2018 Hyundai Elantra Complaints

ENGINE — Filed 09/23/2026

While driving the engine light came off and car shut down instantly. I see there is issues with the 2018 Hyundai Elantra but I’m coming ot if picket. $7678.50 I purchased the vehicle I. ZMay and purchased a standard warranty that covers $2500 per repair. I have a 30/3 Tucson and love that vehicle! This one! Not so much!!!! I owe $11,000 and need a $7600 engine.

STEERING — Filed 08/18/2026

Steering keeps locking up steering wheel light light and other lights in my dashboard came on which caused my back camera to stop working took it to dealership got a diagnosis it appeared nothing was wrong which they calibrated it and fixed the problem for a month and it started back to the same problem again called the dealership to see why was this issue happening again I was told I would have to have it diagnosed again because it’s been 30 days which I think it’s crazy because they already know what’s going on from the last time I bought it in it’s like the dealership is stealing from us and just doing quick fixes.

ENGINE — Filed 08/23/2026

After the car was started, I drove 3 houses over when there was a loud knocking sound and the car just shut off. When trying to restart it wouldn't and the check engine, battery, and oil lights came on. After pushing it out of the road we checked the oil and it was empty. The oil has just been changed less than 2 months ago. Now the engine is seized.

AIR BAGS,ENGINE — Filed 07/13/2026

On July 13, 2026, my engine light came on and I don't understand why. My oil change was update and not sure what else can be wrong. So, I went to AutoZone so that can do a diagnostic and they gave me a printout of the problem. Took the vehicle to the shop gave him the printout from AutoZone so that he will know what the problem is. Brought the part and that didn't take the engine light off and I paid $300 for nothing because I am still experiencing the issue. I took it back to the shop and the guy said that I need to replace my engine. I have had the car for about three years and not understanding why the engine needs to be replaced already. Then the passenger seat belt light keeps going off when there's no one sitting in the seat. I think there's a problem with the engine and my seatbelt light, but there's a recall on the vehicle. I replaced the air filter like it was suggest to me the car dealer where I purchase the car from. So, I did that and the car is running a little loud at times.

ENGINE — Filed 06/30/2026

While the car is in drive, it would power off in the middle of driving. Took the car to repair and advised regarding the engine. My safety was at risk because I loss power to operation the car in the middle of traffic, which could have called an accident for myself and others. The problem have been confirmed a repair shop. No, the manufacture stated since my vin # is not included in their recall, it will not be cover but clearly its something wrong with the car. When the engine light came on, I took it to the repair shop and was advised regarding the engine.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 06/09/2026

My daughter was in a parking lot and put her car in park, removed her keys and exited the vehicle. She walked around the vehicle and was removing her school bag and the car came out of park and rolled into another vehicle.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 04/01/2025

Initial Fault Code: P0303 Replaced all 4 spark plugs and all 4 ignition coils. The check engine light extinguished momentarily but returned, logging P0303 and a new P0301 Replaced all 4 fuel injectors. CEL extinguished momentarily and then returned, logging P0303. Replaced the entire engine electrical harness. Concurrently, all related electrical components and connectors were meticulously cleaned with professional contact cleaner. CEL extinguished for significantly longer period of time, and then returned, re-logging P0303 and P0301. Thid suggested the ECU was "handshaking" with new components but re-logging the fault upon detecting the persistent core issue. A full compression test was performed. All cylinders reported results within specification. Using a borescope I inspected cylinder walls in piston tops. There was significant carbon residue buildup but nothing out of the ordinary for similar GDI engines. I still performed a PEA GDI specific chemical cleaning. It was a a little smoother afterwards, but the misfire persisted and CEL remained on. I also removed, cleaned, and tested common sensor faults, with no result. Also p0128 code and no start / electrical drain, and engine light started flashing numerous occasions had to stop the vehicle. I tried swapping the coils, but all that proved was that the coil was good, I did a power and ground test, it passed the connector had 12 plus volt power and a perfect resistance to static ground. The signal wire from the coil connector had perfect continuity to the ECU but had OL to chassis ground showing there was no short. A test light was used to see if anything was coming from the signal wire to the ignition coil and that test failed, there was no signal pulse. The diagnostic process has definitively proven a component-level failure inside the engine control unit. See attached file for more detailed information.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/23/2024

I was in a car accident. I was hit on the passenger rear side and the car spun out of control but none of the airbags deployed. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer but we did reach out to them and are in the process of filling out a questionnaire. The vehicle is currently being assessed in a body shop as we work with the insurance to see the final damages.

ENGINE — Filed 04/06/2023

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormally loud popping sound. Two other drivers alerted the contact that flames were coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact checked the rearview mirror and noticed smoke coming from the vehicle's rear end. The steering wheel then seized, and the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was received. The flames extinguished themselves. There were no police or fire department reports filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a seized crankshaft and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 224,809.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 08/03/2023

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.

