2018 Hyundai Tucson
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 396 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 21 Tucson model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 13 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 10 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 4, 2020
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.
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
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.
Campaign 20V543000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: power train
101 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Apr 23, 2022
Powertrain issue. Multiple times the after stopping the engine revs for a few seconds and then the vehicle will lurch forward. It acts like the CVT transmission has a delayed response to the accelerator. The condition comes and goes and sometimes it happens multiple times in the same trip.
Power train, Mar 15, 2022
Car has no power when accelerating, when accelerating from a stop the car revs but does not move, then when it does move it takes off like a rocket, in slow moving traffic 5 mph, you accelerate and the car seems like it wants to stall, a lot of hesitation, In fast moving traffic, if you want to merge or pass another vehicle you must give yourself ample time and make sure it is clear to make your move, if you need to get out of the way really fast you cant, its very dangerous and Hyundai needs to move quick on this before something really bad happens to someone.
Power train, Engine, Mar 4, 2022
my 2018 Hyundai Tucson starting having lurching issues on when first started. i have to back into my driveway so i dont have to go in reverse then go forward. it jerks back and forth so hard. It finally took its toll on the transfer case and it exploded internally. the Dealership said they had never seen this before. i was hoping that was the cause of the issue but it wasnt. Still doing it and am afraid it will do it again. i was under warranty when it happened, so teh $2000 replair was covered. i'm concerned it will happen again. teh problem goes away after it's been completely warmed up. but like many others, its a scary issue when first started. it also will also shift hard when it firsts get's going (after the initial hard lurching back and forth). i dont know what to do. Love the car otherwise, but concerned with ever buying a Hyundai again.
Power train, Engine, Mar 3, 2022
very bad acceleration from a stop position, engine revs but does not move, in slow traffic it hesitates and lunges forward like it’s not sure what it’s suppose to do, when trying to merge or pass another car, you have to give yourself time, it’s very dangerous, took it to the dealer 2 times, was told that’s how the car is made, there is no way this is suppose to be the way the car was built. also a smell of antifreeze but no leaks detected,
Power train, Jan 10, 2022
When merging into traffic, the car lost all acceleration and the transmission revved to a very high rpm. This has been an ongoing problem since the car was purchased. The dealer keeps saying they “cannot replicate”. This car is going to kill me.
Power train, Engine, Dec 26, 2021
Rod bearing failure. Sounded like a tractor all of a sudden and stalled every time I’d come to a stop. Had it towed to the dealership. Awaiting word from Hyundai as to whether the warranty will cover this. Checked oil and wasn’t low. No check engine lights or oil lights or anything ever came on. No noises prior to this happening. Kept up on routine maintenance.
Power train, Nov 10, 2021
The vehicle almost stalls and doesn't want to take off 1st thing in the morning then suddenly it accelerates abruptly well above the amount of pedal pushed. It also has inconsistent shifts at anytime during a drive. Sometimes it won't shift until we leave off the gas. This has been twice in for diagnosis at Rom Marhofer in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221. Both times they tell us--they could not get the vehicle to produce the symptoms. It does this everyday of the week for us--everyday. The service writer says this is common for the dual clutch transmission. This is a safety issue with not having power to move then suddenly--wham.
Power train, Oct 24, 2021
About 6 months of owning this vehicle, I started noticing while sitting in traffic that when letting off of the brake the car would start to jerk as you gave it a little throttle. I took the car to the Hyundai in Glendora where I purchased the vehicle from and they stated that there was nothing wrong with it. The issue continues to this day and I have voiced the complaint each time I bring the Vehicle in for maintenance. One of the service techs said that they felt the hesitation with the transmission but said that it was not bad enough to fix per Hyundai policy. This car is equipped with the Dual Clutch Transmisson because of the turbo. I have been dealing with this problem now for about 2 1/2 years and I feel that it is a safety issue being that the jerkiness and the hesitation could cause a crash. I actually talked to someone at another dealership and he told me that there was a Class Action Suit for this problem and to go that route. I just want Hyundai to own up to the problem and fix the issue.
