This page covers 1 recall, 375 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson.
22–27 mpg combined
8.7–10.7 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 6 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine complaints dominate what 2018 Tucson owners report, with the 2.0L and 1.6L turbocharged engines drawing the most attention. Across many reports, owners describe excessive oil consumption, often with no dashboard warning, that progresses until the engine loses power or fails entirely. A recurring pattern involves engines failing at highway speeds, sometimes with a thrown connecting rod, leaving the vehicle suddenly without power in traffic. Powertrain complaints are the second-largest group, with owners frequently describing transmission problems that persist even after dealer service attempts, suggesting the initial repairs didn't fully resolve the underlying issue. Brake complaints are a distant third and don't show a strong clustering around a single symptom. The oil consumption pattern stands out because owners consistently note the absence of any warning light before the engine reaches a critical state, making the failure difficult to anticipate.
375
Total Complaints
13
Crash-Related
9
Fire-Related
8
With Injuries
By System
At a glance
What can fail
The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit can corrode internally, causing an electrical short that may start an engine compartment fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the HECU fuse and update ESC software on 2019-2021 models at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
