4.7

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,475 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Hyundai Elantra drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2018 Hyundai Elantra Owner Comments

problem #16

Jun 122021

Elantra

  • 38,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact continuously depressed the brake pedal, and the vehicle responded significantly, causing the contact to depress the brake pedal to drive safely. The contact stated that the vehicle would shudder while responding on some occasions. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving at various speeds. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the failure recurred, and the vehicle and the steering wheel were shuddering temporarily. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was test-driven twice; however, the failure could not be duplicated. Additionally, the vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys, but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and several cases were filed. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #15

Mar 012023

Elantra

  • miles
Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) hesitates when slowing to a stop, then accelerating. The car completely looses power and limps for a second or two until finally it engages and power finally goes to the wheels. Also, the DCT clutch completely failed at 117,000 miles while traveling 65mph on the freeway, and Hyundai won't replace the clutch. Hyundai will only sell a new complete DCT.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #14

Dec 192022

Elantra

  • miles
Without any warning, the vehicle suddenly shut off while driving in a very busy intersection. It was able to be started two times as we tried to get out of the way of other moving vehicles but it eventually had to be towed. There were no warning lights that appeared on the vehicle to give us any indication something was wrong. It was towed to the dealership and we were told that there was engine damage, the engine needed to be replace and that it would not be covered.

- Plainfield, IL, USA

problem #13

Nov 112022

Elantra 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My daughter is in college in Tallahassee. About 4 months ago, she told me that when she presses the accelerator, the car doesn-??t go as fast as it should. In July 2022, the car was serviced in Tallahassee at the dealership; however, none of this is reflected on the receipt. In November she came home to Palm Beach County, on her way back, she told me that she was having the same issue when she pressed the accelerator. She made it to Tallahassee and I had her take it to the dealership. The Service Manager called me and said she had gone over the recommended miles for an oil change and this may have caused damage to the engine; however, he decided to change her oil and spark plug which coated about $318. She drove the car for a few days and noticed a loud tapping noise; also, the car rolls in all gears, and the same issue with when pressing the accelerator. Upon taking it back to the dealer, they told me that the engine would have to be replaced at a cost of $9500. The car had sat at the dealer since November 14, 2022 because no one would call back; provide updates after I started questioning the issues with other vehicles like this one based on my research. In addition, I was told the manufacturers warranty did not apply to my daughter-??s car because she was the 2nd owner. I had the car towed today, November 30, 2022 to AAMCO. It is available if needed. This issue has put my daughter at risk because Tallahassee is very hilly. The vehicle not getting enough speed to drive up a hill, pass vehicles or possibly be hit from behind puts my daughter and others at risk. The dealership has indicated there is a problem with the engine that will require it to be replaced. The vehicle was inspected by Werner Hyundai in Tallahassee who said there was an issue with the engine. It is now at AAMCO. Outside of my daughter indicating the problem, I am not aware of any other warnings.

- Royal Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #12

May 012022

Elantra

  • miles
Engine stalls while driving. No warning, intermitted full shut down of the engine. Can happen multiple times in a row, only making it a few hundred feet before stalling again. The only remedy is to put the car in park and start the engine again, however, that is not always easy to do when on the road, and the car can only drift and brake. It is not safe when the car stalls, especially in traffic -- can be dangerous to myself and others on the road if I am unable to pull the car over or get it to start up again on the interstate. I have been to a mechanic, and 2 dealerships who claim they cannot replicate the problem, and even when it stalled in the parking lot when I was leaving, there were no error codes on the computer. This being said, without a code or a proper diagnosis, I am at a standstill because "nothing can be done or authorized' by Hyundai without a code. I have been suggested by both dealerships to try and run it and 'kill the engine' because it is still under warranty for another 15,000 miles--but this puts myself and other drivers at risk because the car is unsafe to drive. There is a code from July 16, 2020, a little less than 2 months before I purchased the car about an engine light, this has yet to be addressed. This problem appeared out of nowhere one day while driving on the interstate and has been an issue ever since.

- Shamong, NJ, USA

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problem #11

Jul 032022

Elantra

  • miles
UNKNOWN - for the past several months, since my car hit the 70,000 mileage mark, my check engine light has come on while experiencing hard idling, delayed acceleration/power while driving - particularly on gradual inclines and hilly roads. I would suspect it has something to do with the power or fuel system. I have changed oil twice and had a diagnostic test done and mechanic is unable to pinpoint issue since it is not consistent.

- Montchanin, DE, USA

problem #10

Apr 232022

Elantra

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I've had several issues over the years with this vehicle but nothing too major but more so a nuisance. Such as the car hesitating when accelerating, light bulbs constantly burning out on the vehicle within less than a year of being replaced by myself, etc. It is now April 2022 and vehicle problems begin arising, I heard a weird noise coming from the engine (after much personal research learned this is a knocking sound). Which also happens to be the same issue from the prior year models. One day while out running errands the car just completely dies and goes into limp mode while I was turning onto a busy street (very dangerous). I drove it a very short distance back & forth to work a couple of times because thats as far as I felt going safety wise. The engine jerked forward one day but still continued to run. Then one day on my way home from work when I began slowing down to turn into a driveway. The car completely died again. It went into limp mode enough for me to creep and barely park it where I ended up having to get out & push the vehicle. It doesn't turn over or start at all now. The car gave absolutely no warnings no codes for me to turn to regarding what was going on etc. Hyundai says in order for it to be covered under the warranty that I have to provide them with information. Which I have no problem doing. However based on the research that I've done from other Hyundai Elantra owners others have had similar issues. My Car is barely 4 years old & only has about 65,000 miles on it. I went with Hyundai's because I wanted something that would be safe and reliable especially because I had a child coming into the world at any moment. I ended up going with this vehicle which isn't even 5 years old & it has already become a lemon. Hyundai currently has the vehicle as I try to figure out what to do with it. Since I no longer feel safe driving it. There are no warning lamps etc that came on.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #9

Feb 012022

Elantra

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle did not drive smoothly. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil and fuel. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Beaumont, CA, USA

problem #8

Jan 162022

Elantra

  • miles
When taking a right turn onto a main road the car surged up to 7000rpms at at least 5mph, with no warning. Next morning taking it to work until hyundai was opened it shifted odd and the check engine light came on. On lunch taking it to hyundai the car would no longer reverse and needing pushed. After 3 weeks hyundai said gear 1 and 5 was incorrect, slipping all gears. The new transmission they put in was delayed when shifting and would continue to reverse after switching from reverse to drive then hard shift forward. It is currently getting a third transmission.

- Fort Smith, AR, USA

problem #7

Apr 062021

Elantra

  • miles
no warning at all the engine blew apart sling oil in the road car lost all power I was turning into the drive way or about too when this happened I had to clean the road way and tow the vehical home hundyai would not help I cannot get help from hundyai dealer which told me it would be 3 months becor they could look at it or pay for it to be towed to Memphis

- Henderson, TN, USA

problem #6

Apr 302021

Elantra

  • 44,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving my car it just stops. I have been complaining to the local dealership for 1 year and they keep turning me away. My battery was replaced and that is it. I was told I was exaggerating that this was not happening. Yesterday was different from the other times it stopped. My car stopped on a busy highway and I almost ran off the side of the rode a cliff because the wheel and brakes locked up. No one is taking this serious. As I am driving the car will just shut off. The local dealership advised me to drive even further to get it fixed. How is this safe? I was told by rich its my car I own it its not their problem.

- Fort Hood, TX, USA

problem #5

Oct 012020

Elantra

  • 21,000 miles
2018 Hyundai Elantra: The car only has 21K but the radiator hose clamp cracked and the hose burst open. The car's engine overheated causing it to be inoperable. Hyundai customer service denies any faulty/manufacturer's defect as well no reported cases with this model and make. This should further be looked into as it may cause significant distress for the owner as well as endangering lives. The incident occurred driving on a freeway under normal conditions. Hyundai refuses to accept liability, even though they are required to under their powertrain warranty, stating the vehicle must be sent to their dealership only.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #4

Mar 112020

Elantra

  • 41,250 miles
When accelerating after stop car lunges and then starts to move, since bought it I have told dealership several times they say nothing wrong that how it is. Also tires have all fell apart or went flat and have wire showing on inside. I feel this is safety concern and when buying a new car tires should last longer than 1 year I should not acceleration problems either.I have some picture

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 152019

Elantra

  • 82,000 miles
I have a 2018 Hyundai Elantra having problems with my transmission. When in traffic or taking off from a stop the car shudders like a manual transmission car when you don't give it enough gas. Also the car does not want to move sometimes when you depress the gas pedal followed by sudden acceleration the car is equipped with a dual-clutch transmission which I am familiar but these are not normal characteristics of a dual-clutch transmission

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #2

Dec 242018

Elantra

  • 2,800 miles
I bought the car about a month ago. And today I experienced the car while driving at 55mph when I went to accelerate to go the speed limit of 65 on the major highway going into salisbury, md that the car wouldnt speed up. And about 30 seconds later the transmission seemed to have down shifted a couple gears due to the rpms going from 4600ish RPM down to 2000 rpms and than the car went back to normal. When I had gotten into salisbury and had to stop it braked just fine but when I started to drive again it start to feel like it was stalling and it's been doing it now for the whole day. As well as a burning smell which I'm 99% certain is the clutch. I have worked the automotive field for about 7 years. I have a dct transmissions 2018 Hyundai Elantra sport tech package. I went in the forum on facebook and some else has posted the same issues. And many other comments. I will be taking mine to the dealership after christmas is over. But I'll list screenshots below

- Hebron, MD, USA

problem #1

Oct 242018

Elantra

  • 57 miles
The aircondition internal circulation is automatically turning off after few minutes

- Copley, OH, USA

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