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.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Engine142
- Electrical system43
- Power train24
- Fuel/propulsion system19
- Steering16
- Exterior lighting16
- Structure15
- Service brakes15
- Vehicle speed control13
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Elantra model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 101 |
| 1997 | 118 |
| 1998 | 56 |
| 1999 | 133 |
| 2000 | 200 |
| 2001 | 329 |
| 2002 | 348 |
| 2003 | 234 |
| 2004 | 182 |
| 2005 | 137 |
| 2006 | 155 |
| 2007 | 267 |
| 2008 | 316 |
| 2009 | 287 |
| 2010 | 455 |
| 2011 | 461 |
| 2012 | 676 |
| 2013 | 1,330 |
| 2014 | 387 |
| 2015 | 262 |
| 2016 | 293 |
| 2017 | 770 |
| 2018 | 284 |
| 2019 | 252 |
| 2020 | 254 |
| 2021 | 132 |
| 2022 | 102 |
| 2023 | 101 |
| 2024 | 56 |
| 2025 | 22 |
| 2026 | 3 |
- Crashes reported
- 12
- Fires reported
- 7
- Injuries reported
- 6
- Deaths reported
- 1
What owners report most
Engine
“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”
Electrical system
“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.”
Power train
“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…”
Engines, transmissions & drive
- 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.
EPA fuel economy by version
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elantra Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 32 | 40 | 35 | $1,850 | 256 |
| Elantra SE Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 38 | 33 | $1,950 | 272 |
| Elantra Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 37 | 32 | $2,000 | 281 |
| Elantra Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,200 | 305 |
| Elantra Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 36 | 29 | $2,200 | 301 |
| Elantra Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,550 | 356 |
- 35mpg comb.
- 33mpg comb.
- 32mpg comb.
- 29mpg comb.
- 29mpg comb.
- 25mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 4 of 5
- Side pole
- 5 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 10.7%
Maintenance basics
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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
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.