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2018 Hyundai Elantra

Gas
Midsize Cars
10 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
A
Safety Signal
94 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns1
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA330
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA35 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Hyundai Elantra is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car with 10 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Elantra, is EPA-rated at 35 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 330 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
ElantraGasFWD1.4L 4-cyl turbo324035$1,800
Elantra SEGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl293833$1,900
ElantraGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl283732$1,950
ElantraGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl263629$2,150
ElantraGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo263329$2,150
Elantra GTGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo263228$2,250
Elantra GTGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl243227$2,300
Elantra GTGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl233126$2,400
ElantraGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo223025$2,500
Elantra GTGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo222925$2,500

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 38926, 38682, 38680, 38681, 38924, 38885, 38791, 38792, 38925, 38886.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Hyundai Elantra is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database
●moderate

Electrical System

179
86 vehicles
ProblemHyundai 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.RiskIf the sunroof does not detect an obstacle while closing and then retract, there could be an increased risk of injury.FixHyundai 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.
NHTSA campaign 18V891000reported Dec 14, 2018Hyundai Motor America

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
330complaints filed

12 involved a crash · 8 a fire · 7 injuries · 1 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2018: 31 · 2019: 27 · 2020: 20 · 2021: 33 · 2022: 60 · 2023: 43 · 2024: 46 · 2025: 43 · 2026: 27

Most-cited components

Engine168
Unspecified61
Electrical System43
Power Train29
Fuel/Propulsion System23
Exterior Lighting16

What owners describe

“The contact owned a 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT. The contact stated on one occasion, while driving the transmission locked up at two stop lights while in neutral (N) and stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. Additionally, the contact stated that while powered off, and being towed in Neutral (N) by a motor home, a passi…”Jan 12, 2024 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“Engine, power train, malfunction changing my speed control. No warning lights, first ticking noise from engine then knocking loud noise from engine. Noticed ticking about 4 days ago at first, today on freeway going 60-70 mph just changed to loud knocking, immediately engine warning starts to flash on dash board then sp…”Nov 27, 2023 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“I have noticed over the last year or so that the engine was burning oil. This was indicated by Express Oil Change multiple times during oil changes, including today. The oil level today didn't even register on the dipstick, so it seems this is getting worse. I can get oil change records on request from the above compan…”Jun 19, 2023 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆11%
5 HB FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★☆11%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Compare the 2018 Elantra with

2018 Toyota Camry →2018 Toyota Corolla →2018 Honda Civic →

Other Elantra model years

C

2026 Hyundai Elantra

2 recalls · 3 complaints

C

2025 Hyundai Elantra

2 recalls · 33 complaints

C

2024 Hyundai Elantra

2 recalls · 59 complaints

D

2023 Hyundai Elantra

4 recalls · 165 complaints

F

2022 Hyundai Elantra

8 recalls · 155 complaints

F

2021 Hyundai Elantra

7 recalls · 158 complaints

D

2020 Hyundai Elantra

3 recalls · 255 complaints

B

2019 Hyundai Elantra

1 recalls · 263 complaints

D

2017 Hyundai Elantra

4 recalls · 790 complaints

B

2016 Hyundai Elantra

2 recalls · 299 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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