Power train, Oct 20, 2021
Hyundai has historically had an issue with the dual-clutch transmission and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle frequently shutters / shakes at a stop and when accelerating from a stop. Additionally, the vehicle occasionally loses power to the wheels when driving-up a moderately steep grade. Additionally, the vehicle has delayed acceleration when trying to increase speed from a constant speed. This has put my safety and the safety of others at risk by being unable to properly accelerate into a turn while driving at highway speed, by being unable to keep up with the speed of traffic while driving on the interstate in the mountains, by being unable to drive in adverse weather, and by not being able to account for the jolting of the vehicle in busy city traffic. I've taken it to two manufacturer dealerships who have ran a shutter test and could not generate an error message, but acknowledged the effects felt when driving the vehicle and the commonality of the problem. They said their hands are tied if the manufacturer's testing generates a pass result. There have not been any warning lamps or messages. To date, I have been unable to come to a resolution, but the vehicle is dangerous to drive.
Power train, Sep 27, 2021
My 2018 Hyundai Tuscon has been having major issues with the dual clutch transmission, which has put myself, my family, and others in very dangerous situations. Everyday when I start my Tuscon and accelerate, it stutters/jerks like it’s going to stall and will not accelerate/shift. It eventually starts going, but I have to pull out onto a street, which has been unsafe when cars are speeding up behind me. It does not go up hills well at all. I turned onto a road where there was a decent sized hill, but nothing major, and nothing an SUV should have a problem with. My previous CAR could drive it just fine. You’d think an SUV could as well. Nope. Very scary moment. My Tuscon made it not even half way, and just stopped. I was pressing the gas, and it just revved it up with no motion. I braked and tried it again, and it still would not go. I had to roll backwards down the hill. This was the only way to my destination. I rolled down, and put it in sport mode to try that. It still would not go, and did the same thing. I tried again in regular mode, and it still would not go, only this time I had a car behind me. The car had to back down, and I rolled back a little bit, then hit the gas in drive and it eventually made it, but definitely very scary and unsafe, and it put others in danger as well. I was going to church one morning, and the speed limit on the main road is 60, which is what I was driving. I had to slow down to turn, and had to stop to oncoming traffic. I had to brake for maybe 10 seconds, and when I went to accelerate, it was like it wasn’t shifting, and it just revved up, rolled slightly, and would not go. At this point there are more cars coming. I am in the road right In their path due to it rolling, and once again I am put in a very scary situation. I kept trying, and it FINALLY went. This was also on flat level ground. I have had many moments (every day) where it does not shift properly, and it also stutters every single day when I start it. Please fix this
Power train, Sep 10, 2021
Vehicle has judder at slow speeds or hesitation in shifting gears. Has almost stalled while making a left turn at intersection into oncoming traffic or accelerating after stop sign . Dealer updated TCU ECM software, problem got worse. Appears to be a dual clutch transmission defect.
Power train, Aug 16, 2021, crash
Car not shifting properly. Took to dealership and kept getting a response of the car have a dual clutch.
Power train, Jul 29, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while at a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called the manufacturer and the dealer and was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
Power train, Jul 3, 2021
My vehicle bucks when first pulling out. like a manual transmission.
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 24, 2021
WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD BOARD GOES ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY INDICATING REAR BRAKE LIGHT NEEDS ATTENTION. WHEN WARNING LIGHT IS ON, BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. WHEN WARNING LIGHT TURNS OFF, BRAKE LIGHT WORKS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS ON AND CONSTANTLY AT RANDOM TIMES EVEN WHEN I'M STATIONARY. ALSO, WHEN I'M STOPPED, CAR TUGS LIKE IT WANTS TO ACCELERATE.
