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2018 Genesis G80

The Verdict

74 Solid Pick

The 2018 Genesis G80 has 98 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (47 complaints) and electrical (26 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 74/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Genesis G80, consider the 2020 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2020 has 98% fewer complaints

View the 2020 Genesis G80 dashboard →

74

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 2

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

18V496000 AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Genesis G80 vehicles. The Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly detect that an adult is in the passenger seat, even if the ...

Risk

In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag deploys instead of being deactivated when a child or infant are in the front passenger seat, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the OCS, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

18V305000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Hyundai Genesis G80 and Genesis G90 vehicles. The windshield and rear window on these vehicles may have been installed with incorrect prim...

Risk

If the glass bonding strength is reduced over time, the windshield and rear window may detach while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front and rear glass, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hy...

Reported Oct 5, 2018

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
201722614175
201847626154
2019104751
202000001
202143110
202210222
202320340
202410000
202520100

By Category

Body
47
Electrical
26
Engine
15
Brakes
6
Transmission
4

By Severity

1
45
2
45
4
8

Worst Problems

Complaints

Engine 2

Failing oil pressure sensor which “blinds” the driver of the engines true oil levels. It occasionally causes the car to go into “limp” mode or stall which could cause unnecessary and unreasonable traffic safety hazards. This is a well known and documented critical safety defect by Genesis as they’ve already executed a recall for the issue in their home country / market of South Korea.

4d ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2018 Genesis G80. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V664000 (Seats); however, the parts to complete the recall repair were unavailable. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed the parts were unavailable to perform the recall repair.

7d ago
Body 1

When negotiating a curve, the steering wheel sticks and does not return to center without the driver forcing the wheel back to the required direction. Instead of a smooth and consistent feeling when turning the wheel, the steering wheel feels "locked" until the driver's force breaks the steering wheel free. In addition, the steering wheel makes a faint but noticeable grinding noise when turned in either direction. No warning lights illuminate.

7d ago
Body 1

After 2 hours on the road August 1, 2026 (from [XXX] to [XXX]), in 119-degree heat, the AC stopped blowing cold air out of the dash vents. There was cold air coming out of the rear-seat vent. The vehicle became unbearably hot. (Took my wife 2 days to recover from heat exhaustion.) The AC started working properly after the car sat for a few days in [XXX]. The Genesis Escondido service shop has not been able to duplicate the problem. The vehicle is still there at the shop. Genesis Customer Care assigned a case # XXX, but are unwilling to buy the car back, or do anything else except contact Genesis Escondido service dept. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2mo ago
Body 2

Dear NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am submitting this letter to request an urgent review of a recurring and widespread air‑conditioning failure in the 2018 Genesis G80. The AC system consistently shuts off after extended driving and does not cool down when the car starts, especially in high‑heat environments In Texas, cabin temperatures can exceed 120°F, creating conditions that can lead to heat exhaustion or heat‑related illness. This is not an isolated incident. Many owners have reported identical symptoms: AC cooling stops after prolonged operation, airflow continues but without cooling, and the system only resets or thaws after the vehicle sits for an extended period. Despite these repeated complaints, no investigation or recall has been initiated. While AC failure is typically categorized as a comfort issue, the extreme heat exposure caused by this defect presents a legitimate safety concern. Occupants may become ill, visibility can be affected by humidity and fogging, and the failure appears to be tied to HVAC components that may not be functioning as designed.I respectfully request that NHTSA open a defect investigation into this issue to determine whether a safety recall is warranted. Thank you for your time and consideration.

3mo ago
Body 1

Driver side rear door electric latch is stop working and i tried to open the latch manually but the locked latch won't let me but remain locked. I have concerns with the situation because when door latch were broken due to accident, the door would remain locked and passengers would not be able to escape from inside of the car

3mo ago
Engine 1

The contact owns a 2018 Genesis G80. The contact stated that the Check Oil and Low Oil warning light illuminated while the vehicle was idling. The warning lights turned off while driving. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,200.

6mo ago
Electrical 4

The contact owns a 2018 Genesis G80. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's vehicle was involved in a crash. The contact stated that the vehicle crashed into a deer, and then crashed into a hill. The vehicle spun around three times and rolled over after crashing into the hill. The front driver's air bag did not deploy. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. A Police report was filed. The contact sustained bruises to the chest and back pain. The passenger who was seated in the front passenger's seat sustained bruises. No medical treatment was provided at the scene of the crash, however the contact later visited her primary physician. The vehicle was towed to the contact's family members' residence and later towed to the contact's residence. The insurance inspection confirmed that, according to the EDR, the front diver's air bag skipped stage one. In addition, the contact was informed that an unknown recall had been initiated for the front passenger's air bag for the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the aftermarket seat covers were the cause of the steering wheel's functionality not functioning as intended. The contact was informed that the aftermarket seat cover was the cause of the driver's side air bag not deploying. The contact stated that the seat covers were purchased after the crash to cover the damaged seats as a result of the crash. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

