2018 Hyundai Tucson Electrical Problems

While driving my 2018 Hyundai Tucson Limited 1.6L Turbo with the 7-speed EcoShift dual clutch transmission (DCT), the vehicle has repeatedly failed to engage and hold gears, resulting in loss of motive power in traffic. Diagnostic scanning retrieved codes P074B (Unable to Engage Gear 3), P074B71 (Unable to Select 3rd Gear), P074B07 (Gear Dropped Out of 3rd Gear), P092177 (1st Gear System Referencing Failure), and P0921 (Gear Shift Forward Actuator Circuit Range/Performance). A Hyundai dealer diagnosed the failure as requiring transmission replacement at approximately 93,000 miles. This is the same 7-speed DCT and the same failure mode addressed by NHTSA Campaign 16V628000 (Hyundai Recall 149) and Hyundai Service Campaign T1B, which covered 2016–2017 Tucson vehicles but excluded the 2018 model year despite using the same transmission. Hyundai has acknowledged this defect in 2018 vehicles through TSB 21-AT-014H and TSB 22-AT-007H, which prescribe a TCU software update, but issued these as service bulletins rather than a recall, so owners were never notified. When I requested the TSB software update, the Hyundai dealer refused to perform it. This defect creates a serious safety hazard: the vehicle can drop out of gear or fail to accelerate without warning while in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash — the identical hazard NHTSA cited in granting recall 16V628000. I request that NHTSA review whether the existing recall scope should be expanded to include 2018 Tucson vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11748939

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

While idling at a standstill (in a drive-thru queue), my 2018 Hyundai Tucson suddenly experienced a severe engine overheat, causing the vehicle's air conditioning system to immediately blow hot air and shut down. The vehicle was brought directly to an authorized Hyundai dealership (Chapman Hyundai on [XXX]) for an emergency inspection.The dealership's certified technicians confirmed that the electric Engine Cooling Fan Assembly completely failed and subsequently caused the main Front Wiring Harness and Fuse Box to physically melt. The dealership documented this catastrophic electrical and thermal meltdown under Repair Order #XXX.This is a critical safety defect. A melted engine wiring harness poses an immediate and severe risk of an electrical short circuit, sudden vehicle stalling in live traffic, or a catastrophic under-hood engine fire. Because this component controls the primary cooling of the powertrain, its failure creates an extreme hazard to the vehicle occupants and surrounding traffic. Hyundai must investigate this component failure before it results in a thermal fire incident or an accident due to sudden power loss. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11743329

Incident

Jun 9, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11716145

Incident

Jan 11, 2026

My 2018 Hyundai Tucson experienced complete engine failure at around 118,000 miles. The motor suddenly blew without warning. This vehicle uses an engine type known for widespread engine defects, including bearing wear and internal failure. I bought the vehicle used in 2023, maintained it regularly, and there were no warning lights or overheating before the failure. I had to put oil in my vehicle every week. I had to use 5qts of oil. It smelled like fumes coming through the vents. It then stalled on the highway while we had our son in the vehicle and shaked profusely. Mind you we had our son in the vehicle. How unsafe is that. I then did my research and found out Hyundai engines of this generation have a history of stalling, seizing, and internal damage. I am filing this complaint because this appears to be part of a known safety defect that can cause sudden loss of power while driving. We took it to shop and confirmed the motor blew. It was faulty. Also, sometimes the electrical components would turn off in vehicle such as radio and would go black. Also the turn signal would be on and then turn off. It would also shake while driving. This needs to be taken care of ASAP as it almost caused danger to my family and also caused financial strain on my family too as I now had to roll over my vehicle loan into a new safe vehicle. I would like to be contacted in regards to this. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11702770