Power train, Mar 25, 2021
TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT PROPERLY. HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE AROUND 15K MILES PURCHASED VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND COMPLAINED MULTIPLE TIMES DEALER WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL AROUND 55K MILES REPLACED DUAL CLUTCH AND PROBLEM HAD COME BACK AFTER 5K MILES AND DEALER SAYS NOTHINGS WRONG... I FEEL UNSAFE IN A BRAND NEW CAR WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE... HELP
Power train, Engine, Mar 19, 2021, crash
CAR WAS SLOWLY ENTERING GARAGE AND CAME TO A FULL STOP WITH BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED IN GEAR. CAR WITHOUT WARNING, ENGINE REVVED UP TO FULL POWER AND CRASHED IN GARAGE. 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. WHEN REPORT CAME IN, I WAS REFUSED A COPY OF EXACT REPORT BY INSPECTOR AND ONLY GIVEN A SUMMARY BY COMPANY AGENT. WHEN I ASKED FOR THE EXACT INSPECTOR REPORT TO BE READ TO ME OVER THE PHONE, THAT REQUEST WAS DENIED AS WELL.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Feb 11, 2021
I WAS DRIVING ON A INTERSTATE GOT OFF ON A EXIT AND MY CAR STARTED DOING A LOUD TICKING NOISE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 40 MPH. I DROVE THE CAR TO GET THE CAR TESTED TO SEE THE PROBLEM .THE CODE READ KNOCK SENSOR.GOT THE KNOCK SENSOR REPLACED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CAR DROVE THE SAY WAY BEFORE I TOOK IT TO HIS SHOP.THE CAR ONLY HAS 67,00 MILES
Power train, Engine, Oct 19, 2020
CAR CONSTANTLY HESITATES WHEN STARTING TO ACCELERATE. WHEN YOU BEGIN TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE CAR HESITATES FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE BEGINNING TO MOVE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN MAKING TURNS AT STOP LIGHTS OR IN INTERSECTIONS. GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE CAR RUNS FINE AND ACCELERATES WITHOUT ISSUE. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN AT SLOW SPEEDS OR AT A STOP AND YOU NEED TO ACCELERATE. ALSO, WHEN GOING SLOW OR SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP, THE CAR SEES LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL AND THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION BEGINS TO JERK AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO STALL. WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PARKING LOT AT SLOW SPEEDS WITH SOME QUICK ON/OFF BREAKING, THE CAR HESITATES AND FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO STALL.
Power train, Engine, Sep 22, 2020
THE TRANSMISSION SEVERELY LAGS IN THE INITIAL TRANSITION INTO FIRST GEAR, AS WELL AS FROM FIRST TO SECOND. WHEN INITIALLY ENGAGING INTO FIRST GEAR FROM REVERSE, THE CAR RUMBLES AND CHOPS INTO FIRST GEAR. ALTHOUGH THIS IS A DUAL CLUTCH CAR, IT SEVERELY LAGS INTO ACCELERATION, CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAY. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT THEY HIDE BEHIND THE EXCUSE THAT THIS IS A DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. THE ISSUE FIRST OCCURRED AT AROUND 500 MILES. IT HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE SINCE.
Power train, Sep 8, 2020
HAS DEVELOPED INTTERMINTANT SHIFT STUTTER WHILE DRIVING (CITY AND HIGHTWAY) AND DEALYED POWER FROM A STOP (NO GO SYNDROME). THE PROBLEM ISGETTING WORSE AND THE HYUNDAI HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIX IT.
Power train, Sep 8, 2020
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT A COMPLETE STOP IT WILL HAVE ISSUES GOING WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS. IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO GO AND IT WILL JERK FORWARD AND THEN GO. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME BUT IT IS OFTEN ENOUGH THAT IT'S WORRY SOME AND COULD BE UNSAFE.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 26, 2020, fire
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.
Power train, Aug 12, 2020
BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. THE PROBLEM ORIGINALLY BEGAN AS INTERMITTENT NOW OCCURRING ALMOST CONSTANTLY. IF VEHICLE IS IN A STOPPED POSITION UPON PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD FOR UP TO ONE TO 2 SECONDS. THE RPM SHOWS THAT THE ENGINE IS REVVING BUT NO MOTION. THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE WILL LURCH FORWARD. THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE VEHICLE RESPONSE TIME. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN NECESSARY. I HAVE BROUGHT IN THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS OF THIS PROBLEM TWICE AND WAS TOLD THAT HYUNDAI KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM BUT BECAUSE THE ISSUE IS NOT EXTREME ENOUGH NOTHING CAN BE DONE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE CAN BE OPERATED SAFELY GIVEN THE CURRENT DEFECT.
Power train, Aug 5, 2020
MOSTLY IN THE MORNING AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS SAT ALL NIGHT AND OCCASIONALLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY AFTER STOPPING AT RED LIGHTS OR WHEN LEAVING A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WILL 'STALL, SHUTTER' OR HOWEVER ELSE YOU WANT TO DESCRIBE A RAPID JERKING MOTION WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. IT CAUSES A DELAY IN THE ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY AND SAFELY MERGE THE VEHICLE INTO TRAFFIC AT TIMES.