Complaint volume
271 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2018 Hyundai Elantra Complaints
271 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra, grouped by component category.
271 Total complaints
11 Crash reports
7 Fire reports
6 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, unknown or other, air bags. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 11 crash reports, 7 fire reports, 6 injury reports, and 1 fatality report. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 90 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 41,237 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, unknown or other, air bags?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Hyundai Elantra?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2018 Hyundai Elantra
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2018 Hyundai Elantra complaints?
11 Crash
7 Fire
6 Injury
1 Fatality
20 Towed
6 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Hyundai Elantra complaint categories?
ENGINE 80
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 29
AIR BAGS 8
STEERING 8
STRUCTURE 8
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 7
POWER TRAIN 6
WHEELS 6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5
271 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2024 | STRUCTURE | Paint fell off from the vehicle's body, specifically from the front of hood cover and the roof in large patches for no reason. After doing some research, I found I am not thr only one experiecing this problem, this actually has been a wide spread know issue among the 2017 - 2018 Hyundai Elantra models. Although it does not pose any immediate risk, the potential safety threat is obvious due to the rusting bodies caused by the paint patches fallen off. The manufacturer only provided an extended body warranty from 3 years to 5 years, though, without notifying the imapcted customers. Quite a lot of customers like myself were not aware of such as warranty extention until now and could not get the issue fixed within the warranty period. The issue is so wide spread and the quality of the painting is so poor, the manufacturer should not get away just providing such a program quietly. A recall to address this issue for all the impacted vehicles is a must. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | ENGINE | Having issues in several instances the past few months , where my car abruptly stalled in highway traffic, again less than a month later while at a stop light, traffic built up, I became nervous an scared, finally after turning my car off an on several times I was able to get my car to stop stalling an drive away. Third instance has been the ammount of oil consumption my car is needing, I’ve noticed an increase use of oil for my car I use as a daily driver just commuting to a from work, an a clicking/knocking sound, other instances was my car accelerated at high rates of speed on the freeway on its own. Only after smash the break button was I able to disengage the throttle. An now just recently my car is using up more an more oil an has developed a hard knock in the engine. Similar to other models that have been recalled for the same reason. Reading online has made it clear thousands an thousands of other people are having issues just like mine around the same mileage as me an other models that have had the problems | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,LANE DEPARTURE | The BSD system keeps malfunctioning Hyundai to me that I should report it to yall because it should be recalled if just stops and also the brakes keep having a burning smell to them and the steering wheel when you turn left and right keep making loud popping noises those things should be recalled | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | ENGINE | Unfortunately I bought a Hyundai Elantra sport brand new in 2018 i’ve kept the maintenance even to this day the car currently at 147,300miles. However I started having issues at 30,000 miles check engine would go on the car with shake and stall and miss fires would occur frequently. Every time I took it to the dealer they reset the computer but never made an actual note of what was going on with the car. That dealership that I took it at the time was Universal Hyundai in Orlando, Florida. So now that I have 147,300 miles the same misfires are now catastrophic failures on the same cylinders, to add insult to injury I took it to a different dealer located in Sanford Fl so they can try to get willful engine replacement, and my claim was denied because I was out of warranty and over the mileage, the dealership new that I was both over mileage and out of warranty the second I brought the car in somehow I still get charged $213. It seems like no one can do anything about it cause Hyundai America made there decision to deny my claim. These cars are straight up trash my buddies Kia similar situation has made it to 150,000 before he had total engine failure engine seized up on him. To make things worse I’m making payments on a car that’s needs an engine replaced. I’m never buying a car from Hyundai ever again they’re straight garbage and now I have to purchase another vehicle. Thanks Hyundai America for making unreliable vehicles and then taking my $213 to just deny my claim despite having a perfect maintenance record. I hope people read this and realize what crooks you guys are. Side note Hyundai America refused to help, however when I threatened to contact the BBB to complaint about there product the customer service agent Ciani mentioned they will open up case as to why I’m putting a complaint to the BBB, I don’t know what the outcome of this will be but it’s irrelevant I wouldn’t take a free Hyundai even if it was given to me! You lost another customer for life!!! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | MY 2018 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WENT FROM 50 MPH TO 0 IN SECONDS. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE ENGINE AND OIL LIGHTS CAME ON . CAR DIDNT TURN OVER AFTER THAT GOT IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE AND ONCE THERE CHECKD THE OIL AND THE OIL WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. RECEIVED MY LAST OIL CHANGE ON 1/31/2024 STILL HAD MILES LEFT OVER BEFORE GETTING ANOTHER OIL CHANGE. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR SIGNAL NOTIFYING OF OIL LOW OR ANYTHING AFTER SPEAKING WITH SERVICE MECHANINC THEY MENTIONED THE ENGINE BEING SHOT. THERE IS NOT EVEN 100,000 MILES ON THIS ENGINE AND IT NEEDS A NEW ONE. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP THEY ADVISED NO RECALLS ON THIS MODEL. HOPEFULLY ADDING ANOTHER COMPLAINT CAN GET THE BALL ROLLING SO THERE CAN BE A INVESTIGATION. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2024 | AIR BAGS,ENGINE | 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! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 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 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! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 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 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 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 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 INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | 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 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 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. 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | 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. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 60,000 |