Incident

Nov 2, 2025

I am filing a complaint under the NC Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-1.1) regarding Hyundai’s handling of my 2018 Hyundai Tucson (purchased new May 2018). Since 2019, the vehicle has had repeated headlight failures (at least 12 bulb replacements), persistent “bulb out” warnings, and eventually melted wiring requiring headlamp assembly replacement in 2025. These issues were first reported in April 2023 under warranty but dismissed as “could not duplicate.” Hyundai later attempted to deny coverage, only replacing the assembly after escalation to Corporate. At the April 2023 visit, I also reported a rear noise that Hyundai dismissed. After warranty expiration, it was attributed to a leaking shock. Shocks were covered under warranty; failure to act while coverage was active left me unprotected. In May 2023, the engine failed due to oil loss and lock-up. Hyundai retained my vehicle from 5/15–6/30/23 for engine replacement. From Aug–Sep 2025, the car was held an additional 24 days, with no permanent fix for the electrical defect. Overall, my Tucson has been out of service for 60+ days between 2023–2025. Examples of unfair/deceptive conduct: Dismissing documented defects under warranty, only acknowledging later after expiration. Attempting to shift labor costs onto me in Jan 2025 despite warranty obligations. Returning my vehicle with only ~39 miles of gas after requiring me to return a loaner full. Repeated misdiagnoses and delays despite video and documentation provided. These actions are deceptive and unfair, leaving me with an unsafe, unreliable vehicle and causing financial loss and hardship to my work as a self-employed pet sitter and dog groomer. I request the Attorney General investigate Hyundai’s conduct and enforce consumer protections under UDTPA. Service records, receipts, and communications are available upon request.

NHTSA ID

11690889

Incident

Apr 17, 2025

PARKED SUBJECT CAR IN GARAGE AT APPROXIMATELY 11:15 AM AFTER TURNING OFF VENTILATION FAN AND CUTTING ENGINE OFF, WHICH DISPLAYED "OFF" AT DASH BUTTON. AT APPROXIMATELY 7 PM (SAME DAY) WENT INTO GARAGE TO RETRIEVE ITEM AND HEARD THIS LOUD NOISE SIMILAR TO AN ELECTRIC CLOTHES DRYER RUNNING - WASN'T DRYER. AS I GOT CLOSE TO CAR, HEARD THIS SAME SOUND. RAISED HOOD AND COULD FEEL AIR MOVEMENT . CHECKED ENGINE OIL - NOT WARM. BACKED CAR OUT OF GARAGE INTO DRIVEWAY OUT OF SAFETY CONCERN IN CASE OF FIRE. WILL CONTACT HYUNDAI MOTORS TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT AND FOR INSTRUCTIONS WHAT ACTION I SHOULD TAKE NEXT. THIS IS THE FIRST INCIDENT REGARDING MY CAR"S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. DURING THE 3 HOURS DRIVING THAT MORNING, I HAD NO WARNING SIGNS ON DASHBOARD OR FAN MOTOR RUNNING AFTER TURNING ENGINE OFF. HAD MADE 3 STOPS AND ENGINE START UPS DURING THAT TIME

NHTSA ID

11688097

Incident

Sep 18, 2025

After an impact with a large buck (deer) on a main highway while traveling 70 miles per hour, the airbags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ID

11666669

Incident

May 11, 2025

In May 2024 my Hyundai Tucson died in a middle of an intersection with no warning. Worse than that is Hyundai motor USA informed me that the car was on a recall list for an engine failure issue that was apart of class action suit . Ans further told me that that were obligated to have the highway transportation safety dept notified first consider cause of the issue. They told an inspector from your department was required to inspect vehicle before repairs could be started and or returned fo me. That has not happened and they are using your office as the reason for delay on my vehicle. They have systematically m supplied the same answer to my case with no resolution. I have done everything I can as a consumer to handle my case and believed that they were going through the correct process but the dealer has informed me their own manufacturer and corporate is not following guidelines and handling recalls. This is soo dangerous as this vehicle was Already on a list for recall repair and they did NOT inform me the customer when it was brought in for repairs before this incident.

NHTSA ID

11610579

Incident

May 25, 2024

Mileage

109,000 mi

Bought car [XXX] blew up 2 weeks later knock censor was not put on by first dealership so engine blew on interstate car was possible on fire due to as much smoke was coming from vehicle could of been rear ended engine failure due to that no warning of engine failure tucson knows all these problem and is currently in a class action lawsuit and have known the problem for years dealership had to of known this was going on with this engine but sold the car to unsuspecting consumer i think there was a lot of stuff going on this car was owned by stew hansons then sold to dewy ford to sale which my understanding is they own both dealerships. My safety and anybody that gets into my vehicle is still have a 50/50 chance of it happening again ! Have done a lot of homework and watched many youtube videos of these vehicle burn to the ground even one death . they are death traps and should not be on the road . im scared to put my grandchildren in it due to all the info i have obtained INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11586219

Incident

Apr 1, 2021

ABS SENSOR, downhill light, traction control light stays on. In August 2023 the transmission had to be rebuilt from slipping. After work there is still transmission slipping. Media display goes blank often and will not show all of display sometimes.

