2018 Hyundai Tucson: complete transmission failure

Filed Sep 17, 2026 · Transmission · VA

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 consideration and your looking into! Search the internet concerning this transmission failure problem…. Why has this NOT been addressed prior to or long before now?

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 Jul 7, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CA

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). A Hyundai dealer diagnosed the failure as requiring transmission replacement at approximately 93,000 miles. This is the same 7-speed DCT and the same failure mode addressed by the federal safety agency Campaign 16V628000 (Hyundai Recall 149) and Hyundai Service Campaign T1B, which covered 2016–2017 Tucson vehicles but excluded the 2018 model year despite using the same transmission. Hyundai has acknowledged this defect in 2018 vehicles through TSB 21-AT-014H and TSB 22-AT-007H, which prescribe a TCU software update, but issued these as service bulletins rather than a recall, so owners were never notified. When I requested the TSB software update, the Hyundai dealer refused to perform it. This defect creates a serious safety hazard: the vehicle can drop out of gear or fail to accelerate without warning while in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash — the identical hazard the federal safety agency cited in granting recall 16V628000. I request that the federal safety agency review whether the existing recall scope should be expanded to include 2018 Tucson vehicles.

Filed Apr 7, 2026 · Transmission · GA

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 of power and reduced ability to safely control or maneuver the vehicle. At the time, my [XXX] child was in the car, placing both of us, as well as other drivers on the road, at risk. The issue was confirmed by the Hyundai dealership following the initial repair attempt. Despite being advised that the vehicle was repaired, the transmission failed again, and the dealership acknowledged that the transmission remains defective. The vehicle has been inspected by the Hyundai dealership’s service department but has not been evaluated by police or insurance representatives. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the failure. The transmission failed unexpectedly after the vehicle had already been serviced and returned as repaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 3, 2026 · Transmission · CA

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 stressful, to say the least. I hope this can be taken more seriously and investigated further. Just take a Tucson, like my version, through a Starbucks drive-through and you'll understand just how awful the shudder is. It gets so bad, I worry that the vehicle will shut off.

Filed Jun 7, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · MI

On April 12, 2025, my 2018 Hyundai Tuson which only has 99,000 miles started stalling out at random speeds. The vehicle stalled going up a hill and would not accelerate it would also not go past 55-60 miles per hour on the highway. There were no check engine lights or codes on the dashboard. The vehicle is also burning oil on 2 occasions when having the oil changed. I feel like my life and others is in danger because the vehicle is stalling at random speeds which could cause a major accident due to this issue. I could be hit by another vehicle while trying to accelerate or merge on the highway. I reported the oil consumption last November and I contacted Hyundai customer care who issued a case number in May 2025 for the stalling issue, they instructed me to take it to the Hyundai dealership to be diagnosed. There is a recall out, but they said my vehicle is not included in it. I took the vehicle to the dealership, and they confirmed the vehicle was stalling and would not accelerate and were able to reproduce the issue. They informed me the vehicle needed a new transmission, and the vehicle only has 99,000 miles. Hyundai and the dealership declined to add the vehicle to the recall campaign for stalling vehicles. I had to cover the cost of $3,000 for a new transmission. I picked the vehicle up on June 6,2025 with the new transmission installed and it is still stalling and won't accelerate past 45 miles per hour.

Filed Feb 14, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · NY

issues with the 2018 Tucson- Transmission has always sputtered, had numerous updates and resets for it. still an issue. also it doesn't want to go into gear sometimes and bob when going into drive, or reverse. slow pick up from a complete stop, the other morning it became a safety concern when I had my daughter in the car. The car start to move when I stepped on the gas, then stopped in the middle of the intersection of [XXX] four way. The RPM's as I was stepping on the gas was shifting between 5-7 and the car it wasn't moving. Engine- in September I noticed my oil pressure light flashing on and off, this pointed me to check the oil. the oil was very low, added oil to the vehicle. since then I have had the dealer involved due to high oil burning . in [XX] I had an oil change done and no oil was found in the engine after I had placed oil in it prior. they did the oil change and I went back at the end of October and they had noticed my oil burnt off again. they did the combustion cleaning and returned the vehicle back to me [XXX]. Since then I drove 950 miles on the vehicle, Last Saturday the oil pressure light was flashing as I took my daughter to her dance class, I checked the oil and the oil was reading below the low mark on the dipstick. I returned to the dealer that morning for the oil consumption test, in which they said it was only a quart low which seemed odd to me since it was low on the dipstick. I have had corporate involved as well and all my concerns have gone as this is normal for your car. Hyundai has had issues with my Year Tucson, from my research since I started having the issues they have settled a lawsuit for the problems with the engine and transmission which I have in it.my research, as the vehicle ages, the engine burns large amounts of oil and transmission failure, stopping while driving. I would like them to replace the engine and transmission before my warranty is up. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 17, 2023 · Transmission · SC

CVT Transmission failed under 70,000 miles. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety was put at risk due to no warning light or indication of this failure from Dick Smith Hyundai in Greenville, SC during a routine maintenance check. The problem has been confirmed by Dick Smith Service Center. The vehicle has been inspected by Dick Smith Hyundai. There were no warning lamps prior to failure. The characteristics of the CVT appeared in 2018 however; the jerking accelerated over time. Dick Smith Service Center stated not to worry the transmission was okay. October 16, 2023 with less than 70k miles I’m being told I need transmission, starter, & fly wheel.

Filed Jul 29, 2023 · Transmission · NC

Back in January of 2023, car would not go into reverse. While out driving the engine light came on and went into safety mode. I had no power to merge onto highway and make it up hills to get to Hyundai service repair. They said the gear actuator failed. They repaired, but within a week the car was not going into reverse and engine light came back on. They had my car for over a month with no loaner car. They replaced transmission. Car only had 32,000 miles on it. Yesterday, July 28, car started losing power in traffic. Sometimes car would lurch. Engine light on so I pulled into grocery store parking lot. Turned car off and when I turned back on a loud clunking noise. Called Hyundai and drove to service. The entire time the car struggled to merge or go up hills. They ran test and said the gear actuator failed. So this is a trend. It is under warranty but that is not the point, this is dangerous and you can get stranded or the car can lurch or loose power at any time. I complained to Hyundai the first time and they did nothing except repair under warranty guidelines.

Filed Jun 27, 2020 · Transmission · 31,623 miles · CA

The dual clutch, 7 speed automatic transmission in my 2018 hyundai tucson does not always move the car. When pulling out of a driveway, intersection, or crossing oncoming traffic lanes the car will stop moving while partially in the street/intersection. It will not move, the engine RPM's rev up and then all of a sudden the car lunges forward. I am afraid that a car approaching me may not stop in time and run into me, even though I had plenty of time to make the turn. I took the car to the dealer on 9/24/2019 and they said they were 'unable to duplicate the issue'. I returned the car to the dealer for the same issue on 5/5/20. The car was returned to me after 6 weeks and the dealer stated they replaced the transmission and dual clutch assembly with a new unit and I was informed that this may not resolve the original issue. On 6/24/20 the car was returned to the dealer for the same issue and the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. At no point did hyundai tell me they've had ongoing issues with their dual clutch transmission. It was my own research and contacting another dealer that I was told hyundai is aware of the problem and has no current solution to resolve the matter.