What 383 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell

very bad acceleration from a stop position, engine revs but does not move, in slow traffic it hesitates and lunges forward like it’s not sure what it’s suppose to do, when trying to merge or pass another car, you have to give yourself time, it’s very dangerous, took it to the dealer 2 times, was told that’s how the car is made, there is no way this is suppose to be the way the car was built. also a smell of antifreeze but no leaks detected,

NHTSA ODI 11454968

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 ODI 11454756

The contact owned a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving up a hill at 30 MPH, she heard an abnormal popping noise emitting from underneath the vehicle without warning. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact saw that a fire had started from underneath the front passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle in front of hers witnessed the fire and assisted with calling the authorities to the scene. Both the fire and the police department arrived as the fire department extinguished the fire. Both a police and fire report were filed; no injuries were reported. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent tow yard where it was deemed a total loss. Upon investigation, the contact linked her failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V543000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the cause of the fire had yet to be determined. Both the dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle had been destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11453828

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 ODI 11452469

Catastrophic engine failure due to loss of oil pressure without warning at highway speeds. Traveling approximately 70mph on the freeway. Engine develops a rapid knock in sync with engine RPM's and immediate loss of power. At the same moment, I exited the freeway. As I left off the accelerator to apply the brake, the engine stalls completely. Once stopped, I checked the engine oil, which was within specifications. Had vehicle towed to a mechanic and diagnosed as engine failure due to loss of oil pressure. Before this, the engine regularly consumed 2-3 quarts of oil per oil change starting at approximately 45,000 miles. Catalytic convertor has been replaced once due to being plugged by consumed oil. Hyundai fails to remedy.

NHTSA ODI 11449169

My engine has locked up on me and stalled because of water in the oil. I was never informed about this “knock sensor” update for Hyundai that would have prevented all this in the first place. I’ve had to come out of pocket for 2 tow trips and loaner car all while my vehicle is under 5 year/ or 60,000 mile warranty!! Now this apparent “America’s best warranty” local dealership is trying to tell me that my repairs are not covered under the warranty and I would have to pay $10,000 out of pocket for the repairs! This is going on 3 months now and still no one has contacted me and no one is helping me. That vehicle is my ONLY source of transportation to and from work an hour away! I am unsatisfied with my Hyundai Tucson and the false advertisement for claiming to be “America’s best warranty” and for not providing a safe reliable vehicle like Hyundai promises!

NHTSA ODI 11446669

A connecting rod bearing was thrown through the engine block causing it to stall out on the freeway. This is exactly what is occurring with vehicles in the Theta Class Action Settlement but the company states my VIN number is not included.

NHTSA ODI 11445309

Rod bearing failure. Sounded like a tractor all of a sudden and stalled every time I’d come to a stop. Had it towed to the dealership. Awaiting word from Hyundai as to whether the warranty will cover this. Checked oil and wasn’t low. No check engine lights or oil lights or anything ever came on. No noises prior to this happening. Kept up on routine maintenance.

NHTSA ODI 11445023

I bought my 2018 tuscon one year ago in June 2020. 70,000 miles on it now, regular maintenance. No warning lights, everything was running OK. I started experiencing hesitation taking off then lunging when stopped in the last few months. Now I'm sitting in the driveway because it won't start. Realized oil was low which is odd because I've noticed it's been burning more than previous but no more than a quart so it's not like it was dry. I'm supposed to be able to get 5k on an oil change now adays but starts running poorly if it's not changed by 3k. Needless to say iadded qt of oil I was going to get oil changed yesterday but wouldn't start. I changed the battery, still won't start, starter was tested good, fuses all in tack, changed camshaft sensors at 90 dollars a piece still nothing. Check alternator that's fine. It clicks one time but have all lights power everywhere it should. In 2 days I've spent 215 on a battery, 200 with tax on sensors, 50 code reader no code by the way. Did have p0014 which indicated need for either oil change or camshaft sensor. Nothing. I'm a sitting duck and all the things I've experience are what they experienced in the theta engines like hesitated, burning oil, ticking sounds, lunging etc. GDI isn't any better. I hate this car. After this one is paid off and I guess put a new engine in I'll be getting rid of it. Going back to a solid Buick. I'll never buy another hyundai. This is the second vehicle with engine problems we bought. Not to mention the risk of for but hyundai near me hasn't been able to get the parts for over a year. I'm currently in a wait list.

