Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Hyundai Tucson owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle sporadically accelerated which caused the contact to crash into another vehicle. No injuries were sustained. A police report was filed. No air bags were deployed. The vehicle was towed to an auto repair center. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and depressing accelerator pedal, the vehicle started to decelerate. The contact pulled over to the right side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact waited for two minutes and attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinders #1 and #2. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V543000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 35-40 mph and making a turn, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The passenger engaged the parking brakes to stop the vehicle. The engine, battery, and oil warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, while driving the engine ceased. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V543000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and exiting the highway, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and the vehicle started jerking. The oil warning light was illuminated. The contact continued to depress the brake until the vehicle responded. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred with increased intensity while driving. The brake warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V543000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
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. The car came out of park on its own in my driveway and I have a video of this from my camera. She was taken obviously to the hospital by ambulance and she sees a plastic surgeon every week now this just happened March 5. Something is not right. The car shouldn't have ever come out of park on its own in order for it to come out of park and go backwards you need to press your foot on the break and put it in reverse it reversed on its own onto my daughter.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel as the vehicle stalled. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where they informed her of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V543000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the parts for the recall were unavailable. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer for four months and recently informed her that her engine needed to be replaced; she was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000. (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle started shaking aggressively. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road, and the parking brake was engaged. The vehicle stalled and was towed to the nearest gas station. The vehicle failed to start and was towed to the residence. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.
The component or system failing is the brake system. When applying the foot to the brake pedal, sometimes it goes to a very low level. The problem was reproduced with the service technicians of a dealer. They made a maintenance service (break flush) to the brake system. Problem seemed to be solved, but it came back again. The mileage between the first service and second service was 1,591 miles. In the second service, technicians made inspection to the brake pads, they were found within parameters. Test drive was made, and the problem was not reproduced. Not sure if they made additional service. After few weeks, the problem repeated again. This is an intermittent problem. Sometimes occurs, but not always. No warning lamps or indicators present at the time the problem occurs.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V543000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. There was no further information provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V543000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
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.
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.
Brake complaints in other Tucson years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Hyundai Tucson, 11% of the model year's 399 complaints. The component named most often is antilock › abs warning light (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Hyundai Tucson brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-543 (control unit/module, Sep 4, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2018 Hyundai Tucson brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 47% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.