NHTSA has received 391 owner complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson, or 45.1 per year on the road — a typical number of complaints for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.07, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #48 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Hyundai models its rate is 19% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 27% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2018-06-01 and 2026-09-02. Median delay from incident to filing: 12 days.
391Complaints
45.1Complaints per year on the road
1.07Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls · ⚠ 1
5.6%Share involving a crash or fire
61Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 48.9 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 39 complaints, 56% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (62.7% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (14.6%) and Brakes (7.9%). Engine complaints are 2.8 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “oil”, “engine”, “consumption”, “knock” and “burning”. 22 reports (5.6%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 10 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 59 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (49% of incidents). In the last 12 months 61 new complaints were filed, versus 50 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 8% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Loss of Motive Power” (opened 2022-09-12, closed 2023-12-12).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles1.07
vs. other Hyundai models0.81
vs. other 2018 models0.92
vs. other Compact SUVs0.73
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (39)0.44
Approximately one month ago I had a high pressure fuel pump installed in my 2018 Hyundai Tucson. While driving on the highway, about ten minutes from home, my car suddenly burst into flames. There were no warning lights in the cockpit.
Engine · 2026-04-07 · ODI 11729665 · Fire
On October 13th 2025, we were involved in a serious collision while driving our 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The vehicle was struck from behind and spun into a semi-truck, totalling the vehicle.
I own a Hyundai Tucson 2018 SEL Plus. My problem is my vehicle is coming to the end of it's 100,000 mile warranty. This vehicle started burning oil about 30,000 miles and it got worse.
Engine · 2026-09-02 · ODI 11761559
My 2018 Hyundai Tucson Limited equipped with the 1.6T engine and 7-speed EcoShift Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) is suffering from severe, dangerous clutch judder, slippage, and sudden acceleration hesitation.
Interior & equipment · 2026-08-06 · ODI 11755158
January 9, 2026, driver was on I25, when driver heard a loud thud and the RPMs kept rising but the vehicle would not accelerate. Was very dangerous and barely avoided a collision with other drivers on the road. Barely got it home and shut it off.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-06-17 · ODI 11744822
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: 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: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
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.
DP22003 · ENGINE · Opened 2022-09-12 · Closed 2023-12-12 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2022
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints i…
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
391 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson, or about 45.1 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 62.7% of complaints.
Does the 2018 Hyundai Tucson have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall(s) for this model year. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Loss of Motive Power” (opened 2022-09-12, closed 2023-12-12).
Is the 2018 Hyundai Tucson still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 61 new complaints were filed, versus 50 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2018 Hyundai Tucson compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 391 owner complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson, or 45.1 per year on the road — a typical number of complaints for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.07, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #48 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Hyundai models its rate is 19% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 27% lower.