2018 Hyundai Elantra
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 172 of 330 complaints (52%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 790 in 2017 to 330 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,000–2,300 | 1,800–2,500 | 1,800–2,500 | 1,800–2,500 | 1,750–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 27–31 | 25–35 | 25–35 | 25–35 | 26–36 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 24–28 / 32–37 | 22–32 / 30–40 | 22–32 / 29–40 | 22–32 / 30–40 | 23–33 / 30–41 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 282–331 | 256–356 | 256–363 | 256–356 | 250–352 | |
| Complaints filed | 299 | 790 | 330 | 263 | 257 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 22 | 37 | 12 | 12 | 21 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 6 | |
| Injuries reported | 17 | 24 | 7 | 4 | 16 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Configurations compared | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Hyundai Elantra have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Hyundai Elantra?
Engine: 172 of 330 NHTSA complaints (52%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Hyundai Elantra get?
EPA rates it 25–35 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Hyundai Elantra?
EPA estimates $1,800–$2,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (10)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 28 mpg | 37 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,950 | 281 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 36 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 301 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 29 mpg | 38 mpg | 33 mpg | $1,900 | 272 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 24 mpg | 32 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 327 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 23 mpg | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 338 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 26 mpg | 32 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 317 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 29 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 363 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 33 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 305 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 22 mpg (low) | 30 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | $2,500 (high) | 356 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic (AM7) | 4 | 1.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 32 mpg (high) | 40 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | $1,800 (low) | 256 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 172 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 29 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 27 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 47 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 19 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 15 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 61 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · Campaign 18V891000 · Dec 18, 2018
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.