The Genesis G80 is the Korean carmaker’s answer to mid-size behemoths from Germany and Japan. The G80 goes against the Audi A6 and the Cadillac CTS. It has been hailed as the best VFM proposition in the luxury mid-size sedan segment but has its own flaws. The 2018 Genesis G80 saw good sales, but most of the people complained of issues with the stock Continental Procontact TX tires. Apart from this, there have been reports of the gear slipping to neutral and stalling the car. There are four recalls to the car’s name, with a warning to park the car outside due to an issue with the ABS module (NHTSA Recall Number 21V160000). Let’s dive a little further into the recall history and also see what the most common complaints are for the 2018 Genesis G80.
2018 Genesis G80 Problems
Electrical issues:
- Erroneous readings: Owners have complained of erroneous readings from the various electronics of the car. The complainants say that the whole system froze and shut down. Such an issue with the infotainment system has led to various close calls since it causes a distraction for the driver.
- Key fob issues: Many new Genesis G80 owners have experienced an issue with the key fob. They claim that the key fob goes dead and does not operate anything. The car couldn't be locked or unlocked. Worse, the alarm went off continuously and caused disturbance to the people around.
- Electrical fire: There have been some cases wherein a G80 catches fire while parked. Upon investigation, the cause of the fire was determined to be electrical and was traced to the ABS sensor. A short-circuit in the ABS sensor was responsible for setting some G80s ablaze while parked. A recall has been issued for the same and can be referenced by NHTSA Recall Number 21V160000. The manufacturer has issued a warning to keep the car parked outside to avoid further damages.
Mechanical issues:
- Gear slipping: People have complained of the transmission slipping gears to neutral while moving. This slipping causes the car to rev unnecessarily while causing a loss in pace. Sometimes, the gear gets automatically slotted into drive and causes a violent jerk. This jerk also results in unintended acceleration.
- Steering issues: The steering wheel in the G80 is reported to “stick” while making U-turns. The steering wheel doesn't auto-center and stays put, causing the vehicle to steer in the wrong direction. This issue has been there in some older MYs of the G80 as well.
Equipment issue:
- Continental Procontact TX tires: The Continental Procontact TX tires have been reported, time and again, to develop bubbles on the sidewall at very low mileage. Due to this, all four tires are said to be replaced at just 20,000 miles.
2018 Genesis G80 Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
May 10, 2018 |
18V305000 |
Visibility |
Incorrect primer in the windshield and the rear window may cause the windshield to come off, creating a road hazard. |
The recall began on July 6, 2018. The dealers will replace the potentially affected glass. |
|
2. |
July 27, 2018 |
18V496000 |
Airbags |
Incorrect detection of an occupant by the Occupant Classification System (OCS) may deploy an airbag while a child seat is on, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. |
The recall began on August 24, 2018. The dealers will reprogram the OCS software. |
|
3. |
July 19, 2019 |
19V538000 |
Engine and Engine Cooling |
A loose seal in the turbocharger oil supply pipe may leak oil onto the manifold, increasing the risk of fire. |
The recall began on October 3, 2019. The dealers will replace the turbocharger oil supply pipe. |
|
4. |
March 10, 2021 |
21V160000 |
Service Brakes |
A short-circuit in the ABS module increases the risk of fire. |
The recall began on July 6, 2021. The manufacturer has issued a warning and asked the owners to park their vehicles away form any establishments. The dealers will replace the ABS module fuse. |
Should you buy the 2018 Genesis G80?
The 2018 Genesis G80 makes for a very good offering from the Korean manufacturer but a couple of things just doom the owners - the stock tires and the ABS sensor. Although the latter is not an issue on all the units, it affects a lot of batches and is a safety hazard. Apart from this, there isn’t much to report as far as problems are concerned. If you want to go for a G80 used, ensure the ABS sensor is replaced under recall and give a thorough read of the maintenance records.