AIR BAGS — Filed 07/01/2023

Was involved in accident on interstate. The car in front of me began decelerating and as a result, I did the same. The car behind me crashed into me at high speed and pushed me into the car in front. (3 cars involved total). The front and rear ends of my car were completely crushed to the point where the drivers door will not open more than about a foot. At no point did my airbags deploy. My car is serviced regularly and no warning lights were on. I was not injured but am extremely lucky that this was the case. A police report was filed.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 12/07/2021

UNKNOWN

AIR BAGS — Filed 11/04/2022

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the contact crashed into a deer causing severe damage to the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 07/02/2021

When I first purchase the car It was stated that i had no issues, I have records stating this. Also, I was having tremendous issues with the tires. Four months later I encountered an car accident. I was getting off of an exit and as I was getting off there was a car in the middle of the street that was broken down with no hazardous lights on. I suspected that the car was moving but it was not. As I am braking I was somewhat too close to the car and I ended up hitting the back of the car. At this time, the air bags did not deploy. Once the car was evaluated by the insurance company the car was considered totaled. The insurance company took the car to a salvage. This could have taken my life.

AIR BAGS — Filed 12/22/2021

Had a car accident, airbags did not deploy but the airbag light was on. Insurance inspector said they inflated but did not come out of their housing. The airbags did not deploy upon impact. I attached pictures of the accident to show the airbags did not deploy.

ENGINE — Filed 09/01/2021

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE — Filed 10/13/2021

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 .

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/13/2021

This vehicle was so easy to steal 4 kids stole it and crashed it in a 45 minute span.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE — Filed 06/29/2020

ON JUNE 29,2020 MY 2018 HYUNDAI ELANTRA WITH ONLY 40,000 HAD A ENGINE FIRE AND TOTALED MY ENTIRE CAR THAT WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF INSIDE OF MY GARAGE

ENGINE — Filed 01/06/2020

THE ENGINE SEIZED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND IT STARTED SMOKING. THE CAR JUST STOPPED AND THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE STARTED AGAIN. THE CAR DID NOT WARNING OF OVER HEATING OR OF THE CAR NEEDING TO BE SERVICED. I BROUGHT THE CAR USED AND IT WAS TWO MONTHS AFTER I MADE THE PURCHASE THAT THIS HAPPENED.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 04/15/2019

CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND AT LOW SPEED WHICH COST ME AN ACCIDENT AND ALMOST MY LIFE AND MY UNBORN I HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT A YEAR IT FIRST STARTED TWO MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE CAR IT CUT OFF AT A LIGHT I WAS ABLE TO TURN IT ON IT DID IT TWICE THAN NEVER AGAIN UNTIL RECENTLY. *TR

ENGINE — Filed 01/13/2020

GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BUT THERE WAS IMMEDIATELY AN ENGINE FIRE

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 10/11/2019

I DRIVE A LOT DUE TO COMMUTING TO AND FROM WORK. RECENTLY I HAVE HAD TO BRAKE SUDDENLY DUE TO RAPID CHANGE IN FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I HAD A NEAR MISS. I WAS 5 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO A HALT. I WAS TRAVELLING AT 55MPH. I HAD STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AS FAR DOWN AND HARD AS I COULD. MY VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP. I HAD TO SWERVE AROUND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING THEM. MY SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK AND I FELT AS IF I WASN'T SLOWING DOWN. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOWER SPEED OF 30 MPH. I BROKE AGAIN HARD AND MY CAR WOULDN'T STOP.

AIR BAGS — Filed 04/18/2019

VEHICLE HAD THE RIGHT AWAY AND WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND ANOTHER VEHICLE ROLLED A STOP AND BOTH CARS INTERSECTED.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/05/2018

THESE NEW CARS DO NOT HAVE A MANUAL RELEASE FOR THE TRUNK ANYMORE - MAKING THEM EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE TRUNK IS BY RELEASING THE LEVEL ON THE VERY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OR YOU MUST HAVE THE KEYS IN YOUR HAND. SO THE CAR IS PARKED AND MY SON GOES OUT WITH A FRIEND TO GET A POSTER OUT OF THE TRUNK AND SHUTS THE DOOR ON HIS HAND BY ACCIDENT. - OR SHOULD I SAY THE TRUNK CAME DOWN ON HIS HAND AND LOCKED HIS HAND INSIDE! AND NOW HE CAN'T OPEN THE TRUNK DOOR - AND NEITHER CAN HIS FRIENDS BECAUSE THERE IS NO MANUAL RELEASE ANYMORE! AND THEY ARE ALL TO YOUNG TO KNOW THERE IS A RELEASE ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. IF I HAD NOT BEEN CLOSE BY - MY SON WOULD HAVE LOST HIS LITTLE PINKY FINGER. IT WAS CUT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BONE. WHEN I CALLED HYUNDAI TO LET THEM KNOW - THE FIRST AND LAST RESPONSE WAS, "MA'AM, COULD YOU CALM DOWN BEFORE WE CONTINUE?" I SAID "SURE. I AM GOING TO CALM RIGHT DOWN AND CALL THE PRESS." AND I HUNG UP AND HAVE ALREADY NOTIFIED ABC, NBC AND THE AUTOMOTIVE NEWS - THIS IS SO DANGEROUS. HOW COULD ANYONE ALLOW NEW CARS TO HAVE NO MANUAL WAY TO OPEN THE TRUNK ANYMORE. THIS IS NOT EVOLUTION OF THE AUTO INDUSTRY. THIS IS A HUGE STRAP BACKWARD AND IT COULD REALLY PROVE TO BE HARMFUL TO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE. IT'S ONE THING TO SHUT THE DOOR ON YOUR FINGER OR HAND - BUT A DOOR THAT CAN NOT BE OPENED ... WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD THEY COME UP WITH THIS FAUX PAS? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM