10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,390 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Hyundai Elantra electrical problems

electrical problem

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2018 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #30

Jan 312024

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

So my 2018 Hyundai elantra has had the ignition/starter coils go bad now for the third time, the first 2 times the car was under warranty, I thought the second time it was odd to have the same problem, the car shakes violently, stalls out, and or refuses to start. But my warranty just ran out in 2023 and now of course the same problem is happening again, I took it to the dealer and they repaired it, it was very expensive, but I really thought since it was the same problem that they or Hyundai would cover this repair, of course they laughed at me so of course I paid it and hoped that Hyundai USA or the dealer, Ron Marhoffer Hyundai in Akron, Ohio would cover it after the fact but they both refuse simply stating that this problem happened after the 5 year warranty. I totally disagree, especially since this is the same problem happening again and again, it clearly was never fixed properly or has remained defective over the lifespan of the vehicle. I did some research and was shocked at the thousands of reports of other American consumers with the same issue and again the company laughing at us all. I am hoping for some consumer protection here for parts on a vehicle that are clearly defective and should be recalled and replaced properly. I guess we will just have to wait for someone to stall out while driving and wreck and die for something to be done unfortunately. I am assuming its probably already happened. When it happens to me again, which it will, I will hope and pray for the best. Please help.

- New Franklin, OH, USA

problem #29

Dec 012023

Elantra

  • 60,000 miles
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.

- Penn Valley, CA, USA

problem #28

Nov 082023

Elantra

  • miles
Car isn-??t starting just changed the started two years ago after it failed now it-??s not starting we have gas in it and it won-??t start

- Gouverneur, NY, USA

problem #27

Aug 032023

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Three Rivers , TX, USA

problem #26

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 #25

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 #24

May 302023

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My right rear brake has a short in the wire. It goes on and off where I hit bumps in the road. I have tried replacing and nothing works. My car was broke into and steering column was busted. They person who broke into my car was able to put a USB port onto the ignition and start my car.

- Terrell, TX, USA

problem #23

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 #22

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 #21

Jan 242023

Elantra

  • miles
Passenger seatbelt alarm will sound randomly even when nobody is in the passenger seat.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #20

Jun 242022

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 #19

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 #18

Oct 122022

Elantra

  • miles
Financed last year (2021) at 38,000 miles, financing a vehicle i wish I knew to do research before hestitly excepting my first offer, first waring was on the test drive. The car had to be towed back to dealership because the battery was dead. In the sub-zero cold, the battery with read low and this causes electrical issues, from remote start not working to unable to open the doors. The more common and reaccuring issue that is getting worst is the lack of excellaration when taking off. Realizing this drastic difference recently, I know there is some thing happening, but I have not had much good customer service when I have brought issues to dealership and services center. Also issues with harness for the back left lights. The harness that holds the bulb keeps burning out. Dealer has never fixed when I immediately experience this issue and they just replaced the bulb twice until they realized the real problem and told me it would cost me $160

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #17

Sep 152022

Elantra

  • miles
The car has a security vulnerability where the car is able to start without the key being present. Also, the engine will shutter randomly (car will shake) when in idle. This happens especially the first few minutes from a cold start.

- Stamford, CT, USA

problem #16

Jan 202022

Elantra

  • miles
My car will shut off as I-€™m driving it. I was going thru a busy intersection and my car turned off, I was in my car with my 3 babies traffic backed up and almost got slammed into. I had to get out and push my car to the side of the road. The check engine light started flashing then the whole dashboard started flicking

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #15

Jun 012022

Elantra

  • miles
My brake lights kept burning out. I replaced them and they burned out the same day. It seems that the wire harness is corroded. I believe this is a manufacturer issue.

- Saylorsburg, PA, USA

problem #14

Apr 282022

Elantra

  • miles
The air bag warning light randomly comes on disabling the air bags. It seems to turn on when the passenger seat gets moved forward or backward fast. In looking into this, it would appear Hyundais over the years have had this issue. It turns off sometimes when some one sits in the seat.

- Perry Hall, MD, USA

problem #13

Mar 132022

Elantra

  • miles
In regards to my 2018 Hyundai Elantra Limited currently with 47000 miles, driving and noticed the a/c temp display which also controls fan speed stopped working, display was blank. Checked all other electrical equipment inside car with no problem except that the heated seat function didn't work also.while doing an exterior inspection noticed that all lights except the headlights worked.After the interior and exterior inspection and no error codes or indicators on the dash, I had the alternator, battery and starter checked along with probe testing every fuse in the car and under the hood checked and everything was fine. The Car has been perfect up to this point which is alarming because if the headlights go out while driving at night or in the rain this is a safety problem and driving citation. My only indication of when this happens is if the a/c control display goes out. The problem is intermittent and Hopefully it won't happen again and I couldn't find any other similar things like this happening to others.

- Tallahassee , FL, USA

problem #12

Oct 132021

Elantra

  • miles
About month ago Sept the car would shut off when driving or stopping and find out it oil I had changed at the tire shop it was changed 2 n half months before that once oil changed running good low tire light, oil light flash off and on at time well as of 10/12/2021 started do it my again so I check oil there no oil werid where oil go no leak on ground when I leave wherever I parked well went to Walmart get oil put oil in it and started driving not even more 35 miles bout sudden smoke coming from under engine then smell fire I pull over in parking lot at restaurant ran put fire out and it got worse trying grab my stuff and bf with me fire went inside car and under the car hear siren firemen coming if they hadn't gotten there when they did it almost went to the gas tank could of exploded firemen said look like electrical cause fire. Engine light, oil and tire light were on now undrivable.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #11

Jul 292021

Elantra

  • miles
It appears the parking lamps stay on when car turned off while headlights are in AUTO. This leads to unintended battery drain leading to unoperational car. Per Owner's Guide: The system automatically turns off the parking lamp when the key is removed (remote key) or when the driver turns the engine off (smart key) and opens the driver-side door. This does not meet the Owner's Guide's language. Dealerships and inspection services did not confirm/reproduce this. There are no warning lights or indicators of this.

- Whitehall, PA, USA

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