Owners have reported 13 crashes, 8 fires and 10 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints141
ENGINE
Owners of the 2018 Hyundai Tucson frequently report excessive oil consumption, with some indicating the vehicle burns multiple quarts of oil per 1,000 miles. Complaints often describe engine stalling, loss of power, and knocking sounds, with several owners noting that these issues occur without warning lights until the problems become severe. Many reports involve engine failures due to connecting rod bearing issues, with some occurring as early as 32,000 miles. There are also mentions of metal shavings in the oil, which can lead to engine damage. Safety implications are significant, with five complaints involving fires and one injury reported, highlighting potential risks for used car buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 5 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints92
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the 2018 Hyundai Tucson's power train, particularly involving engine and transmission problems. Common symptoms include excessive oil consumption, engine knocking, stalling, and failure to accelerate, often occurring around 79,000 to 122,000 miles. Multiple complaints describe incidents of sudden loss of power while driving, with some leading to crashes and fires. The vehicle's engine and transmission issues sometimes result in the need for major repairs, such as engine or transmission replacements, which are not always covered under warranty. These patterns suggest potential safety risks, such as loss of control and increased collision likelihood, which prospective buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints34
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Hyundai Tucson frequently report issues related to the service brakes, with complaints indicating problems such as brake failure during hard stops and the brake pedal sinking to a low level. These issues often occur around 49,000 to 177,000 miles. Several reports involve the vehicle unexpectedly accelerating when the brake pedal is depressed, leading to crashes, with one incident resulting in an injury. Additionally, numerous complaints highlight difficulties in obtaining recall repairs due to parts unavailability, which may impact safety as unresolved issues could potentially lead to engine compartment fires. Used car buyers should be aware of these recurring brake-related issues and the potential safety implications.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints29
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 Hyundai Tucson frequently report high oil consumption, often linked to engine issues such as piston ring failure and subsequent catalytic converter problems. Common symptoms include excessive oil use, engine knocking noises, and check engine light activation. These issues often appear before the vehicle reaches 100,000 miles, with some owners experiencing them as early as 55,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of engine stalling, loss of acceleration, and one instance involving a fire after the engine stalled. Buyers should be aware of potential engine and oil consumption issues when considering this model.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several electrical system issues with the 2018 Hyundai Tucson, with headlight and taillight failures being prominent, often due to burning out or melting in the socket. Multiple complaints mention the vehicle's electrical components, such as the media screen and turn signals, failing intermittently. Symptoms include lights unexpectedly turning off, screens going black, and turn signals failing mid-turn. These issues are reported at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 1,167 miles. Safety implications include two crashes, one involving a deer impact where airbags did not deploy, and another with a similar collision, both leading to injuries. Buyers should be aware of these potential electrical system failures and their impact on vehicle safety and reliability.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Hyundai Tucson frequently report issues with vehicle speed control, particularly involving unintended acceleration and sudden deceleration. Common symptoms include the vehicle jerking, losing acceleration, and failing to respond to the accelerator pedal. Some complaints also describe the vehicle accelerating unexpectedly even when the brake pedal is depressed. These issues are noted at various mileage points, with some occurring as early as 500 miles, and others at higher mileages such as 100,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as several owners mention loss of control, especially on highways or when climbing hills, which could pose a risk in traffic situations.
Owner complaints7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2018 Hyundai Tucson frequently report issues related to the engine and engine cooling, with multiple complaints highlighting problems with the catalytic converter and excessive oil consumption. Symptoms commonly described include the check engine light illuminating, loss of power, stalling, and unusual vibrations. These issues often occur around 59,000 to 102,000 miles. Some complaints note that the vehicle almost stalls or loses motive power while driving, which could present safety concerns if not addressed. Buyers considering this model should be aware of the potential need for significant engine-related repairs, particularly concerning the catalytic converter and oil consumption.
Owner complaints7
STRUCTURE
Owners report issues with the paint on the 2018 Hyundai Tucson, with complaints frequently mentioning peeling and chipping across various parts of the vehicle, including the side mirrors, shark-fin antenna, hood, and roof. Symptoms typically include paint flaking off in patches and bubbling, with some owners noting the problem becomes evident as the vehicle ages. Additionally, there are reports of the trunk hatch opening unexpectedly, both when the vehicle is stationary and in motion, leading to potential paint damage. One owner describes a sunroof shattering incident, mentioning a loud noise and broken glass but no crash or injury. These issues are mainly aesthetic and functional, with no direct reports of crashes or fires, but buyers should be aware of potential repair costs and inconvenience.
Owner complaints4
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Hyundai Tucson report steering-related issues that include hard jerking of the steering wheel and instances where the steering becomes extremely difficult. Complaints frequently mention that the steering wheel needs to be positioned precisely at 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock to start the vehicle, with failure to do so resulting in a locked steering wheel and loss of power. These issues often occur around the 90,000 to 95,000-mile range. Safety implications include sudden loss of control, which poses a risk during driving. Used car buyers should be aware of these potential steering problems and consider the vehicle's mileage and service history when evaluating a purchase.
Owner complaints3
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Hyundai Tucson frequently report issues with airbag non-deployment during collisions. Complaints describe scenarios where airbags fail to deploy in both frontal and rear-end crashes, even when the vehicles sustain significant impact. In one instance, all airbags deployed except the driver-side curtain airbag, resulting in severe injuries. The reported incidents occur at various mileages, including approximately 15,000 and 24,000 miles. These failures are associated with crashes and injuries, indicating potential safety implications for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
