Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Hyundai Tucson problems

Owners filed 398 complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson with NHTSA between Jun 2018 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (243).

Complaints
398
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
13
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine243
  2. Power train101
  3. Electrical system29
  4. Fuel/propulsion system22
  5. Service brakes21
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic20
  7. Vehicle speed control16
  8. Exterior lighting13
  9. Engine and engine cooling8
  10. Structure8
  11. Air bags5
  12. Steering4
  13. Suspension2
  14. Seats2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201813
201926
202025
202173
202244
202357
202454
202561
202645

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

243 reports4 crashes8 fires
“The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle started shaking aggressively. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road, and the parking brake was engaged. The vehicle stalled and was towed to the nearest gas station. The vehicle failed to start and was towed to the residence. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2026Service brakes, hydraulic, EngineODI 11764062

Power train

101 reports3 crashes2 fires
“There is a definite KNOWN problem with the transmissions in all 2018 Hyundai Tucsons and maybe other model years as well. This is well documented via the Internet by the number of articles concerning this ongoing problem! This problem seems to have been unresolved over a pretty long period of time now! It is most definitely a safety issue and should be addressed. When issue happens it leaves the vehicle at the mercy of surrounding traffic! It definitely requires your consideration and your looking into! Search the internet concerning this transmission failure problem…. Why has this NOT been addressed prior to or long before now?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2026Power trainODI 11765149

Electrical system

29 reports3 crashes
“Issues: 1. Stop lights failure light turns on and off. 2. Engine light failure notification turns on and off. 3. Headlights low bims failure notification turns on and off. Actions taken: 1. Headlights low bims bulbs were changed. 2. Engine light codes reviewed and updated as report showed; however, warning light still turning on. 3. Stop light fuse has been changed, light bulbs still working.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 10, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11770323

Fuel/propulsion system

22 reports2 fires
“This vehicle had a engine replaced by the dealership Nov 2024.Has not run the same since.Getting worse and seems like transmission issues.I was told The first and the 2nd owner which I'm the 2nd owner has a 5 year 100,000 mile warranty.It's been 4 years and since I've had the vehicle I've driven round off 60,OOO miles .The vehicle had $84,000 something miles on it when I got it.It's becoming very dangerous to drive around other cars giving out of power in the middle of streets and barely not going up hills or freeways and streets.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2026Suspension, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11741044

Service brakes

21 reports4 crashes
“I purchased this car [XXX] as a CPO vehicle from a Ford dealership. By [XXX] the oil pressure light would flicker and it was clear the car was burning a lot of oil between changes. On 8/22 an oil change was completed at dealer. On [XXX] the oil pressure light flickered and it was three quarts down. An oil consumption test was started at 112,000. On Sat [XXX] while driving to dealer for oil check, the car began shuddering violently and the check engine light came on, and went into limp mode. I was on a dangerous mountain pass at the time and it could have been a major issue. The day before a tractor trailer had almost run me off the road, if my car had stalled then I might not be here. Hyundais have a known issue with oil burning and engine damage. Right now I am stuck in a 14K loan with a car that is unsafe to drive. I am not sure what the dealer plans to do, or what the diagnosis is, but its clear these engines are not safe.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2025Service brakes, EngineODI 11695832

Service brakes, hydraulic

20 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and depressing accelerator pedal, the vehicle started to decelerate. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact waited for two minutes and attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinders #1 and #2. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V543000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2025Service brakes, hydraulic, EngineODI 11666021
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.