2018 Hyundai Tucson

2018 Hyundai Tucson recalls (1)

• SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

  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.

  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.

2018 Hyundai Tucson safety ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2018 Hyundai Tucson owner complaints (15)

• ENGINE

  -Very high oil consumption. Going through a little over a quart very 900-1000 miles. Has a GDI turbo engine. -Transmission issues. Has a dual clutch transmission that slips.

• POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  January 9, 2026, driver was on I25, when driver heard a loud thud and the RPMs kept rising but the vehicle would not accelerate. Was very dangerous and barely avoided a collision with other drivers on the road. Barely got it home and shut it off. Tried to drive again but would not get out of reverse. Car was towed to Hyundai dealership for inspection. EGO4 Check Engine Light Diagnostic. 120883. Transmission and rear coupler/differential replaced. Test driven and dealership said it drove as designed and shifted as designed. Cost $10,955.29.

• ENGINE

  On June 5, 2026, driver was on I25, when driver heard engine making a winding and weird noise. Vehicle immediately went from 60 mph to 40 mph. It was extremely dangerous and driver barely evaded a collusion with several other vehicles. A check oil and engine light came on. Towed back to same Hyundai dealership. They claim engine needs replaced and needs maintenance kit. Total cost $16,892.87. Note: prior to, in January 2026 the transmission and differential were replaced. Was told there were no other issues (same Hyundai dealership).

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  While idling at a standstill (in a drive-thru queue), my 2018 Hyundai Tucson suddenly experienced a severe engine overheat, causing the vehicle's air conditioning system to immediately blow hot air and shut down. The vehicle was brought directly to an authorized Hyundai dealership (Chapman Hyundai on [XXX]) for an emergency inspection.The dealership's certified technicians confirmed that the electric Engine Cooling Fan Assembly completely failed and subsequently caused the main Front Wiring Harness and Fuse Box to physically melt. The dealership documented this catastrophic electrical and thermal meltdown under Repair Order #XXX.This is a critical safety defect. A melted engine wiring harness poses an immediate and severe risk of an electrical short circuit, sudden vehicle stalling in live traffic, or a catastrophic under-hood engine fire. Because this component controls the primary cooling of the powertrain, its failure creates an extreme hazard to the vehicle occupants and surrounding traffic. Hyundai must investigate this component failure before it results in a thermal fire incident or an accident due to sudden power loss. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• SUSPENSION,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  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.

• POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  While operating the vehicle on the highway at speeds around 55 to 60 mph, without warning, the engine suffered a sudden, catastrophic internal mechanical engine failure that resulted in an immediate and complete loss of motive power, rendering the vehicle entirely undriveable. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Hyundai dealership for a formal tear-down and diagnosis. They Hyundai dealership technician formally diagnosed the issue as a catastrophic internal "pin failure" (Structural failure of an internal engine pin component). This component defect caused a total mechanical breakdown of the engine assembly. Hyundai Motor America has issued a corporate warranty denial for an engine replacement, despite the vehicle being covered under the Hyundai Engine II Class Action Settlement (which extends powertrain protections due to widespread internal engine manufacturing defects), A sudden, un-warned loss of engine power while driving poses a severe and immediate safety hazard to the driver, passengers and other motorists on the highway. Hyundai's refusal to remedy this known structural defect leaves a dangerous vehicle un-repaired. I am requesting an investigation into Hyundai's denial of coverage for structural engine component failures on the 2.0L Nu engine platform.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  UNKNOWN -A catalytic converter clogged after being installed - only 14 months following installation, causing rough and unsafe acceleration, inability to shift gears properly, and need to drive with hazards on. It is clear that there is an issue with the engine/exhaust and system in this vehicle. Additionally, the car needs oil added regularly and seems to be burning it, as indicated by low level.

• POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  The 2.0L engine catastrophically failed during normal highway driving, consistent with a thrown connecting rod. The vehicle suddenly lost power on a roadway with tractor-trailer traffic. The driver and a child passenger narrowly avoided being struck by a semi-truck before the vehicle could be brought to a safe stop. No prior warning lamps, no check engine light, no abnormal noises, and no indications of any kind preceded the failure. The failed engine is currently at a Hyundai dealership and is available for inspection. The dealer has confirmed catastrophic engine failure and submitted an engine replacement request to Hyundai Motor America. Hyundai Motor America declined the engine replacement request, citing incomplete status on Service Campaign 966 (Knock Sensor Detection System update for connecting rod bearing wear). The owner purchased the vehicle used and was never notified by Hyundai of Service Campaign 966. The owner also was never notified of NHTSA Recall 20V543000 (ABS module fire risk), which remains open and unrepaired on this vehicle, demonstrating a pattern of failed manufacturer notification to the current registered owner. This vehicle is a Class Vehicle in the Hyundai/Kia Theta II engine class action settlement (In re: Hyundai and Kia Engine Litigation), which extended powertrain coverage to a lifetime warranty for connecting rod bearing failure on 2018 Tucson vehicles equipped with the Theta II 2.0L engine. The failure mode experienced is precisely the defect this settlement and Campaign 966 were designed to address. Component that failed: engine, specifically connecting rod bearing/short block assembly. Component is available for inspection. Vehicle has approximately 71,000 miles. The failure created an immediate and severe risk of fatal collision involving a child passenger. Manufacturer has been contacted and has denied warranty coverage. NHTSA action is requested regarding both the engine defect denial pattern and the unrepaired ABS fire-ri

