2018 Hyundai Tucson Electrical System Problems

My 2018 Hyundai Tucson experienced complete engine failure at around 118,000 miles. The motor suddenly blew without warning. This vehicle uses an engine type known for widespread engine defects, including bearing wear and internal failure. I bought the vehicle used in 2023, maintained it regularly, and there were no warning lights or overheating before the failure. I had to put oil in my vehicle every week. I had to use 5qts of oil. It smelled like fumes coming through the vents. It then stalled on the highway while we had our son in the vehicle and shaked profusely. Mind you we had our son in the vehicle. How unsafe is that. I then did my research and found out Hyundai engines of this generation have a history of stalling, seizing, and internal damage. I am filing this complaint because this appears to be part of a known safety defect that can cause sudden loss of power while driving. We took it to shop and confirmed the motor blew. It was faulty. Also, sometimes the electrical components would turn off in vehicle such as radio and would go black. Also the turn signal would be on and then turn off. It would also shake while driving. This needs to be taken care of ASAP as it almost caused danger to my family and also caused financial strain on my family too as I now had to roll over my vehicle loan into a new safe vehicle. I would like to be contacted in regards to this. Thank you.

PARKED SUBJECT CAR IN GARAGE AT APPROXIMATELY 11:15 AM AFTER TURNING OFF VENTILATION FAN AND CUTTING ENGINE OFF, WHICH DISPLAYED "OFF" AT DASH BUTTON. AT APPROXIMATELY 7 PM (SAME DAY) WENT INTO GARAGE TO RETRIEVE ITEM AND HEARD THIS LOUD NOISE SIMILAR TO AN ELECTRIC CLOTHES DRYER RUNNING - WASN'T DRYER. AS I GOT CLOSE TO CAR, HEARD THIS SAME SOUND. RAISED HOOD AND COULD FEEL AIR MOVEMENT . CHECKED ENGINE OIL - NOT WARM. BACKED CAR OUT OF GARAGE INTO DRIVEWAY OUT OF SAFETY CONCERN IN CASE OF FIRE. WILL CONTACT HYUNDAI MOTORS TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT AND FOR INSTRUCTIONS WHAT ACTION I SHOULD TAKE NEXT. THIS IS THE FIRST INCIDENT REGARDING MY CAR"S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. DURING THE 3 HOURS DRIVING THAT MORNING, I HAD NO WARNING SIGNS ON DASHBOARD OR FAN MOTOR RUNNING AFTER TURNING ENGINE OFF. HAD MADE 3 STOPS AND ENGINE START UPS DURING THAT TIME

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

I am filing a complaint under the NC Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 75-1.1) regarding Hyundai’s handling of my 2018 Hyundai Tucson (purchased new May 2018). Since 2019, the vehicle has had repeated headlight failures (at least 12 bulb replacements), persistent “bulb out” warnings, and eventually melted wiring requiring headlamp assembly replacement in 2025. These issues were first reported in April 2023 under warranty but dismissed as “could not duplicate.” Hyundai later attempted to deny coverage, only replacing the assembly after escalation to Corporate. At the April 2023 visit, I also reported a rear noise that Hyundai dismissed. After warranty expiration, it was attributed to a leaking shock. Shocks were covered under warranty; failure to act while coverage was active left me unprotected. In May 2023, the engine failed due to oil loss and lock-up. Hyundai retained my vehicle from 5/15–6/30/23 for engine replacement. From Aug–Sep 2025, the car was held an additional 24 days, with no permanent fix for the electrical defect. Overall, my Tucson has been out of service for 60+ days between 2023–2025. Examples of unfair/deceptive conduct: Dismissing documented defects under warranty, only acknowledging later after expiration. Attempting to shift labor costs onto me in Jan 2025 despite warranty obligations. Returning my vehicle with only ~39 miles of gas after requiring me to return a loaner full. Repeated misdiagnoses and delays despite video and documentation provided. These actions are deceptive and unfair, leaving me with an unsafe, unreliable vehicle and causing financial loss and hardship to my work as a self-employed pet sitter and dog groomer. I request the Attorney General investigate Hyundai’s conduct and enforce consumer protections under UDTPA. Service records, receipts, and communications are available upon request.

The car experienced a red, blinking check engine light. We had the car towed to the local Hyundai dealership. Please see attached document for the work that was done. This was in November 2023, and we just now had to have the car towed to the dealership again (April 2024).

My automatic seat recliner is stuck and hasn’t worked for quiet sometime now. Also The motor stopped working as I was driving home, So I took it to a mechanic to assess the situation and was told the motor was the issue

The headlight and taillight/break lights burn out constantly. Turns out taillights are melting in socket. My car is not uniquely affected. Many are having same problems. Suddenly losing lights while driving on freezing dark roads. Incredibly unsafe. Not isolated to my car. Very dangerous. The company should replace these sockets and reimburse for the bulbs which have been replaced approximately 6 times in 12 m.

