42 complaints reported

2018 Hyundai Tucson Power Train

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
42
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Nov 2025

I was driving on the highway, about to change lanes, when I looked in my rear view mirror and saw black smoke coming from my appeared to be my exhaust. I immediately started to pull over, and that is when the oil light first appeared on my dashboard. By the time I had put the car in park, the check engine light had also appeared. After calling my boyfriend and a tow truck, I exited the vehicle and noticed a large pool of oil by my front tire. With the car on the tow truck, I could see oil continue to drip out. The car was towed to the local Hyundai dealership. Since this occurred on a Saturday afternoon, the service dept. was closed, and Hyundai called me on Monday, Aug 11, 2025 to explain that i should contact the auto mechanic that last changed my oil, as the oil plug had fallen out, and my engine had seized. (Had I not noticed the smoke right away, I could have been in an accident on the highway when the engine seized.) I explained to Hyundai that I had my oil changed 3,000 miles ago, and hadn't seen any indication of oil leakage, nor had the oil light come on prior to the incident on Aug 9, 2025. Hyundai insited I contact the oil change mechanics as it was clearly a craftsmanship defect, not the fault of Hyundai parts or material. Hyundai provided photos showing the oil plug was still laying on the block. I visited Superior Auto (mechanics that did the previous oil change) and they also deny responsibility due to the fact that the car drove fine for 3,000 miles without any indication of oil leakage, so there is no proof of fault craftsmanship.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2025
Apr 2024

While on the highway going 70mph the check engine light flashed on the immediately off out of nowhere and car started aggressively shaking before loosing temporary power. My wife and toddler were in the car and we were all pretty shaken up. Luckily I was able to gain control of the car but I'm concerned that another issue may occur. I immediately took my car in to the shop and they were unable to replicate the issue. Spark plugs, oil, transmission fluid and coolant fluids were all as regular maintenance but no real issue was addressed. My car has also had issues with struggling to accelerate from stop, causing jerking motion and my oil seems to be burning faster than usual.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2024
Feb 2024

Check engine light stayed on vehicle transmission unable to shift in reverse and lower power when car is driven in a low speed.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Feb 2024
Oct 2023

CVT Transmission failed under 70,000 miles. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety was put at risk due to no warning light or indication of this failure from Dick Smith Hyundai in Greenville, SC during a routine maintenance check. The problem has been confirmed by Dick Smith Service Center. The vehicle has been inspected by Dick Smith Hyundai. There were no warning lamps prior to failure. The characteristics of the CVT appeared in 2018 however; the jerking accelerated over time. Dick Smith Service Center stated not to worry the transmission was okay. October 16, 2023 with less than 70k miles I’m being told I need transmission, starter, & fly wheel.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2023
Jul 2023

Immediately after purchasing the car I stopped for gas. When pulling out of the parking lot and onto the road, the transmission stalled. The car did not move, the rpms jumped to 5-6 and the lurched and jerked forward then stopped and lurched forward again with the rpms jumping high. This had happened numerous times to various deplgrees since purchasing the car 48 hours ago. There were and continue to be no warning lamps or messages on the dash. I have an appointment with the dealer to have it assessed in a week. This is dangerous because it causes the vehicle to not pull into or cross traffic in a smooth, sage and predictable manner, potentially causing a collision.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2023
Jul 2023

Back in January of 2023, car would not go into reverse. While out driving the engine light came on and went into safety mode. I had no power to merge onto highway and make it up hills to get to Hyundai service repair. They said the gear actuator failed. They repaired, but within a week the car was not going into reverse and engine light came back on. They had my car for over a month with no loaner car. They replaced transmission. Car only had 32,000 miles on it. Yesterday, July 28, car started losing power in traffic. Sometimes car would lurch. Engine light on so I pulled into grocery store parking lot. Turned car off and when I turned back on a loud clunking noise. Called Hyundai and drove to service. The entire time the car struggled to merge or go up hills. They ran test and said the gear actuator failed. So this is a trend. It is under warranty but that is not the point, this is dangerous and you can get stranded or the car can lurch or loose power at any time. I complained to Hyundai the first time and they did nothing except repair under warranty guidelines.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2023
Jul 2023

Tucson 2.0L hesitation at acceleration particularly from a rolling stop: This intermittent problem was checked initially by Marhofer Hyundai in Cuyahoga Falls Ohio, their findings were negative. We then took it to Great Lakes Hyundai in Streetsboro and they said they were aware of the problem and reset the computer, but it did not resolve the problem. This problem has put my family in harm's way many times, making a turn from a rolling stop the car lags into ongoing traffic. Our last visit to dealership we were told car was out of warranty 19,000 miles but the problem was never fixed. This vehicle was a certified pre-owned and have an extended warranty. I have attached a technical service bulletin.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Nov 2023
Mar 2023

Purchaseing the vehicle two months ago, the engine service light started blinking. Taking the vehicle to several shops including two hyundai dealers, I was informed the vehicle had an off market catalytic converter. I asked the dealership several times if there was any issues with the vehicle and they stated there was not. The engine first came on two weeks after the purchase of the vehicle. It is not safe to drive.The warranty nor the dealership will cover or assist.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America Type: Equipment, Vehicle: 9999 BAL OTHER, Manufacturer: BAL PRODUCTS GROUP
Incident: Feb 2023
Oct 2022

When merging into traffic, the car lost all acceleration and the transmission revved to a very high rpm. This has been an ongoing problem since the car was purchased. The dealer keeps saying they “cannot replicate”. This car is going to kill me.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2022
Apr 2022

Powertrain issue. Multiple times the after stopping the engine revs for a few seconds and then the vehicle will lurch forward. It acts like the CVT transmission has a delayed response to the accelerator. The condition comes and goes and sometimes it happens multiple times in the same trip.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2021
Mar 2022

Car has no power when accelerating, when accelerating from a stop the car revs but does not move, then when it does move it takes off like a rocket, in slow moving traffic 5 mph, you accelerate and the car seems like it wants to stall, a lot of hesitation, In fast moving traffic, if you want to merge or pass another vehicle you must give yourself ample time and make sure it is clear to make your move, if you need to get out of the way really fast you cant, its very dangerous and Hyundai needs to move quick on this before something really bad happens to someone.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Nov 2021
Jan 2022

Leaving a parking lot, vehicle was hard-shifting at 10mph, 20mph, 30mph and was not gaining typical acceleration. Every slow down or stop sign/stop light this behavior continued with automatic hard shifting between gears and lethargic acceleration to the point where I felt this may cause an accident or cause another vehicle to have an accident due to lag response of my vehicle. Upon home arrival, I attempted to back vehicle into my parking spot but after shifting into Reverse, the R indicator on console was flashing but vehicle would not move. I drove back around the complex parking circle and again attempted to back vehicle in to a different parking space but experienced the same issue where R indicator was flashing but vehicle would not back up. My daughter and 2 grandsons then had to push my vehicle back in to the parking spot. I turned vehicle off, waited approximately 90 seconds and restarted the engine. When I shifted into Reverse gear, the car abruptly and harshly shut down. At that point, I put the vehicle back into Park gear and turned off ignition. Had the vehicle towed to closest dealership on Nov 28th - they have not been able to replicate issue nor find any fault codes when running diagnostics. No dashboard errors appeared, only the flashing Reverse indicator light on shift console. No prior issues earlier in the day when using vehicle, nor has this issue occurred in the 4 years I have owned it. It was severe enough I wasn't sure the vehicle would clear intersections in a timely manner, and worried it may leave myself and my daughter and grandsons stranded on the 20 minute ride to home.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Nov 2022
Oct 2021

About 6 months of owning this vehicle, I started noticing while sitting in traffic that when letting off of the brake the car would start to jerk as you gave it a little throttle. I took the car to the Hyundai in Glendora where I purchased the vehicle from and they stated that there was nothing wrong with it. The issue continues to this day and I have voiced the complaint each time I bring the Vehicle in for maintenance. One of the service techs said that they felt the hesitation with the transmission but said that it was not bad enough to fix per Hyundai policy. This car is equipped with the Dual Clutch Transmisson because of the turbo. I have been dealing with this problem now for about 2 1/2 years and I feel that it is a safety issue being that the jerkiness and the hesitation could cause a crash. I actually talked to someone at another dealership and he told me that there was a Class Action Suit for this problem and to go that route. I just want Hyundai to own up to the problem and fix the issue.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Feb 2019
Oct 2021

Hyundai has historically had an issue with the dual-clutch transmission and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle frequently shutters / shakes at a stop and when accelerating from a stop. Additionally, the vehicle occasionally loses power to the wheels when driving-up a moderately steep grade. Additionally, the vehicle has delayed acceleration when trying to increase speed from a constant speed. This has put my safety and the safety of others at risk by being unable to properly accelerate into a turn while driving at highway speed, by being unable to keep up with the speed of traffic while driving on the interstate in the mountains, by being unable to drive in adverse weather, and by not being able to account for the jolting of the vehicle in busy city traffic. I've taken it to two manufacturer dealerships who have ran a shutter test and could not generate an error message, but acknowledged the effects felt when driving the vehicle and the commonality of the problem. They said their hands are tied if the manufacturer's testing generates a pass result. There have not been any warning lamps or messages. To date, I have been unable to come to a resolution, but the vehicle is dangerous to drive.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2021
Oct 2021

The vehicle almost stalls and doesn't want to take off 1st thing in the morning then suddenly it accelerates abruptly well above the amount of pedal pushed. It also has inconsistent shifts at anytime during a drive. Sometimes it won't shift until we leave off the gas. This has been twice in for diagnosis at Rom Marhofer in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221. Both times they tell us--they could not get the vehicle to produce the symptoms. It does this everyday of the week for us--everyday. The service writer says this is common for the dual clutch transmission. This is a safety issue with not having power to move then suddenly--wham.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2021
Oct 2021

