Is the 2018 Hyundai Tucson a bad year?
399 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 247, 11× a quiet Tucson year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson were filed between 27k and 92k miles. You're at 61,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2018 Tucson owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 61,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 247 (62%) | 27k–92k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 101 (25%) | 6k–33k miles · mostly behind | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Brakes | 42 (11%) | 16k–50k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 29 (7%) | 7k–50k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 22 (6%) | 2k–28k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 16 (4%) | 4k–25k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 13 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 61,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 399 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 9 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 24 say the car was towed.
53 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Driving on the highway in rush hour traffic at 65 MPH the vehicle started knocking loudly then a loud boom and all this black smoke came from the back end.
I changed engine oil a month ago and still have 500MILE left until re-change, but after when I went shopping the engine sound was bad so I checked the engine oil status and there were no engine oil at all.
I have a 2018 Hyundai Tucson and it cut off on me while returning home from out of town on 4/5/2020 on 495 capital beltway.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 61,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson: 1
The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire. An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Hyundai: 148
Repair instructions Hyundai sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2018 Hyundai Tucson. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some Tucson (TL) vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine may exhibit a continued DTC P132600 after an ECM logic update has been performed per TSB 24-01-068H…
Following completion of Service Campaign 9C2 (Theta II Emissions Improvement), certain vehicles may exhibit a brief hesitation or rough shifting condition…
This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle's inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326…
Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Loss of Motive Power
Neighbouring years
2017 Tucson: 1,096 complaints, consider selling · 2019 Tucson: 384 complaints, consider selling.
Every Hyundai Tucson year
2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Tucson years side by side
Other Hyundai models: Hyundai Accent · Hyundai Azera · Hyundai Elantra · Hyundai Elantra Touring · Hyundai Entourage · Hyundai Genesis · Hyundai Genesis Coupe · Hyundai Ioniq 5 · Hyundai Kona · Hyundai Kona Electric · Hyundai Palisade · Hyundai Santa Cruz · Hyundai Santa Fe · Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid · Hyundai Santa Fe Sport · Hyundai Sonata · Hyundai Sonata Hybrid · Hyundai Tiburon · Hyundai Tucson Hybrid · Hyundai Veloster · Hyundai Veracruz · Hyundai XG350. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2018 Hyundai Tucson a bad year?
399 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 247, 11× a quiet Tucson year. At 61,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson were filed between 27k and 92k miles. You're at 61,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (247), transmission and drivetrain (101), brakes (42), electrical system (29), fuel system (22). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 27k–92k miles.
How many recalls does the 2018 Hyundai Tucson have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Brakes (NHTSA 20V-543). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.