8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
17,600 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (11 reports)
  2. replace torque converter (1 reports)
  3. replace transmission (1 reports)
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2018 Hyundai Tucson transmission problems

transmission problem

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2018 Hyundai Tucson Owner Comments

problem #13

Oct 142021

Tucson Limited 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Purchased the Tuscan used, It had 34,000 miles and in great condition. After a few weeks of driving the Tuscan started to have acceleration problems, at stop signs or red lights, when you ready to go and press the gas, the cars rpm's shoot sky high but the car does not move immediately after a couple of seconds it takes off, also if you want to change lanes you must give yourself a really big gap to change lanes, it just does not respond to acceleration, in stop and go traffic the car starts to shake like its ready to stall, going up a slight hill it shakes like it will stall, took it to the dealer and they say its normal, I guess it will take someone to have a fatal accident for them to rectify the problem, Hyundai needs to step up and fix these issues.

- Vic L., New York, US

problem #12

Feb 252023

Tucson Limited 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,396 miles

I was traveling from Texas (North Austin area) to Diamond Bar, CA. I got off in Las Cruces, NM for fuel, when I exited and got to the stop sign I heard a "Burp" sound, as I turned right the engine hesitated but moved forward, I turned into the first business (Cracker Barrel) and while waiting on parking spot attempted to put the car in reverse it just sat there, no sound, no movement.

The vehicle is a 2018, I'm the original owner and all service has been done at my local Hyundai Dealer. I'm frustrated that a car with slightly over 65,000 miles would have a transmission go out (not to mention to be on a road trip in unfamiliar areas)! It is covered by warranty for which I'm thankful, but I had to take extra vacation days to wait for the repair, and the inconvenience of not having my vehicle which is the whole reason I drove instead of flying to California. I could not afford a weekly rental.

I'm 64 and have had many vehicles and they were all 10 years or older when sold, I never replaced a transmission in one of them!

- Cathelyn J., Pflugerville, TX, US

problem #11

Jun 242019

Tucson SEL 2.0

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles

This issue has been expressed numerous times on here, Reddit, Facebook, etc.

My issue is an intermittent issue and it happens from a complete stop. When I push down the accelerator to enter traffic, the car idles forward for about 4-6 seconds, then takes off. This can be extremely frustrating because 1 - I can't tell when it is going to happen and 2 - if you've been in an odd position, you may feel like someone is going to hit you and you feel helpless to move forward.

I've brought it to the dealership numerous times and they have reset the transmission programming. This didn't work. However, I don't recall the issue existing that much during the colder / winter months. I am thinking that it may be related to temperature / humidity, as I mainly recall it happening during May - September.

The dealer had it for a few days, couldn't replicate it. I started finding other people online talking about this issue with who could describe it to a T. It has now made me hesitant when pulling out into traffic and I wait for excessively large gaps when crossing traffic (such as making a left across opposing traffic).

I've filed a Hyundai Consumer Affairs case, which no one seems interested in resolving. It went to their Lemon Law division, who indicated the repair history does not put them in a position to rebuy it under Lemon Law. I've tried to contact some representatives on their executive side (unsuccessfully) and have discussed this issue with a Consumer Advocacy group.

This is my family's 4th Hyundai - 2009 Hyundai Sonata, 2013 Hyundai Sonata, 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT, and now this 2018 Hyundai Tucson SEL. The fortunate part is that I leased this car, so the problem will be going back to the dealer when my lease is up. I've been trying to get Hyundai to allow me to terminate my lease (with no penalty), reverse my negative equity position, and place me into a Sonata (either a 2019 or wait until 2020). However, the dealership hasn't seemed interested in talking to me about it at this time, as I am in about a $6,000 neg. equity position AND Hyundai USA doesn't seem to care, as they have a contract with me for the lease.

However... if I get smashed in this car... I've raised enough red flags on this issue to pursue it further.

