Research · Midsize Cars

2018 Hyundai ElantraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 284 owner complaints for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra. Most complaints involve engine (142) and electrical system (43). The EPA rates it 25–35 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
25–35mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
284
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$1,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

284 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2018 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine142
  2. Electrical system43
  3. Power train24
  4. Fuel/propulsion system19
  5. Steering16
  6. Exterior lighting16
  7. Structure15
  8. Service brakes15
  9. Vehicle speed control13

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Elantra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996101
1997118
199856
1999133
2000200
2001329
2002348
2003234
2004182
2005137
2006155
2007267
2008316
2009287
2010455
2011461
2012676
20131,330
2014387
2015262
2016293
2017770
2018284
2019252
2020254
2021132
2022102
2023101
202456
202522
20263
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

142 reports3 crashes7 fires
“engine mounts have been replaced already twice and they keep going bad last time was over a year ago and now it's bad again making noises vibrate and this replacement was done by the dealership with parts from Hyundai apparently under warranty and now warranty is almost done worries me that in a year without warranty i have to replace them again something is really off with either the engine or the parts they are replacing”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2026Suspension, EngineODI 11771561

Electrical system

43 reports2 crashes3 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11751074

Power train

24 reports
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The car began stalling and started to become unresponsive while I was driving to work. While I was not 100% sure of what component was malfunctioning at the time, I suspected that it might be a timing chain problem because I had this same exact issue happen to to this car back in January 2025. I did not expect this issue to occur again because at the time of the previous problem, the dealership confirmed that issue was the timing chain and the VVT system, and replaced those components with new parts. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The car started stalling and sputtering, then became unresponsive while I was driving. If I were in a high-traffic area, I'm not confident that I would have been able to accelerate, stop, or safely pull over to the side of the road without putting myself and/or someone else in harms way. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the car is currently at the dealership and they confirmed that the issue is the timing chain and the VVT system. Has the vehicle or…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2025Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11705305
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM7) · Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Elantra
Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
324035$1,850256
Elantra SE
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293833$1,950272
Elantra
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283732$2,000281
Elantra
Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
263329$2,200305
Elantra
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263629$2,200301
Elantra
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,550356
  • Elantra
    Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    32 city · 40 hwy · $1,850/yr
    35
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra SE
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    29 city · 38 hwy · $1,950/yr
    33
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    28 city · 37 hwy · $2,000/yr
    32
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    26 city · 33 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 36 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Elantra
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 12610
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2018 Elantra questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Hyundai Elantra have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 3, 2026.

What are the most common 2018 Hyundai Elantra problems?

Owners filed 284 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (142), electrical system (43), power train (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Hyundai Elantra get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Hyundai Elantra at 25–35 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2018 Hyundai Elantra?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 Hyundai Elantra 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026