Vehicle has judder at slow speeds or hesitation in shifting gears. Has almost stalled while making a left turn at intersection into oncoming traffic or accelerating after stop sign . Dealer updated TCU ECM software, problem got worse. Appears to be a dual clutch transmission defect.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Oct 2021
Sep 2021

My 2018 Hyundai Tuscon has been having major issues with the dual clutch transmission, which has put myself, my family, and others in very dangerous situations. Everyday when I start my Tuscon and accelerate, it stutters/jerks like it’s going to stall and will not accelerate/shift. It eventually starts going, but I have to pull out onto a street, which has been unsafe when cars are speeding up behind me. It does not go up hills well at all. I turned onto a road where there was a decent sized hill, but nothing major, and nothing an SUV should have a problem with. My previous CAR could drive it just fine. You’d think an SUV could as well. Nope. Very scary moment. My Tuscon made it not even half way, and just stopped. I was pressing the gas, and it just revved it up with no motion. I braked and tried it again, and it still would not go. I had to roll backwards down the hill. This was the only way to my destination. I rolled down, and put it in sport mode to try that. It still would not go, and did the same thing. I tried again in regular mode, and it still would not go, only this time I had a car behind me. The car had to back down, and I rolled back a little bit, then hit the gas in drive and it eventually made it, but definitely very scary and unsafe, and it put others in danger as well. I was going to church one morning, and the speed limit on the main road is 60, which is what I was driving. I had to slow down to turn, and had to stop to oncoming traffic. I had to brake for maybe 10 seconds, and when I went to accelerate, it was like it wasn’t shifting, and it just revved up, rolled slightly, and would not go. At this point there are more cars coming. I am in the road right In their path due to it rolling, and once again I am put in a very scary situation. I kept trying, and it FINALLY went. This was also on flat level ground. I have had many moments (every day) where it does not shift properly, and it also stutters every single day when I start it. Please fix this

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Sep 2021
Aug 2021 Crash

Car not shifting properly. Took to dealership and kept getting a response of the car have a dual clutch.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Dec 2021
Jul 2021

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while at a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact called the manufacturer and the dealer and was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jan 2019
Mar 2021

TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT PROPERLY. HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE AROUND 15K MILES PURCHASED VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND COMPLAINED MULTIPLE TIMES DEALER WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL AROUND 55K MILES REPLACED DUAL CLUTCH AND PROBLEM HAD COME BACK AFTER 5K MILES AND DEALER SAYS NOTHINGS WRONG... I FEEL UNSAFE IN A BRAND NEW CAR WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE... HELP

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Mar 2019
Mar 2021

My vehicle bucks when first pulling out. like a manual transmission.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Aug 2018
Dec 2020

BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. THE PROBLEM ORIGINALLY BEGAN AS INTERMITTENT NOW OCCURRING ALMOST CONSTANTLY. IF VEHICLE IS IN A STOPPED POSITION UPON PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD FOR UP TO ONE TO 2 SECONDS. THE RPM SHOWS THAT THE ENGINE IS REVVING BUT NO MOTION. THEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE WILL LURCH FORWARD. THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE VEHICLE RESPONSE TIME. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE WHEN NECESSARY. I HAVE BROUGHT IN THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS OF THIS PROBLEM TWICE AND WAS TOLD THAT HYUNDAI KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM BUT BECAUSE THE ISSUE IS NOT EXTREME ENOUGH NOTHING CAN BE DONE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE CAN BE OPERATED SAFELY GIVEN THE CURRENT DEFECT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Jul 2020
Nov 2020

, FROM A STOP, WHEN YOU MOVE FORWARD, YOU PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR HESITATES TO MOVE FORWARD THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IF REVES HIGH AND THEN SPEED FASTER THAN IT SHOULD, I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TWO TIMES, THE VEHICLE HAS 11,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. SOMETHING WITH THE DUAL-CLUTCH SYSTEM IS HAVING ISSUES AND WILL LEAD TO DEATH. THE VEHICLE DOES IT INTERMITTENTLY, SO YOU CAN NOT PREDICT IT WHEN IT WILL HAVE AN ISSUE, AT MIN, IT DOES THIS FREQUENTLY.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: Nov 2020
Aug 2020

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT A COMPLETE STOP IT WILL HAVE ISSUES GOING WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS. IT TAKES A FEW SECONDS TO GO AND IT WILL JERK FORWARD AND THEN GO. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME BUT IT IS OFTEN ENOUGH THAT IT'S WORRY SOME AND COULD BE UNSAFE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2020
Aug 2020

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON, Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America
Incident: May 2020

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2018 Hyundai Tucson has 42 Power Train complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.