2018 Hyundai Tucson transmission & drivetrain problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

81 owners have reported transmission & drivetrain problems with the 2018 Hyundai Tucson, 23% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 27,812 mi.

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints
81
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
27,812 mi

Specific components reported

Transmission & Drivetrain covers: transmission shifting, slipping, axles, driveshaft, transfer case.

ComponentComplaints
Power train81

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints across Hyundai Tucson years

320052120101720126920141313520161338120183892020864202214420241512026
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year. The 2018 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

1Under 10k810k–30k630k–60k260k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed Sep 17, 2026VATransmission & Drivetrain
    There is a definite KNOWN problem with the transmissions in all 2018 Hyundai Tucsons and maybe other model years as well. This is well documented via the Internet by the number of articles concerning this ongoing problem! This problem seems to have been unresolved over a pretty long period of time now! It is most definitely a safety issue and should be addressed. When issue happens it leaves the vehicle at the mercy of surrounding traffic! It definitely requires your…
    NHTSA complaint #11765149 · source
  2. Filed Jul 7, 2026CAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    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).…
    NHTSA complaint #11748939 · source
  3. Filed Jun 17, 2026HIOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
    January 9, 2026, driver was on I25, when driver heard a loud thud and the RPMs kept rising but the vehicle would not accelerate. Was very dangerous and barely avoided a collision with other drivers on the road. Barely got it home and shut it off. Tried to drive again but would not get out of reverse. Car was towed to Hyundai dealership for inspection. EGO4 Check Engine Light Diagnostic. 120883. Transmission and rear coupler/differential replaced. Test driven and dealership…
    NHTSA complaint #11744822 · source
  4. Filed May 21, 2026WAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    While operating the vehicle on the highway at speeds around 55 to 60 mph, without warning, the engine suffered a sudden, catastrophic internal mechanical engine failure that resulted in an immediate and complete loss of motive power, rendering the vehicle entirely undriveable. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Hyundai dealership for a formal tear-down and diagnosis. They Hyundai dealership technician formally diagnosed the issue as a catastrophic internal "pin failure"…
    NHTSA complaint #11739308 · source
  5. Filed May 8, 2026TXEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    The 2.0L engine catastrophically failed during normal highway driving, consistent with a thrown connecting rod. The vehicle suddenly lost power on a roadway with tractor-trailer traffic. The driver and a child passenger narrowly avoided being struck by a semi-truck before the vehicle could be brought to a safe stop. No prior warning lamps, no check engine light, no abnormal noises, and no indications of any kind preceded the failure. The failed engine is currently at a…
    NHTSA complaint #11736491 · source
  6. Filed Apr 7, 2026GATransmission & Drivetrain
    The transmission system failed. The vehicle had previously been serviced at a Hyundai dealership for a transmission-related issue and was returned to me as repaired; however, the problem persisted. Shortly after the repair, the transmission failed again, indicating that the issue was not properly resolved. The vehicle is currently available for inspection upon request. The failure occurred while I was actively driving, creating a serious safety risk due to the potential loss…
    NHTSA complaint #11729736 · source
  7. Filed Mar 3, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain
    My specific Tucson is equipped with 1.6L Turbo and a 7 speed Dual-Clutch Transmission. I see there are recalls for the 2016 models equipped with the same transmissions, so I'm concerned as to why there hasn't been a recall for the newer models. My transmission was replaced by Hyundai when the car only had approximately 15,000 miles (give or take) and now at 73,000 miles, I'm experiencing the same issue again! The delayed engagement when accelerating from a stop has been…
    NHTSA complaint #11721873 · source
  8. Filed Feb 19, 2026FLAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
    Hyundai Tucson has been jerking and shaking for over over 4 years now and either when taking to the dealership they reset the dual clutch and have replaced the same part twice in the dual clutch. This shaking has been happening since the car was bought brand new like a year after. The vehicle now will get stuck in gear and while driving will go down to 20 mph and get stuck in that speed. This is a serious safety issue. The dealer could replicate the shaking but not the gears…
    NHTSA complaint #11719222 · source
  9. Filed Jan 14, 2026MNEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
    The engine and engine management system of my 2018 Hyundai Tucson experienced repeated failures resulting in loss of propulsion and unsafe drivability. In November 2025, while traveling approximately 75 mph on a freeway, the vehicle suddenly entered limp mode without any prior warning, causing an abrupt loss of power in active highway traffic. No warning lamps or messages appeared before the failure. After the loss of propulsion occurred, the check engine light, battery…
    NHTSA complaint #11710941 · source
  10. Filed Nov 7, 2025ILEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    My car on the expressway wouldn't go over 40 and this was happening intermittently so my car was unsafe. No check engine light but it was just at the dealership for an oil change. Has. been an ongoing problem since I bought the car! Smells, gets hot!
    NHTSA complaint #11698101 · source
  11. Filed Sep 23, 2025NEEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    Over the past nine months, I’ve been experiencing ongoing issues with my 2018 Hyundai Tucson engine and transmission. After four consumption tests and a flush confirming that the engine is burning between 0.8 and 0.3 liters of oil for every 1,000, I was informed Hyundai refuses to either repair the issue or conduct testing to determine the cause. The timeline is summarized below: •February 2025 – I was told by [XXX] my vehicle simply did not have enough oil after the last…
    NHTSA complaint #11689224 · source
  12. Filed Aug 11, 2025CTTransmission & Drivetrain
    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…
    NHTSA complaint #11679973 · source

Other 2018 Hyundai Tucson problem areas

  • Engine (238)
  • Other / Unknown (41)
  • Brakes (39)
  • Electrical System (25)
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (19)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (11)
  • Lighting (9)
  • Body & Structure (8)
  • Airbags (5)
  • Steering (4)
  • Seats & Seat Belts (3)
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (3)
  • Suspension (2)
  • Visibility & Wipers (1)
  • Wheels & Tires (1)

Back to all 2018 Hyundai Tucson problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology