AI Damage2018 Genesis G80: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Genesis G80 filed 98 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and steering. The maker issued 65 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 98
- involving a crash
- 8
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 65
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 22% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 16% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 12% of all complaints
- 4 Wheels 9% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 9% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 22 complaints (22% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
- Steering: 16 complaints (16% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Engine: 12 complaints (12% of all).
- Wheels: 9 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Air bags: 9 complaints (9% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 5 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 98 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 22 | 3 | 14 |
| Steering | 16 | 2 | 1 |
| Engine | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 9 | 0 | 5 |
| Air bags | 9 | 6 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 1 | 3 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 1 | 9 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Tires | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The front driver's air bag did not deploy. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. A Police report was filed. The contact sustained bruises to the chest and back pain. The passenger who was seated in the front passenger's seat sustained bruises.
The driver-side air bags did not deploy. However, the front passenger and side curtain air bags were deployed. The front passenger-side control arm detached from the vehicle due to the impact. The police were called and filed a police report. The contact and the passenger were not injured.
During the crash: - Multiple airbags deployed, - The steering‑wheel airbag did NOT deploy, - The SRS system recorded a crash severe enough to trigger other airbags, - The vehicle now displays B1378, confirming an internal fault.
1-the steering wheel airbag failed to deploy during a collisiom while all other airbags `airbags including rear seat airbags -did deploy. This suggest a possible malfunction in the airbag control module steering wheel airbag unit or sensor system.
I was pulling into the driveway and put on the brake, and the brakes did not respond. The car crashed thru the garage door. I put the car in reverse, but it didn't respond. It took about 5 seconds for it to engage.
It occasionally causes the car to go into “limp” mode or stall which could cause unnecessary and unreasonable traffic safety hazards. This is a well known and documented critical safety defect by Genesis as they’ve already executed a recall for the issue in their home country / market of South Korea.
The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V664000 (Seats); however, the parts to complete the recall repair were unavailable. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed the parts were unavailable to perform the recall repair.
The contact stated that the Check Oil and Low Oil warning light illuminated while the vehicle was idling. The warning lights turned off while driving. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 593 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 28% most complained about).
On average one model year of the G80 has 20 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 98, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified the presence of substandard and dangerous driver’s-side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety System Co…
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent safety advisory regarding dangerous, counterfeit driver‑side airbag inflators manufactured by Jilin Province Detiannuo Automobile Safety…
- This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the…
This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. This TSB illustrates the various causes of…
- This bulletin provides repair information for the dark chrome trim when stains are present
Some stains may occur from hard water or cleaning chemicals used during a car wash. Follow the procedures below to replace the affected dark chrome moldings.
- Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Connected Car…
Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Connected Car Services functions. This may be due to an irregular disconnection on Verizon’s communication network. Follow the…
- Certain Genesis vehicles may experience an inoperable horn from moisture or carbonization at the contact point
This bulletin provides a guide to inspect and replace the horns.
- Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service…
Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service functions. This may be due to an irregular disconnection on Verizon's communication network. If you are…
- Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service…
Some vehicles may exhibit a loss of connectivity or interruptions in the middle of using Bluelink Service functions. This may be due to an irregular disconnection on Verizon’s communication network. Follow the…
- This procedure provides repair information for the dark chrome trim when stains are present
Some stains may occur from hard water or cleaning chemicals used during a car wash. Follow the procedures below to replace the affected dark chrome moldings.
- Certain GV70 (JK1, JK1A), GV80 (JX1) and G80 (RG3) vehicles may have a hum or whine noise condition from…
Certain GV70 (JK1, JK1A), GV80 (JX1) and G80 (RG3) vehicles may have a hum or whine noise condition from the rear differential at certain speeds. This bulletin describes the procedure to inspect the vehicle for the hum…
- This bulletin provides information to inspect and replace the front or rear wheel bearing hub assemblies…
This bulletin provides information to inspect and replace the front or rear wheel bearing hub assemblies for all Genesis vehicles. This procedure is applicable when noise (whirring, roaring, grinding, rumbling, etc.)…
- This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with…
This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and replace, if necessary, an automatic transmission with Incorrect Ratio DTC (transmission clutch slip in gear above limit) listed on Page 2.
NHTSA lists 65 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Genesis G80?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, steering, engine. Total complaints: 98. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (10%), smoke, burning smell, fire (8%), A/C or heater (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Genesis G80?
NHTSA lists 65 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Genesis G80 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.