AI Damage2018 Hyundai Tucson: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Hyundai Tucson filed 398 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 129 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 398
- involving a crash
- 13
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 129
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 61% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 3% of all complaints
- 8 Engine and cooling 2% of all complaints
- Engine: 243 complaints (61% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
- Powertrain: 101 complaints (25% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Service brakes: 42 complaints (11% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Electrical system: 29 complaints (7% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 47.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 22 complaints (6% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 7 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 9 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speednamed in 24 complaints
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 398 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 243 | 4 | 26 |
| Powertrain | 101 | 3 | 13 |
| Service brakes | 42 | 4 | 4 |
| Electrical system | 29 | 3 | 47 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 13 | 0 | 2 |
| Engine and cooling | 8 | 0 | 35 |
| Structure | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| Air bags | 5 | 5 | 2 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
On October 13th 2025, we were involved in a serious collision while driving our 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The vehicle was struck from behind and spun into a semi-truck, totalling the vehicle. Despite the forward and lateral collision to the semi-truck, no airbags deployed at all during the accident.
After an impact with a large buck (deer) on a main highway while traveling 70 miles per hour, the airbags failed to deploy.
My daughter‘s car was in park and still running and she got out of the car and went to the back of the car opened up the hatch cleaned her window went to the side of the car passenger side went to go get out her lunchbox and the car ran over my daughter And crushed her left side and tore off part of her face.
Worse than that is Hyundai motor USA informed me that the car was on a recall list for an engine failure issue that was apart of class action suit . Ans further told me that that were obligated to have the highway transportation safety dept notified first consider cause of the issue.
I am alleging condition known as sudden unintended acceleration. I have had the damage repaired and the cost of repair was over $4,000.00. Pictures available upon request. Hyundai performed an inspection on vehicle upon my demand to do so.
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 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.
On six different occassions my vehicle has stalled out while reaching speeds of up to 50mph. I have taken it back to the dealership on 3 separate occasions to be told there is nothing mechanically wrong with the vehicle. On 8/25/3020 it stalled again and caused me to be rear ended.
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 148 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 7% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Tucson has 425 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 398, about average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
Some vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin outlines the combustion chamber cleaning procedure for vehicles diagnosed with this…
- Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil…
Certain vehicles equipped with internal combustion engines may exhibit higher-than-expected engine oil consumption. This bulletin provides the inspection and repair procedures for vehicles exhibiting this condition…
- Some Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine may exhibit a continued DTC P132600 after an ECM…
Some Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine may exhibit a continued DTC P132600 after an ECM logic update has been performed per TSB 24-01-068H, Engine Monitoring Logic (Service Campaign 966). This bulletin…
- Certain vehicles may exhibit excessive paint peeling or bubbling of the primer/paint film on the exterior…
Certain vehicles may exhibit excessive paint peeling or bubbling of the primer/paint film on the exterior metal body panels: hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. This warranty extension…
- Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may…
Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition during cold start operation. If present, this condition is…
- Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II…
Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. The California Air Resources Board has determined that these…
- Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II…
Certain Santa Fe (TMA), Santa Fe Sport (AN), Sonata (LFA), and Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with Theta II engines may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. This bulletin provides instructions for updating the Engine…
- Certain Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels
hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. The paint warranty coverage for affected vehicles has been extended to 10 years/unlimited miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of…
- Some Hyundai vehicles with exterior white paint may exhibit peeling or bubbling on metal body panels
hood, fender(s), roof, door(s), quarter panel(s), and tailgate/trunk. The paint warranty coverage for affected vehicles has been extended to 10 years/unlimited miles from the date of original retail delivery or date of…
- 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…
- Certain 2019 – 2020 model year Santa Fe, 2017 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2015 – 2019 model year…
Certain 2019 – 2020 model year Santa Fe, 2017 – 2018 model year Santa Fe Sport, 2015 – 2019 model year Sonata, and 2018 – 2021 model year Tucson vehicles may exhibit elevated engine-out emissions. Hyundai is conducting…
NHTSA lists 129 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 Hyundai Tucson?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, service brakes. Total complaints: 398. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (26%), oil leak or consumption (17%), knocking, grinding or other noise (16%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
NHTSA lists 129 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 Hyundai Tucson 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.