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FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2018 Hyundai Tucson has 1 NHTSA safety recall on file, 389 owner complaints, and gets about 27 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2018 Hyundai Tucson

  • Engine 4-cyl 1.6L
  • Drive Front-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Regular
  • Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

Should you worry?

Look closer

Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

1 open

Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.

Caution

What do owners report?

10 injuries reported

10 of 389 reports (~3%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.

Unknown

How did it score in crash tests?

Not tested

No official 5-star crash-test score for this year and model.

Open recalls · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2018.

  • 20165recalls
  • 20173recalls
  • 2018 · this car1recall
  • 20191recall

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 23, 2026.

SAFETY

Will it protect people in a crash?

These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.

The government hasn’t published a 5-star crash-test rating for this year and model.

Open safety recalls

1 open

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

  1. Service Brakes, Hydraulic

    04/09/2020

    Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Hyundai expanded the recall population, and added certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.

    How they fix it: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.

The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.

From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 23, 2026.

OWNERS

What problems do owners report?

People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.

Owner reports · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2018.

  • 20161,616reports
  • 20171,081reports
  • 2018 · this car389reports
  • 2019371reports

389 owner reports on file

13 crash mentions 9 fire mentions 10 injury mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 389 total reports.

  • ENGINE 154 of 389

    My 2018 Hyundai Tucson with the 2.0L engine has suffered catastrophic engine failure. The engine lost compression in cylinder 4 and now requires a full replacement . This is part of a broader pattern—the 2016–2018 Tucson is known for excess

  • POWER TRAIN 99 of 389

    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

  • SERVICE BRAKES 34 of 389

    I purchased this car [XXX] as a CPO vehicle from a Ford dealership. By [XXX] the oil pressure light would flicker and it was clear the car was burning a lot of oil between changes. On 8/22 an oil change was completed at dealer. On [XXX] t

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 33 of 389

    My 2018 Hyundai Tucson Limited equipped with the 1.6T engine and 7-speed EcoShift Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) is suffering from severe, dangerous clutch judder, slippage, and sudden acceleration hesitation. This vehicle matches the exact

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20 of 389

    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 dir

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING 10 of 389

    In the beginning of December 2024, the low headlight warning light started coming on for the right light, intermittently. I took the car to the dealership to get the light fixed, I was told there were some loose wires and they fixed it. 2 w

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 23, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.

FUEL COST

What does it cost to drive?

EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.

Showing

Figures below are for the FWD version.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2018.

  • 201625mpg
  • 201725mpg
  • 2018 · this car27mpg
  • 201923mpg

$2,300

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 25 mpg
Highway driving 30 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 27 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to cost about $500 more on fuel.

Spends more Saves more

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 23, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

4-cyl 1.6L

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic (AM7)

Fuel

Regular

See all factory details (7)
Engine
4-cyl 1.6L
Cylinders
4
Displacement
1.6 L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (AM7)
Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel
Regular

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 23, 2026.

What this free check does not include

We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Confirm the recall was fixed

This model has 1 open NHTSA recall (including the service brakes, hydraulic). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

Have a mechanic check the engine

Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.

Watch for a pending investigation

NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.

  • Test-drive the basics

    Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.

  • Check the title and the VIN

    Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.

  • Ask the seller the right questions

    Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.

See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.

FOR SALE NEAR YOU

2018 Hyundai Tucson listings

    Quick answers

    What is recalled on the 2018 Hyundai Tucson? +

    NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson, including the service brakes, hydraulic. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.

    What gas mileage does the 2018 Hyundai Tucson get? +

    The EPA rates the 2018 Hyundai Tucson at 27 mpg combined (25 city / 30 highway), about $2,300 a year in fuel.

    What do owners complain about on the 2018 Hyundai Tucson? +

    Owners have filed 389 complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Hyundai Tucson, including 13 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.

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