Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 397 safety complaints
about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson with the US government. Of those, 13 describe a crash, 9 mention a fire, 10 people were injured and no death is recorded. One recall campaign is open against it, covering the hydraulic brakes.
The most complained-about system is the engine,
named in 244 complaints, 61% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 31,962 miles,
the median across the 112
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers June 2018 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
397 complaints on file
397
Complaints
13
Describe a crash
9
Mention fire
10
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
Complaints rose 40% year on year: 63 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 45 in the twelve before.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 244 · 61%
244 61%
POWER TRAIN 101 · 25%
101 25%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 43 · 11%
43 11%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 27 · 7%
27 7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 22 · 6%
22 6%
SERVICE BRAKES 21 · 5%
21 5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 20 · 5%
20 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 16 · 4%
16 4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 12 · 3%
12 3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8 · 2%
8 2%
STRUCTURE 8 · 2%
8 2%
AIR BAGS 5 · 1%
5 1%
0100200
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 397.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2021 at 73.
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2018 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2018 Hyundai TUCSON, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
SUV AWD
SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
16.2%
15.5%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed.
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Recall campaigns
1 on file
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.
The risk
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
The 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.
Hyundai Motor America · up to 652,024 vehicles across all model years covered
Defect investigations
1 on file
An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A
preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering
analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.
Loss of Motive Power
DP22003
Closed defect petition · opened September 12, 2022 · closed December 12, 2023
the 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.
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
AIR BAGS
2 injured · crash · towed · 24,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IDLE ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH CRASHED INTO THEIR VEHICLE FROM THE REAR CAUSING THEM TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THEM. THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT HIT HIS FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE PASSENGER RECEIVED SHOULDER INJURIES. OTHERS INVOLVED DID NOT RECEIVED INJURIES. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND HAS NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY DEEMED TOTALED AS OF YET. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE …
NHTSA complaint 11361471, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
2 injured · crash · towed · 15,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS MOTHER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH, SHE WAS STRUCK FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY EXCEPT THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BROKEN STERNUM, BROKEN RIBS BROKEN LEGS AND HEAD TRAUMA. THE OTHER DRIVER SUSTAINED BROKEN BONES BOTH DRIVERS REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY …
NHTSA complaint 11387473, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
1 injured · crash · towed · 18,000 miles
RECALL ON MY 2018 TUSCON BRAKES, BRAKES WERE ACTING ODD AND MY DAUGHTER UTIMATELY ENDED UP ROLLING AND TOTALLING IT IN OCT 2020. IN MARCH 2021, WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR BRAKES. SHE HAD MENTIONED THE BRAKES ACTING FUNNY, BUT ONLY HAVING 18K MILES. WE ASSUMED IT WAS STILL NEWNESS. SHE RECEIVED A HEAD INJURY AND SEST BELT SORES ON HER HIPS.
NHTSA complaint 11406025. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed
After an impact with a large buck (deer) on a main highway while traveling 70 miles per hour, the airbags failed to deploy.
NHTSA complaint 11666669. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
Engine stalls jurks lose of power engine light blinking excessive oil use
NHTSA complaint 11767171. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
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?
NHTSA complaint 11765149. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
towed · 164,000 miles
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.
NHTSA complaint 11764062. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
I took my Tucson to my local Hyundai dealership on Friday, August 28, 2026. It was there for a standard oil change and tire rotation. When I scheduled the appointment online the system also said there was a recall. I always stay on top of that so I let them take care of that as well. The recall didn’t seem like anything major, it was something to do with emissions. Ok, when I left the dealership that day the engine was warm so there was no noticeable difference. I didn’t use my vehicle at all for the next few days. When I got into it Monday morning for work I noticed immediately after starting the car and taking off the engine was hesitating and bucking. This lasted a few minutes. The …
NHTSA complaint 11761793, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
2018 Hyundai Tucson catastrophic engine failure consistent with known Hyundai Nu engine defect pattern documented across 141 prior owner-filed NHTSA complaints for this same vehicle. OBD codes P0326, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 documented July 19–25, 2026. Independent licensed mechanic confirmed in writing that engine requires replacement. Authorized Hyundai dealership service manager verbally confirmed coolant in oil — the exact failure mode documented in prior NHTSA complaints for this vehicle generation. Service Campaign 966/KSDS was completed and active when failure occurred and did not prevent it. Hyundai Motor America denied goodwill claim Case #43120457 citing out-of-warranty status …
NHTSA complaint 11762047, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
I own a Hyundai Tucson 2018 SEL Plus. My problem is my vehicle is coming to the end of it's 100,000 mile warranty. This vehicle started burning oil about 30,000 miles and it got worse. I checked on recalls and there was no recalls for my VIN number for this vehicle. My Hyundai vehicle is burning a quart of oil every 300 miles and this is no exaggeration. I bought the car brand new and had to replace my 1st Catalytic converter at 79,627 miles on 5/14/25 that was originally on the car. The second Catalytic converter that I had put on I, had to replace that Catalytic converter again at my cost at approximately $900.00 and then after that it plugged up again at 91,928 miles on 7/28/26 and I, …
NHTSA complaint 11761559, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed September 4, 2020.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst