Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
390
Complaints
13
Crashes
9
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths
Owners of the 2018 Hyundai Tucson have filed 390
safety complaints with NHTSA
between June 2018 and August 2026.
The most complained-about system is the engine,
named in 238 of them
(61%). The typical failure was reported at 31,623 miles, the median
across the 111 complaints that gave an
odometer reading.
Complaints rose 46% year on year: 67 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 46 in the twelve before.
NHTSA has issued 1 recall covering this
vehicle.
Recalls (1)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
20V543000 · September 4, 2020
Park outside until repaired
The defect
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)
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.
What owners report
Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add
up to more than 390.
ENGINE 238 61%
POWER TRAIN 100 26%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 42 11%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 27 7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 22 6%
SERVICE BRAKES 21 5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 19 5%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 16 4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 12 3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 8 2%
STRUCTURE 8 2%
AIR BAGS 5 1%
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2021 at 73.
2018 to 2026, the last of them a part year
In owners' own words
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
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. …
NHTSA complaint 11757350, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
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 …
NHTSA complaint 11756421, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
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. …
NHTSA complaint 11755158, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
My car had a lot of trouble accelerating it’s delayed
NHTSA complaint 11753308. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
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.
NHTSA complaint 11752813. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
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 …
NHTSA complaint 11752633, 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.
What each state asks for
, read from the statutes.
Where these numbers come from
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file
, published August 20, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API
, most recent campaign filed August 12, 2026.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file
, published 2026-08-19.
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