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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2021 | STRUCTURE,ENGINE | 1. CAR EATS UP OIL SO FAST AND THERE SEEM TO BE NO VALID REASON. - CAUSING ENGINE MISFIRE. 2. THE ACCELERATION ON THE CAR IS DELAYED OR STALLED AT TIMES WHILE I AM ON THE ROAD 3. THERE IS I RINGING/ RATTLE INSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN IT IS RUNNING THAT HAS BEEN THERE SINCE I BROUGHT THE VEH BRAND NEW IN 2017 4. THE CUTE TRIM ON THE CAR STARTED TO PEEL OFF AFTER ONE MONTH | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2021 | SUSPENSION | WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNING RIGHT OVER UNEVEN SURFACES (OR BUMPS), THE VEHICLE MAKES CRUNCHING/CREAKING SOUNDS THAT MAY SUGGEST SUSPENSION ISSUES OR FEAR OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. DEALER DOES NOT UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE AND UNABLE TO REPAIR. IT WOULD APPEAR RELATED TO ENGINE MOUNT RUBBER THAT CAN REDUCE NOISE IF APPLYING LUBRICATING SPRAYS, BUT UNSURE IF ANY AFFECT TO VEHICLE SAFETY. | Crash: No Fire: No | 21,185 |
| Feb 2021 | ENGINE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI ELANTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER GENE MESSER HYUNDAI (4025 W. LOOP 289, LUBBOCK, TX 79407, (806) 785-7853) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO MAINTENANCE RECORDS FOR THE VEHICLE AND DECLINED TO OFFER FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,559. | Crash: No Fire: No | 18,559 |
| Jan 2021 | ENGINE | MY 2018 ELENTRA VALUE EDITION STARTED KNOCKING IN AUGUST OF 2018. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN CHILLICOTHE OH AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FINE TO DRIVE AND TO BRING IT IN THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. THEY SAID I SHOULD PLAN TO WAIT WHILE THEY LOOKED AT IT AND THAT I WOULD BE DRIVING IT HOME THAT DAY.. I DROVE ABOUT 20 MILES AND THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND DIED. THEY NEVER TOLD ME WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE BUT THERE WAS OIL AND CHUNKS OF ALUMINUM ALL OVER THE ROAD. THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CAR HAD 33,000 MILES AT THAT TIME. THEN ON DECEMBER 23 OF 2020 MY ENGINE STARTED MAKING THE SAME EXACT NOISE. THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY WITH 144,000 MILES ON IT. I REMOVED THE OIL PAN TO FIND THE PROBLEM. IT WAS THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER. THE CONNECTING ROD BEARING WAS BAD. I CLEANED THE JOURNAL ON THE CRANKSHAFT AND MEASURED IT WITH PLASTIGAUGE. IT WAS 0.001" OVER THE TOLERANCE. I INSTALLED NEW BEARING ON ALL FOUR RODS IN HOPES THAT 0.001" OUT OF TOLERANCE WOULDN'T BE TO MUCH. EVERY BEARING ON THE ROD SIDE WAS WORN OUT AND THE COATING GONE. THE BEARINGS ON THE BOTTOM "CAP" SIDE WERE IN DECENT SHAPE EXCEPT FOR THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER WHICH WAS DESTROYED. AFTER THE ENGINE HAD STARTED AND I HAD DROVE FOR AROUND 5 MILES IT STARTED KNOCKING AGAIN. THE JOURNAL ON THE CRANKSHAFT IS TO WORN FOR THE BEARING TO WORK. I HAVE AN ENGINE ORDERED AND I AM REPLACING IT MYSELF. I HAVE SEVERAL YEARS OF SCHOOLING IN AUTO MECHANICS AND HAVE GROWN UP IN A GARAGE, I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE AND NEVER MISSED ANY ON MY CAR. IT HAD EVERY OIL CHANGE WITH SYNTHETIC OIL, OIL FILTER CHANGED EVERY TIME, FLUID LEVELS WERE CHECKED ON A REGULAR BASIS AS WAS THE AIR FILTER. THE CAR ISN'T DRIVEN HARD, THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE ISSUES I'VE HAD OTHER THEN DEFECTIVE PARTS OR DESIGN OF THE ENGINE IN THIS CAR. | Crash: No Fire: No | 144,000 |
| Jan 2021 | STRUCTURE | THE PAINT ON THE HOOD OF MY CAR HAS STARTED TO BUBBLE-UP, CRACK AND PEEL OFF. THERE IS NO DAMAGE FROM ANYTHING THAT HAS HIT THE HOOD AND THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN WASHED WITH HIGH PRESSURE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 66,000 |
| Dec 2020 | SERVICE BRAKES | THE REAR LIGHTS, BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS , BURN OUT FREQUENTLY. HAD IT REPAIRED TWICE IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS | Crash: No Fire: No | 18,500 |
| Nov 2020 | ENGINE | GOT MY OIL CHANGED 9/10/2020 AND IT HAS NOT RAN EVERY SINCE 9/10/20 WANT STAY RUNNING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON MAKING A LOUD NOISE I HAVE TO KEEP GIVING IT GAS TO KEEPIT RUNNING. SO. MY STEPDAD WAS LIKE IS THERE ANY OIL IN IT I TOLD HIM I HAD JUST HAD IT CHANGED NOT EVEN MONTH AGO WELL HE CHECK IT AND IT'S 2 AND HALF QUARTS LOW BUT HOW IS THAT IT'S NOT EVEN BEEN RUNNING IN TWO WEEKS AND I HAVE NO LEAKS SMH ENJ | Crash: No Fire: No | 93,000 |
| Oct 2020 | POWER TRAIN | 2018 HYUNDAI ELANTRA: THE CAR ONLY HAS 21K BUT THE RADIATOR HOSE CLAMP CRACKED AND THE HOSE BURST OPEN. THE CAR'S ENGINE OVERHEATED CAUSING IT TO BE INOPERABLE. HYUNDAI CUSTOMER SERVICE DENIES ANY FAULTY/MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AS WELL NO REPORTED CASES WITH THIS MODEL AND MAKE. THIS SHOULD FURTHER BE LOOKED INTO AS IT MAY CAUSE SIGNIFICANT DISTRESS FOR THE OWNER AS WELL AS ENDANGERING LIVES. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED DRIVING ON A FREEWAY UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. HYUNDAI REFUSES TO ACCEPT LIABILITY, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE REQUIRED TO UNDER THEIR POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, STATING THE VEHICLE MUST BE SENT TO THEIR DEALERSHIP ONLY. | Crash: No Fire: No | 21,000 |
| Oct 2020 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | THE REAR LIGHTS, BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS , BURN OUT FREQUENTLY. NOW THE BRAKE LIGHT WIRING HAS MELTED. HAD IT REPAIRED TWICE!! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | DRIVING NORMALLY AT 35MPG AND THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE THE LEFT REAR TIRE STARTED BLINKING EVEN THOUGH THE PSI IN ALL TIRES NUMBERS WERE THE SAME AND NORMAL ON ALL FOUR TIRES... CHECKED PRESSURE TO MAKE SURE IN ALL TIRES AND STILL KEEPS BLINKING ALONG WITH THE SERVICE LIGHT STILL ON. | Crash: No Fire: No | 29,800 |
| Sep 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION TRAVELING 65-68MPH ON NJ GARDEN STATE PARKWAY WHEN REAR BUMPER FELL OFF. NOTHING TOUCHED THE VEHICLE (NO COLLISION). ROAD WAS STEADY (NO POTHOLES). | Crash: No Fire: No | 145,000 |
| Sep 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPEN,I JUST GOT A NOTICE AND MY LYFT ACCOUNT IS CLOSED NOW | Crash: No Fire: No | 59,549 |
| Aug 2020 | ENGINE | I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR AND WHEN I DID IT EVERY LIGHT ON THE DASH WAS LIT UP AND THE GEAR SHIFT WAS STUCK IN PARK. IT HAPPENED ABOUT TWO WEEKS PRIOR AND I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON A FEW TIMES AND IT WORKED BUT THIS TIME IT DIDN'T SO I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER CAME HE USED SOME SORT OF TOLL HE HAD TO UNLOCK THE GEAR SHIFT WHICH ALLOWED IT TO BE DRIVEABLE. OF COURSE WHEN THE DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT IT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE BUT THEY FOUND THAT THE IGNITION COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND DID SO. | Crash: No Fire: No | 36,668 |
| Jul 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE | ON JUNE 29,2020 MY 2018 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH ONLY 40,000 HAD A ENGINE FIRE AND TOTALED MY ENTIRE CAR THAT WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF INSIDE OF MY GARAGE | Crash: No Fire: Yes | 40,000 |
| Jul 2020 | ENGINE | THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND IT STARTED SMOKING. THE CAR JUST STOPPED AND THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE STARTED AGAIN. THE CAR DID NOT WARNING OF OVER HEATING OR OF THE CAR NEEDING TO BE SERVICED. I BROUGHT THE CAR USED AND IT WAS TWO MONTHS AFTER I MADE THE PURCHASE THAT THIS HAPPENED. | Crash: No Fire: Yes | 14,000 |
| Jun 2020 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND AT LOW SPEED WHICH COST ME AN ACCIDENT AND ALMOST MY LIFE AND MY UNBORN I HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR IT FIRST STARTED TWO MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE CAR IT CUT OFF AT A LIGHT I WAS ABLE TO TURN IT ON IT DID IT TWICE THAN NEVER AGAIN UNTIL RECENTLY. *TR | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2020 | STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE | ENGINEERS SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. WHEN SPEEDS AT OR OVER 65 IN FWY STEERING WHEEL BECOMES UNSTABLE WHEELS START VEERS OFF ROAD, HAVE TO HOLD TIGHT GRIP ONTO STEERING WHEEL. WHEN BRAKING AT SUDDEN STOPS WHEN BRAKE THE CAR SKIDS. VERY SCARY SITUATIONS. CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY AND SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN. *TR | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2020 | ENGINE | IN NOVEMBER 2018, I TURNED ON MY CAR, AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. I TURNED IT BACK OFF, THEN ON. IT SHOOK AGAIN, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LINE WAS ON. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID SINCE THE LIGHT WASN'T FLASHING, I COULD DRIVE IT OVER. TURNED IT ON, NO ISSUES, DROVE OVER. THEY READ THE CODE AND REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL. MILEAGE WAS 12,884. THIS MORNING (MAY 2), THE CAR TRIED TO TURN ON, BUT COULDN'T (LIKE A DYING BATTERY). OIL, ENGINE, AND BATTERY LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. WAITED A FEW MINUTES, TRIED AGAIN, SAME ISSUE. THE THIRD TIME, IT FINALLY STARTED, BUT SHOOK VIOLENTLY FOR A COUPLE SECONDS. NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. CALLED THE DEALER, THEY SAID TO DRIVE IT OVER. THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND SAID IT CAN'T POSSIBLY BE THE IGNITION COIL, AND CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS JUST OVER 15,000 MILES. ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE BY THE DEALERSHIP PER THE SCHEDULE. I USED THE CAR THE EVENING OF MAY 1 WITH NO ISSUES, AS WELL AS FOR A 45 MINUTE DRIVE ON APRIL 29, SO, I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S THE BATTERY, EITHER. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL OF CAR. I AM AFRAID IT WILL BREAK DOWN SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN MY DRIVEWAY AND LEAVE ME STRANDED OR IN DANGER, SUCH AS AT AN INTERSECTION. | Crash: No Fire: No | 15,020 |
| Apr 2020 | ENGINE | IN FEBRUARY 16 DRIVING IN FREEWAY AT 67 MILES AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AT 10468 AND BLINKS WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LOSS SOME OF POWER AND PULLED OVER TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND ATTEMPTED TO STAR ENGINE AND TOOK 5 CRANKS TO START ENGINE NEXT DAY FEBRUARY 17 TAKE TO DEALER AND THE DEALERSHIP TOOL ME NO FAULTS CODES IN THE SYSTEM BEFORE TOKE TO DEALERSHIP USE SCANNERS HAVE 2 GENERICS CODES PO128 (TERMOSTART NO OPEN PROPERLY) THE OTHER CODE NO POSIBLE YO READ DUE TO LIMITED SCANNER . THE DEALER THE DEALERSHIP THE ADD B 90C042R1 ELANTRA ECM SOFTWARE UPDATE (20-01-008H AND NO MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE CODES O THE UPDATE IN SATURDAY'S APRIL 18 2020 AT 9:10 AM THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AGAIN THIS CASE NO ENGINE LOSS OF POWER APPEARS GO HOME AND RECHECK THE CODES AND SAME CODES AT MILEAGE 11539 | Crash: No Fire: No | 20 |
| Mar 2020 | TIRES | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 HYUNDAI ELANTRA EQUIPPED WITH NEXEN TIRES, TIRE LINE: NPRIZAH8, TIRE SIZE: 195/65/R15 N/A, DOT NUMBER: 153T. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE COCONUT CREEK HYUNDAI LOCATED AT (4960 N. STATE ROAD 7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073) WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS PREVIOUSLY PATCHED. THE CONTACT REPLACED AND ROTATED TIRES. ONE MONTH LATER, THE DRIVER SIDE ORIGINAL TIRE ALSO EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE CONTACT REPLACED AND ROTATED THE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT LESS THAN A MONTH LATER A THIRD TIRE OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE. A DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,600. | Crash: No Fire: No | 14,600 |
| Mar 2020 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,WHEELS | WHEN ACCELERATING AFTER STOP CAR LUNGES AND THEN STARTS TO MOVE, SINCE BOUGHT IT I HAVE TOLD DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES THEY SAY NOTHING WRONG THAT HOW IT IS. ALSO TIRES HAVE ALL FELL APART OR WENT FLAT AND HAVE WIRE SHOWING ON INSIDE . I FEEL THIS IS SAFETY CONCERN AND WHEN BUYING A NEW CAR TIRES SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 1 YEAR I SHOULD NOT ACCELERATION PROBLEMS EITHER.I HAVE SOME PICTURE | Crash: No Fire: No | 41,250 |
| Feb 2020 | WHEELS | WARNING LIGHT FOR TIRE PRESSURE COMES ON EVERY 4 TO 5 DAYS. TIRE PRESSURE GOES DOWN, EVEN AFTER TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED. | Crash: No Fire: No | 11,045 |
| Jan 2020 | ENGINE | GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BUT THERE WAS IMMEDIATELY AN ENGINE FIRE | Crash: Yes Fire: Yes Towed | 57,000 |
| Jan 2020 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | HEATING HOSE ASSEMBLY AND UPPER AND LOWER RADIATOR HOSES WORE OUT IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS ON A BRAND NEW CAR. I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. 5 DAYS AFTER I HAD AN OIL CHANGE AND MULTIPOINT INSPECTION DONE ON MY CAR, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD GOTTEN IT SERVICED. | Crash: No Fire: No | 67,206 |
| Jan 2020 | WHEELS | I PURCHASED A NEW HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2018 WITH THE ORIGINAL TIRES, HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2. THE TIRES ARE BALANCED, ROTATED, AND ALIGNED EVERY 5,000 MILES. I NOTICED THE SIDEWALLS HAVE SEVERE CRACKS ON ALL 4 TIRES. I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE DEFECT AND IN NO WAY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I ALSO BELIEVE IT IS ALSO A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE HYUNDAI DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING AS THE TIRES ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I ALSO CALLED THE HYUNDAI COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO CONTACT THE TIRE MANUFACTURER, HANKOOK. I HAD DONE THAT TWICE BEFORE, AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO TAKE THE CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED HANKOOK DEALER. I THEN TOOK THE CAR TO A TIRE KINGDOM, AN AUTHORIZED HANKOOK DEALER, AS RECOMMENDED BY HANKOOK. THE SERVICE MANAGER LOOKED AT THE TIRES AND AGREED THAT THE CRACKED/SPLITTING SIDEWALLS WERE INDEED A DEFECT, CALLED HANKOOK HIMSELF, EXPLAINED WHAT HE SAW, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING HANKOOK COULD DO. THE CRACKED SIDEWALLS ARE INDEED A SAFETY ISSUE AND AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THIS IS AN ISSUE WHICH HAS OCCURRED BEFORE WITH THESE SAME HANKOOK TIRES (VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2) ON HYUNDAI VEHICLES, IN WHICH A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND TIRES (47,000) WERE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL WAS FOR TIRES PRODUCED BETWEEN MAY 2013 AND FEB. 2015. ALTHOUGH MY TIRES HAVE A DIFFERENT DOT, IT SEEMS THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OR WORSE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED BEFORE PEOPLE GET HURT OR IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO FAULTY TIRES. | Crash: No Fire: No | 30,000 |