NHTSA ODI 11444529

Emission light is on and called dealer for an appointment, stated they will called me when they can line me up with a tech and I still waiting.

NHTSA ODI 11444328

Buy brand new off lot. Never miss Regular maintenance on engine oil and filters. Car had only 55200 miles. After 500 miles regular oil interval maintenance. Car underbody show no oil leaks anywhere on 12/05/2021 park on driveway. This morning Car not start without oil indicator or engine light warning comes up. Open hood up, check oil dip stick show no oil residue. Yike, where is low oil warning light sensor when no oil in engine. Apparently it not working or never have it on in my opinion. Gotta be recall issue for this. So I ran to Walmart get a quart of sythenic oil recommended and fill it up. Car start up find and drive ok for now. Not sure in future. This is a must recall on No Oil Indicator Sensor Malfunction!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11442736

Purchased new on 5/30/2018. 3/2021 I noticed shaking, noises, pinging, whining sounds and vibration coming from engine as I turn engine on / off and in drive. 3/24/2021 I brought vehicle for inspection. Service Advisor felt the shaking, vibrations and heard the pinging / noises and whining sounds as I turned the vehicle off. Vehicle went for oil change and inspection, stayed overnight and no fault found, service bay stated they could not reproduce the occurrence. The sensations worsened and I brought vehicle back on 3/30/2021 for inspection as I did not feel safe driving vehicle. 4/02/2021 dealer said the sensations could not be detectable and it was suggested that maybe the Turbo dual clutch engine. 10/15/2021 the air conditioner failed. Brought vehicle in for inspection. Service performed diagnostic testing on vehicle and found internal failure on a/c compressor. New compressor was ordered and replaced. Replacement air conditioner is not as powerful or cold as original part. Vehicle is still making pinging, whining, vibrations. 11/29/2021, engine light came on. I reversed out of a parking spot and it felt different. Put gear in drive and immediately the gas pedal went to half way to floor and the vehicle jerked and then seemed to catch the gear. Then the pedal went to the floor and there was no go, then it kicked in. Repeated multiple times. Tried reverse and there was none. No rpm movement and quickly came a strong burning smell. Had vehicle towed dealer. All vehicle services are current and up to date.

NHTSA ODI 11442350

My engine blew on the freeway. And we believe it to be a rod bearing issue. Regular oil changes and maintenance done since I owned it. It is currently at the dealership awaiting to hopefully be repaired through extended warranty. The service lot was filled with Tucson's and the service repair man said it was the same issue in all of them. This is a major safety concern as engine failure anywhere on the road can lead to accidents and stalling vehicles. Upon the engine failure, there were no engine lights or any signs that this was going to happen. My car stopped accelerating so I began to pull over and before I could get fully over, all of the engine lights started flashing and the engine began smoking. I just don't want this to continue to happen as this is clearly an ongoing issue, there was a recall with the rod bearing in the 2017 2.0 model, which is my model but being a 2018. I appreciate your time in reviewing this and hope it catches some attention.

NHTSA ODI 11441608

With 2018, Hyundai Tucson, I was accelerating on the highway coming off of an exit ramp. I was on my way to the dealership to investigate a knocking sound I just started hearing with the engine. Suddenly, the engine failed completely and I started to smell burning. I was able to roll into the shoulder and have my car towed to the dealership. An engine light came on a few miles before the engine failed, but I had no warnings at the start of the trip. Car was at 60,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11441334

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel as the vehicle stalled. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where they informed her of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V543000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); however, the parts for the recall were unavailable. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer for four months and recently informed her that her engine needed to be replaced; she was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000. (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ODI 11436476

Bought car on 7/14/2021 with 43,200 miles - on September 18, 2021 the car stopped working on the highway. Towed to dealership and after 7 days in the lot was told it had a cracked engine block. Over 2 weeks later they still have no idea when the replacement block will be in and when the vehicle will be fixed. Can't offer a loaner even though warranty calls for them to supply one.

