YearToAvoid

2018 Hyundai Tucson Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

75/100

#6 most-complained of 21 Tucson years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2018 Hyundai Tucson ranks 6th worst of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 75 and 396 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate, making up 65% of complaints, alongside a brake recall tied to the anti-lock brake control unit.

Complaints
396
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
13 / 9
Injuries / deaths
10 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24.5
22 city / 28 hwy

Top 2018 Hyundai Tucson problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine256 (65%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain101 (26%)
  3. Brakes43 (11%)
  4. Other43 (11%)
  5. Electrical System38 (10%)
  6. Fuel System22 (6%)
  7. Structure & Body11 (3%)
  8. Airbags5 (1%)
  9. Steering4 (1%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (1%)

What owners report

  • Engine stalls or loses power suddenly at highway speeds, sometimes followed by smoke or fire from the engine compartment.
  • Some owners describe sudden unintended acceleration, including one case where the engine revved to full power while parked.
  • Brakes reportedly fail to stop the vehicle even when the pedal is fully depressed, leading to crashes.
  • Airbags and seat belts sometimes fail to activate properly in rear or frontal collisions, with curtain airbags not deploying on one side.
  • Transmission shifts irregularly, with owners noting dealers attribute this to the dual-clutch design.
  • Loud knocking or ticking noises from the engine often precede stalling or fire incidents.
2018 Hyundai Tucson complaints: complaints filed per quarter332018 Q22019 Q32020 Q42022 Q12023 Q22024 Q32025 Q4
531 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2021 Q1 (33).

2018 Hyundai Tucson recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V543000Sep 4, 2020Brakes652,024 vehiclesPark Outside

    Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

    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.

2018 Hyundai Tucson fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
24.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,650
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2018 compared with other Tucson years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Avoid951,619527
2017Avoid851,086327
2018Avoid75396124.5
2019Avoid80379124
2020Caution60177124

All Hyundai Tucson years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Tucson ranks 6th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 75, resulting in an Avoid verdict relative to other Tucson years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
Engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 65% of the 396 complaints filed, with a median failure mileage of 60,000 miles.
Does the 2018 Hyundai Tucson have a brake recall?
Yes. Campaign 20V543000, reported September 4, 2020, covers certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles for an Anti-lock Brake issue; Hyundai replaces the HECU fuse as the remedy.
How does the 2018 Tucson compare to other years?
Its complaint index of 75 is lower than 2016 (95) and 2017 (85), but higher than most years before 2016, placing it among the worse years for this model.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
EPA rates the 2018 Tucson at 24.5 mpg combined (22 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,650.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.