2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 8 Elantra GT years
The 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT ranks worst of 8 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 50 complaints, mostly engine-related (58%). It carries 1 recall for a panoramic sunroof defect and is rated Avoid relative to other Elantra GT years.
- Complaints
- 50
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 23.5 city / 31.5 hwy
Top 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine29 (58%)
- Electrical System7 (14%)
- Other7 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (10%)
- Brakes4 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras4 (8%)
- Fuel System4 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (8%)
- Lane Departure2 (4%)
- Steering1 (2%)
What owners report
- Engine stalls or fails to restart while driving, in some cases at highway speed near 75 mph.
- Transmission locks up unexpectedly in neutral at stoplights and stalls, with one case involving a fire while being towed at 19,000 miles median mileage for that category.
- Headlights with LED or low-beam patterns create distracting shadows that reduce visibility of pedestrians and the road ahead.
- Windshields reportedly crack on their own with no impact, sometimes within the first few thousand miles.
- Automatic emergency braking system fails to detect obstacles or issue warnings that it should.
- Owners report a faulty brake booster and slipping transmission with no corresponding recall on the 2018 model, despite one existing for the 2017 model.
2018 Hyundai Elantra GT recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V891000Dec 14, 2018Visibility & Wipers86 vehicles
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT vehicles. The panoramic sunroof motor may be incorrectly programmed, preventing the sunroof from detecting an obstacle while closing.
Risk: If the sunroof does not detect an obstacle while closing and then retract, there could be an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the panoramic sunroof, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 179.
2018 Hyundai Elantra GT fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23.5 MPG
- Highway
- 31.5 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2018 compared with other Elantra GT years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT reliable?
- Among the 8 Elantra GT model years tracked, 2018 has the highest complaint index at 100 and ranks worst overall, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT?
- Engine issues dominate, accounting for 29 of 50 complaints (58%), with a median mileage at failure around 32,000 miles for that category.
- Does the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 18V891000) covers a panoramic sunroof motor that may not detect an obstacle while closing.
- How does the 2018 Elantra GT compare to the 2017 model?
- The 2017 Elantra GT also has an Avoid verdict with a complaint index of 86 and 25 complaints, but 2018 scores higher at 100 complaints index and ranks worse.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT?
- EPA rates it at 26.5 mpg combined (23.5 city / 31.5 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $2,450.