2018 Genesis G80 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2018 Genesis G80 most often describe tires with sidewall bubbles or blowouts and a steering wheel that sticks instead of returning to center, both typically at low to moderate mileage. Complaints also cover air conditioning that stops cooling after long drives, an intermittent oil pressure light, smoke from a leaking turbo oil pipe, and several owners still waiting for recall remedy parts. Many reports involve vehicles with well under 20,000 miles.

1. 1
   Wheels

   Tire sidewall bubbles and blowouts (OEM Continental)

   • 14 complaints (14%)
   • median 7,746 mi at 1.3 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2018–2021

   Owners describe bubbles or bulges forming in the sidewalls of the original Continental ProContact TX tires, sometimes followed by a blowout at highway speed. Several report repeat failures on replacement tires of the same brand and say the dealer attributed the damage to road hazards or a pothole. Some owners replaced all four tires with another brand at low mileage. Mostly reported under about 25,000 miles, often within the first year of ownership.

   What to check: Inspect all four sidewalls closely for bulges, gashes, or uneven wear, and check whether the original tires are still fitted. Ask the seller about any prior tire replacements or road-hazard damage.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The continental treadwear 400 tires that come with this car are dangerous. I had one sidewall blowout at about 35 MPH after less than 6000 miles of driving, and had the replacement tire, new, develop bubbles on the sidewall again after less than 6000 miles driving, and replace this tire with another brand. I contacted continental tire concerning this problem, but have to date received no response. Many tire reviews also point out this problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #11350783, filed 2020-08, 12,000 miles

   “The 2018 Genesis G80 sport comes with the continental pro contact tx tires. These tires have a lot of issues with the sidewalls. I had my new car for less than 1000 miles and I already had to change two of the tires.”

   NHTSA complaint #11082313, filed 2018-03, 1,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering wheel sticks and will not self-center

   • 13 complaints (13%)
   • median 16,018 mi at 2.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2019–2026

   Complaints describe the steering wheel staying in the turned position after a curve or on-ramp and needing extra force to bring it back to center, sometimes with a faint grinding noise. Owners say no warning lights appear, and that dealers were often unable to duplicate the condition, while others report the steering rack assembly being replaced. Complaints also describe difficulty keeping the car in a straight line at highway speed. Reported from low mileage up to around 70,000 miles, typically during turns or on-ramps.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: On a test drive, take a long sweeping turn and release the wheel briefly to see whether it returns to center on its own. Ask whether the steering gear or rack has been replaced, and check for any service history under the steering-related bulletin.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Tires developed bubbles in side walls on two tire. Also car was difficult to control on interstate highways for the speed limit. Always fighting the steering wheel to stay in lane. I am 80 years old and there were many complaints of flats and lose of control that I decided to replace all the tires. I contacted hyuandai and also continnental and was given no satisfaction.on going complaints about road noise on the old tires and the new tires have not be rectified.. Mechanic said low profile tires are the cause of both. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11240776, filed 2019-07, 879 miles

   “Since August of 2022 , every time I go over road imperfection my steering shakes badly , even though it is intermittent , every time I bring it in to the dealer they cannot seem to replicate it, it is getting worse to the point that I know when it is going to happen . I do not think the dealer is road testing the car , they just plug it in a diognastic machine , my car does not need a technician , but a mechanic”

   NHTSA complaint #11541611, filed 2023-08
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Recall remedy parts not available

   • 21 complaints (21%)
   • median 49,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Many owners report receiving recall notices for the starter solenoid and turbo oil pipe campaigns but being told the remedy parts were on backorder, with some vehicles waiting months. A few describe the car failing to start or showing warning messages while waiting for the repair. Reported across a range of mileages, generally after recall notices were mailed.

   Recall 24V107000Recall 24V191000Recall 21V160000

   What to check: Check the open recall status by VIN and confirm with the seller or dealer that each campaign has actually been completed, not just scheduled.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2018 Genesis G80. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V107000 (Electrical System) and 24V191000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11591017, filed 2024-05, 49,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2018 Genesis G80. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact called Roadside Assistance, who arrived and restarted the vehicle. The contact used a boost charger to start the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The trunk opened message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who informed the contact about NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V107000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was not contacted. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11591774, filed 2024-05, 80,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Turbo oil pipe leak and smoke

   • 6 complaints (6%)
   • median 44,314 mi at 5.7 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2023–2025

   Owners describe white smoke from under the hood or beneath the vehicle and a burning oil smell, diagnosed as oil leaking from the turbocharger oil supply pipe onto the exhaust. Some report the leak recurring after an earlier recall repair and being told the repair would not be covered. Others note dealer service campaigns for the turbo oil feed pipe. Reported mostly between roughly 40,000 and 50,000 miles on 3.3-liter turbocharged cars.

   Recall 24V191000Recall 19V538000

   What to check: Ask whether the turbo oil feed pipe recalls have been completed and whether the pipe or its seal has been replaced since. Check for oil residue or smoke near the turbo area after a drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle started smoking Dec 2023. Placed it in the shop and got a diagnostic finding out about the turbocharge oil pipe leak. Two days after I got the car out the shop a recall was issued for the turbo oil pipe Genesis recall 019G. Called Genesis corporate office and the case worker says it’s nothing they can do due to me being the 2nd owner and my vehicle is a fire hazard smoking , shutting off while coming to a stop or reversing. I have a car note and have not been able to drive my vehicle in 3months. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11582190, filed 2024-04

   “Recall in 2020 for a Oil Supply Pipe that is leaking and could cause a fire. It was completed in 2020. The same issue just occurred on 12/22/2023 where it stared leaking again and I took it to Genesis. They are saying I need to pay out of pocket but it is the same issue as the recall which is a fire hazard. They have had my car for 2 weeks. Opened a case with Genesis but they will not cover it. I have texts from the Gensis Mechanic saying it is the same issue. There were no warning signs except for the smoke when is was already leaking.”

   NHTSA complaint #11563321, filed 2024-01
5. 5
   Engine

   Intermittent oil pressure warning light

   • 8 complaints (8%)
   • median 72,200 mi at 8.5 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2026

   Complaints describe the oil pressure or check oil light coming on at idle or low RPM and going out once engine speed rises, often in cold weather. Owners say it can be hard to tell whether the warning reflects a real oil pressure problem or a faulty sensor, and that diagnosis or sensor replacement is costly. Some report the light covering up whether a more serious issue is present. Reported from moderate mileage upward (roughly 40,000 to 72,000 miles), often in cold conditions at idle.

   What to check: Ask whether the oil pressure sensor has been replaced and whether oil level and pressure were checked. Watch for the light at idle after a cold start during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Oil light keeps coming on suddenly, I looked online and there are many people who have had the same issue. It's only intermittent, and turns off when moving and turns on when idle. The first time it came on was when I was crawling on a first time in forever frozen Alabama road. I was very careful not to start sliding, and when the sign came on I panicked and ended up in a ditch. The safety issue comes from not knowing if this is a sensor issue or an actual oil issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11643428, filed 2025-02

   “The oil pressure light comes on intermittently - often at low RPMs and then goes away at higher RPMs. It is a very expensive repair and appears to be just due to a faulty oil pressure sensor. The light causes issues because it covers up whether there is another more serious problem that needs attention.”

   NHTSA complaint #11507967, filed 2023-02

Buying note. Have the tires and steering checked closely on a test drive, and verify by VIN that the open safety campaigns have been completed rather than only announced. Ask for service records covering A/C and turbo oil pipe work, since several of these reports describe repeat visits.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.