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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

Engine complaints

243 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 19, 2024
Engine

My engine failed while driving on a highway. The engine began ticking, and then completely failed. The tow truck driver reported oil leakage. I towed it to a mechanic and he said it was completely blown and irreparable. He reported this as a recurring problem with hyundai and kia cars that "eat up oil" and then damage the engine…

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My engine failed while driving on a highway. The engine began ticking, and then completely failed. The tow truck driver reported oil leakage. I towed it to a mechanic and he said it was completely blown and irreparable. He reported this as a recurring problem with hyundai and kia cars that "eat up oil" and then damage the engine. The oil light has not been on, I've gotten regular oil changes and was within the distance of my most recent oil change. But apparently it was leaking, failed to inform me and now I have to purchase a new car or pay for a new engine. I looked up recalls, there are none. I looked up class action settlements and my car was mysteriously not on the list based on the VIN, despite being listed within the model and year range.

NHTSA ODI #11589541

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 · May 1, 2024
Engine

KSDS engine software update was performed by Hyundai dealer on January 22, 2024. On or about February 11, 2024, the vehicle began stalling, intermittently, and would not restart for several minutes. On March 4, 2024, the vehicle stalled and, upon restarting, after nearly a 30 minute wait, it would not exceed 35 mph. The ve…

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KSDS engine software update was performed by Hyundai dealer on January 22, 2024. On or about February 11, 2024, the vehicle began stalling, intermittently, and would not restart for several minutes. On March 4, 2024, the vehicle stalled and, upon restarting, after nearly a 30 minute wait, it would not exceed 35 mph. The vehicle registered, nor recorded, any diagnostic codes at any time, during these events. The vehicle was taken to Edwards Hyundai service center for diagnosis and repair. No diagnostic codes were recorded in the vehicle history. Upon inspection, Edwards changed a loose timing chain and exhaust camshaft. The vehicle was picked up on 3/13/2024 and presented with the same issue on 3/14/2024, with the engine stalling and failing to restart for several minutes. When the vehicle did restart, it would not exceed 35 mph. It was then returned to Edwards Hyundai on 3/15/2024, where it duplicated the issue for Service Writers, failed to restart, and had to be pushed out of the service garage. The vehicle has since, without further diagnosis or repair, started and ran for technicians, who have since supposedly driven, approximately, 200 miles, in an effort to determine the issue. Edwards Hyundai then demanded the return of a loaner vehicle, in an effort to force us to retake possession of the vehicle, having failed to properly diagnose or repair the issue. A complaint has been filed with Hyundai corporate, which resulted only in them also trying to convince us to accept return of the vehicle in said state of disrepair. It has since become very clear, as evidenced by numerous reports of Hyundai vehicles experiencing the same effects and mechanical issues, after receiving the KSDS software update, that Hyundai, both at the corporate and service level, have been dishonest, as to being unaware of the cause of the issue and what must be done to resolve it. Given that the potential end result of the customer retaking possession of the vehicle in its

NHTSA ODI #11586254

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineLane Departure

Bought car [XXX] blew up 2 weeks later knock censor was not put on by first dealership so engine blew on interstate car was possible on fire due to as much smoke was coming from vehicle could of been rear ended engine failure due to that no warning of engine failure tucson knows all these problem and is currently in a class acti…

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Bought car [XXX] blew up 2 weeks later knock censor was not put on by first dealership so engine blew on interstate car was possible on fire due to as much smoke was coming from vehicle could of been rear ended engine failure due to that no warning of engine failure tucson knows all these problem and is currently in a class action lawsuit and have known the problem for years dealership had to of known this was going on with this engine but sold the car to unsuspecting consumer i think there was a lot of stuff going on this car was owned by stew hansons then sold to dewy ford to sale which my understanding is they own both dealerships. My safety and anybody that gets into my vehicle is still have a 50/50 chance of it happening again ! Have done a lot of homework and watched many youtube videos of these vehicle burn to the ground even one death . they are death traps and should not be on the road . im scared to put my grandchildren in it due to all the info i have obtained INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11586219

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 18, 2024
Engine

My knock sensor came on and Hyundai is saying issue is not part of recall or covered under warranty and I have had all scheduled oil changes

NHTSA ODI #11583766

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2024
Engine

Timing Chain/ Engine failure. Alert/Dashboard failure. The car ran out of oil from the leaking oil pan. Car failed to notified the driver of low oil. Engine failure due to low oil while driving on interstate. Causing to low all power in the middle of the road. Vehicle was inspected by a mechanic and Tow company. Both s…

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Timing Chain/ Engine failure. Alert/Dashboard failure. The car ran out of oil from the leaking oil pan. Car failed to notified the driver of low oil. Engine failure due to low oil while driving on interstate. Causing to low all power in the middle of the road. Vehicle was inspected by a mechanic and Tow company. Both said it was the timing chain and that the engine was not good anymore. No warning lamps or messages or any other symptoms prior to the incident.

NHTSA ODI #11583357

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

The car experienced a red, blinking check engine light. We had the car towed to the local Hyundai dealership. Please see attached document for the work that was done. This was in November 2023, and we just now had to have the car towed to the dealership again (April 2024).

NHTSA ODI #11582893

115,000 miles · Apr 11, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the veh…

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The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 115,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI #11582442

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2024
Engine

The engine became inoperable, warning lights and sounds, came up while driving the engine experienced some hesitation and turned off.

NHTSA ODI #11581656

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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