• ENGINE

  This complaint involves a catastrophic engine failure in a 2018 Hyundai Tucson that appears to be part of a broader pattern of similar failures reported by other owners. Prior to failure, the vehicle exhibited excessive oil consumption and progressive engine performance issues. These symptoms have been widely reported by other consumers with the same vehicle, suggesting a systemic defect rather than an isolated incident. The engine failed completely while the vehicle was being driven to a mechanic for evaluation. The vehicle experienced sudden loss of power and shut down in the middle of an active intersection, creating a significant safety hazard and risk of collision or fatality. Online consumer reports, forums, and complaints indicate that many 2018 Hyundai Tucson vehicles experience similar symptoms—specifically excessive oil consumption followed by engine failure. Despite this apparent pattern, no comprehensive recall or sufficient consumer warning has been issued. The manufacturer has refused to provide assistance, citing warranty limitations, which raises concerns that known defects are not being addressed and unsafe vehicles remain in operation. This issue presents a serious safety risk due to sudden and unexpected loss of engine power while driving. I am requesting that NHTSA evaluate this as a potential widespread defect and initiate a formal investigation that could lead to a recall to protect consumers

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  Approximately one month ago I had a high pressure fuel pump installed in my 2018 Hyundai Tucson. While driving on the highway, about ten minutes from home, my car suddenly burst into flames. There were no warning lights in the cockpit. There was no smoke in the cabin. Another motorist flagged me down. I got out of the vehicle just in time for it to become fully engulfed in flame. It burned down on the highway. Police and fire responded. Insurance is investigating. If I was inside the vehicle, I would have certainly died.

• POWER TRAIN

  The transmission system failed. The vehicle had previously been serviced at a Hyundai dealership for a transmission-related issue and was returned to me as repaired; however, the problem persisted. Shortly after the repair, the transmission failed again, indicating that the issue was not properly resolved. The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. The failure occurred while I was actively driving, creating a serious safety risk due to the potential loss of power and reduced ability to safely control or maneuver the vehicle. At the time, my [XXX] child was in the car, placing both of us, as well as other drivers on the road, at risk. The issue was confirmed by the Hyundai dealership following the initial repair attempt. Despite being advised that the vehicle was repaired, the transmission failed again, and the dealership acknowledged that the transmission remains defective. The vehicle has been inspected by the Hyundai dealership’s service department but has not been evaluated by police or insurance representatives. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the failure. The transmission failed unexpectedly after the vehicle had already been serviced and returned as repaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• ENGINE

  The oil consumption issue has begun. At about 75k miles, my 2018 Hyundai Tucson 1.6L Turbo is burning oil at an insane rate. And there is no indicator of it occurring (no codes or anything on the dash) until it's too late. Hyundai is now WELL KNOWN, and aware, for this problem and it is a catastrophic safety issue because of the possibility of the engine seizing and disabling the vehicle. It isn't negligence on the consumers part either, especially when timely and consistent oil changes are being done. *NOTE* My vehicle has had the transmission (6 speed dual clutch) replaced at around 30k miles and is having the same issue again (at 75k miles). So first the transmission and now the engine!

• ENGINE

  I bought this car 6 months ago. I did not know it had a recall on the engine. The engine just died a week ago. I brought it to hyundai and the confirmed it was a recall and go ahold of corporate. Corporate is refusing to fix the recall because they said "I should have brought it in at the original recall in 2020." I did not own the car there and I was not aware of the recall at all. [XXX] is my husband he is the other owner of the car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• POWER TRAIN

  My specific Tucson is equipped with 1.6L Turbo and a 7 speed Dual-Clutch Transmission. I see there are recalls for the 2016 models equipped with the same transmissions, so I'm concerned as to why there hasn't been a recall for the newer models. My transmission was replaced by Hyundai when the car only had approximately 15,000 miles (give or take) and now at 73,000 miles, I'm experiencing the same issue again! The delayed engagement when accelerating from a stop has been stressful, to say the least. I hope this can be taken more seriously and investigated further. Just take a Tucson, like my version, through a Starbucks drive-through and you'll understand just how awful the shudder is. It gets so bad, I worry that the vehicle will shut off.

• ENGINE

  I have experienced two near-fatal incidents involving a sudden, uncommanded loss of motive power while traveling at highway speeds (approx. 70 MPH). On February 11, 2026, the vehicle entered "Limp Home Mode" without warning, dropping speed to 60 MPH and 2000 RPM in heavy traffic. This caused an immediate and dangerous speed differential, nearly resulting in a high-speed rear-end collision. Simultaneously, the AC system disabled, indicating a severe engine protection event. Manufacturer Negligence: The vehicle was taken to Courtesy Hyundai of Tampa twice for this issue (Code P0087). They performed a "Knock Sensor" replacement and cleared data points, assuring me the vehicle was safe. The failure recurred immediately. I subsequently took the vehicle to Brandon Hyundai on February 13, 2026. Despite my reports of near-fatal highway failures, Brandon Hyundai was instructed by Hyundai Corporate to merely repeat the "Knock Sensor" replacement—a repair that had already failed to resolve the dangerous condition. Critical Safety Admission: On 02/23/2026, Brandon Hyundai Service Advisor Abel Gomez explicitly admitted that this repair is "not a fix, it is a temporary thing until it shows again," yet stated they must follow Corporate’s directive to release the car. Requested Action: Hyundai is knowingly releasing a vehicle with a recurring, life-threatening defect (P0087/Sudden Power Loss) by performing "band-aid" sensor swaps instead of addressing the high-pressure fuel system or internal engine failure. This practice is a direct violation of the Safety Act. I request an immediate investigation into Hyundai’s refusal to perform permanent repairs on GDI engines displaying these catastrophic failure codes.