10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,321 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

Get free help with your lemon!
close ad

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #73

Aug 092023

Elantra

  • miles
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.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #72

Jul 022023

Elantra

  • miles
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.

- Trenton, NJ, USA

problem #71

Aug 012023

Elantra

  • miles
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

- San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA

problem #70

Jun 012023

Elantra

  • miles
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.

- Lacey, WA, USA

problem #69

Jun 172023

Elantra

  • miles
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!!!!

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #68

Jul 152022

Elantra

  • miles
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.

- Boonville, MO, USA

problem #67

Feb 052023

Elantra

  • miles
I purchased this car as a used car at CarMax in July 2022 and it drove fine for about 10,000 miles, but starting in February 2023, my engine started to misfire. The first misfire happened when I started my car. I was told by my local mechanic that I needed a new engine after a compression test was run. My engine misfired a 2nd time while I was merging on the highway and a third time while I was starting my car. I only have 68,975 original miles on my car. The first 2 misfires illuminated the check engine light and the third misfire illuminated the check engine light, the battery light and oil pressure light, however my mechanic didn't find any codes with my third misfire. My car regularly rough idles and has a delay when I accelerate as well.

- Dublin, OH, USA

problem #66

Mar 152023

Elantra

  • miles
Engine shut down and inoperable. Possession of car less than 2 years, driven to college, work, etc.

- Navarre, FL, USA

problem #65

Dec 012022

Elantra

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, smoke and an oil leak coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 93,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #64

Apr 142023

Elantra

  • miles
I just started my drive and my car seems to have rebooted while I was driving. The whole ordeal only lasted a few seconds. Things I noticed: 1) The steering locked (Guessing the electronic controls were down) 2) A few telltales were triggered and then the instrument cluster went blank 3) A the same time, the infotainment system went blank. Both the instrument cluster and the Infotainment came back after a few seconds 4) The engine revved up a bit at some point This has never happened to me before. I suspect it may be because of a new build software that was flashed to fix a security issue with Hyundai cars but I'm not sure.

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #63

Feb 082023

Elantra

  • miles
Engine internal parts failure causing the car the to become a danger to the occupants of the vehicle and to others on the road the 1.6 litter gdi Engine is known for having Engine problems but little is said about the 2018 tgdi 1.6 litter in the hyundai elantra sport having the same issues. I thought I was getting a safe car for my wife and my children I guess I was wrong. We are second owners of the car we bought it from carmax and we got the max care extended warranty they knew hyundai had engine problems sold us the car without revealing any information about the problems and the when the engine problems accrued they along with another actual hyundai dealer have done everything in their power not to help so I'm stuck paying $16,000 for a car that does not run. I am extremely disappointed in their willingness to accept any responsibility for the faulty engine they $3,600 out of my pocket just for them to check out the engine to see if the would replace it which would not be reimbursed. That is a lot of money just to throw in and hope they'll fix it if not a new motor is $10,000. We don't have $13,600 just laying around. This engine issue has to be addressed I'm sure there are other people having this issue. Thank you for your time

- Forsyth , GA, USA

problem #62

Feb 272023

Elantra

  • miles
Engine seizes or stalls shutting off the car completely and randomly. This puts myself and passengers and other on the road at serious risk of injury or death due to not being able to maintain speed or control of vehicle. It is available for inspection upon request. It has been an ongoing issue since 2020 and the dealership has -??fixed the issue-?? twice. It is not fixed as it keeps happening. They deny any further issues and claim they cannot replicate the issue. I drove it from the lot again today after they -??fixed-?? it and had it shut off on my way home. There has not been a check engine light that comes on in the past however this time it did making today the first time the check engine light came on. The check engine light came on before the car shut off while driving home from dealership. I put date of occurrence as of today but the first time it happened was back in 2020. It will shut off while at a stop light or even going 45 mph. I am unsure of how many miles were on the car at first occurrence. I think around 20 or many 30k

- Eugene , OR, USA

problem #61

Jan 262023

Elantra

  • miles
Engine is defective and using excessive amounts of oil and will eventually fail or seize resulting in catastrophic failure or leaving customer with a lemon that they still own on. Hyundai hasn't issued a recall for this make and model but should have. As a result, been forced to constantly check the oil levels, and oil must be added to the engine more frequently than even the owner-??s manuals recommend. MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (ENGINE LIGHT) suddenly came on at 123K miles. When engine light appeared, customer checked oil level which revealed low/no oil. Engine oil pressure warning light fails to come on dashboard display. Oil change had been scheduled months in advance but not due until about another 770 miles. Customers must suffer through extremely long wait times often 3-4 months later for service appointment at dealership even just for an oil change. The customer also expected to leave vehicle for up to a week or longer just for a diagnosis meanwhile footing the cost to rent a vehicle. Customer having to service vehicle elsewhere for diagnostic only for code to clear temporarily before reappearing. Major issues cannot be addressed timely dealerships, leaving customer with one of two options: drive the car until it fails or foot the bill for a $10,000 engine replacement outside of any Hyundai dealership. Engine should be recalled & replaced under warranty.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #60

