NHTSA has received 334 owner complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Elantra, or 38.0 per year on the road — a typical number of complaints (complaint index 0.94, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #47 of 76 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Hyundai models its rate is 30% lower; against other Compact cars it is 73% higher.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2018-01-07 and 2026-10-01. Median delay from incident to filing: 21 days.
334Complaints
38.0Complaints per year on the road
0.94Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls
5.7%Share involving a crash or fire
42Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 32.7 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 58 complaints, 32% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (52.4% of complaints), followed by Unspecified or other (9.3%) and Electrical (7.5%). Engine complaints are 2.4 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 19 reports (5.7%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 7 injuries and 1 death.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 54 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (44% of incidents). In the last 12 months 42 new complaints were filed, versus 39 in the 12 months before — up 8%.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.94
vs. other Hyundai models0.7
vs. other 2018 models0.8
vs. other Compact cars1.73
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (58)0.68
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.
Engine · 2026-06-11 · ODI 11743413 · Crash
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.
Engine · 2025-11-16 · ODI 11699689 · Crash
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…
Steering · 2026-09-19 · ODI 11765538
The factory paint on the hood, roof, and front fenders is delaminating, with the largest defect being on the hood. These are available for inspection upon request.
Body & structure · 2026-07-22 · ODI 11752047
This vehicle lacks an engine immobilizer, a defect that has made 2011-2022 Hyundai and Kia vehicles unusually susceptible to theft via a method widely publicized on social media as the "Kia Challenge." My vehicle was stolen using this method, driven…
Electrical · 2026-07-17 · ODI 11751074
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
