Last updated: 2026-10-10

2018 Genesis G80 Reliability Report
The 2018 Genesis G80 has mixed reliability, well below other 2018 sedans, with steering that sticks off center and six recalls on record.
Recalls
6
Complaints
94
Complaint Rate
126.2per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
N/A
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
The weakest of nine scored years, with 94 complaints and six recalls, led by sticking steering, turbo oil leaks, and failing factory tires.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (18)
- STEERING (15)
- WHEELS (8)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2018 is 1 year after the launch in the us refresh.
- Year 2 in the First generation (DH) (2017–2020).
- 1st generation G80 (US).
What this means for buyers
Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.
2017: First generation (DH) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2018: This Model Year
2018 is 1 year after the launch in the us refresh.
Should You Buy the 2018 Genesis G80?
Buy with caution. Reliability is mixed, and this year sits well below average among 2018 sedans. It is also the weakest of the nine G80 model years we score. The 2019 rates better, with 27 owner complaints and three recalls, against 94 complaints and six recalls for the 2018.
Steering is the most serious complaint. On long curves and on-ramps, the wheel sticks in the turned position and the car drifts toward the shoulder until the driver pulls it back. First reports start near 27,300 to 29,000 miles, and one owner cites an out-of-warranty estimate of about $5k. Some owners report a leaking turbocharger oil feed pipe with white smoke under the hood, and two of the six federal recalls are park-outside fire-risk recalls. Factory tires also fail, with sidewall bubbles and blowouts, often before 6,000 miles.
Ask for proof that every recall was completed, including the electrical one, since owners report waiting over a year for parts. Ask whether the steering and tires have been repaired or replaced. Otherwise, shop the 2019.
Compared to the 2019 Genesis G80, which scored 11 points higher.
Pros
- +5-star NHTSA crash rating
- +Not a first-year model
Cons
- −Below-average reliability score
- −Above-average recall count
- −Above-average complaint rate for Sedan
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Most reports here describe a wait, not a breakdown (18 complaints)
- −Safety recall: park-outside advisory issued
Compare 2018 Genesis G80 With

