2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON Complaints

My 2018 Hyundai Tucson experienced sudden catastrophic engine failure when a connecting rod threw while driving. The engine burned through its oil and the vehicle became inoperable. Hyundai denied warranty coverage for this engine failure because I had not completed the 2021 KSDS (Knock Sensor Detection System) recall. I was never notified of this recall. The KSDS recall is a software update intended to detect engine knock. It does not prevent mechanical engine failure. Denying warranty coverage due to a software update that I was unaware of raises safety concerns, as engine failure can occur suddenly while driving and creates risk of crash or injury. This appears related to known engine issues in Hyundai vehicles. I am concerned this is a broader safety defect affecting other consumers.

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder lane, engine oil was added, and the contact waited for several minutes for the vehicle to return to normal operation. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The dealer suggested that the contact occasionally add oil to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced and that an oil change was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,400.

While driving on a public road, the vehicle experienced multiple simultaneous, dangerous malfunctions: Dashboard Warnings: All lights illuminated, including engine (flashing), ABS, traction control, airbag, TPMS, and parking brake, which stayed on though disengaged. Engine & Transmission: Tachometer fluctuated wildly in park; engine revved without accelerator input. Shifting to drive/reverse caused unexpected “kicks.” Vehicle sometimes failed to move when pressing gas, requiring engine restart. Driving Issues: Speedometer read 0 or jumped inconsistently. RPM continued erratically while maintaining speed without accelerator. Steering became extremely difficult. I immediately determined the vehicle was unsafe to drive and returned home with it, which was only a couple miles away. Follow-Up: Hyundai advised dealership diagnosis; they suggested a backup camera module will resolve the issues I experienced in entirety, but also in the same email stated that they could not guarantee it would resolve all of the issues I experienced. This is the second major engine/powertrain failure: first approximately ~70,000 miles (full engine replacement), current approximately ~95,000 miles (approximately ~25,000 miles post-replacement). Recurrence indicates a serious, unresolved safety defect. I am deeply concerned for passenger safety, including children. Other owners report similar issues; the attorney general’s office advised reporting to NHTSA. Summary of Safety Risks: sudden loss of control/power, erratic acceleration, dashboard failures, steering resistance, unpredictable handling, recurrence of major defect. I am submitting this report to NHTSA to request investigation of these recurring defects. I do have video documentation of all of this, as well as ALL written communication with Hyundai National Consumer Affairs and the dealership. I am having a hard time uploading them because of the file limits. Please let me know if any of this will be helpful to you.

Purchased 9/5/25 at 76,280 and oil change light shown by 10/1/25 when i received an oil change at Valvoline and was told of my engine issues at 77,733 miles. Car then looked at by Elizabeth Auto Sales [XXX] and confirmed oil consumption at no fault of my own and metal shavings in oil. Car then towed to #1 Cochran Hyundai Monroeville [XXX] and looked at by Dale. Oil change and oil consumption test started and confirmed of burning more than 1 qt per 1k miles. 2/4/2026 engine test cleaning requested and denied. Car stalls at random times can possible cause an accident. yes the problem was produced to the dealership purchased from which was Kenny Ross Subaru Irwin pa 15642. Yes the problem was confirmed by Hyundai on 11/7/25. Only warning was the oil change light flashing which forced me to get an oil change less than a month of purchasing on 10/1/25 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

DRIVING ON FREEWAY NO WARNING LAMPS ON DASHBOARD. EXIT FREEWAY TO GET GAS AND THERE IS MINIMAL ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. CYLINDERS ARE NOT FIRING, NO COMPRESSION. ENGINE FAILURE CONFIRMED BY HYUNDAI SERVICE DEPT AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC.

