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2018 Hyundai Elantra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

91 reports with mileage · 190 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 140 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports7 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

281 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2024
Air BagsEngine

I got this car like 5 months ago and after driving it for 2 months I had to get a new engine for 4500 dollars. There is no way it can go bad in 2 months. The car only had 52,000 miles on it and it went bad when it reached 54,000 miles. After fixing that it went bad again after 4 months. I was also told that Hyundai Elantras are …

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I got this car like 5 months ago and after driving it for 2 months I had to get a new engine for 4500 dollars. There is no way it can go bad in 2 months. The car only had 52,000 miles on it and it went bad when it reached 54,000 miles. After fixing that it went bad again after 4 months. I was also told that Hyundai Elantras are known for their engine problems. It would be great if there is an engine recall on this car. I am not trying to sell this car but I was this car to be fixed. Thank you!

NHTSA ODI #11575007

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2024
Engine

Our hyundai elantra 2018 car started with a knocking sound while we were driving and it got worse our of nowhere when we accelerated and suddenly did this throttling sound with a pop. The battery light came on, the engine light came on and suddenly our car engine turned off and we were able to go on the side of the street we wer…

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Our hyundai elantra 2018 car started with a knocking sound while we were driving and it got worse our of nowhere when we accelerated and suddenly did this throttling sound with a pop. The battery light came on, the engine light came on and suddenly our car engine turned off and we were able to go on the side of the street we were on. Fumes were coming out of the hood and oil began to leak. The car was not able to be turned on to move it. We have towed it to our home, our local mechanic told us it was the engine. It has 135,000 miles on it. We got it from the dealership about 5 years ago and had not had issues until suddenly our engine blew!

NHTSA ODI #11574130

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2024
Electrical System

So my 2018 Hyundai elantra has had the ignition/starter coils go bad now for the third time, the first 2 times the car was under warranty, I thought the second time it was odd to have the same problem, the car shakes violently, stalls out, and or refuses to start. But my warranty just ran out in 2023 and now of course the same …

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So my 2018 Hyundai elantra has had the ignition/starter coils go bad now for the third time, the first 2 times the car was under warranty, I thought the second time it was odd to have the same problem, the car shakes violently, stalls out, and or refuses to start. But my warranty just ran out in 2023 and now of course the same problem is happening again, I took it to the dealer and they repaired it, it was very expensive, but I really thought since it was the same problem that they or Hyundai would cover this repair, of course they laughed at me so of course I paid it and hoped that Hyundai USA or the dealer, Ron Marhoffer Hyundai in Akron, Ohio would cover it after the fact but they both refuse simply stating that this problem happened after the 5 year warranty. I totally disagree , especially since this is the same problem happening again and again, it clearly was never fixed properly or has remained defective over the lifespan of the vehicle. I did some research and was shocked at the thousands of reports of other American consumers with the same issue and again the company laughing at us all. I am hoping for some consumer protection here for parts on a vehicle that are clearly defective and should be recalled and replaced properly. I guess we will just have to wait for someone to stall out while driving and wreck and die for something to be done unfortunately . I am assuming its probably already happened. When it happens to me again, which it will, I will hope and pray for the best. Please help.

NHTSA ODI #11573775

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2024
Structure

The Hyundai Electra 2018 interior door handle is peeling.I have experienced peeling paint issues, also has many legal problems in other countries.

NHTSA ODI #11573021

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2024
Air Bags

I brought my car from Landmark ford in Springfield Illinois [XXX]. I had the car a week and the airbag sensor came on. I took the car to the dealership and told them that this light came on and I only had the car for a week. I told them I believe they erased and reprogrammed the codes, and they knew this car had an airbag def…

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I brought my car from Landmark ford in Springfield Illinois [XXX]. I had the car a week and the airbag sensor came on. I took the car to the dealership and told them that this light came on and I only had the car for a week. I told them I believe they erased and reprogrammed the codes, and they knew this car had an airbag defect. I also told them. that they put my life at risk because if something had of happened to me and the airbag didn't work. I should have never drove off this lot with that car it's considered a safety requirements before being sold or operated on public roads. They were rude didn't want to communicate with me or help me with the situation I felt because I was a young woman 24. They kept my car to look at after 2 days I called no answer left a message no call back. I went up there next with my dad and then they wanted to talk. My dad told them my daughter could have been hurt and she was not suppose to leave off this lot this is a serious safety issue. He then told them they reprogrammed and erased the codes. My dad then said we are making a complaint and we were leaving. They refused to let me leave and take my car they lost my keys didn't find it until an hour later and said you can't leave the car is a safety hazard and we don't want to be responsible. To my knowledge I thought they were going to fix the car they told me they will drive it to Green Hyundai but they didn't and I go back up there I had to pay to get the car towed. Now Green Hyundai is having problems with Landmark Ford saying they want answer or call back. I haven't even had my car a month drove it a week and can't no longer drive a new car because its not safe and they refuse to fix this issue after a week purchasing a car. I ask to put me in a car without a safe car to drive off the lot with. They said we will take it to Green Hyundai only to give them the runaround's. I'm frustrated and lost my job because of no Transportation. the situation is not resolved. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFO

