2018 Hyundai Elantra

2018 Hyundai Elantra recalls (0)

No open NHTSA recalls were found for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra. Verify by VIN for the specific vehicle, as recalls can be issued at any time.

2018 Hyundai Elantra safety ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2018 Hyundai Elantra owner complaints (15)

• 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.

• AIR BAGS,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 off when there's no one sitting in the seat. I think there's a problem with the engine and my seatbelt light, but there's a recall on the vehicle. I replaced the air filter like it was suggest to me the car dealer where I purchase the car from. So, I did that and the car is running a little loud at times.

• 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

  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

  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 — 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 Angeles CA 90037 and available for inspection. SAFETY RISK: The engine shuts off quietly at red lights and stop signs without warning. Dashboard indicates engine is not running and vehicle cannot move without restarting. My minor son was a passenger when this occurred, creating a serious safety hazard at active intersections. REPRODUCED/CONFIRMED: Stalling was documented by text to Assistant Service Manager John Ragan at 12:34 PM on XXX Dealership's General Manager confirmed in writing July 22, 2026 that no stalling existed at original drop-off, confirming it developed during their custody. INSPECTIONS: Dealership performed a multipoint inspection and documented the clunk in writing. No independent inspection has occurred as vehicle remains on dealership property. Hyundai Motor America notified — Case #XXX. WARNING LAMPS: No warning lamps or symptoms existed at drop-off January 12, 2026. Stalling first appeared XXX after 159 days in custody. Dashboard warning lights illuminate when stalling occurs but no prior warning signs existed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• STRUCTURE

  The factory paint on the hood, roof, and front fenders is delaminating, with the largest defect being on the hood. These are available for inspection upon request. As this is progressing, structural pieces may begin to rust, but this also presents a critical visibility issue. During one drive on 6/8/2026, the hood paint began flaking away significantly at highway speeds, which could have jeopardized my or following drivers visibility in conditions that were already rainy. Yes the paint has been inspected by Hyundai and a private body shop. We first noticed some delamination on the hood about 6 months ago, but prior to that there were no warning signs of this progressively worsening paint failure.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  This vehicle lacks an engine immobilizer, a defect that has made 2011-2022 Hyundai and Kia vehicles unusually susceptible to theft via a method widely publicized on social media as the "Kia Challenge." My vehicle was stolen using this method, driven approximately 30-40 miles, and abandoned. It was found stripped of parts, including the catalytic converter. This defect is already the subject of a nationwide class-action settlement (hyundaitheftsettlement.com) and a multistate Attorney General settlement. I am filing this report to ensure my vehicle/incident is included in NHTSA's records on this ongoing safety issue.

• ENGINE

  The engine in my 2018 Hyundai Elantra suffered a sudden internal failure at 118,444 miles. The vehicle began knocking, losing power, and running roughly. A dealership inspection confirmed heavy scoring on cylinders 1, 3, and 4, oil intrusion into the cylinders, and piston top slapping. The engine is not repairable and requires full replacement. This failure matches the known defect pattern of Hyundai’s Nu 2.0L MPI engine, which has widespread issues with piston ring wear, oil consumption, cylinder scoring, and internal mechanical failure. The failure occurred without warning/messages and created a safety hazard due to loss of power while driving. My VIN is not included in any recall, but the defect is identical to other Hyundai engine failures that have resulted in recalls and investigations. I am reporting this because the engine failure appears to be part of a larger safety‑related defect affecting this engine family.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

  My daughter was in a parking lot and put her car in park, removed her keys and exited the vehicle. She walked around the vehicle and was removing her school bag and the car came out of park and rolled into another vehicle.

• ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  Alarming rate of oil consumption causes sudden loss of power / acceleration which definitely increases probably of causing an accident. Local repair shop confirmed extremely low oil level with no evidence of where oil went shortly after oil change and annual safety inspection. All the dashboard warning lights came on when it happened but low oil warning light came on prior to event. No warning whatsoever, just sudden loss of power and completely lit up dashboard.

• ENGINE

  Engine has consumed an alarming rate of oil for years. I brought to a mechanic and they performed a $2,600 repair on engine. It ran fine for while and got much worse with oil consumption to the point that I needing to add oil monthly. It has been difficult to keep up on keeping enough oil in car and engine has now sustained damaged. There is no ticking or noise, but there is a loss of power and sometimes, the engine runs rough. I continue to drive it and add oil. But I have researched this is an apparent problem with the elantra.

• SEATS

  The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact stated that while entering the vehicle, the contact noticed an unusual burned spot on the back rest of the front passenger's seat. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,040.

• UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  The vehicle is experiencing premature paint failure and delamination on factory-painted body panels with Quartz White Pearl (W8) paint. Paint is peeling, chipping, and separating from the underlying surface without collision damage, abnormal wear, or neglect. The issue appears consistent with widely reported Hyundai white paint adhesion defects affecting similar vehicles and paint codes. The condition developed gradually and continues to spread to additional areas of the vehicle. The affected paint failure exposes underlying surfaces and may reduce long-term corrosion protection of the body panels. No warning lights or messages appeared prior to the issue. The vehicle remains operational, but the paint defect appears to involve loss of adhesion of the factory-applied paint system rather than normal cosmetic wear or isolated rock chips. The issue is available for inspection upon request. The manufacturer has issued warranty extensions and programs related to similar white paint delamination conditions on Hyundai vehicles, but this vehicle was reportedly excluded despite having the affected paint code and similar failure pattern.

• ENGINE

  unknown Car is knocking and consuming oil quickly. Oil changes done as appropriate. Timing belt/chain changed almost 2 years ago. Garage now says we have an oil consumption issue and need a new engine! We are out of warranty and power train.

• ENGINE

  I am filing a safety complaint regarding a complete engine failure on my Hyundai vehicle. My vehicle experienced sudden engine failure and is now completely inoperable. There were no prior warning lights that indicated an imminent failure (or: include warning details if you had them). The vehicle shut down and cannot be restarted or driven. There are no open recalls associated with my VIN; however, I am reporting this because the failure appears to be sudden and severe, and I am concerned it may indicate a potential manufacturing defect or broader engine issue. The vehicle is still under financial obligation, and the engine failure has rendered it unusable. I am requesting that this incident be documented for safety tracking and investigation purposes.