The situation I’m about to explain has happened twice—once in December 2025 and again on January 22, 2026. In December, the roads were very icy, but there was no snow on the ground. As I made a right turn into a Walmart parking lot, I heard a loud metal-breaking sound while turning. I immediately got out and looked underneath my 2018 Hyundai Tucson SEL but didn’t see anything unusual. After finishing my shopping, I started the SUV to pull out of the parking space. The car was trying to move, but the rear tires were not moving at all. A man waiting for my parking spot noticed this and told me one of the tires wasn’t turning. As I drove home, I heard extremely loud metal noises coming from the back of the vehicle—sounds like metal twisting, breaking, and falling to the ground. At no point did any warning lights come on. I took the car to a highly rated mechanic, Premier Car Care, where they did a thorough inspection and found nothing wrong. After being reassured that the vehicle was safe, I continued driving it. Then on January 22, 2026, the same issue happened again. I was driving to my internship, and the roads were slushy. Suddenly, the Tucson became unstable, slid unexpectedly, and I heard the same metal twisting and breaking noises. This time, the ABS light came on briefly and then went off. The vehicle felt unsafe and unstable, even though I was driving very slowly—around 15 miles per hour. I was terrified and nearly hit someone. I had the car towed through Triple A back to the mechanic, but once again, they were unable to find the cause after inspecting it, and it is sitting in my driveway. I am reaching out because I am on disability, I have three children with autism, and I am also currently in school. I rely on this vehicle, and I truly need help investigating what is happening so this issue can be properly identified and fixed before someone gets seriously hurt.

My 2018 Hyundai Tucson experienced repeated no-start conditions. The vehicle was initially diagnosed by Randy Wise Hyundai in Flint, Michigan, and I paid approximately $776 for tune-up services that did not resolve the issue. Shortly afterward, the vehicle continued to fail to start. The dealership later determined the starter had failed and provided an estimate of approximately $985 for replacement. Hyundai Motor America denied goodwill assistance and reimbursement for the prior misdiagnosed repair and stated the starter replacement is customer-pay. The vehicle’s inability to start caused loss of reliable transportation and safety concerns due to being stranded. I am submitting this complaint to document starter failure and potential diagnostic issues affecting vehicle safety.

The car began making a knocking sound on my 5.8 mile drive. On my drive home from work, the knocking was louder, and the car barely accelerated on the highway and over-revved trying to hit at least 50 mph to keep up with the flow of traffic. I took the car to the Hyundai Service Center immediately using city streets rather than the highway. I had a family member follow me to make sure I made it to the service center as well as give me a ride home after I dropped off the vehicle. As I was driving there, the car had a hard time accelerating from a stop and barely maintaining speed of the flow of traffic and the “Check Engine” light came on and flashed as I got closer to the dealer service center. The dealer service center confirmed that the engine needs to be replaced due to the connecting rod bearing failure, a common issue with the 2.0L I4 F DOHC 16 V engine in my 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The Hyundai Service Manager has repeatedly confirmed that the engine issues presented in my car are consistent with a recall for the same model engine found in my car.

There is oil that leaks on a couple spark plugs.....when I remove the plug there is oil on the plug cover and inside where the plug goes in.........disturbing.....can you help....supposed to be a recall but I don't know what to do.....I would like to get that straightened out..... I want to keep it .....also like to buy my wife a new one......can you help on this problem.... They were supposed to fix recall..... Hundai Uniontown Pa. Can you help.... [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The engine and engine management system of my 2018 Hyundai Tucson experienced repeated failures resulting in loss of propulsion and unsafe drivability. In November 2025, while traveling approximately 75 mph on a freeway, the vehicle suddenly entered limp mode without any prior warning, causing an abrupt loss of power in active highway traffic. No warning lamps or messages appeared before the failure. After the loss of propulsion occurred, the check engine light, battery light, and oil light illuminated sequentially. Diagnostic trouble codes P1326 and P0326 were recorded. Initial inspection indicated severe oil consumption despite a recent oil change less than 2,000 miles earlier. A Hyundai dealership replaced knock sensors under warranty. Shortly after release (30 miles), the vehicle again exhibited severe drivability issues, including a flashing check engine light, and required immediate towing. A second Hyundai dealership replaced the short engine block under warranty. Approximately 180 miles after the engine replacement, the vehicle again developed unsafe drivability symptoms, including delayed throttle response, failure to accelerate unless the accelerator was fully depressed multiple times, jerking or lugging when slowing or stopped, and a faint whining noise. The check engine light illuminated again. These failures represent repeated loss of propulsion and unsafe operation following manufacturer-approved repairs, including full engine replacement. The vehicle has been out of service for approximately 57 days and remains in the custody of a Hyundai dealership awaiting diagnostics. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The sudden and unpredictable loss of power at highway speed created a significant risk of collision and serious injury to the driver and surrounding motorists.