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).
In May 2024 my Hyundai Tucson died in a middle of an intersection with no warning. 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. They told an inspector from your department was required to inspect vehicle before repairs could be started and or returned fo me. That has not happened and they are using your office as the reason for delay on my vehicle. They have systematically m supplied the same answer to my case with no resolution. …
My 2018 Hyundai Tucson experienced complete engine failure at around 118,000 miles. The motor suddenly blew without warning. This vehicle uses an engine type known for widespread engine defects, including bearing wear and internal failure. I bought the vehicle used in 2023, maintained it regularly, and there were no warning lights or overheating before the failure. I had to put oil in my vehicle every week. I had to use 5qts of oil. It smelled like fumes coming through the vents. It then stalled on the highway while we had our son in the vehicle and shaked profusely. Mind you we had our son in the vehicle. How unsafe is that. I then did my research and found out Hyundai engines of this generation have a history of stalling, seizing, and internal damage. I am filing this complaint because this appears to be part of a known safety defect that can cause sudden loss of power while driving. …
While idling at a standstill (in a drive-thru queue), my 2018 Hyundai Tucson suddenly experienced a severe engine overheat, causing the vehicle's air conditioning system to immediately blow hot air and shut down. The vehicle was brought directly to an authorized Hyundai dealership (Chapman Hyundai on [redacted]) for an emergency inspection.The dealership's certified technicians confirmed that the electric Engine Cooling Fan Assembly completely failed and subsequently caused the main Front Wiring Harness and Fuse Box to physically melt. The dealership documented this catastrophic electrical and thermal meltdown under Repair Order #[redacted].This is a critical safety defect. A melted engine wiring harness poses an immediate and severe risk of an electrical short circuit, sudden vehicle stalling in live traffic, or a catastrophic under-hood engine fire. …
While driving my 2018 Hyundai Tucson Limited 1.6L Turbo with the 7-speed EcoShift dual clutch transmission (DCT), the vehicle has repeatedly failed to engage and hold gears, resulting in loss of motive power in traffic. Diagnostic scanning retrieved codes P074B (Unable to Engage Gear 3), P074B71 (Unable to Select 3rd Gear), P074B07 (Gear Dropped Out of 3rd Gear), P092177 (1st Gear System Referencing Failure), and P0921 (Gear Shift Forward Actuator Circuit Range/Performance). A Hyundai dealer diagnosed the failure as requiring transmission replacement at approximately 93,000 miles. This is the same 7-speed DCT and the same failure mode addressed by NHTSA Campaign 16V628000 (Hyundai Recall 149) and Hyundai Service Campaign T1B, which covered 2016-2017 Tucson vehicles but excluded the 2018 model year despite using the same transmission. …
Bought car [redacted] blew up 2 weeks later knock censor was not put on by first dealership so engine blew on interstate car was possible on fire due to as much smoke was coming from vehicle could of been rear ended engine failure due to that no warning of engine failure tucson knows all these problem and is currently in a class action lawsuit and have known the problem for years dealership had to of known this was going on with this engine but sold the car to unsuspecting consumer i think there was a lot of stuff going on this car was owned by stew hansons then sold to dewy ford to sale which my understanding is they own both dealerships. My safety and anybody that gets into my vehicle is still have a 50/50 chance of it happening again ! Have done a lot of homework and watched many youtube videos of these vehicle burn to the ground even one death . …
As I Was Driving my 2018 Hyundai Tucson Down The Highway No Lights No Warnings Nothin My Car Just Shut Off In The middle of the road and would not even crank or turn over and had a burnt smell which could have got myself and others killed So Had Help Getting It To The Side of the road until the tow driver came Took it to the shop to realize the engine is seized How could this happen on a new vehicle without no warning signs it's had regular oil changes and very well kept car i have talked to many repair shops that have said that have said my car is not the first one they have seen with this year with these problems you guys really need to put out a recall before someone gets killed because of Hyundais engines I could have got myself and my kids killed without WARNING ! …
Left turn signal sporadically works during a left turn. Can be safety issue when turn signal stops mid turn even the slightest turn it can stop working and then when finished turning it turns on again. Reported issue to dealership and is being replaced through extended warranty. Issue is a faulty Multi functional turn signal switch. Had been several month since issue started. I have video if the turn signal failing.
The headlight and taillight/break lights burn out constantly. Turns out taillights are melting in socket. My car is not uniquely affected. Many are having same problems. Suddenly losing lights while driving on freezing dark roads. Incredibly unsafe. Not isolated to my car. Very dangerous. The company should replace these sockets and reimburse for the bulbs which have been replaced approximately 6 times in 12 m.
Issues: 1. Stop lights failure light turns on and off. 2. Engine light failure notification turns on and off. 3. Headlights low bims failure notification turns on and off. Actions taken: 1. Headlights low bims bulbs were changed. 2. Engine light codes reviewed and updated as report showed; however, warning light still turning on. 3. Stop light fuse has been changed, light bulbs still working.
The car experienced a red, blinking check engine light. We had the car towed to the local Hyundai dealership. Please see attached document for the work that was done. This was in November 2023, and we just now had to have the car towed to the dealership again (April 2024).
Electrical complaints in other Tucson years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Hyundai Tucson, 7% of the model year's 399 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2018 Hyundai Tucson electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Hyundai Tucson electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.