Third generation (TL)
2018 Hyundai Tucson
The most reported problem on the 2018 Hyundai Tucson is engine failure, with 116 complaints, usually around 75,000 miles.
- 397owner complaints
- 1recalls
- 13involved a crash
- 47,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 26, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Tucson doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2018 model year.
Is the 2018 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
The 2018 Hyundai Tucson has 397 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, close to the median of 331 for 2018 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Tucson model years since 2014, it has the 3rd most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2017 and 2019
- At 44 complaints for each year on the road, the 2018 runs well under the 2017 (109) and close to the 2019 (48).
- Top problem
- Engine failure leads with 116 of the 397 complaints (29%), ahead of stalling at 80. A quarter of the 57 owners who gave a mileage for engine failure saw it by about 60,000 miles, and half by about 75,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 23 of the 397 complaints (6%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 13 reports mention a crash, 9 mention a fire and 10 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 5 of 13, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as engine failure, stalling and oil consumption. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2021 at 73 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 61. So far in 2026, 43 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: engine failure, knocking or rod bearing, 116 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
397 complaints is 1.4 times the median 2018 model on this site and 1.2 times the median 2018 SUV. Among the 13 Tucson model years here it ranks 3rd for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson
Hyundai filed 167 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2018 Hyundai Tucson. 28 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 3 bulletins · 116 complaints
Applicable vehicles with 2.0L T-GDI and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit Abnormal Noise or No Crank/No Start condition.
Applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326.
1 more on this problem
Hyundai has refined the engine inspection for vehicles that experienced the Check Engine light with DTC P132600 to eliminate the interference caused by the wiring harness.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 1 bulletin · 80 complaints
If you are servicing a vehicle with a transmission slipping concern, follow the Service Procedure shown below and perform a stall test. This TSB provides a procedure to test each clutch in the transmission.
Check engine light or misfire 6 bulletins · 62 complaints
Hyundai has launched a Service Campaign for applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L GDI engines that may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326.
If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a âCheck Engineâ light on and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the related solenoid and oil pressure harness.
4 more on this problem
If you are servicing a vehicle with the DTC or symptoms listed below, refer to the Service Procedure to diagnose the condition.
This bulletin provides information related to the Engine Control Module (ECM) software logic update for the DTC P0128 ? ?Coolant thermostat - coolant temp below thermostat regulating temperature?.
Hyundai has launched a Service Campaign for applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L engines that may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326.
Applicable vehicles with 2.0L Turbo and 2.4L engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326.
Engine knocking or ticking 4 bulletins · 53 complaints
Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs.
Hyundai is conducting a service campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs.
2 more on this problem
Hyundai is conducting a product improvement campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs.
Hyundai has developed a new engine monitoring technology called a Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS). The technology uses software innovations and leverages existing engine sensors to continuously monitor for symptoms that may precede an engine failure.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 42 complaints
If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with a (Check Engine Light on) and one or more of the DTC listed below, follow the repair procedure and replace the input/output speed sensor and oil pressure harness.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 5 bulletins · 40 complaints
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.
If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with the following symptoms and DTC, follow the Service Procedure on Page 3.
3 more on this problem
If you are servicing an applicable vehicle with the following symptoms and DTC, follow the Service Procedure on Page 4.
This TSB provides a procedure to diagnose and repair a transaxle for the following Incorrect Ratio DTC (transaxle clutch slipping more than 200 rpm in gear).
If you are servicing a vehicle with a harsh and/or delayed shift, use the GDS as shown in the Service Procedure to measure shift engagement time.
Transmission hesitates when accelerating 1 bulletin · 20 complaints
This bulletin provides the procedure to update the TCU for vehicles that may exhibit a hesitation at acceleration particularly from a rolling stop condition. This update optimizes the TCU torque control logic.
Rod bearing failure 7 bulletins · 15 complaints
Certain vehicles listed below may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or an engine concern/noise related to connecting rod bearing wear or damage.
Certain vehicles may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit abnormal noise, or no crank/no start condition related to connecting rod bearing wear or damage.
5 more on this problem
The Powertrain warranty coverage for certain engine repairs and/or replacement where the engine damage or malfunction is related to connecting rod bearing wear, has been extended to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the date of original retail delivery or date ...
Certain vehicles that have completed Service Campaign 966 may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or an engine concern/noise related to connecting rod bearing wear or damage.
The warranty coverage for engine long block repair or replacement regarding engine damage or malfunction from connecting rod bearing wear has been extended to a Limited Lifetime Warranty and is valid for original and subsequent owners.
Certain vehicles with 2.0L T-GDI and 2.4L GDI engines may experience the Check Engine warning lamp illuminated with DTC P1326 and/or engine may exhibit abnormal noise or no crank/no start condition related to connecting rod bearing wear or damage.
The warranty coverage for the engine long block for engine repairs or replacement related to connecting rod bearing damage as described in Campaign T3G (Seized and/or BCT No Pass Result Only) has been extended to 10 years or 120,000 miles from the date of ...
Complaints filed by year
73 complaints came in 2021, 2.9 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2018 Hyundai Tucson
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
The recall on the 2018 Hyundai Tucson, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
Engine failure, with 116 of the 397 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 75,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2018 Hyundai Tucson problems start?
Of the 175 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 16,000 miles and half by about 47,000.
Is the 2018 Hyundai Tucson better or worse than the 2017 and 2019?
Counted per year on the road, the 2018 has fewer complaints than the 2017 and about as many complaints as the 2019: 44 a year against 109 and 48.
How many 2018 Hyundai Tucson complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
23 of them (6%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for engine failure on the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
No recall on file for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson is on the same system as engine failure. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.