10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,310 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments (Page 3 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #44

May 232022

Elantra

  • miles

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

Multiple events of engine shutoff while driving. This results in loss of power braking, power steering and any acceleration. This occurs both at highway and non-highway speeds. This is obviously a safety concern, as, until the engine is restarted, there is difficulty in safely manuevering the vehicle. The engine may or may not be immediately able to restart. This occurs with the vehicle in gear during normal driving conditions (IE, driving at a steady speed on flat road) This is accompanied by multiple CEL faults relating to CCV timing, engine misfire, etc. This was a known issue in prior engine revision (Theta 2.0L), and appears to be subject to a recall of the same engine (Nu 2.0L) in other models. This vehicle was taken to the local dealer and confirmed to need an engine replacement with a similar failure mechanism as the Theta 2.0L (failed lubrication of pistons resulting in premature wear leading to early failure resulting in misfire/"piston slap")

- New Braunfels, TX, USA

problem #43

Jun 082022

Elantra

  • miles
I just purchased this car on may 10 2022 after only having it a week engine light came on.startes to loose power and shake really bad. Took to shop replaced spark plugs and some other.think that was just a week ago.now while driving to day car just cuts of now don't wants to start.no waring lights just died.wondering do I have a lemon.

- Pleasant Grove, AL, USA

problem #42

May 162022

Elantra

  • miles
At slow speeds car just shuts off engine. Starts back up but does it constantly. Also the engine lifters are starting to make noises like a clacking someone said it was a defective motor.

- Point, TX, USA

problem #41

Apr 232022

Elantra

  • miles

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

I've had several issues over the years with this vehicle but nothing too major but more so a nuisance. Such as the car hesitating when accelerating, light bulbs constantly burning out on the vehicle within less than a year of being replaced by myself, etc. It is now April 2022 and vehicle problems begin arising, I heard a weird noise coming from the engine (after much personal research learned this is a knocking sound). Which also happens to be the same issue from the prior year models. One day while out running errands the car just completely dies and goes into limp mode while I was turning onto a busy street (very dangerous). I drove it a very short distance back & forth to work a couple of times because thats as far as I felt going safety wise. The engine jerked forward one day but still continued to run. Then one day on my way home from work when I began slowing down to turn into a driveway. The car completely died again. It went into limp mode enough for me to creep and barely park it where I ended up having to get out & push the vehicle. It doesn't turn over or start at all now. The car gave absolutely no warnings no codes for me to turn to regarding what was going on etc. Hyundai says in order for it to be covered under the warranty that I have to provide them with information. Which I have no problem doing. However based on the research that I've done from other Hyundai Elantra owners others have had similar issues. My Car is barely 4 years old & only has about 65,000 miles on it. I went with Hyundai's because I wanted something that would be safe and reliable especially because I had a child coming into the world at any moment. I ended up going with this vehicle which isn't even 5 years old & it has already become a lemon. Hyundai currently has the vehicle as I try to figure out what to do with it. Since I no longer feel safe driving it. There are no warning lamps etc that came on.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #40

Feb 012022

Elantra

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle did not drive smoothly. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil and fuel. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Beaumont, CA, USA

problem #39

Apr 282022

Elantra

  • 64,644 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer replaced several unknown sensors; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced due to oil clogging the valves. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,644.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #38

Mar 222021

Elantra

  • miles

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

Engine would randomly idle mild to very rough when started and would sometimes correct and sometimes not correct while driving. This would turn on the check engine light for a misfire on cylinder 4. All ignition coils were replaced, and same code would happen. Hyundai was aware of this being a widespread issue and did a software update (Tech Bulletin 90C042R1). The problem continued, but seemed the check engine light would not come on as soon as before the software upgrade. Took back to dealership and they said the ignition coils would need to be Hyundai brand, change cylinder 4 to OEM and still having the issue. Engine also burns about 1 quart of oil every 7000 miles and often has a rough idle, with very rough idle periodically. I feel this would put myself and others on the road in danger if the engine were to fail while driving due to the ongoing damage rough idling appears to be causing to the engine.

