The 2018 Hyundai Tucson has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 652,024 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 525 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC20V5430002020-09-04652,024 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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…
Complaints by component
ENGINE
231
4crashes8fires2injuries
POWER TRAIN
99
3crashes2fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
40
1crashes2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
26
3crashes2injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
21
2fires
SERVICE BRAKES
21
4crashes3injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
19
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
14
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
10
STRUCTURE:BODY
8
1crashes
Total complaints525
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“-very high oil consumption. Going through a little over a quart very 900-1000 miles. Has a gdi turbo engine. -transmission issues. Has a dual clutch transmission that slips.”
“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…”
“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 june 5, 2026, driver was on i25, when driver heard engine making a winding and weird noise. Vehicle immediately went from 60 mph to 40 mph. It was extremely dangerous and driver barely evaded a collusion with several other vehicles. A check oil and engine light came on. Towed back to same…”
“Unknown -a catalytic converter clogged after being installed - only 14 months following installation, causing rough and unsafe acceleration, inability to shift gears properly, and need to drive with hazards on. It is clear that there is an issue with the engine/exhaust and system in this vehicle.…”
“Unknown -a catalytic converter clogged after being installed - only 14 months following installation, causing rough and unsafe acceleration, inability to shift gears properly, and need to drive with hazards on. It is clear that there is an issue with the engine/exhaust and system in this vehicle.…”
“Unknown -a catalytic converter clogged after being installed - only 14 months following installation, causing rough and unsafe acceleration, inability to shift gears properly, and need to drive with hazards on. It is clear that there is an issue with the engine/exhaust and system in this vehicle.…”
“While operating the vehicle on the highway at speeds around 55 to 60 mph, without warning, the engine suffered a sudden, catastrophic internal mechanical engine failure that resulted in an immediate and complete loss of motive power, rendering the vehicle entirely undriveable. The vehicle was…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP22003 Opened 2022-09-12 · closed 2023-12-12
Loss of Motive Power
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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