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

  My engine is consuming an excessive amount of oil due to a known issue with the Hyundai engine design impacting cars from 2011-2018. My car only had approximately 89,900 miles on it when I noticed the issues. Hyundai is aware of the defect and has re-engineered their engines due to the issue. The engine is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others is put at risk every time I drive. By denying my claim, I am forced to repeatedly top off my oil to maintain levels and try to drive as safely as possible, however my car is at risk of engine failure due to the consumption. I have escalated these concerns to Hyundai and I was still denied. The problem was confirmed by a Hyundai dealer. The denial stems from Hyundai’s policy that it must be consuming greater than 1 quart for every 1,000 miles driven. However, my car is still consuming oil and it is incredibly unsafe. The engine was inspected by qualified Hyundai mechanics. The consumption issue was documented in their paperwork. The oil light would intermittently flicker while I drove, which had never happen before. Additionally, the car began to drive rough and I recognized something was likely wrong with the car. Unwilling to take any safety risks, I immediately scheduled an appointment with the dealership to determine the issue.

• ENGINE

  My 2018 Hyundai Tucson with the 2.0L engine has suffered catastrophic engine failure. The engine lost compression in cylinder 4 and now requires a full replacement . This is part of a broader pattern—the 2016–2018 Tucson is known for excessive oil consumption that leads to engine failure, with over 1,900 engine-related complaints filed with NHTSA across these model years . Prior to this failure, I reported excessive oil consumption and other engine issues to my dealership. Despite these reports, the problem was not resolved, and I was given inadequate guidance on how to address it. The engine ultimately failed while I was driving, creating a sudden loss of power that posed a safety risk. Other Hyundai Tucson vehicles with the same engine have been covered by recalls for related engine defects , but my specific VIN was not included, despite exhibiting identical symptoms. Meanwhile, other owners report that similar engine failures have been dismissed or denied coverage by Hyundai . This inconsistency in how the manufacturer handles a known, widespread defect is what prompted me to file this complaint.

• ENGINE

  ​On Thursday, August 6, 2026, while driving my 2018 Hyundai Tucson on Interstate 81, the vehicle experienced sudden, severe engine vibration and a loud metallic ticking sound before losing power and stalling completely on the highway. I was stranded on the side of the highway in a high-speed traffic zone, creating an immediate and hazardous safety situation. ​Because the vehicle was completely inoperable, I was forced to pay $200 out-of-pocket to have the vehicle towed 35 miles to the nearest authorized Hyundai dealership service center. ​Upon arrival at the dealership, an on-site service technician performed an OBD-II diagnostic scan on the lot and confirmed diagnostic trouble code P1326 (Engine Knock Sensor Detection System / Connecting Rod Bearing Failure). Despite the technician confirming the presence of this critical safety defect, the dealership service desk explicitly refused to enter the diagnostic code into Hyundai’s corporate system, stating they would not process or submit the vehicle for inspection or warranty authorization for over a month. ​Hyundai Motor America Customer Care was contacted immediately and witnessed the dealership’s refusal to log the safety defect. While Corporate assigned a Case Manager, Hyundai and the dealership have continually stalled the intake process under Service Campaign 966 / T6G and refused to provide direct-bill rental transportation or loaner support while the car sits disabled on the dealer lot. ​As a direct result of this sudden highway engine failure, the manufacturer's failure to address a known safety defect, and the refusal to provide recall mobility support, I have suffered ongoing financial loss, out-of-pocket towing expenses, and forced leave from employment. I am filing this report to document the hazardous highway failure of code P1326 and the refusal of the manufacturer and dealer to process a critical safety recall intake in a timely manner. My husband is the registered owner but I am the driver.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  My 2018 Hyundai Tucson Limited equipped with the 1.6T engine and 7-speed EcoShift Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) is suffering from severe, dangerous clutch judder, slippage, and sudden acceleration hesitation. This vehicle matches the exact manufacturing defects and symptoms outlined in Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin TSB 21-AT-014H, but the defect has never been properly resolved by the manufacturer.The primary safety defect occurs when accelerating from a complete stop or during low-speed maneuvers (such as yielding at a roundabout or turning at an intersection). When pressing the gas pedal, the transmission violently shudders, hesitates, and fails to properly engage the clutch pack. This creates a severe, unpredictable time lag where the engine revs but the vehicle experiences a total loss of motive power and fails to move forward.This unexpected loss of propulsion has caused multiple near-miss situations where oncoming traffic had to slam on their brakes to avoid hitting my vehicle because it stalled or lagged while pulling out. It is an immediate physical safety hazard to myself, my passengers, and other drivers on the road. The failure is completely unpredictable and significantly worsens in warm weather or during stop-and-go driving conditions.I previously presented this vehicle to an authorized Hyundai dealership to complain about this exact transmission hesitation and shuddering while the vehicle was still covered under the factory warranty window. The service department failed to properly log, diagnose, or repair the failing double clutch pack at that time. Because the defect was reported within the warranty period and never corrected, the safety hazard has persisted and deteriorated to the point where the vehicle is now unsafe to operate in normal traffic. Hyundai is currently refusing to cover the full cost of this safety-related transmission failure.