- Stantonsburg, NC, USA

problem #37

Mar 212022

Elantra

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle began to shake and vibrate and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that two cylinders were misfiring. No further information was available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 55,000.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #36

Mar 012021

Elantra

  • 0 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. While driving and turning the steering wheel was firm. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The driver added oil to the engine. There was an abnormal sound detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and informed them to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

- Stockton, MD, USA

problem #35

Dec 222021

Elantra

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over but was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the engine replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer and was awaiting diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #34

Oct 292021

Elantra

  • miles

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

On 10/29/2021 I was driving approx 40 miles per hour when my car engine shut off with no warning and almost caused an accident with my kids in the car. I had it towed to hyundai after the care refused to restart. No check engine light anything. Was told my engine failed by the dealership I have 72000 miles on the car. This whole incident has been a nightmare

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #33

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 #32

Sep 012021

Elantra

  • 77,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, when the vehicle stalled. The contact stated the oil and the low tire warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the ignition and drive to an independent mechanic and had oil maintenance completed. The contact stated on 10/31/2021 while driving 35 mph, she started to smell smoke and saw smoke exiting the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated the oil, the low tire, and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to park the vehicle near a parking lot. The contact stated her boyfriend was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher from a near restaurant, but the fire continue to expand. The fire department was able to extinguish the rest of the fire. A fire report was filed. The contact stated no one was injured nor seek medical attention. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #31

Dec 082018

Elantra

  • 13,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact had a remote start system installed on the vehicle; however, the vehicle would inadvertently start. The headlights would also activate independently. The vehicle was taken on four separate occasions to the local dealer and was diagnosed that the remote was sticking. The contact was provided new remotes, remote start module, and the mechanic cleared the codes. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.

- Mohegan Lake, NY, USA

problem #30

Apr 152019

Elantra

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle inadvertently shuddered and stalled. The contact stated he was able to veer to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine coil pack needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer who diagnosed that the engine coil pack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving and the vehicle was taken to the same dealer who diagnosed that the engine coil pack needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was still awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

- Warrenton, VA, USA

problem #29

Jun 202021

Elantra

  • miles
Engine Seized Completely On 6 /20/2021 Car Was Only highway Driven and has had Regula Oil changes Using Quaker State Synthetic Oil As Is Recommended by the Automaker We still owe $10 K on this Car Its Outragous that Hyundai Has Had So Many Of these Seize But Yet It Keeps Going On We Have Had a Licensed Owner /Mechanic Look the car over and Will Provide A Letter We Fully Expect This Engine Be Replaced At Hyundai's FULL EXPENCE

- Ancram, NY, USA

problem #28

Jan 152021

Elantra

  • miles
While driving the vehicle this past January, I experienced a brief -€œclunking-€ noise in the engine, and the car stalled. The check engine came on briefly and then disappeared. The code identified was a -€œfaulty crankshaft-€ code. I made an appointment with the dealership to take it in to be inspected, but later that day my son was driving to pick me up from work and the vehicle literally died in the middle of an intersection. No warning, all lights came on in the vehicle, the electrical system terminated, and the vehicle died. I had to have it towed to the nearest garage, which was a Pep Boys, and they diagnosed the problem as an alternator and battery, serpentine also. So. 1300 dollars worth of work later-€¦. Turns out the car has an engine issue.

- Silver Creek, NY, USA

problem #27

Apr 062021

Elantra

  • miles
no warning at all the engine blew apart sling oil in the road car lost all power I was turning into the drive way or about too when this happened I had to clean the road way and tow the vehical home hundyai would not help I cannot get help from hundyai dealer which told me it would be 3 months becor they could look at it or pay for it to be towed to Memphis

- Henderson, TN, USA

problem #26

Apr 172021

Elantra

  • 100,100 miles
Started loosing power then throw a rod throwing oil everywere right after 100000miles

- Henderson, TN, USA

problem #25

Apr 302021

Elantra

  • 44,500 miles
While driving my car it just stops. I have been complaining to the local dealership for 1 year and they keep turning me away. My battery was replaced and that is it. I was told I was exaggerating that this was not happening. Yesterday was different from the other times it stopped. My car stopped on a busy highway and I almost ran off the side of the rode a cliff because the wheel and brakes locked up. No one is taking this serious. As I am driving the car will just shut off. The local dealership advised me to drive even further to get it fixed. How is this safe? I was told by rich its my car I own it its not their problem.

- Fort Hood, TX, USA

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