentially a standard. They told US they reset the computer and it needs this occasionally. Really never heard of that. Our gasmileage is also constanlty…
After starting my car there is a strong smell of gasoline, at different times, but not consistently. The smell of gas is very strong in the cabin area even while driving. Sometimes, once the vehicle has been started there is a strong smell of fuel coming from the exhaust pipe area. I have reported this to the…
Speed control
16 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 7,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cables.
The vehicle is experiencing severe intermittent failures to accelerate. Failures occurr from a stop and while in motion. All gear levels appear to be affected. Failures were first noticed at approximately 7000 miles.
Same dual clutch problem as on 2016 Hyundai Tucson. Hesitates for several seconds prior to engaging which causes significant danger in oncoming traffic. I had this same problem with the 2016 and Hyundai continued to deny any known problems. Now there is a class action lawsuit regarding this issue. I traded my 2016 in…
Lights
13 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. While driving 45 MPH, the headlights failed to function. The contact had to activate the high beam headlights to see the road. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to nassief Hyundai (located at 1059 state rte 46 north, jefferson, oh 44047…
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the contact switched to the high beams and was temporarily blinded by the reflection off the highway sign. The vehicle was taken to suresky Hyundai located at 2 hatfield ln, goshen, ny 10924, ([phone], where the headlamps were…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Hyundai Tucson recalls
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of motive power
Summary
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
Questions about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (250 complaints, typically around 61,000 miles); transmission (101 complaints, typically around 16,000 miles); other or unspecified (44 complaints, typically around 36,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Hyundai Tucson have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 4, 2020 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Hyundai Tucson?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Tucson model year since 2000, with 399 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.