Model year record
2018 Hyundai Elantra recalls & problems
The 2018 Hyundai Elantra has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 284 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is engine (142 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2018 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 10.7% |
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Elantra
| City / highway | 32 / 40 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM7) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $1,900/year to fuel
Elantra SE
| City / highway | 29 / 38 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,050/year to fuel
Elantra
| City / highway | 28 / 37 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,100/year to fuel
Elantra
| City / highway | 26 / 36 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel
Elantra
| City / highway | 26 / 33 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AM7) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel
Elantra
| City / highway | 22 / 30 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 142 | 38,000 mi |
| Unknown or other | 54 | 29,800 mi |
| Electrical systemIgnition › Anti-theft › Immobilizer/proximity › Key/sender | 43 | 26,500 mi |
| Power train | 24 | 39,625 mi |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 19 | 8,200 mi |
| Exterior lightingHeadlights | 16 | — |
| Steering | 16 | 5,200 mi |
| Service brakes | 15 | 22,550 mi |
| StructureBody | 15 | 40,000 mi |
| Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal | 13 | 15,500 mi |
| Air bagsSensor › Occupant classification › Status indicator lamp/light | 12 | 46,000 mi |
| Wheels | 10 | 6,272 mi |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Suspension
engine mounts have been replaced already twice and they keep going bad last time was over a year ago and now it's bad again making noises vibrate and this replacement was done by the dealership with parts from Hyundai apparently under warranty and now warranty is almost done worries me that in a year without warranty i have to replace them again something is really off with either the engine or the parts they are replacing
- Engine
While driving the engine light came off and car shut down instantly. I see there is issues with the 2018 Hyundai Elantra but Iâm coming ot if picket. $7678.50 I purchased the vehicle I. ZMay and purchased a standard warranty that covers $2500 per repair. I have a 30/3 Tucson and love that vehicle! This one! Not so much!!!! I owe $11,000 and need a $7600 engine.
- Steering
Steering keeps locking up steering wheel light light and other lights in my dashboard came on which caused my back camera to stop working took it to dealership got a diagnosis it appeared nothing was wrong which they calibrated it and fixed the problem for a month and it started back to the same problem again called the dealership to see why was this issue happening again I was told I would have to have it diagnosed again because itâs been 30 days which I think itâs crazy because they already know whatâs going on from the last time I bought it in itâs like the dealership is stealing from us and just doing quick fixes.
- Engine
After the car was started, I drove 3 houses over when there was a loud knocking sound and the car just shut off. When trying to restart it wouldn't and the check engine, battery, and oil lights came on. After pushing it out of the road we checked the oil and it was empty. The oil has just been changed less than 2 months ago. Now the engine is seized.
- Engine
On July 13, 2026, my engine light came on and I don't understand why. My oil change was update and not sure what else can be wrong. So, I went to AutoZone so that can do a diagnostic and they gave me a printout of the problem. Took the vehicle to the shop gave him the printout from AutoZone so that he will know what the problem is. Brought the part and that didn't take the engine light off and I paid $300 for nothing because I am still experiencing the issue. I took it back to the shop and the guy said that I need to replace my engine. I have had the car for about three years and not understanding why the engine needs to be replaced already. Then the passenger seat belt light keeps going…
- Engine
Since having our car, the check engine light came on several times with us being told we will need an engine replacement. Recently, our car stalled out several times while driving on different occasions leading us to look up the recalls.
- Engine
While the car is in drive, it would power off in the middle of driving. Took the car to repair and advised regarding the engine. My safety was at risk because I loss power to operation the car in the middle of traffic, which could have called an accident for myself and others. The problem have been confirmed a repair shop. No, the manufacture stated since my vin # is not included in their recall, it will not be cover but clearly its something wrong with the car. When the engine light came on, I took it to the repair shop and was advised regarding the engine.
- Engine
On XXX, I dropped off my 2018 Hyundai Elantra (VIN: [XXX]) at Hyundai of Downtown Los Angeles for Service Campaign TXXW. The vehicle was in proper working order with no stalling or drivability concerns. The dealership retained it for 159 days before I retrieved it XXX It has now been in their custody 191 days â more than six times the 30-day limit under Song-Beverly § 1793.2(b). COMPONENT/SYSTEM: The engine NOW stalls completely at every stop. A documented clunk in the passenger front was identified in the dealership's own service report as "clunk noise heard from passenger front." Both conditions developed during the dealership's exclusive custody. Vehicle is at 3850 S Figueroa St, Los…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.