NHTSA ID

11584294

Incident

Apr 4, 2024

The car experienced a red, blinking check engine light. We had the car towed to the local Hyundai dealership. Please see attached document for the work that was done. This was in November 2023, and we just now had to have the car towed to the dealership again (April 2024).

NHTSA ID

11582893

Incident

Nov 10, 2023

My automatic seat recliner is stuck and hasn’t worked for quiet sometime now. Also The motor stopped working as I was driving home, So I took it to a mechanic to assess the situation and was told the motor was the issue

NHTSA ID

11551910

Incident

Oct 24, 2023

The headlight and taillight/break lights burn out constantly. Turns out taillights are melting in socket. My car is not uniquely affected. Many are having same problems. Suddenly losing lights while driving on freezing dark roads. Incredibly unsafe. Not isolated to my car. Very dangerous. The company should replace these sockets and reimburse for the bulbs which have been replaced approximately 6 times in 12 m.

NHTSA ID

11494498

Incident

Nov 19, 2022

While driving my car normally 9 dashboard lights came on suddenly including the check engine, ABS, brakes while at the same time the dials on the dashboard including the rpms, speedometer, oil temperature and more all stopped working. This happened suddenly while the car was in drive and also caused issues with the transmission as the car stopped shifting gears properly and was driving very rough. With this sudden onset of many different issues out of nowhere driving the vehicle was very dangerous when trying to get to a safe location. After parking this electrical issue would not allow me to take the car out of park or use a OBD reader do to the electrical issue. After researching this problem I found several reports online describing nearly identical symptoms all of the sudden resulting in the car being undrivable and in a dangerous state. These owners said they took the cars to the dealer who tried replacing several components without fixing the issue with hours of diagnosis charges. Eventually after having the vehicles for several days they replaced the reverse camera which it turns out was shorting a significant amount of other critical car electrical components. With no prior damage to the camera or these electrical components the abrupt and random onset of this issue pose a significant safety risk to Hyundai Tucson drivers (at least in 2016 -2018 models) . My experience with the Hyundai Dealership was very similar to them even after I had diagnosed the issue to the camera the dealer said they had contacted the manufacturing engineers who took several days to determine what was causing these electrical issues. This is not an isolated issue as multiple hyundai tucson owners have reported this to Hyundai and their dealerships yet they fail to recognize the risks associated with the faulty cameras they install in their factories. They need to recall their vehicles prone to having this issue. This has cost me $1000 to fix and put me at risk on the road

NHTSA ID

11492001

Incident

Oct 21, 2022

Left turn signal sporadically works during a left turn. Can be safety issue when turn signal stops mid turn even the slightest turn it can stop working and then when finished turning it turns on again. Reported issue to dealership and is being replaced through extended warranty. Issue is a faulty Multi functional turn signal switch. Had been several month since issue started. I have video if the turn signal failing.

NHTSA ID

11464486

Incident

Mar 31, 2022

Electric media screen (navigation, radio and etc) died. Screen went black and would not turn on. Car wouldn’t start on first attempt this morning. Mild Southern California conditions, garage parked. Car shakes / rattles when starting and powering down

NHTSA ID

11454756

Incident

Mar 1, 2022

As I Was Driving my 2018 Hyundai Tucson Down The Highway No Lights No Warnings Nothin My Car Just Shut Off In The middle of the road and would not even crank or turn over and had a burnt smell which could have got myself and others killed So Had Help Getting It To The Side of the road until the tow driver came Took it to the shop to realize the engine is seized How could this happen on a new vehicle without no warning signs it’s had regular oil changes and very well kept car i have talked to many repair shops that have said that have said my car is not the first one they have seen with this year with these problems you guys really need to put out a recall before someone gets killed because of Hyundais engines I could have got myself and my kids killed without WARNING ! I will never buy a Hyundai again a new car and the motor is seized it’s ridiculous and has put my life and kids in danger

NHTSA ID

11452469

Incident

Feb 11, 2022

While driving after a snow storm 1/29/2022 I had the heat up in the SUV I started smelling something burning. I then lowered the heat and the smell became less. I recently purchased this vehicle as a pre own on December 3rd 2021.