- Brian K., Valparaiso, IN, US

problem #10

Sep 172021

Tucson LTD 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,099 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I seem to have the same problem as the others. Car does not accelerate merging into traffic etc. When I bought the car used from dealer said it will go away after 2 months. It needs to adjust to a new driver.. My maintenance manager at Hyundai said same thing when I brought it in for an oil change... Been driving 7 months now and no change. Hyundai wants to charge me the $170 fee for analysis. Now I see it is a widespread issue. Called corporate and they said they would contact my local dealer but never heard back from either one.

Update from Jun 21, 2022: Dealership told me it was a clutch and steering issue and they had to send away for parts I had to leave my car there are two separate times because the parts coming at different times. It seems to have fixed the problem but now it seems like it’s starting up again but not as bad as before

Update from Jun 21, 2022: In two separate visits they replaced the steering component and a clutch component. I had to leave the car there overnight. Unfortunately it looks like the problem might be starting up again but it is much smaller right

- Ann Marie M., Yonkers, NY, US

problem #9

Nov 162018

Tucson

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles

I am having the same problems with hesitation to accelerate as the others stated here. I bought a 2017 Tucson and it was so bad I traded it in for a 2018 a year later. Not as bad as the 2017, but still happens. I only drive in standard mode.

- Jean S., Bloomiongdale, IL, US

problem #8

Jun 122019

Tucson SEL 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles

It’s had same problem for about a year now, seems to be getting worse. Guess I’ll have to take it in, was checking to see if it was a common problem with this car and it seems to be.

Update from Jun 7, 2021: Still hesitating from a stop, but even worse now. Also developing a sound and white smoke from tail pipe. This is a serious safety issue that is tearing up the vehicle after a period of time. I cannot believe there is not a recall with the 100’s of complaints I’ve seen. Hyundai is not backing their vehicles and I am not impressed at all. They should be held accountable.

- Chad D., Huntington, US

problem #7

Aug 152019

Tucson SEL Plus 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2018 SEL Plus. Acceleration Issues on Standard Engine with Automatic Transmission. Bought the vehicle brand new and ever since then, there is occasional hesitation to move from a stop. When merging into traffic, changing lanes or accelerating from a dead stop, the car will refuse to acknowledge the Gas pedal press. Even when you floor it, it will take a good 3-4 seconds before reacting to the request and starts revving up.

- S S., Des Moines, Iowa, US

problem #6

Aug 082019

Tucson Sel Plus 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,024 miles

It's a problem that a number of folks on this site have discussed, a hesitation from a dead start, and also while slowing down and attempting to move quickly to avoid traffic. This is actually the third time, the vehicle has been in for service on this complaint, and each time I get it

back from the service department telling me they couldn't find a code, and that the vehicle wouldn't duplicate the problem for them. It's happened for three drivers; my wife, my granddaughter and me under different conditions.

Hyundai got involved to the extent that they had the vehicle brought in for a week in which the dealer says it drove the vehicle for 200 miles and no hesitation. In conversations with Hyundai, the young woman named MARY actually admitted, probably by mistake, that the problem has been reported elsewhere, but that no codes were found. My question to Hyundai is "why does someone have to die" to get a problem addressed.

In my case, I was making a turn left with a speed of about 5 mph, but as an oncoming car approached, I had to hit the gas only to get the Tucson to "yawn" hesitate and slowly go through the turn. Fortunately the approaching car slowed down. My granddaughter was on a hill and from a dead stop the vehicle had no oomph. It caught after a few seconds. My wife's occasion while she was moving and trying to change lanes, She slowed down, then hit the gas to get in, but it didn't get the signal, hesitated and slowly got into the other lane before something engaged and it picked up speed.

Here's my issue: The service folks told me to not drive the car in ECO, which means they know a little about this problem, but won't admit it, as does Hyundai, I asked both if a salesman had told me to watch out driving in some MODES because there could be a problem, I'd have left the dealership without a Tucson. That's what's needed if Hyundai doesn't want to acknowledge the problem, and I'm sure they know what's going on, then at least be honest up front and let the buyer decide if they want to go through this.

I think everyone who's experienced this issue should form a group and push for action.