8mo ago
Electrical 2

1. The Airbag Control Unit (ACU) and associated restraint‑system components appear to have malfunctioned. The Event Data Recorder shows inconsistent airbag deployment staging, a pretensioner firing while the belt was recorded as unbuckled, a seat‑track sensor fault, unsupported occupant‑classification data, incomplete curtain‑airbag deployment during rollover, and missing crash‑event data. Yes, the vehicle and the full 29‑page EDR report are available for inspection upon request. 2. The restraint system did not protect the occupants as expected. I suffered chest injuries from hitting the steering wheel, and my passenger sustained injuries to their hand and arm. These injuries occurred because the driver airbag did not deploy correctly, the pretensioner logic was inconsistent, and the curtain airbags did not deploy on the driver side despite multiple full vehicle rotations. The system’s irregular behavior increased the risk of serious injury or death. 3. No. The issue occurred during a crash event and cannot be safely reproduced. However, the malfunction is confirmed by the vehicle’s own Event Data Recorder, which documents the deployment irregularities, sensor faults, and data‑integrity issues. 4. The vehicle was inspected by insurance representatives after the crash. The manufacturer has not performed an engineering‑level inspection of the Airbag Control Unit or restraint‑system logic. The EDR report was obtained through the insurance process and serves as the primary source documenting the malfunction. 5. No warning lamps or messages appeared prior to the crash. There were no symptoms indicating that the airbag or restraint system would malfunction. The failures were only discovered after reviewing the Event Data Recorder.

8mo ago
Electrical 1

When operating the headlights in auto dim mode and the headlights are bright, when I try to dim the headlights manually using the dimmer switch, the headlights go out completely. When operating the headlights with auto dim mode turned off and the headlights are bright, when I try to dim the headlights manually using the dimmer switch, the headlights will not dim. This places myself and oncoming traffic at risk by them either being blinded by the high beams when I'm unable to dim or me hitting them or another object when the lights go out completely when I try to dim them. I reported this to the local dealer who mentioned similar issues on model years prior to mine which were sold under the Hyundai Genesis branding. I will note that the Hyundai Genesis model and my Genesis G80 model use the same platform.....the cars are identical except for the branding. The Hyundai Genesis model referenced had a recall for this issue, so I don't understand why the same recall hasn't been issued for the Genesis G80 model, which is having the same safety issues.

9mo ago
Electrical 4

I WAS IN A ACCIDENT SEVERE ENOUGH TO DEPLOY ALL AIR BAGS BUT MY STEERING WHEEL, I WENT TO GENESIS WITH THE ISSUE AND THEY INSPECTED THE CAR WHEN THEY EDR REPORT CAME BACK EVERYTHING MATCHED BUT THE MODEL OF THE CAR IT COMES BACK TO A GV80, ON MY GENESIS APP MY CAR COMES BACK AS A G90, MY CAR IS A GENESIS G80 THE MATTER CONCERNS CONFLICTING VEHICLE INDETIFACTION DATA ACROSS MULTIPLE OFFICIAL GENESIS SYSTEMS AS WELL AS A FAILURE OF THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY DURING A CRASH. TWO IDENPENDENT GENESIS SYSTEMS - THE EVENT DATA RECORDER EDR AND THE OFFICIAL GENESIS OWNER PORTAL ARE IDENTIFYING MY VEHICLE AS A DIFFERENT MODEL A GENESIS GV80 AND G90 DESPITE MY CAR BEING A G80. THESE SYSTEMS SHOULD NEVER DISAGREE ABOUT THE VEHICLES IDENTITY AS THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY CRITICAL INFORMATION CRASH DATA WARRANTY TRACKING AND RECALL ELIGIBILITY.. THE EDR BOX SHOWING THE INCORRECT MODEL IDENTIFACTION .. THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT DATA MISCLASSIFICATION AND A SAFETY SYSTEM FAILURE THAT CALLS FOR A RECALL

9mo ago
Electrical 4

The contact owned a 2018 Genesis G80. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed during the night, a deer hit the contact's vehicle on the front passenger side. The vehicle spun around and ended up in a "grass hill" where it came to a stop. The driver-side air bags did not deploy. However, the front passenger and side curtain air bags were deployed. The front passenger-side control arm detached from the vehicle due to the impact. The police were called and filed a police report. The contact and the passenger were not injured. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a field inspector from Genesis stopped by the Hyundai dealer to retrieve the Event Data Recorder (EDR). The inspector informed the contact that the Event Data Recorder (EDR) showed that the contact's vehicle was a GV80. The contact stated that her vehicle is a G80. The field inspector then requested permission from the contact to retrieve the information from the Event Data Recorder (EDR) to change the vehicle information to a G80. The contact refused. The contact stated that the Genesis application on the contact's phone provided the following codes: B1378, which meant that the "Side Airbag Front-Driver Resistance is too High," and B1649, which meant "Crash Recorded - Rollover Event." The dealer replaced the control arm. The air bags were still deflated. The vehicle is at the contact's residence. The insurance company was informed. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

