CarBrief

NHTSA has 399 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson[1], and 250 of them name the engine group[2]. One recall applies, for an anti-lock brake part that could short and start an engine compartment fire[3].

399owner complaints[1]
1recalls[4]
22–27MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 399 owner complaints for this model year[1]. 13 mention a crash, 9 a fire and 10 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts, so the groups below overlap.

Smaller groups are unknown or other with 44 complaints[10], fuel and propulsion with 22[11], speed control with 16[12] and exterior lighting with 13[13]. The fuel and propulsion group has a median mileage at failure of just 1,980 and 2 fires[11]. We did not read complaint texts for these groups, so we cannot say what owners describe.

Recalls

This is the only recall for 2018 in our data[4].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and on front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Annual fuel cost is an EPA estimate.

Engine and drive City / Hwy / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
1.6L turbo, front-wheel drive[5] 25 / 30 / 27 $2,500
2.0L, front-wheel drive[14] 23 / 30 / 26 $2,600
2.4L, front-wheel drive[15] 21 / 28 / 24 $2,800
1.6L turbo, all-wheel drive[16] 24 / 28 / 25 $2,700
2.0L, all-wheel drive[17] 21 / 26 / 23 $2,900
2.4L, all-wheel drive[18] 21 / 25 / 22 $3,050

All versions use regular fuel and an automatic. The 1.6L front-wheel-drive version rates best at 27 combined MPG[5]. The 2.4L all-wheel-drive version rates lowest at 22 combined MPG[18].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive Tucson 5 stars overall, 5 for frontal crash, 5 for side crash and 4 for rollover[6]. Its rollover risk is listed as 16.2%[6]. The front-wheel-drive version has the same star ratings, with a rollover risk of 15.5%[19].

Engine and size

EPA lists three engines for this model year.

Engine Rated horsepower
1.6L 4-cylinder[20] 175 hp
2.0L 4-cylinder[21] 164 hp
2.4L 4-cylinder[22] 181 hp

Size comes from Canadian-market specifications, so US models can differ slightly. Both versions are 176 in long, 73 in wide and 65 in tall, with a 105 in wheelbase[23][24]. Curb weight is 3,602 lb for all-wheel drive[23] and 3,439 lb for front-wheel drive[24].

How 2018 compares with other years

2005: 185 complaints, 8 recalls20052006: 135 complaints, 5 recalls2007: 65 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 43 complaints, 1 recalls2009: 18 complaints, 1 recalls20092010: 59 complaints, 4 recalls2011: 124 complaints, 5 recalls20112012: 255 complaints, 3 recalls2013: 266 complaints, 3 recalls20132014: 202 complaints, 2 recalls2015: 229 complaints, 2 recalls20152016: 1,625 complaints, 5 recalls2017: 1,092 complaints, 3 recalls20172018: 399 complaints, 1 recalls39920182019: 385 complaints, 1 recalls20192020: 179 complaints, 1 recalls2021: 80 complaints, 1 recalls20212022: 506 complaints, 3 recalls2023: 181 complaints, 2 recalls20232024: 150 complaints, 4 recalls2025: 441 complaints, 7 recalls20252026: 98 complaints, 5 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Tucson model year. The 2018 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20051858
20061355
2007655
2008431
2009181
2010594
20111245
20122553
20132663
20142022
20152292
20161,6255
20171,0923
20183991
20193851
20201791
2021801
20225063
20231812
20241504
20254417
2026985

The 2018 Tucson has 399 complaints and 1 recall[4]. Four model years have more complaints: 2016 with 1,625, 2017 with 1,092, 2022 with 506 and 2025 with 441[4]. That puts 2018 fifth highest among the 22 model years listed[4]. The 2019 model year is close behind at 385[4]. On recalls, 2016 has 5 and 2017 has 3, while 2018 through 2021 each have 1[4]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2018 Tucson?

The engine and power train groups have the most complaints, 250 and 101[2][7]. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe hesitation when pulling away from a stop[2][7]. It also has an ABS recall with a fire risk, so check that the repair has been done[3]. On the plus side, NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall[6][19], and it has fewer complaints than the 2016 and 2017 model years[4]. If you test drive one, spend time pulling away from stops and turning across traffic. Ask for service records and the recall status by VIN.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Hyundai Tucson?
The engine group has the most complaints at 250 of 399[1][2]. In the sample we read, owners describe hesitation when pulling away from a stop[2][7].
Does the 2018 Hyundai Tucson have a recall?
Yes. Recall 20V543 covers an ABS control unit that could short and cause an engine compartment fire. The fix is a fuse replacement at a dealer, free of charge[3].
How many miles per gallon does a 2018 Tucson get?
EPA combined ratings run from 22 to 27 MPG depending on engine and drive[5][18].
Is the 2018 Hyundai Tucson safe?
NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover[6][19].
Is 2018 a good year for the Tucson?
It has fewer complaints than 2016 and 2017 but more than 2019, and one recall[4].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 399 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson (13 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 10 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 250 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 8 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 20V543, filed September 4, 2020: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Hyundai Tucson model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Tucson FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 101 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,800). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 42 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 29 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 44 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 36,273). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 22 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 1,980). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 16 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 7,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 13 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA rating for Tucson FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Tucson FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Tucson AWD, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM7), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 28 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Tucson AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Tucson AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2018 Hyundai Tucson with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 175 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2018 Hyundai Tucson with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 164 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2018 Hyundai Tucson with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 181 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TUCSON 4DR SUV AWD: length 176 in, width 73 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,602 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TUCSON 4DR SUV FWD: length 176 in, width 73 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 105 in, curb weight 3,439 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.