NHTSA ID

11449669

Incident

Jan 29, 2022

RECALL HAS BE OPEN FOR 5 MONTHS DEALER HAS NOT FIXED CALLED NATIONAL HYUNDAI AND TOLD I HAVE TO CHASE DOWN THE CORRECT PART NUMBER TO FIX THEIR RECALL

NHTSA ID

11427281

Incident

Mar 3, 2021

WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD BOARD GOES ON AND OFF CONSTANTLY INDICATING REAR BRAKE LIGHT NEEDS ATTENTION. WHEN WARNING LIGHT IS ON, BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT WORK. WHEN WARNING LIGHT TURNS OFF, BRAKE LIGHT WORKS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN CAR IS ON AND CONSTANTLY AT RANDOM TIMES EVEN WHEN I'M STATIONARY. ALSO, WHEN I'M STOPPED, CAR TUGS LIKE IT WANTS TO ACCELERATE.

NHTSA ID

11413638

Incident

Mar 9, 2021

Mileage

38,900 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INCLUDING THE CHECK ENGINE, OIL AND TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11403646

Incident

Nov 18, 2020

I WAS DRIVING ON A INTERSTATE GOT OFF ON A EXIT AND MY CAR STARTED DOING A LOUD TICKING NOISE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 40 MPH. I DROVE THE CAR TO GET THE CAR TESTED TO SEE THE PROBLEM .THE CODE READ KNOCK SENSOR.GOT THE KNOCK SENSOR REPLACED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CAR DROVE THE SAY WAY BEFORE I TOOK IT TO HIS SHOP.THE CAR ONLY HAS 67,00 MILES

NHTSA ID

11395855

Incident

Feb 1, 2021

Mileage

67,000 mi

I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL ON CERTAIN HYUNDAI TUCSON'S 4 MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN SEPTEMBER 2020. I WAS ALSO NOT MADE AWARE FROM HYUNDAI, BUT FROM CARFAX VIA EMAIL. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE NEXT STEPS AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE ISSUE REMEDIED. I RECEIVED A TEXT THE EVENING BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT THAT THERE IS NOT A REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL YET.

NHTSA ID

11387289

Incident

Jan 2, 2021

ONGOING ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE TRANSIMISSION. AFTER 3 DEALERSHIP VISITS, PROBLEM WAS DUPLICATED AT BOB MAYBERRY HYUNDAI-MONROE, NC. WE WERE TOLD THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND "FIX/PART" WAS COMING IN MARCH/APRIL 2020. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL FINALLY GOT FED UP WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I WENT TO OTHER DEALERSHIP (KEFFER HYUNDAI-CHARLOTTE, NC.). WAS TOLD THEY HAD TO REPLICATE BUT TECH COULD NOT. (REPAIR INVOICE STATES THEY DROVE THE CAR 1 MILE!) (THE DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD THIS WAS AN INTERMITENT PROBLEM). THE PROBLEM IS WHEN DRIVING VERY SLOW IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC, THE CAR JUMPS SIMILAR TO SOMEONE LEARNING TO DRIVE A STICK SHIFT AND HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH. I WAS AT A STOP SIGN ONE DAY...AT A COMPLETE STOP. I PROCEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD AND THE CAR STOPPED ABOUT 3 FEET AFTER MOVING. HAD I PULLED OUT IF THERE WAS ALOT OF TRAFFIC, I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TIME TO MOVE IN THE ROAD. I DO NOT HAVE ALL INVOICES FROM FIRST DEALERSHIP (BOB MAYBERRY HYUNDAI-MONROE,NC), BUT THEY WILL HAVE EVERYTHING IN THEIR SYSTEM. I CAN REQUEST THIS DOCUMENTATION IF NEEDED.

NHTSA ID

11375641

Incident

Jan 1, 2020

Mileage

25,000 mi

HELLO EVERYONE, 2018 HYUNDAI TUSCON PROBLEM: ENGINE/AIR BAG CAUSE: UNKNOWN * AFTER A COLLISION WITH 2 LARGE DEER ON A MAIN HIGHWAY EARLY MORNING, IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT IT TO A SHOP. THE BODY WORK WAS FINISHED AND I HAD THE CAR BACK, UNFORTUNATELY AFTER THAT MY ENGINE WAS VERY VERY SLUGGISH. IRREGULAR SHIFTING, SLIGHT TICKING IN ENGINE BLOCK, NO LATER I HAD ISSUES WITH BATTERY LIGHT COMING ON ( THE CAR SHUT OFF) WHILE I'M MOTION ON MAIN ROAD. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT IT'S A TOTAL LOSS, THIS 2 YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES HAD A BLOWN ENGINE DUE TO UNKNOWN CAUSES. I NEED SOME EXPLAINING FROM SOMEONE WHY THIS HAPPENED TO MULTIPLE OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ID

11324657

Incident

Apr 17, 2020

Mileage

50,025 mi