The Lemon Index2018 Hyundai Tucson.
The 2018 Hyundai Tucson is about average by owner complaints: 137 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 95, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 1 recall, and it gets 22 to 27 mpg combined. The best Hyundai Tucson year is 2021.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2016–2021 Hyundai Tucson, 32.0M views. The 2018 is the same generation.
- Gauges, lights & wiring1.4M views
New HYUNDAI TUCSON 2021 at night - LED lights, ambient lights & new digital cockpitcrospotter13 · 792K views · 3 videos - Driveshaft, axles & 4x4792K views
2016 Hyundai Tucson 4x4 - Offroad Demo RunAutoXan · 792K views - Windows, doors & mirrors454K views
2016 Hyundai Tucson rear door fix. Doors wouldn't open, 10 minutes later they work again.Joseph Lombardo · 223K views · 3 videos - Brakes & ABS338K views
Hyundai Tucson Brakelight Change 2015- 2019-Same for Most Years!Flashback502 · 338K views
Show 4 more
- Infotainment, battery & electrical248K views
How To | Replace Car Battery | 2016-2021 Hyundai Tucson |Automotive Dysfunction · 149K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter241K views
How to: Transmission Fluid Change on Hyundai Tucson 2016 and NewerModern DIY Projects · 241K views - Spark plugs & ignition coils182K views
Hyundai Tucson Spark Plug Change 2014-2019--Easy!Flashback502 · 182K views - Death wobble & steering129K views
How to Replace 2016 Hyundai Tucson Steering Wheel ControlsMikechanic · 129K views
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Hyundai Tucson SUV 3rd Generation 2015-201A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 739K views
Which Hyundai SUV should you BUY? 2019 Tucson or Santa FeRaiti's Rides · 268K views
New 2021 Hyundai Tucson: Should you buy one? | Auto Expert John CadoganAuto Expert John Cadogan · 162K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 399 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Hyundai Tucson year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 15K to 74K miles on the car (112 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 24K–92K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 5K–34K miles
Recalls 1
- brakes 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Hyundai told dealers about
Hyundai sent dealers 170 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The shift lever on some 6-speed vehicles may intermittently not shift out of Park
- If you are servicing a vehicle with a harsh and/or delayed shift, use the GDS as shown in the…
- Check Engine warning lamp illuminated
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedLoss of motive power2022–2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Hyundai Tucson SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2400–2900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle severely hesitates to accelerate from a stop while in traffic (gear shift is in drive position). Fails to accelerate when making left turns to avoid oncoming traffic. Problem persists regardless of driving mode selection.
2018 Hyundai Tucson owner · NHTSA complaint 11124143
More owner reports
Has developed inttermintant shift stutter while driving (city and hightway) and dealyed power from a stop (no go syndrome). The problem isgetting worse and the Hyundai hasn't been able to fix it.
NHTSA complaint 11353799
Motor knocking with only 65,000 miles. Not getting power
NHTSA complaint 11289675
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Hyundai Tucson reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 95; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Hyundai Tucson year by this measure is 2021.
What are the most common 2018 Hyundai Tucson problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (37%), transmission & drivetrain (34%) and brakes (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Hyundai Tucson have?
1 safety recall (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Hyundai Tucson get?
22 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Hyundai Tucson safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2018 Hyundai Tucson problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 15,000 and 74,400 miles. The middle report was at 32,000 miles, from 112 complaints.
Does the 2018 Hyundai Tucson have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 34% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Hyundai Tucson cost in fuel a year?
About $2400 to $2900 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Hyundai Tucson have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl.
What Hyundai Tucson year is better than the 2018?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2021, 2013 and 2014.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works