Car check · problems, recalls, fuel cost, price

Hyundai Tucson 2018 in Ghana

What US owners report going wrong with the Hyundai Tucson 2018, its safety recalls and crash stars, what fuel costs you a month in cedis, whether it can still be imported, and what it sells for in Ghana.

At a glance

US safety recalls 1
Owner complaints …
Crash rating ★★★★★ US government, out of 5
Fuel a month GH₵1,740 40 km a day
Import into Ghana Allowed about 8 years old

Can it come into Ghana?

A 2018 car is about 8 years old, under the 15-year limit. It can be imported until about 2032.

Every used vehicle needs a pre-shipment inspection and a Certificate of Conformity from a GSA-approved body in the country it ships from.
Not allowed at all: flood- or fire-damaged cars, cars with chassis damage, and cars assembled from parts, according to published guides to the rules.
Import duty: 10% of the customs value for a petrol, 1,001 to 3,000 cc car (GRA's vehicle duty table). VAT, NHIL, GETFund and the ECOWAS, AU, EXIM and special import levies come on top, plus an age penalty on older cars.
The customs value is GRA's own figure (the car's price when new, minus up to 50% for age, plus freight and insurance), not what you paid. Only the ICUMS assessment gives the final amount, so never pay a "clearing agent" a figure you cannot see on the official assessment.
Buying a car already in Ghana? Ask the DVLA to confirm through ICUMS that duty was paid before you pay.

Age is worked out from the model year; the rule uses the date of manufacture, which can be a few months earlier. Source: GSA public notice of 14 August 2026, as reported by Citi Newsroom.

Safety recalls

Faults the maker agreed to fix for free in the US. A car shipped to Ghana usually never got the repair, so these are worth asking about.

Service brakes, hydraulic 20V543000 · 04/09/2020

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) recalled certain 2019-2021 Tucson vehicles on September 4, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Hyundai expanded the recall population, and added certain 2016-2018 Tucson vehicles. The Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) could corrode internally and cause an electrical short, possibly resulting in an engine compartment fire.

The risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.

The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HECU fuse. For 2019-2021 model years, the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) software will also be updated. Recall repairs will be performed free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 2, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 195.

Recalls for this model and year. Not every car of the model is affected: check the exact car with its VIN.

What owners say goes wrong

Problems real owners reported to the US government (NHTSA). A high count on a popular car is normal; look at which part comes up most.

Getting owner reports from the US database… this one takes a few seconds.

Crash test ratings

2018 Hyundai Tucson SUV FWD · US government 5-star ratings

Overall	★★★★★
Front crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★☆ 16% risk in a single-vehicle crash

Front crash test · NHTSA
Side crash test · NHTSA
Side pole test · NHTSA

What it costs to run in Ghana

US EPA fuel figures for the Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo, at this window's Ghana pump price.

Fuel at 40 km a day

GH₵1,740 a month

Town driving9.4 L/100 km
Mixed driving8.7 L/100 km
Litres a month113
Petrol price (1 Nov 2026)GH₵15.39/L

Uses the NPA price floor; pump prices are at or a little above it. Accra traffic and air conditioning use more than the US test, so treat this as the least you will spend.

What a Hyundai Tucson 2018 sells for in Ghana

Live listings on Jiji right now.

Asking Jiji…

Found a Hyundai Tucson 2018 to buy?

Check that exact car: the VIN shows whether the ad tells the truth, and which recalls apply to it.

Questions people ask

Does the Hyundai Tucson 2018 have recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 US safety recall for the Hyundai Tucson 2018. Cars imported to Ghana rarely had the free US repair done, so ask for proof or have a dealer check.

How much fuel does a Hyundai Tucson 2018 use in Ghana?

About 9.4 litres per 100 km in town (US EPA figure). At 40 km a day that is about 113 litres a month, roughly GH₵1,740 at the 1 Nov 2026 petrol price.

Can a Hyundai Tucson 2018 still be imported into Ghana?

Yes for now: Ghana bars used vehicles 15 years and older from 1 October 2026, so a 2018 car can be imported until about 2032. It needs a pre-shipment Certificate of Conformity.

Sources: US NHTSA and EPA public data, Ghana NPA fuel prices, Ghana Standards Authority import notice (14 August 2026). Figures are for US-market versions of this model.