2018 Hyundai Tucson: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Engine · TX

I took my Tucson to my local Hyundai dealership on Friday, August 28, 2026. It was there for a standard oil change and tire rotation. When I scheduled the appointment online the system also said there was a recall. I always stay on top of that so I let them take care of that as well. The recall didn’t seem like anything major, it was something to do with emissions. Ok, when I left the dealership that day the engine was warm so there was no noticeable difference. I didn’t use my vehicle at all for the next few days. When I got into it Monday morning for work I noticed immediately after starting the car and taking off the engine was hesitating and bucking. This lasted a few minutes. The problem seems to improve once the engine is warm but others are reporting online that they’re having issues with engines stalling as well. There’s something wrong with the software update that’s being used and no one seems to have a fix. I reached out to Hyundai with my concern and they recommended I take it back to the dealership to be diagnosed and see if my warranty would cover any repairs. My vehicle was free of problems before that update and now it’s falling back on me to pay for a potential problem they caused. There has been no accidents for me personally with this but it’s most definitely a safety hazard.

Filed Aug 6, 2026 · WA

My 2018 Hyundai Tucson Limited equipped with the 1.6T engine and 7-speed EcoShift Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) is suffering from severe, dangerous clutch judder, slippage, and sudden acceleration hesitation. This vehicle matches the exact manufacturing defects and symptoms outlined in Hyundai Technical Service Bulletin TSB 21-AT-014H, but the defect has never been properly resolved by the manufacturer.The primary safety defect occurs when accelerating from a complete stop or during low-speed maneuvers (such as yielding at a roundabout or turning at an intersection). When pressing the gas pedal, the transmission violently shudders, hesitates, and fails to properly engage the clutch pack. This creates a severe, unpredictable time lag where the engine revs but the vehicle experiences a total loss of motive power and fails to move forward.This unexpected loss of propulsion has caused multiple near-miss situations where oncoming traffic had to slam on their brakes to avoid hitting my vehicle because it stalled or lagged while pulling out. It is an immediate physical safety hazard to myself, my passengers, and other drivers on the road. The failure is completely unpredictable and significantly worsens in warm weather or during stop-and-go driving conditions.I previously presented this vehicle to an authorized Hyundai dealership to complain about this exact transmission hesitation and shuddering while the vehicle was still covered under the factory warranty window. The service department failed to properly log, diagnose, or repair the failing double clutch pack at that time. Because the defect was reported within the warranty period and never corrected, the safety hazard has persisted and deteriorated to the point where the vehicle is now unsafe to operate in normal traffic. Hyundai is currently refusing to cover the full cost of this safety-related transmission failure.

Filed Nov 5, 2025 · Engine · MA

Excessive oil consumption (failed 3 tests) now adding two quarts a week.... Transmission shifting issues (already had a replacement at 65,000 miles. Hesitation with acceleration. AWD and can barely make it up my driveway. Rpms rev when trying to go slow. Already needed a moonroof replaced because the motor died. USB randomly disconnects and reconnects for GPS.

Filed Mar 27, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 94,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil with the oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and a dealer to be inspected and two oil consumption tests were performed by the dealer. The oil consumption tests showed no defects with the engine. The dealer performed an engine flush; however, the failure persisted. The contact was advised to have oil changes performed every 3,000 miles instead of the recommended 5,000 miles. The contact stated that recently, after having an oil change, the dealer recommended a transmission fluid flush. The contact stated that after the transmission fluid flush was performed, the vehicle jerked and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

Filed Oct 9, 2024 · CT

When accelerating from a stop (particularly when taking a left turn across traffic, and uphill), the car often will hesitate and near-stall. It does not respond to driver “punching” the accelerator even to the floor, the car won’t respond, then suddenly catches and lurches forward. This problem has occurred since the purchase time in 2020 as a certified used vehicle from a Tucson dealer. I have reported the issue multiple times and ask the dealer frequently about it. They tell me no issue, never heard of it, no recall or repair. Online I see many people have reported this as a problem. It is definitely unsafe as drivers evaluate distance of oncoming cars in taking a left turn. When the car hesitates and doesn’t engage, time is lost to make the turn in time to make it.

Filed Apr 8, 2024 · Engine · CT

The engine became inoperable, warning lights and sounds, came up while driving the engine experienced some hesitation and turned off.

Filed Sep 26, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · AR

When I accelerate from a stop sign or yield it Jerks and hesitates to accelerate. I have to release the gas and push again sometimes doing this multiple times when this happens daily. I've taken it to Hyundi shops and they say it's a normal chararistic if a Tuscan. It also uses an excessive amount of oil. I am told this is because of the engine. If I go change my oil right at every 3k miles my oil level is well below the minimum line so I have been changing it every 1500 miles.

Filed Jul 13, 2023 · Transmission · OH

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.

Filed Mar 24, 2023 · Engine · OH

When accelerating, my car seems to hesitate. This happens regularly. The other day, making a left turn in an intersection with on-coming traffic, the engine hesitated to the point that the vehicle stopped moving forward. This was a concern since I did make a timely turn, but hadn't planned on my vehicle almost stopping in the middle of an intersection. My check engine light has not turned on, and the vehicle has less than 30,000 miles on it. I am concerned to the point that I will be taking it to a dealer to check it out.

Filed Mar 30, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · 100,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated that while driving up a hill, the vehicle lost motive power. While driving the vehicle at undisclosed speeds and turning, the vehicle hesitated and then accelerated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Mar 15, 2022 · Transmission · FL

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.

Filed Mar 3, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · FL

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,