What 383 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Hev

Approximately one month ago I had a high pressure fuel pump installed in my 2018 Hyundai Tucson. While driving on the highway, about ten minutes from home, my car suddenly burst into flames. There were no warning lights in the cockpit. There was no smoke in the cabin. Another motorist flagged me down. I got out of the vehicle just in time for it to become fully engulfed in flame. It burned down on the highway. Police and fire responded. Insurance is investigating. If I was inside the vehicle, I would have certainly died.

NHTSA ODI 11729665

On October 13th 2025, we were involved in a serious collision while driving our 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The vehicle was struck from behind and spun into a semi-truck, totalling the vehicle. Despite the forward and lateral collision to the semi-truck, no airbags deployed at all during the accident. This resulted in the Tucson driver striking his head on the steering wheel. Our 5-month old son was also on-board the vehicle in his car seat. While everyone walked away from the accident, both adults passengers had whiplash/minor neck injuries that could have been mitigated by airbags deploying. We have serious safety concerns about Hyundai's airbags because of this incident.

NHTSA ODI 11694065

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

NHTSA ODI 11666669

My daughter‘s car was in park and still running and she got out of the car and went to the back of the car opened up the hatch cleaned her window went to the side of the car passenger side went to go get out her lunchbox and the car ran over my daughter And crushed her left side and tore off part of her face. The car came out of park on its own in my driveway and I have a video of this from my camera. She was taken obviously to the hospital by ambulance and she sees a plastic surgeon every week now this just happened March 5. Something is not right. The car shouldn’t have ever come out of park on its own in order for it to come out of park and go backwards you need to press your foot on the break and put it in reverse it reversed on its own onto my daughter.

NHTSA ODI 11652747

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 ODI 11610579

I was driving home from a family get together with my husband and daughter in my car. We smelled something burning, and suddenly smoke was coming out of my center console. I pulled over and flames were coming out of the driver side. As soon as we evacuated the vehicle, it burst into flames. There was no warning, nothing lit up on the dashboard to warn me of this hazard. A witness was driving behind us and called 911 when he noticed flames underneath my vehicle right before I pulled over. A police report was filed and it was reported to my insurance agent, it is currently still under investigation since it just happened 2 days ago during a Holiday weekend. My safety and my family's safety was put at risk due to no warning, how fast the vehicle went up in flames, etc. The car was a total loss.

NHTSA ODI 11557015

While diving home from a baseball game my car caught fire with me and my family inside.

NHTSA ODI 11520099

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle sporadically accelerated which caused the contact to crash into another vehicle. No injuries were sustained. A police report was filed. No air bags were deployed. The vehicle was towed to an auto repair center. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 11516319

My wife was driving home. She had taken the highway home when she had suddenly lost power with no warning or indication from the cars dashboard there was no warning lamps or messages explaining why the car lost power and that the car would not turn back on. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was determined that the engine was seized up and that the motor needed to be replaced and that the car had no oil in the engine. Which is not possible since the cars Maintenace intervals were maintained. It was also later determined that the oil pan bolt was under tighten due to bad threading on the oil pan and bad oil pan seals. The car will be towed to a dealership for further inspection. This issue presents a possible fire hazard or risk of accident while at high speeds. My wife did suffer a small injury to her forehead after rapid loss of speed from the steering wheel.

NHTSA ODI 11507486

I was driving, my oil and battery light went on, my engine stalled I pulled over. The car started to smoke and caught on fire. The car is totally a lost cause.

NHTSA ODI 11506487

The engine caught on fire, it was considered totaled loss. I settled with the insurance and not sure if the car is still available for inspection. My safety was put at risk because I was driving the car when it happened. I did not get injured because I was able to get out of the car. There was no recall from what I know. The car was inspected by GEICO which is why it was considered totaled loss. There was no warning before the fire. The car was in great condition.

NHTSA ODI 11485893

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

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

NHTSA ODI 11429300

RECALL ON MY 2018 TUSCON BRAKES, BRAKES WERE ACTING ODD AND MY DAUGHTER UTIMATELY ENDED UP ROLLING AND TOTALLING IT IN OCT 2020. IN MARCH 2021, WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR BRAKES. SHE HAD MENTIONED THE BRAKES ACTING FUNNY, BUT ONLY HAVING 18K MILES. WE ASSUMED IT WAS STILL NEWNESS. SHE RECEIVED A HEAD INJURY AND SEST BELT SORES ON HER HIPS.

NHTSA ODI 11406025

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS MOTHER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH, SHE WAS STRUCK FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY EXCEPT THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BROKEN STERNUM, BROKEN RIBS BROKEN LEGS AND HEAD TRAUMA. THE OTHER DRIVER SUSTAINED BROKEN BONES BOTH DRIVERS REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11387473

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDIA TUSCON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STALLED. MOMENTS LATER SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER LEN STOLER LOCATED AT 11275 REISTERSTOWN RD, OWINGS MILLS, MD AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,400.

NHTSA ODI 11375561

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE IDLE ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH CRASHED INTO THEIR VEHICLE FROM THE REAR CAUSING THEM TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THEM. THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT HIT HIS FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE PASSENGER RECEIVED SHOULDER INJURIES. OTHERS INVOLVED DID NOT RECEIVED INJURIES. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND HAS NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY DEEMED TOTALED AS OF YET. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 24,000.

NHTSA ODI 11361471

ON SIX DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS MY VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT WHILE REACHING SPEEDS OF UP TO 50MPH. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO BE TOLD THERE IS NOTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ON 8/25/3020 IT STALLED AGAIN AND CAUSED ME TO BE REAR ENDED. I AM TERRIFIED TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE ON PUBLIC ROAD WAYS NOW.

NHTSA ODI 11351688

VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11351329

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 ODI 11324657

THE CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE MY OIL LAMP LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, AFTER I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT I ACCELERATED THEN MY ALTERNATOR LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR DIED. WITHIN SECONDS MY CAR STARTED SMOKING A WHITE COLOR LIGHTLY AND THEN WITHIN MINUTES THE SMOKE TURNED BLACK AND HEAVY THEN CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE.

NHTSA ODI 11268441

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A SHOPPING PARKING LOT AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO STOP, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE CAR KEPT GOING AND WOULD NOT STOP, ULTIMATELY ROLLING UP OVER THE CURB ONTO THE GRASS AREA AND CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE LIGHT POST. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE HYUNDAI DEALER IN LAGUNA NIGUEL CA 92677 949-485-3700 ( STEVE PACHECO ) SERVICE ADVISOR

NHTSA ODI 11157092