IllustrationWHEN HYUNDAI SANTA FE PASS OR NEAR BY 2018 TUCSON, BLIND SPOT SENSOR SUDDENLY TURN OFF AUTOMATICALLY FOR WHILE. THEN SOME TIME PASS(MAYBE MORE THAN 30MIN), IT TURNS BACK ON. IT ONLY EFFECTS CERTAIN YEARS OF SANTA FE.
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 reportsI 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. [XXX]. 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 HAVE COMPL…
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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. [XXX]. 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 HAVE COMPLAINED AND THOUGHT IT WAS JUST ME UNTIL I HAVE READ MORE COMPLAINTS. THIS CAR NEEDS RECALLED OR YOU NEED TO GIVE PEOPLE THEIR MONEY BACK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
MY CAR HAS 20,000 MILES ON IT. 2 MONTHS AGO AROUND 18,000 MILES MY CAR STARTED TO HESITATE DURING ACCELERATION. IT STARTED AS ONLY SOMETIMES. NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT . WHEN IT IS STOPPED AND I PUSH ON THE GAS TO GO IT HESITATES. THE RPMS SHOOT UP TO 5-6 THEN IT GOES. THIS IS DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE CROSSING…
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MY CAR HAS 20,000 MILES ON IT. 2 MONTHS AGO AROUND 18,000 MILES MY CAR STARTED TO HESITATE DURING ACCELERATION. IT STARTED AS ONLY SOMETIMES. NOW IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT . WHEN IT IS STOPPED AND I PUSH ON THE GAS TO GO IT HESITATES. THE RPMS SHOOT UP TO 5-6 THEN IT GOES. THIS IS DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE CROSSING SEVERAL LANES OF TRAFFIC. ALSO WHEN IN MOTION AND YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE IT WILL HESITATE AS WELL. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AS IT'S UNDER WARRANT AND WAS TOLD IT'S THE DCT AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED. AND IT'S NORMAL. I DISAGREE BECAUSE IF IT WAS NORMAL THEN IT WOULD HAVE DONE THIS WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR.
CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE MORE THAN THE SPEED OF MAYBE ROLLING THROUGH A STOP SIGN WHEN YOU ARE AT A STOP SIGN YOU CANNOT ACCELERATE AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO PEOPLE BEHIND YOU THAT WILL SMASH INTO YOU AND THEN YOU HAVE TO FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL AND WORRY ABOUT CRASHING INTO SOMEBODY IN FRONT OF YOU. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER …
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CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE MORE THAN THE SPEED OF MAYBE ROLLING THROUGH A STOP SIGN WHEN YOU ARE AT A STOP SIGN YOU CANNOT ACCELERATE AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO PEOPLE BEHIND YOU THAT WILL SMASH INTO YOU AND THEN YOU HAVE TO FLOOR THE GAS PEDAL AND WORRY ABOUT CRASHING INTO SOMEBODY IN FRONT OF YOU. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING THEREFORE THEY CAN'T FIX IT. I AM MOVING TO FLORIDA WHERE IT IS HOT AND HUMID ALL THE TIME WHICH IS SEEMS THAT THAT IS WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENS. I WOULD LIKE A NEW VEHICLE IF THEY CAN'T FIX IT I FIND THIS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON IT YET AS THERE ARE MANY MANY COMPLAINTS THROUGHOUT THE INTERNET
HYUNDAI 2018 HAD A OIL LEAK ISSUE DUE TO A FAULTY OIL PAN. THE OIL PAN WAS SEALED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THIS DID NOT SEEM TO FIX THE ISSUE CAUSING THE OIL TO DRAIN ON THE FREEWAY AND SEIZE THE ENGINE. I WAS COASTING ON THE FREEWAY WITH NO POWER FROM THE ENGINE. WE WERE SCARED FOR OUR DEAR LIVES.
I PURCHASED MY NEW CAR 8 MONTHS AGO WITH 2 MILES ON IT. I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO PULL OUT FROM RED LIGHTS IF ANYONE IS EVEN INSIGHT AT TIMES. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT JUST DOESNT WANT TO GO AT ALL. I CAN FLOOR THE GAS AND IT HESITATES FOR FEW SECONDS AS THE RPMS ARE VERY HIGH ALL YOU GET IS A ROLL INTO TRAFFIC. IT MAKES ME SO NERVO…
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I PURCHASED MY NEW CAR 8 MONTHS AGO WITH 2 MILES ON IT. I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO PULL OUT FROM RED LIGHTS IF ANYONE IS EVEN INSIGHT AT TIMES. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH IT JUST DOESNT WANT TO GO AT ALL. I CAN FLOOR THE GAS AND IT HESITATES FOR FEW SECONDS AS THE RPMS ARE VERY HIGH ALL YOU GET IS A ROLL INTO TRAFFIC. IT MAKES ME SO NERVOUS AT TIMES DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. WORSE MISTAKE BUYING THIS VEHICLE AND WORSE PART IS I WILL BE STUCK IN AS ITS NOT WORTH HALF OF WHAT I OWE ALREADY. THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING DISCUSSED BEFORE SIGNING OR NOT ON THE MARKET TO SELL AT ALL
I PURCHASED A 2018 TUCSON IN A NOVEMBER, RECENTLY I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE STRUGGLES TO ACCELERATE. I WILL CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW BUT I SEE THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT SEEMS TO BE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. IT'S A HAZARD ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING IN THE FREEWAY.
VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, FORCING ENGINE TO REACH 6.5K RPM ONCE IT BEGAN TO DO SO. HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON SAME ISSUE BY VARIOUS OWNERS.
THE TRUNK HATCH OPENS UP WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT US PRESSING THE OPEN TRUNK BUTTON ON THE REMOTE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN STATIONARY AND WHEN WE WERE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THE TRUNK EVEN OPENED ON IT'S OWN WHILE THE REMOTE HAD BEEN PLACED UPRIGHT ON THE GROUND! ALSO THE TRUNK OPENED ON I…
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THE TRUNK HATCH OPENS UP WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT US PRESSING THE OPEN TRUNK BUTTON ON THE REMOTE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN STATIONARY AND WHEN WE WERE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT. THE TRUNK EVEN OPENED ON IT'S OWN WHILE THE REMOTE HAD BEEN PLACED UPRIGHT ON THE GROUND! ALSO THE TRUNK OPENED ON IT'S OWN WHEN IT WAS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND AS WE HAVE A LOW GARAGE DOOR, THE PAINTWORK WAS SCRATCHED ON THE TRUNK DOOR WHEN IT OPENED UP AGAINST IT. ON 4/5/19 WE TOOK THE CAR TO DON WOOD HYUNDAI AT 810 STATE STREET, ATHENS OH FOR THEM SEE IF THEY COULD FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE HATCH AND REMOTE, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHILE IT WAS THERE.
VEHICLE RANDOMLY SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHEN BREAK IS QUICKLY DEPRESSED WHEN ROLLING FROM A STOP. VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED. A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. VEHICLE RANDOMLY FAILS TO SHIFT UP WHEN ACCELERATING. ANOTHER VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. DUEL-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE AS DESIGNED.
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.