2018 Toyota Avalon
Reliability: 77/100

2018 Nissan Maxima
Reliability: 72/100

2018 Buick LaCrosse
Reliability: 75/100

2018 Chevrolet Impala
Reliability: 77/100

2018 Volkswagen Passat
Reliability: 71/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 6 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (18)
- STEERING (15)
Recall Overview
6
recalls on record
The 2018 Genesis G80 has 6 recalls on record, which is above average. A high count can flag multiple component concerns, though it also shows the manufacturer is actively addressing known issues.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
126.2
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 25.7
Safety Incidents
8
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2018 Genesis G80 Recall Details
6 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Genesis G80. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Genesis G80, 2017-2022 G90, and 2019-2022 G70 vehicles equipped with a 3.3-liter V6 turbocharged engine. The left turbocharger oil feed pipe may deteriorate and leak oil.
Consequence
An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the left turbocharger oil feed pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 019G. This recall expands and replaces recall number 19V-538. Vehicles previously repaired under 19V-538 will need to have the new remedy completed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Genesis, 2017-2019 Genesis G80, Genesis G90, and 2019 Genesis G70 vehicles. Water may enter the starter solenoid and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Consequence
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a remedy relay kit in the engine junction box, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 254(H) and 018G(G).
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Genesis and 2017-2020 Genesis G80 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module could malfunction and short circuit.
Consequence
An electrical short circuit inside the ABS module could cause an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS module fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2021. Owners can contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's numbers for this recall are 201 and 006G.
Buying a used 2018 Genesis G80? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2018 Genesis G80, and 6 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2018 Genesis G80 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 9.5%
Safety Technologies
Genesis G80Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2018 Genesis G80.
Check the VIN in federal recall records and get dealer paperwork showing every open campaign is completed.
Drive a long curve or highway on-ramp and confirm the steering wheel returns to center by itself.
Let the warm engine idle several minutes and watch for the oil pressure or low oil warning light.
Run the air conditioning on max for at least an hour on a hot day and confirm it still blows cold.
Inspect around the turbocharger oil pipes and exhaust manifold for oil residue, and smell for burning oil after the drive.
Open every door from inside and outside, especially the rear door behind the driver.
Inspect every tire sidewall for bubbles or gashes, and note whether the car still has Continental ProContact TX tires.
Shift from reverse to drive several times and confirm the car stays in drive without slipping to neutral.
2018 Genesis G80 Common Problems by Component
94 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
18 complaintsSafety-relatedMost reports here describe a wait, not a breakdown. Owners receive an electrical system recall notice, then dealers tell them the repair parts are not available, in some cases for over a year. Most of these owners say the car has not failed. Among actual failures, the oil pressure light comes on at idle and goes off once the car moves. One driver ended up in a ditch after the light appeared on an icy road. Other reports describe a rear door that will not open from inside or out, air conditioning that quits after about an hour, and a no-start near 80,000 miles.
STEERING
15 complaintsSafety-relatedOn long curves and on-ramps, the steering wheel sticks in the turned position. It does not return to center until the driver pulls it back, and if left alone the car drifts toward the shoulder. First reports cluster near 27,300 to 29,000 miles, and one car had the problem return after a warranty repair. Owners cite a service bulletin and an out-of-warranty estimate of about $5k. Both crash reports in this category say the steering-wheel airbag failed to deploy while other airbags did. A few owners also say lane keep assist pulls the car out of its lane.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
11 complaintsAir conditioning stops cooling on long drives in hot weather. The fan keeps running but the air turns warm, and cooling returns after the car sits for 30 to 45 minutes. Reports begin between 24,143 and 28,385 miles. One dealer quoted $3,000 for a new evaporator. Other reports describe sidewall bubbles and blowouts on the factory Continental tires within the first 6,000 miles, a rear door on the driver's side that stays locked shut, and a leaking turbocharger oil pipe that made one car smoke and kept it off the road for months.
WHEELS (8 complaints)
WHEELS
8 complaintsThe factory Continental ProContact TX tires develop sidewall bubbles, gashes, and blowouts, often before 6,000 miles. Some fail at highway speed, some after hitting a single pothole, and some are found flat in a parking lot. Many owners have more than one failure, and one car is on its third flat. Dealers give mixed answers. Some call it a known tire problem, while others blame road hazards. One owner cites $400 per tire. None of these reports describe a damaged wheel. Every one concerns the tires.
ENGINE (8 complaints)
ENGINE
8 complaintsThe turbocharger oil feed pipe leaks oil onto the exhaust manifold and white smoke pours from under the hood. Owners treat it as a fire risk. Two owners say the leak returned after an earlier recall repair, and one dealer wanted the owner to pay for the second fix. Others say they waited months for a remedy while parking outside. The oil pressure light also comes on at idle or in cold weather and clears at higher RPM, which owners blame on a faulty sensor. Single reports describe stalling, and another describes a knock with hesitation near 38,500 miles.
AIR BAGS (7 complaints)
AIR BAGS
7 complaintsSafety-relatedIn a crash, the driver's front airbag fails to deploy even though the passenger and curtain airbags fire. Four of the seven complaints are crash reports, mostly deer strikes that ended in a spin or a rollover. They list five injuries, including chest bruising from hitting the steering wheel. Several of these reports share similar details and may describe the same crash. The non-crash reports describe an airbag warning light, a code for high resistance in the driver airbag, and a passenger airbag light that stays on whether or not anyone is in the seat.
POWER TRAIN (5 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
5 complaintsSafety-relatedAfter a shift from reverse to drive, the transmission slips into neutral, and it can take 2 to 3 attempts before it stays in gear. Some owners say it also drops out of drive while moving, after braking for a turn. The one crash report describes slow gear engagement, a car that surged forward and backward on its own, and brakes that did not respond. In one case near 25,000 miles, the dealer could not reproduce the shifting fault. Other reports here cover the oil pressure light and smoke from a leaking turbocharger oil pipe.
STRUCTURE (4 complaints)
STRUCTURE
4 complaintsThe panoramic sunroof glass shatters at highway speed with no clear cause. Three of the four reports describe a sudden bang between 50 and 70 mph. In these reports the glass breaks outward, some pieces fall into the cabin, and the broken panel is left standing up or resting in the shade. No injuries are reported. The fourth report describes a rear door behind the driver that will not open on a car with 52,000 miles, even though the other three doors work.
TIRES (4 complaints)
TIRES
4 complaintsContinental ProContact TX tires form sidewall bubbles and blow out, mostly between 6,000 and 14,000 miles. One blowout happens at 60 mph with only a tire pressure warning for notice. Another follows a pothole hit at 40 mph. The bubbles often show up on both front tires at once. One owner also reports rear tread almost worn away early, plus a slow leak. Failures also hit replacement sets of the same tire line, not only the factory tires.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (3 complaints)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3 complaintsA turbocharger oil supply pipe seal fails and drips oil onto the exhaust manifold, which sends white smoke from under the car. One owner reports this at 45,000 miles on a car that had already had earlier campaign service. Another describes an alarm followed by engine overheating while still waiting for recall parts that were not available. The check oil and low oil lights also come on at idle and go off while driving, reported near 72,200 miles.
When Do 2018 Genesis G80 Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Genesis G80 Years
Best Genesis G80 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreGenesis G80 Years to Avoid
2018
(Current Model)
Genesis G80 Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 55/100 | Mixed |
| 2019 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 77/100 | Good |
Genesis G80 Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2018 Genesis G80 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Genesis G80?
Does the 2018 Genesis G80 have steering problems?
Has the 2018 Genesis G80 been recalled?
Is the 2019 Genesis G80 more reliable than the 2018?
Don’t buy a 2018 Genesis G80 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2018 Genesis G80
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2018 Genesis G80 does best on how many systems draw complaints (73/100) and worst on complaint severity (33/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Genesis G80.
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