- jemexbla, Pittsburgh, US

problem #5

Mar 022018

Tucson Sport 1.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

Without question what I have experienced is a serious safety issue. Over the course of the last 2 years since I've owned the car, I consistently experience what some describe as turbo lag and others have considered it a problem with the dual clutch transmission. All I know is that occasionally after stopping, there is a tremendous lag in acceleration when I step on the gas. It has occurred in both Normal and Sport modes. It's unpredictable and has happened numerous times when pulling out in traffic. I never know if the car is going to accelerate or not and it's dangerous to drive. Many times it has limped out into oncoming traffic only to surge ahead once it gets going. There is some lag before it takes off. I can press on the accelerator and nothing happens. This uncertainty can scare the hell out of the driver. It has also happened when the car is just rolling along when going less than 5 mph, such as in a left turn lane. I get worried that someday it's going to surge into the rear end of the car in front of me.

Hyundai has attempted to fix it by performing what they termed as a dual clutch relearn which has not been successful. It has been assigned a Techline Case # 2019030102195. I can't believe somebody hasn't been killed because of the unpredictability of the acceleration. After many months of tolerating this condition, I have once again taken it to the dealership to see if anything can be done to fix this problem. I like the car because it's enjoyable to drive, gets reasonable gas mileage, has a sporty feel and look to it and accommodates our lifestyle very well, and has many attributes we wanted in a car.

I am now toying with the idea of selling it and getting something else because of concerns for our safety!

- Dan S., Park City, US

problem #4

Dec 012018

Tucson

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6 miles

With the car warmed up properly- put car in drive -started to accelerate & car hesitated causing cars behind me to honk horn. Been noticing this since I purchased the vehicle. I don't want any problems from a new car, so going to take car in for it's first service job & will let the service tech. know about the problem before an accident happens- will get back atcha!

- spwaterman, long beach, US

problem #3

May 202018

Tucson Value 1.6L Turbo

  • Automatic transmission
  • 250 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I reported this to my dealer today (9/5/2018) and they said it required a reset of some computer setting for the transmission.

I have an appointment Monday. We'll see.

Update from Sep 14, 2018: It appears to be solved.

- Christopher W., Ormond Beach, US

problem #2

Aug 252018

Tucson SEL Pluse

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50 miles

Bought this brand new Tucson one week ago today. We have noticed that intermittently it will hesitate acceleration when at a stop. This is scary, as we don't know when it will happen. Have to wait for road to be VERY clear to take a turn. A brand new car should not be doing this. And upon researching we have found this has been an ongoing problem for years. Something needs to be done to fix this.

- Dody D., Las Vegas, NV, US

problem #1

Jun 152018

Tucson SE 2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,400 miles

The vehicle would not accelerate immediately from a stop when leaving a parking lot. Almost got "T-boned" by oncoming traffic as car was hesitating for several seconds before beginning to move. Then the engine revved to near red-line in first few gears, but still seemed to have no power. This sequence happened several times more over the next two weeks.

This is our third Hyundai; we have a 2017 Sonata that seems fine, and had a 2017 Santa Fe which we turned in for the 2018 Tucson in March '18. It had just over 2000mi when this started.

After the first incident I stopped in to ask Hyundai service reps if there were any known issues and if there was anything to be done. They said no, just if it keeps up bring it in for a look. After is happened a few more times my wife decided she did not feel safe driving it as it could result in an accident if we could not get out of the way quickly. I agree.

The car was brought in to Hyundai in Danbury CT, where we have gotten all three (all leases) and have even referred our son who bought a used Sonata form them. The car has been there for two weeks (since July 2nd) with no resolution yet. Their "Master Mechanic" does not have any idea why it is happening. They were to be "calling in a Hyundai engineer" to work the problem; no result from that yet. We were thinking of upgrading to a better model next time, now not so sure we are even staying with the brand.

To be continued

Update from Jul 21, 2018: Hyundai called in an "engineer" who finally (after a week) called for a torque converter replacement. We have the car back (I thought the "dual-clutch) trannys did not have a torque converter, I will be inquiring).

So far it is behaving acceptably, and we will be watching it carefully

- Joseph H., Brookfield, CT, US

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