2018 Hyundai Elantra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2018 Hyundai Elantra has a complaint index of 40, ranking 13th out of 21 model years, with a Good verdict. Engine problems dominate at 53% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 38,000, but no recalls were issued for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #13 of 21 Elantra years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 282
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 12
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 7
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 30.5
- 27 city / 36.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 1
Top 2018 Hyundai Elantra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine150 (53%)
- Other54 (19%)
- Electrical System52 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain24 (9%)
- Fuel System23 (8%)
- Structure & Body17 (6%)
- Steering16 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (6%)
- Brakes15 (5%)
- Airbags12 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine seizes or stalls suddenly while driving, sometimes with smoke or fire, without prior warning lights.
- Oil disappears from the engine with no visible leak, accompanied by intermittent oil and low tire pressure warning lights.
- Airbags fail to deploy during crashes, including collisions at highway speed and with animals.
- Electrical system produces a loud pop followed by smoke and a small fire near the engine bay.
- Brakes fail to stop the vehicle promptly during sudden traffic slowdowns despite firm, full pedal pressure.
- Engine fires occur even while the vehicle is parked and turned off inside a garage.
2018 Hyundai Elantra recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2018 Hyundai Elantra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 27 MPG
- Highway
- 36.5 MPG
- Combined
- 30.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,150
- 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Hyundai Elantra reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 Elantra has a complaint index of 40 and ranks 13th out of 21 model years, earning a Good verdict relative to other Elantra years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2018 Hyundai Elantra?
- Engine problems make up 53% of complaints, the top problem area, with a median failure mileage of 38,000 and 7 reported fires.
- Does the 2018 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2018 Elantra, though owners submitted 282 complaints covering engine, electrical, and airbag issues.
- How does the 2018 Elantra compare to other Elantra years?
- The 2018 model's complaint index of 40 is much lower than the worst years, such as 2013 (index 100) and 2017 (index 95), both rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Hyundai Elantra?
- The 2018 Elantra gets 30.5 mpg combined (27 city / 36.5 highway) with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150.