NHTSA ODI #11572569

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2024
EngineVehicle Speed Control

When I drive my car shuts off in the middle of driving in traffic I almost got into an accident with my kids in the car The dealership doesn’t know what’s the problem they fixed a code of p0011 can anybody help because it’s a safety hazard with me and my family in the car please help feel like I’m just wasting money

NHTSA ODI #11572217

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2024
Engine

I was at work when my wife contacted me and informed me that the car has started to make a ticking noise (shared car mind you) upon acceleration and start up. This all started on 1/4/2024. Well I checked the oil level and it was a on the line of being on the low side so I changed the oil as I needed to anyways and topped it off.…

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I was at work when my wife contacted me and informed me that the car has started to make a ticking noise (shared car mind you) upon acceleration and start up. This all started on 1/4/2024. Well I checked the oil level and it was a on the line of being on the low side so I changed the oil as I needed to anyways and topped it off. I went to start to the car and ticking again, well I called around as I'm not going to ignore any sort of noise and was able to get a lcoal mechinic to look at it the next day as my local Hyundai dealership didn't have any opening until Saturday (1/6/2024). The next day I'm on my way to drop the car off to see where the sound could be coming from and the car shuts off. There were no warning lights or anything of that matter until the car shut off. I had to pull off into a street off the road. We get the car towed to the mechanic and he gets back to me the next day and states the car had low oil and that is why the engine failed. Hyundai shame on you all for knowingly putting a terrible engine into your products and for also at least not giving us the time by having poor sensors.

NHTSA ODI #11564095

60,000 miles · Jan 4, 2024
Electrical SystemEngine

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while a friend was driving the vehicle at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was restarted without any service being perf…

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The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while a friend was driving the vehicle at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was restarted without any service being performed. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #11563608

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2024
Engine

I was driving on the highway early in the morning and my car would not accelerate and slowed down until stopped running. Then the check engine, check oil, and battery light came on after. I tried to restart the car and it would not do anything. I popped the hood to check the oil and there was no oil in the engine. My car was n…

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I was driving on the highway early in the morning and my car would not accelerate and slowed down until stopped running. Then the check engine, check oil, and battery light came on after. I tried to restart the car and it would not do anything. I popped the hood to check the oil and there was no oil in the engine. My car was not due for any oil change until another 1000 miles. No notification for low oil. No sounds , no smoke, nothing I had to tow it to my house.

NHTSA ODI #11563045

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2023
Engine

I noticed around 100,000 miles that my car was going through oil when I heard a ticking in the engine. I pulled over and checked and there was no oil on the dipstick. No warning lights or nothing. I just kept adding oil after that and thinking that I will never buy another Hyundai again but never thinking my engine would fail fu…

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I noticed around 100,000 miles that my car was going through oil when I heard a ticking in the engine. I pulled over and checked and there was no oil on the dipstick. No warning lights or nothing. I just kept adding oil after that and thinking that I will never buy another Hyundai again but never thinking my engine would fail full of oil. In June of 2023 my car lost power just as I got off the freeway. Thankfully it happened just as I got out of rush hour traffic otherwise it could have caused an accident. I had it towed home and the repair shop said my engine failed. I had it towed to a dealer and they confirmed that the engine failed. After many email and phone discussions with the dealership and Hyundai, they said they would cover 50% and then 70% of the repairs. The repair shop in town said this was common in Hyundai's and after checking online I found out that this has been an issue for 6 years before my car was built so Hyundai KNOWINGLY put a defective motor in my car. I have 149,000 miles on it but I still had over a year left to pay on it. just to get it moving I accepted the 70% and 9/27/23 I received an email saying it was done. The same day I received another email saying that they were wrong and it needed another part but should be ready early October. 3 months later I still have no car. I had to use an old truck I have that gets half the mpg. I've been paying insurance and payments on a car I don't have and don't want back. A page on Facebook, Engine Failure Kia/Hyundai describes many people's frustration with the same issue. When most get their car back, the engine fails again. I drive 110 miles a day just for work and its freeway 95% of the drive. If I have to drive in rush hour and my engine fails again, it could be disastrous. I want the dealer to buy my car back with compensation for lost money. I should not be forced to drive something that is a proven hazard on the road. I can mail all pertaining documents if needed. I can't scan them.

NHTSA ODI #11562821

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Hyundai Elantra problems