| Jan 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 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 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 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. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | STEERING | absolutely no warning light indicator prior to slowing and making a turn into our food store parking lot. just prior to turning the power steering failed. i was able to avoid a collision by using all my strength to turn steering wheel. [XXX] while parked i displayed options and found reset to factory default option and clicked it. power steering was restored. dashboard EPS warning light went on and cleared after default reset. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Car isn’t starting just changed the started two years ago after it failed now it’s not starting we have gas in it and it won’t start | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2023 | POWER TRAIN | Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) hesitates when slowing to a stop, then accelerating. The car completely looses power and limps for a second or two until finally it engages and power finally goes to the wheels. Also, the DCT clutch completely failed at 117,000 miles while traveling 65mph on the freeway, and Hyundai won't replace the clutch. Hyundai will only sell a new complete DCT. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE | WHILE DRIVING, HEARD A LOUD POP THEN SMOKE CAME FROM THE ENGINE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FLASHED THEN WENT OUT. A PASSER BY COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION STOPPED AND TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I GOT OUT AND THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE ON THE GROUNG UNDERNEITH MY CAR. THEN OPENED THE HOOD WHERE THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE BEHIND THE ENGINE. ANOTHER TRUCK PASSING BY HAD A FIRE ESTINGUISHER AND PUT THE FIRE OUT. THERE WAS OIL ALL OVER THE ROAD. CALLED A WRECKER SERVICE TO COME AND PICK IT UP. UPON DELIVERY OF MY VEHICLE, THERE WAS OIL ALL OVER THE WRECKER. I'M VERY LUCKY TO HAVE HAD SOMEONE COME BY TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. I COULD OF BEEN IN THE CAR AND BEEN BURNED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN OUT AND DONE A FULL REPORT ON IT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHT THAT CAME ON DETECTING ANY ISSUES. | Crash: No Fire: Yes | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | STEERING | The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel occasionally failed to turn to the right or left and seized. While reversing, the steering wheel seized. After placing the vehicle in park and restarting, the vehicle worked as designed. The steering wheel warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where the system was reset. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 80,000 |
| Sep 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I heard it’s a TikTok Trent going on where’s as though they are stealing Hyundais, they tried to 4 times, I jus wanna now is there anything y’all can do to help like a kill switch or something? Cause this is getting out of control, they broke two of my windows, slashed one of my tires, broke my steering column and stole my license plate, too much money I have been putting out on this car, and the police not doing anything about it | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | ENGINE | Engine completely out of oil. Only owned the car for 9 months. No warning lights no check engine lights just completely stalled on the freeway. Now has a very loud engine knock and needs a new engine | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | SEAT BELTS,ENGINE,AIR BAGS | The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that the seat belt was inoperable. The contact stated that the air bag was falling out of the air bag enclosure. The vehicle failed to start immediately but was started after several attempts. The air bag and seat belt warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the battery terminal posts were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who tightened the battery post. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 46,000 |
| Aug 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE | MY HYUNDAI ELANTRA IS A LEMON. I HAVE BEEN HAVING ACCELERATING PROBLEMS, STALLING PROBLEMS FRESH FROM THE LOT EVEN BEFORE 5,000 MILES WITH MY HYUNDAI NOT ACCELERATING TOOK IT TO DEALER SAID NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT 5 YEARS AGO. IT STILL CONTINUES TO STALL ON ME! IT BROKE DOWN ON ME TWICE IN TWO DAYS IN A ROW. ONE ON 8/8 AND 8/9! COULD HAVE KILLED ME OR OTHERS IF I TOOK IT ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR HAS BEEN STALLING AND I HAD TO PUMP THE BREAK TO REV UP THE ENGINE AT THE SAME TIME WHILE TURNING! COULD HAVE KILLED US! I AM SITTING IN A LEMON! IT IS NOT SAFE ON THE ROAD AT ALL!! I LOST MY JOB BECAUSE OF THIS AND THE TIME IT TOOK ME TO TRY AND GET A RENTAL. HYUNDAI WON'T LET ME GET A LOANER CAR! I CANNOT AFFORD UBER ALL THE TIME. ALL THE LIGHTS ARE ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TOO AND AIRBAG LIGHT. MY TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE SLIPPING TOO AND THE DOUBLE CLUTCH. CRANK AND CAM SHAFT PROBLEMS! HEADLIGHTW ARE VERY DIM TOO. AIRBAG WEIGHT FRONT SEAT SENSOR IS TURNING ON. ENGINE IS STALLING. SLOWS DOWN! WILL NOT ACCELERATE AFTER 60MPH GOES SUPER SLOW DOWN TO 55 MPH UP HILL. I WANT HYUNDAI MANUFACTURER TO PAY OR I AM GETTING A LEMON LAWYER AND CONTACTING THE BBB AND THE STATE OF ARIZONA. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The car was stolen from an apartment parking lot due to no immobilizer being installed, making the car very easy to steal. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |