2018 Hyundai Elantra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 282 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 26 Elantra model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 12 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 6 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: engine
144 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, May 28, 2024
May 24 2024, while driving on Interstate95 at approx 70mph, I experienced catastrophic engine failure, with metal shards and screws shooting out, oil spewing, and smoke billowing everywhere. Loss of control of vehicle and nearly hit by passersby while trying to guide vehicle to swale. There were absolutely no warning lights or signals, and vehicle had just been serviced at Hyundai dealership at 77k miles (odometer reading 81k at time of incident). Independent mechanic diagnosed engine failure, hole in block, and provided attached photos. Vehicle was towed to Wallace Hyundai, in Ft Pierce, where it awaits dealer mechanical inspection.
Engine, Apr 27, 2024
I am losing engine oil all the time to the point the car engine shut off My engine start losing oil after 2000 miles 1000 miles before oil change [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 27, 2024
I was driving about 45 mph when the car just turned off the first time. I was able to put it in neutral and start it back up to get to the side of the road and it died on me again. I was about 30 feet from my destination at this point so I got it where I was going and turned it off. When I turned it back on it was making a terrible knocking/grinding noise. It didn’t have a drop of oil in it (about a thousand miles after my last oil change mind you) so I put oil in it and started it again and the sound quit. I went to drive it and it died before I could accelerate to a decent speed, got it cranked and rolling again and it slowly got up to 40 mph, but the second I started to slow down again it would die. So I had it towed to my mechanic who at first thought it was because the timing chain had a lot of slack in it, assuming it jumped time so he changed that, but it was still dying. He ended up finding the cause to be the exhaust cam sprocket? I’ve never heard of this before but I do know that ever since I bought the car 3 years ago it never felt like it would get up and go whenever I hit the gas. Since I picked it up from being fixed, this thing zoom zooms everywhere now! But it is still using an ungodly amount of oil between oil changes.
Engine, Apr 12, 2024, fire
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormally loud popping sound. Two other drivers alerted the contact that flames were coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact checked the rearview mirror and noticed smoke coming from the vehicle's rear end. The steering wheel then seized, and the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was received. The flames extinguished themselves. There were no police or fire department reports filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a seized crankshaft and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 224,809.
Engine, Apr 8, 2024
AT LESS THAN 62,000 MILES THE ENGINE NO LONGER HAS PRESSURE AND THE CAR IS INOPERABLE. VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING 1 WEEK PRIOR TO CAR BECOMING INOPERABLE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Apr 2, 2024
ON THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 45 MPH TRIED TO SPEED UP AND SWITCH LANES AS I PRESSED THE GAS YOU CAN HEAR THE ACCERATION BUT THE CAR DIDNT INCREASE IN SPEED THE WHOLE DASHBOARD WENT BLANK (BLACK). CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE. ITS VERY DANGEROUS THAT THE CAR FALFUCTIONS IN CRITICAL CONDITIONS LIKE BEING ON THE FREEWAY. YES I HAVE TOOKEN IT TO HYUNDAI AND THEY NEVER FIND ANYTHING WRONG. ALSO AT TIMES THE CAR WONT EVEN TURN ON. NO TYPE OF WARING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD.
Engine, Mar 18, 2024
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
Engine, Mar 16, 2024
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!!!
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 7, 2024
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.
Air bags, Engine, Mar 2, 2024
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!
Engine, Feb 26, 2024
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!
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 15, 2024
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
Engine, Jan 8, 2024
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 4, 2024
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.
Engine, Jan 2, 2024
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.
Engine, Dec 31, 2023
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 28, 2023, fire
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.
Engine, Sep 15, 2023
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
Seat belts, Engine, Air bags, Aug 29, 2023
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.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 14, 2023
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.
Engine, Aug 9, 2023
MY 2018 HYUNDAI ELANTRA SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE ENGINE AND OIL LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF ANYWHERE WHILE I AM DRIVING AS OF APRIL 02, 2023. I HAD TAKEN MY 2018 HYUNDAI ELANTRA TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE CRANK SENSOR REPLACED AND THEY COMPLETED THE REPLACEMEMT TODAY, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 09, 2023. NOW MY 2018 HYUNDAI SHUTS OFF MORE OFTEN THAN BEFORE. I WAS TOLD BY THE HYUNDAI CORPORATION OFFICE TO TAKE MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND INFORM THEM THAT MY 2018 HYUNDAI ELANTRA IS SHUTTING OFF MORE FEQUENTLY THAN BEFORE....AS OF TODAY, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 09, 2023.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 1, 2023
UNKNOWN- intermittently - multiple times a day for the last month the car starts making clicking noises like a card in the spokes of a bicycle. Mechanic could not find the cause. UNKNOWN- two times in 2 weeks- while making a turn my car stalled in the middle of an intersection, all the lights on the dash went on, and wouldn't start up again for a couple minutes. Then car starts and runs fine besides the intermittent clicking
Engine, Jul 7, 2023
Knocking coming from the engine, OIL in the engine, Oil pressure light came on. Was looked at by two private mechanics and the dealership and was told the engine was faulty and not to drive it. The engine needed to be replaced. Was denied replacement by corporate since it just passed the warranty and was told to go to the BBB if I didn’t like it.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Jun 17, 2023
First, the plastic around wheel wells began to come out, then other parts of underneath near the skid area at the front of car begin to drag. Eventually a lot of the plastic pulled away underneath the car taking some of the front bumper. Then the car ran hot and had zero fluid in the radiator even though I regularly have oil changed and fluids topped off. Now the air conditioner throws out hot air when it on. I’ve regularly had oil changed. After only 3500 miles of having oil changed my oil light would come and car stalls when I’m turning. This could get me hit and killed. I bought car from car max and took it back as I have Extended Warranty that I’m paying for. They told me I had to have an appointment nearly a month out. I told them car needed to be seen now, that engine is probably going to go. CarMax refused to see my car and I now have an appointment at the Huyandi dealership . CarMax stated that Hyundai would replace my engine for free. I would like to state that I used car fax and found out car was a rental car and driven in three states. Also according to the vin number the oil in my Hyundai was changed for the first time At 18,000 miles. I still owe three years and I’m not going to have a car because it may blow the engine before I can get it into dealership. I NEVER would have bought the car had I known it was a rental, but CarMax kept telling me it was a one car owner. The car had 36,000 miles on it and I should have known. Yes, it was a one car owner by the Car rental agency and driven by hundreds of people, who didn’t care because it was a rental. Also, the check engine light is on and I can’t get car inspected or renew my tag. I had to replace calipers on both sides of car and I’ve had to have it aligned three times. It also makes a thumping sound on right front tire while I’m driving it. Feels very unsafe. Replaced brakes tires and it still makes noise. There needs to be a way to protect the consumer!!!!
Engine, Jun 7, 2023
I noticed around 97k miles that car just died as I turned left out of a parking lot at low speed. Thought nothing of it at first maybe I hit the keys with my knee. Then it happened again at 101k and recurred consistantly always within 1000 miles of an oil change at the scheduled interval in the manual. Then at 117k it did it again but when I started the car it developed a loud knock. I got the car home and took it to my mechanic and they said that the engine would need replaced. This is incredibly dangerous as it happens while traveling at speed and you lose control of power steering and acceleration.