Reliable Auto DB

2018 Hyundai Tucson reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 395 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson over 9 years — 21 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Tucson years here — under the median of the other years, which is 28. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Brake control module.

2012 Hyundai Tucson
Photo by Mr.choppers, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Complaints

395

Per year

21

Recalls

1

Years on the road

9

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (242 of 395), then Powertrain (101) and Electrical system (27). Those filings include 13 that report a crash, 9 that report a fire, and 8 that report an injury.

Next to 2017 and 2019

The 2017 Tucson has 1,086 complaints, 84 per year, and the 2019 has 379 complaints, 52 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2018 Hyundai Tucson. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall Brake control module 2020-09-04 · NHTSA campaign 20V543000
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.
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.

Complaints by component (395 total)

Engine
242
Powertrain
101
Electrical system
27
Fuel and propulsion system
22
Service brakes
21
Hydraulic brakes
20
Speed control
16
Exterior lighting
12
Engine and engine cooling
8
Structure
8
Air bags
5
Steering
4
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
Forward collision avoidance
2
Seats
2
Suspension
2
Air brakes
1
Lane departure
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Seat belts
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Wheels
1
Show 14 more Show less
Crash-flagged

13

Fire-flagged

9

Injury reports

8

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

132018262019252020732021442022572023542024612025422026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "There is a definite KNOWN problem with the transmissions in all 2018 Hyundai Tucsons and maybe other model years as well. This is well documented via the Internet by the number of articles concerning this ongoing…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-09-17
  • "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…"
    Hydraulic brakes, Engine · filed 2026-09-14
  • "I took my Tucson to my local Hyundai dealership on Friday, August 28, 2026. It was there for a standard oil change and tire rotation. When I scheduled the appointment online the system also said there was a recall. I…"
    Unknown or other, Engine · filed 2026-09-03
  • "2018 Hyundai Tucson catastrophic engine failure consistent with known Hyundai Nu engine defect pattern documented across 141 prior owner-filed NHTSA complaints for this same vehicle. OBD codes P0326, P0301, P0302,…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-03
  • "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. I checked on recalls and there was…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-02

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2018 Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2018 Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Tucson all-wheel drive 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) All-wheel drive 24 28 25 MPG $2600
Tucson all-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 21 26 23 MPG $2800
Tucson all-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) All-wheel drive 21 25 22 MPG $2950
Tucson front-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 23 30 26 MPG $2500
Tucson front-wheel drive 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic (7-speed) Front-wheel drive 25 30 27 MPG $2400
Tucson front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Front-wheel drive 21 28 24 MPG $2700

Specs and fitment

3rd generation (TL), 2012–2020
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.0L and 1.6L turbo per manual) , 4.8 qt capacity
Tire size 225/60R17 to 245/45R19 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 2,000 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Owner complaints for mid-generation years (especially 2016) concentrate on the power train and engine. Safety recall 20V-543 covers certain 2016-2021 Tucson vehicles: the anti-lock brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) can corrode internally and short, with a possible engine-compartment fire; dealers replace the HECU fuse, and for 2019-2021 also update ESC software, while owners are advised to park outside until remedied. Safety recall 16V-628 covers certain 2016 Tucsons with the 7-speed EcoShift dual-clutch transmission that may fail to move after repeated accelerator tip-in in heat; dealers update TCM software. Safety recall 16V-348 covers certain 2016 Tucsons whose secondary hood latch may not hold if the primary latch is released, so the hood can open while driving; dealers replace that latch.

Compare

Previous year 2017 Hyundai Tucson Next year 2019 Hyundai Tucson See every Hyundai Tucson model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Hyundai Tucson reliable?

Owners have filed 395 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson over 9 years — 21 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Tucson years here — under the median of the other years, which is 28. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Brake control module.

What are common problems with a 2018 Hyundai Tucson?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (242 of 395), then Powertrain (101) and Electrical system (27). Those filings include 13 that report a crash, 9 that report a fire, and 8 that report an injury.

Is the 2018 Hyundai Tucson more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2017 Tucson has 1,086 complaints, 84 per year, and the 2019 has 379 complaints, 52 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019.

Has the 2018 Hyundai Tucson been recalled?

The 2018 Hyundai Tucson has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?

Owners have filed 395 complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2018 Hyundai Tucson get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson is 24.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Tucson take?

5W-20 or 0W-20 (2.0L and 1.6L turbo per manual)

What does NHTSA recall 20V-543 cover on the Hyundai Tucson?

Safety recall 20V-543 covers certain 2016-2021 Tucson vehicles: the anti-lock brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) can corrode internally and short, with a possible engine-compartment fire; dealers replace the HECU fuse, and for 2019-2021 also update ESC software,…

What generation is the 2013 Hyundai Tucson?

3rd generation (TL) (2012-2020).