NHTSA ODI 11435682

The Engine check engine light activated and within a few miles while accelerating from a stop sign the engine had very little power, just missed a colision by cross traffic. Upon inspection the engine had very little engine oil. There was no indication of low oil pressure, and the oil was changed at regular intervals as recommended by Hyundai. This vehicle HAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND THERE IS NO INDICATION WHEN IT IS GETTING VERY LOW UNTIL THE ENGINE FAILS TO RESPOND.

NHTSA ODI 11434799

On the way to taking my son to the hospital, the car stopped working, delaying the medical care I needed for my son after being attacked by a pitbull. It was then towed to the dealership who regularly services the car. They stated it was the motor. Stated I need a new one. Stated it failed due to missing the oil change by two weeks. There were no warning signs/signals or anything coming from the car that would have caused me to bring the car in sooner.

NHTSA ODI 11423637

44,000 miles on car. While driving on highway noticed an 18 wheeler three feet behind me, tried to accelerate and nothing happened. Right before the car started making a noise, luckily no one was in the right lane so I coasted to the median. I was just informed the car needs an engine. Two days before I heard a fluttering sound and the car seemed to have trouble accelerating.

NHTSA ODI 11423460

WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND ENGINE STARTED MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE 10 SECONDS THEN A LOUD BOOM AND BLEW DARK SMOKE OUT THE BACK AND ENGINE STOPPED. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED OFF THE FREEWAY. REAR WINDSHIELD AND TAILGATE WERE COVERED IN OIL, AT LEAST IT WAS CLEAN, I HAD CHANGED IT A FEW DAYS PRIOR. TOWED TO SHOP AND ONCE ON THE LIFT THE ROD STICKING OUT THROUGH THE BLOCK WAS A SHOCK TO SAY THE LEAST. 14 MONTHS AGO I REPLACED THE ENGINE AFTER SEVERE OIL LEAKS LED TO THE BLOCK WARPING. THAT WAS $6000 THAT HYUNDAI DECLINED TO COVER. PUT A USED THETA ENGINE IN AND EVERYTHING WAS GOOD UNTIL THIS. OBVIOUSLY HYUNDAI ISN'T GOING TO COVER THIS EITHER. HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS AND STILL OWE OVER $10K ON LOAN. I'M ABOUT TO PAY FOR ANOTHER THETA ENGINE THAT IS COMING FROM THE SAME MODEL YEAR AS THE PREVIOUS TWO. I FEEL INSANE DOING THIS, LIKE I'M ASKING FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN BUT NO OTHER OPTIONS.

NHTSA ODI 11416135

I HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO AUTO NATION WHERE I PURCHASED MY 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE WAS A SWISHING NOISE AND SPUTTERING THE CAR JUST STOPPED I WAS HOWEVER ABLE TO GET ON THE OFF RAMP THE CAR WAS TOWED WHICH COST ME 528.00 TO GET OUT HAD HE RE-TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND THE ENGINE ROD BLEW OUT AND UP MAKING A GOOD SIZE HOLE IN THE OIL PAN NOW I HAVE TO PAY 120.00 DIAGNOSTICS CHARGES BUT THEY DO NOT THINK HYUNDAI WILL PAY FOR REPAIRS SO I'M PAYING FOR A CAR THAT IS COMPLETELY INCAPACITATED. I WAS READING ON YOUR REPORTS CONCERNING HYUNDAI AND KIA THE LAW SUIT FOR THEIR SLOW RESPONSE BUT TO THIS DAY I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THIS PROBLEM YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND REPORT ON THE ENGINE PROBLEM AND ROD IS EXACTLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY HYUNDAI EXCEPT IT HASN'T CAUGHT ON FIRE AS OF YET MY UNDERSTANDING IS PARK IT AWAY FROM EVERYTHING AS JUST BEING PARKED IT CAN STILL CATCH ON FIRE. I NEED HELP ON THIS MATTER... THANK YOU I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS RESOLVED SINCE MARCH 2021