Left turn signal sporadically works during a left turn. Can be safety issue when turn signal stops mid turn even the slightest turn it can stop working and then when finished turning it turns on again. Reported issue to dealership and is being replaced through extended warranty. Issue is a faulty Multi functional turn signal switch. Had been several month since issue started. I have video if the turn signal failing.

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

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

While driving after a snow storm 1/29/2022 I had the heat up in the SUV I started smelling something burning. I then lowered the heat and the smell became less. I recently purchased this vehicle as a pre own on December 3rd 2021.

Bought car [XXX] blew up 2 weeks later knock censor was not put on by first dealership so engine blew on interstate car was possible on fire due to as much smoke was coming from vehicle could of been rear ended engine failure due to that no warning of engine failure tucson knows all these problem and is currently in a class action lawsuit and have known the problem for years dealership had to of known this was going on with this engine but sold the car to unsuspecting consumer i think there was a lot of stuff going on this car was owned by stew hansons then sold to dewy ford to sale which my understanding is they own both dealerships. My safety and anybody that gets into my vehicle is still have a 50/50 chance of it happening again ! Have done a lot of homework and watched many youtube videos of these vehicle burn to the ground even one death . they are death traps and should not be on the road . im scared to put my grandchildren in it due to all the info i have obtained INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

RECALL HAS BE OPEN FOR 5 MONTHS DEALER HAS NOT FIXED CALLED NATIONAL HYUNDAI AND TOLD I HAVE TO CHASE DOWN THE CORRECT PART NUMBER TO FIX THEIR RECALL

I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL ON CERTAIN HYUNDAI TUCSON'S 4 MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN SEPTEMBER 2020. I WAS ALSO NOT MADE AWARE FROM HYUNDAI, BUT FROM CARFAX VIA EMAIL. WHEN I RESEARCHED THE NEXT STEPS AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE ISSUE REMEDIED. I RECEIVED A TEXT THE EVENING BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT THAT THERE IS NOT A REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL YET.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI TUCSON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, INCLUDING THE CHECK ENGINE, OIL AND TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

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

ONGOING ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE TRANSIMISSION. AFTER 3 DEALERSHIP VISITS, PROBLEM WAS DUPLICATED AT BOB MAYBERRY HYUNDAI-MONROE, NC. WE WERE TOLD THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND "FIX/PART" WAS COMING IN MARCH/APRIL 2020. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED. CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL FINALLY GOT FED UP WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I WENT TO OTHER DEALERSHIP (KEFFER HYUNDAI-CHARLOTTE, NC.). WAS TOLD THEY HAD TO REPLICATE BUT TECH COULD NOT. (REPAIR INVOICE STATES THEY DROVE THE CAR 1 MILE!) (THE DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD THIS WAS AN INTERMITENT PROBLEM). THE PROBLEM IS WHEN DRIVING VERY SLOW IN STOP & GO TRAFFIC, THE CAR JUMPS SIMILAR TO SOMEONE LEARNING TO DRIVE A STICK SHIFT AND HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH. I WAS AT A STOP SIGN ONE DAY...AT A COMPLETE STOP. I PROCEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD AND THE CAR STOPPED ABOUT 3 FEET AFTER MOVING. HAD I PULLED OUT IF THERE WAS ALOT OF TRAFFIC, I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TIME TO MOVE IN THE ROAD. I DO NOT HAVE ALL INVOICES FROM FIRST DEALERSHIP (BOB MAYBERRY HYUNDAI-MONROE,NC), BUT THEY WILL HAVE EVERYTHING IN THEIR SYSTEM. I CAN REQUEST THIS DOCUMENTATION IF NEEDED.

A MONTH AGO MY ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AND DEALER SAID RODENTS HAD EATEN ELECTRICAL WIRES AND INSULATION UNDER THE HOOD COST OVER $600. TO FIX. TODAY SAME THING AND I OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THE ENTIRE ENGINE AREA LITTERED WITH CHEWED WIRES AND INSULATION . THE SOY BASED WIRING COATING NEEDS A SAFETY RECALL,

AFTER ACQUIRING A LITTLE OVER A MONTH (1167 MILES ON IT) THIS CAR FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND HAD TO NAVIGATE OVER 4 LANES FROM JUST MOMENTUM - COULD NOT USE MY CELLPHONE AS IT WAS TRYING TO SYNC TO THE CAR WHICH WAS NOW COMPLETELY DEAD. TOWED TO PURCHASING DEALER AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS BAD GROUND WIRE. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN, MY PASSENGER AND I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR WORSE.