9mo ago
Electrical 4

I am writing to formally report a serious safety defect in my Genesis vehicle and to request immediate investigation, documentation, and corrective action. Following a recent crash event, my vehicle’s diagnostic scan revealed DTC B1378, which is associated with a fault in the airbag system circuitry. This code is widely recognized as an indicator of an airbag defect and is consistent with conditions that warrant manufacturer recall. During the crash: - Multiple airbags deployed, - The steering‑wheel airbag did NOT deploy, - The SRS system recorded a crash severe enough to trigger other airbags, - The vehicle now displays B1378, confirming an internal fault. The failure of the primary driver airbag to deploy during a crash is a critical safety malfunction. Combined with the presence of B1378, this raises substantial concerns regarding a defective airbag module, wiring harness, or sensor — all of which fall under manufacturer responsibility and federal safety standards. I am requesting the following: Immediate corrective action, including repair or replacement of all defective components. Documentation of this issue in your internal safety‑defect tracking system. Given the severity of this failure and its implications for driver safety, I am also submitting this information to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for review. Please confirm receipt of this letter and provide a written response outlining the next steps. Sincerely, [XXX] Hagerstown, MD --- INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

9mo ago
Electrical 2

There is a known issue with these vehicles where the Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch triggers at idle and low RPMs but nothing is necessarily wrong other than the sensor itself. However, since the sensor malfunctions, owners can’t know if the pressure is actually bad or if oil levels are normal. This is a safety concern for all owners. However, Genesis is requiring owners to pay around $3000 to repair this. Most of the models are 2017-2019, which are past its manufacturer warranty years.

9mo ago
Electrical 4

I hit a grass wall after striking a deer who bent my control arm and all airbags DEPLOYED BUT THE ONE WHO SAVES THE DRIVER THE MOST IMPORTANT AIRBAG

10mo ago
Electrical 4

1-THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A COLLISIOM WHILE ALL OTHER AIRBAGS `AIRBAGS INCLUDING REAR SEAT AIRBAGS -DID DEPLOY. THIS SUGGEST A POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION IN THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG UNIT OR SENSOR SYSTEM. **YES THE VECHCLE IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY GENESIS, NHTSA, OR ANY AUTHORIZED PARTY. 2. AS THE DRIVER I WAS AT DIRECT RISK THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE HEAD AND CHEST IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. ITS FAILURE TO DEPLOY LEFT ME VULNERABLE TO IMPACT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD. THE LACK OF DEPLOYMENT HAS WORSED THE OUTCOME 3. NOT YET I AM SEEKING A DIAGNOSTIC SCAN FROM GENESIS - CERTIFIED DEALER TO CONFIRM THE FAILURE AND IDENTIFY ANY FAULT CODES IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. 4. THE VEHICLE IS BEING ASSIGNED TO AN AJUSTER BUT NOT YET BY GENESIS OR NHTSA. I AM REQUESTING A FORMAL INSPECTION BY GENESIS AND WILL PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE VEHICLE. 5. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS OR MESSAGES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. 6. I WAS NAVIGATING A TURN WHEN A DEER ENTERED THE ROADWAY I SWERVED AND THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BECAME STRUCK CAUSING ME TO STRIKE AN EMBANKMENT. THE CONTROL ARM BROKE AND THE IMPACT TRIGGERED FULL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT INCLUDING REAR SEAT AIRBAGS BUT NOT THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG Based on the severity and location of the impact, the steering wheel airbag should have deployed. I believe this failure may be due to a sensor malfunction or defect in the airbag system. This raises concerns regarding the reliability of the vehicle’s safety mechanisms, as the absence of steering wheel airbag deployment during such a significant frontal impact posed a serious risk to driver safety.

11mo ago
Electrical 2

A/C does not work as blower will not put out cold air. During hot days in Florida with children and elderly in the car this poses a risk to our health. This happens when A/C has been on for approximately one hour. No warning messages whatsoever. This has been reported by many Genesis G80 owners who own a G80 from the years 2017 - 2020. Genesis Corporate is aware of the problem but has not submitted a recall.

11mo ago
Transmission 1

Oil pressure sensor issues.

13mo ago
Engine 1

Component: Engine / Turbocharger / Oil Line / Fire Risk Vehicle Problem: For the past five months, my oil light has been coming on and off sporadically (not flickering), even though mechanics and oil shops said there was no issue. A few days ago, the car started smoking out of nowhere, though it wasn’t overheating and there were no visible signs of leakage. I took it to the shop, and they diagnosed a turbocharger oil supply pipe leak that is severe and poses a fire risk. I am in a new city with no support system and have a baby. Multiple car dealerships have refused to fix my vehicle, even though I have been informed this part is under recall. I have tried calling and visiting, and no one will help. This is a safety concern, especially since the vehicle is at risk of catching fire while driving.

15mo ago
Electrical 2

Rear left door lock actuator has failed. Door will not open from inside or outside. There is no emergency release of any kind. This is a major safety concern as in the event of an accident occupants could be stuck inside the vehicle. This is a known issue with this model as well as several Hyundai/Kia models

15mo ago

98 total

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