NHTSA ODI 11415535

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED KNOCKING LOUDLY THEN A LOUD BOOM AND ALL THIS BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM THE BACK END. THE VEHICLE ENGINE SEIZED AND I WAS ALMOST KILLED BY A SEMI TRUCK TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AS THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE ROD BLEW A HUGE HOLE IN MY ENGINE AND IT WAS NO GOOD. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 61K MILES PRACTICALLY BRAND NEW. OPENED A CASE WITH HYUNDAI AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME I HAD NO WARRANTY. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE. ALSO THERE ARE TWO OTHER SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR THAT WERE ALSO UP AT THE SERVICE STATION FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND WITH LOW MILES AND HYUNDAI REFUSED TO MAKE THE MATTER RIGHT BY REPLACING THE MOTORS. THIS IS NOT RIGHT AND RIPPING OFF THE AMERICAN CONSUMER. 7300$ FOR A REPLACEMENT MOTOR AND THE VEHICLE IS PRACTICALLY NEW WITH THE LOW MILES I HAVE.

NHTSA ODI 11414615

I HAVE A 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON WITH LESS THEN 75000 MILES THAT I HAVE JUST HAD FOR A YEAR THAT SUDDENLY STARTED KNOCKING AFTER HAVING IT CHECK AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS BEARING MATERIAL IN MY OIL AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY REFUSED TO COVER AS I WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ALL MAINTENANCE RECORDS FOR THE LAST YEAR. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO LOCATE A NEW OR REFURBISHED ENGINE AND CANNOT PROVIDE A PREDICTED DATE ONE WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I REACHED OUT TO AUTOZONE TO SEE IF I CAN PURCHASE AN ENGINE FROM THEM AND THEY STATED IT SAYS NA WHEN THEY ENTERED MY VIN SO THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE AN ENGINE AT ALL. SO I AM PAYING FOR A VEHICLE THAT I CAN'T DRIVE BECAUSE IT NEEDS AN ENGINE BUT I ALSO CAN'T BUY AN ENGINE?!

NHTSA ODI 11414668

I CHANGED ENGINE OIL A MONTH AGO AND STILL HAVE 500MILE LEFT UNTIL RE-CHANGE, BUT AFTER WHEN I WENT SHOPPING THE ENGINE SOUND WAS BAD SO I CHECKED THE ENGINE OIL STATUS AND THERE WERE NO ENGINE OIL AT ALL. THIS WAS NOT FIRST TIME, DOING THIS. I HEARD HYUNDAI ENGINE EAT SOME OIL, BUT IT IS KIND OF DANGEROUS IF I DIDNT CHECK THE STATUS.

NHTSA ODI 11405207

CAR WAS SLOWLY ENTERING GARAGE AND CAME TO A FULL STOP WITH BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED IN GEAR. CAR WITHOUT WARNING, ENGINE REVVED UP TO FULL POWER AND CRASHED IN GARAGE. I AM ALLEGING CONDITION KNOWN AS SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. I HAVE HAD THE DAMAGE REPAIRED AND THE COST OF REPAIR WAS OVER $4,000.00. PICTURES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. HYUNDAI PERFORMED AN INSPECTION ON VEHICLE UPON MY DEMAND TO DO SO. WHEN REPORT CAME IN, I WAS REFUSED A COPY OF EXACT REPORT BY INSPECTOR AND ONLY GIVEN A SUMMARY BY COMPANY AGENT. WHEN I ASKED FOR THE EXACT INSPECTOR REPORT TO BE READ TO ME OVER THE PHONE, THAT REQUEST WAS DENIED AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 11403850