• ENGINE

  My car had a lot of trouble accelerating it’s delayed

• ENGINE

  The engine has been consuming oil, where we were adding at least a quart of oil between oil changes. We noticed the vehicle would shake like it was going to die while idling at a stop light or in a drive through. Recently my husband was driving home from work on a busy highway and the vehicles check engine light started blinking on and off. He pulled over and had the vehicle towed. The oil consumption made the vehicle throw a rod and damage the engine. Now we are needing to replace the engine.

• ENGINE

  Incident Summary: On 07/16/2026, my 2018 Hyundai Tucson experienced a severe engine failure resulting in sudden knocking sound from engine and stopped in middle of road. This sudden failure while operating the vehicle created an immediate safety risk on the roadway. ​The vehicle was taken to Rick case Hyundai on 07/22/2026 , where diagnostics confirmed on 07/24/2026 internal engine damage tied to connecting rod bearing wear—a known, widespread safety hazard affecting Hyundai 2.0L Nu GDI engines. ​Reason for Complaint: Hyundai Motor America denied warranty coverage and engine replacement, claiming that Service Campaign 966 / Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software had not been installed prior to the failure. ​The KSDS update is a software monitoring/warning tool, not a mechanical fix or routine maintenance requirement. Missing a software patch does not cause physical connecting rod bearing failure. Hyundai is using missing software updates to systematically deny coverage for known, dangerous engine defects. ​I am reporting this incident because sudden engine stalling on public roads poses a severe crash hazard, and Hyundai should not be permitted to avoid addressing safety-critical mechanical failures based on procedural software campaign exclusions.

• POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

  While driving my 2018 Hyundai Tucson Limited 1.6L Turbo with the 7-speed EcoShift dual clutch transmission (DCT), the vehicle has repeatedly failed to engage and hold gears, resulting in loss of motive power in traffic. Diagnostic scanning retrieved codes P074B (Unable to Engage Gear 3), P074B71 (Unable to Select 3rd Gear), P074B07 (Gear Dropped Out of 3rd Gear), P092177 (1st Gear System Referencing Failure), and P0921 (Gear Shift Forward Actuator Circuit Range/Performance). A Hyundai dealer diagnosed the failure as requiring transmission replacement at approximately 93,000 miles. This is the same 7-speed DCT and the same failure mode addressed by NHTSA Campaign 16V628000 (Hyundai Recall 149) and Hyundai Service Campaign T1B, which covered 2016–2017 Tucson vehicles but excluded the 2018 model year despite using the same transmission. Hyundai has acknowledged this defect in 2018 vehicles through TSB 21-AT-014H and TSB 22-AT-007H, which prescribe a TCU software update, but issued these as service bulletins rather than a recall, so owners were never notified. When I requested the TSB software update, the Hyundai dealer refused to perform it. This defect creates a serious safety hazard: the vehicle can drop out of gear or fail to accelerate without warning while in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash — the identical hazard NHTSA cited in granting recall 16V628000. I request that NHTSA review whether the existing recall scope should be expanded to include 2018 Tucson vehicles.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  Car shaking, oil is burning , and drive hard. Engine and, oil light is now appearing.

• 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.