Verdict
2018 Hyundai Elantra: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2018 Hyundai Elantra — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most sedan.
Owners filed 323 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 91% of 2018 sedans. Engine leads the reports (32%). No safety recalls on record.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2018 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
323
Reports to NHTSA, 2018
Safety recalls
0
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
29
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 91% of 2018 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2018 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Engine issues lead owner complaints (32% of 323 reports), followed by unknown or other (14%).
+ 15 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 323 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11299711, ODI 11582547, ODI 11436605, ODI 11339427, ODI 11711527.
Recalls
0 recalls — none issued for this model year as of Jul 2026. Recall records can change as NHTSA publishes new campaigns.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2018 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elantra | 1.4L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM7) | 32 | 40 | 35 |
| Elantra | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 28 | 37 | 32 |
| Elantra | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 26 | 36 | 29 |
| Elantra | 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM7) | 26 | 33 | 29 |
| Elantra | 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 22 | 30 | 25 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
These are affiliate links. TireKick may earn a fee if you use one.
Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2018 Hyundai Elantra: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra?
Owners filed 323 NHTSA complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Elantra — more complaints than 91% of comparable 2018 sedans, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2018 Hyundai Elantra?
The most-reported problem areas are Engine (32% of complaints) and unknown or other (14%).
How many recalls does the 2018 Hyundai Elantra have?
No safety recalls are on record for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra as of Jul 2026.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Hyundai Elantra get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Hyundai Elantra between 25 and 35 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.