Feb 022023

Elantra

  • miles
I fill up my oil at regular service intervals. When i drive my car after 3500 miles if i turn the engine stalls. This is dangerous due to loss of power. This has happened multiple times.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #59

Jan 242023

Elantra

  • miles
Engine completly stalled while driving, was parking in a parking garage, and was driving up on an incline to park and my car just stalled and all warning lights came on. No warning lights were present prior to, and all power was still on. I was stuck in the middle of the lane, blocking cars in. I was able to turn the car off and restart it and it started up with no warning lights and as if nothing just happened. I do not feel safe driving this car and will be having it inspected immediately

- Lombard, IL, USA

problem #58

Dec 192022

Elantra

  • miles
Without any warning, the vehicle suddenly shut off while driving in a very busy intersection. It was able to be started two times as we tried to get out of the way of other moving vehicles but it eventually had to be towed. There were no warning lights that appeared on the vehicle to give us any indication something was wrong. It was towed to the dealership and we were told that there was engine damage, the engine needed to be replace and that it would not be covered.

- Plainfield, IL, USA

problem #57

Nov 112022

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles
My daughter is in college in Tallahassee. About 4 months ago, she told me that when she presses the accelerator, the car doesn-??t go as fast as it should. In July 2022, the car was serviced in Tallahassee at the dealership; however, none of this is reflected on the receipt. In November she came home to Palm Beach County, on her way back, she told me that she was having the same issue when she pressed the accelerator. She made it to Tallahassee and I had her take it to the dealership. The Service Manager called me and said she had gone over the recommended miles for an oil change and this may have caused damage to the engine; however, he decided to change her oil and spark plug which coated about $318. She drove the car for a few days and noticed a loud tapping noise; also, the car rolls in all gears, and the same issue with when pressing the accelerator. Upon taking it back to the dealer, they told me that the engine would have to be replaced at a cost of $9500. The car had sat at the dealer since November 14, 2022 because no one would call back; provide updates after I started questioning the issues with other vehicles like this one based on my research. In addition, I was told the manufacturers warranty did not apply to my daughter-??s car because she was the 2nd owner. I had the car towed today, November 30, 2022 to AAMCO. It is available if needed. This issue has put my daughter at risk because Tallahassee is very hilly. The vehicle not getting enough speed to drive up a hill, pass vehicles or possibly be hit from behind puts my daughter and others at risk. The dealership has indicated there is a problem with the engine that will require it to be replaced. The vehicle was inspected by Werner Hyundai in Tallahassee who said there was an issue with the engine. It is now at AAMCO. Outside of my daughter indicating the problem, I am not aware of any other warnings.

- Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #56

Jun 242022

Elantra

  • miles
The engine suddenly started stalling at stop sign or red lights at random times and the engine immobilizer light came on along with check engine and oil light. This was dangerous when turning left at an intersection. Car would be fine after restarting the car. Other times the ESC malfunction light would show while driving and the engine would not accelerate properly on the highway and the engine would also start jerking at times. Dealer said they could not fix it as this was an intermittent issues and they could not reproduce the issue when given for repair. Dealer and company did not agree to do a complete check and replace sensors, etc.

- Green Brook, NJ, USA

problem #55

Jul 232022

Elantra

  • miles
My Elantra was taken by theft. Rear driver side door broken. Ignition harness torn apart and the car was driven away from my senior living home parking lot on July 23rd at 3 P.M. Police were called but car was taken off the lot before they arrived. I received call from police on July 27th that the car was in an impound lot in St. Paul. Drivers side front tire blown out, wheel severly damaged. Some body scratched in left rear. Front passenger seat badly stained. Other damage unknown. Vehicle been at Walser Hyundai since about August 1st. Shop waiting for parts for repairs.

- Robbinsdale, MN, USA

problem #54

Aug 012022

Elantra

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud sound coming from underneath the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, there was smoke coming from the front end of the vehicle. Another driver alerted her son that there was a flash of flame coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed her that the vehicle was out of warranty and offered to cover 60% of the repair cost. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Audubon, NJ, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »