Recalled components: brakes. Most-described problem: engine failure or replacement (85 complaints, 21%). Most-reported area: engine (244 complaints, 61%; median mileage when it happened: 60,000).
Fewer complaints than a typical Tucson year
The 2018 drew 64 owner complaints in its first three years, against 146 for a typical Tucson year. It is not picked as a best year: it has a recall telling owners not to drive or to park outside until it is repaired.
Years to avoid: 2016 and 2022. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
NHTSA listing: TUCSON. Hyundai campaign 195.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson.
What owners report
Owners have filed 399 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Tucson. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Engine failure or replacement85 · 21%
Median 78,000 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Excessive oil consumption65 · 16%
Stalling or shutting off59 · 15%
Median 43,000 miles at failure, from 15 reports with mileage
Check engine light57 · 14%
Median 79,000 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Loss of power or limp mode56 · 14%
Median 85,000 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Hesitation or slow acceleration56 · 14%
Median 12,000 miles at failure, from 25 reports with mileage
Median 60,000 miles at failure, from 57 reports with mileage
Powertrain101 · 25%
Median 15,800 miles at failure, from 33 reports with mileage
Brakes41 · 10%
Median 38,900 miles at failure, from 15 reports with mileage
Electrical system29 · 7%
Fuel and propulsion system22 · 6%
Speed control16 · 4%
Exterior lighting13 · 3%
Unknown or other44 · 11%
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Hyundai Tucson recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2018 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2016 Tucson drew the most (449) and the 2018 drew 64.
Owner complaints
2018: 399 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Hyundai Tucson
Model year
Complaints
2010
59
2011
124
2012
255
2013
266
2014
202
2015
229
2016
1,626
2017
1,097
2018
399
2019
386
2020
179
2021
84
2022
511
2023
184
2024
158
2025
459
2026
102
Safety recalls
2018: 1 recallTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Hyundai Tucson
Model year
Recalls
2010
4
2011
5
2012
3
2013
3
2014
2
2015
2
2016
5
2017
3
2018
1
2019
1
2020
1
2021
1
2022
3
2023
2
2024
4
2025
7
2026
6
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 399 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson, the problems described most are engine failure or replacement (85), excessive oil consumption (65), and stalling or shutting off (59). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2018 Hyundai Tucson safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2018 Hyundai Tucson earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson.
How do I check if my Tucson has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Hyundai dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: TUCSON.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.