Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Hyundai Elantra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 passing driver notified him of a fire in the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the road where fire was observed emanating from the engine compartment. The flames spread to the rear of the motor home and the contact attempted to disengage the hitch. The contact sustained a hand injury but did not receive medical attention. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a lot where it was deemed totaled. The contact stated that the insurance company ruled the origin of the fire as the drive train of the vehicle. …
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. …
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.
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. …
In mid-2024, the vehicle experienced a flashing check engine light. I brought it to Murfreesboro Hyundai (TN), where they confirmed the oil was low and started an oil consumption test. A bearing clearance test (BCT) was also performed and passed. After back-and-forth over several weeks, I was told the oil consumption was within spec, but the dealership stated Hyundai would cover all necessary repairs, including a combustion chamber cleaning, under warranty. I was told this work was completed and the vehicle was returned to me. In July 2025, the exact same flashing CEL returned. I brought the car back to the same dealership, where they again found the oil was 2.5 quarts low. …
I have been having transmission issues with my car since before July 2024. The transmission would stutter or not engage when I put my foot on the accelerator. The transmission failed in November 2024 and was eventually replaced by Hyundai in May 2025. I noticed stuttering the first day of having my car back but was told there was nothing wrong with it. Today, Sept.11, I was making a left turn on a busy two lane road. I had enough distance between the oncoming truck to make the turn. When I put my foot on the accelerator, my car rolls into the road but clutch is not engaging. As the truck is now fast approaching my car that's basically sitting in the road the clutch engages. Since my foot had been on the accelerator the whole time, I was probably at like 3000rpm so we lunged forward slamming our heads into the seat. …
I bought my Hyundai Elantra 2018 in 2022. It started knocking by 2023 and i was told by the dealership it was plastic hitting the tire. I brought it back & had it scanned prior because the knocking never stopped. And another dealership confirmed it was the sealed transmission. There is no dipstick to check the fluid & it says in the book the fluid is good for the life of the transmission. The dealership i initially bought it from acted like it was my fault so my car sat May until August 2024. Finally, after i found out the unlimited warranty i paid for was never submitted in 2022 it was approved. They then replaced it with a refurbished transmission which i didn't know until i got my car back. I had mentioned an oil leak & lots of play in the engine that November after replacing it. They said there was no leak or play in the engine. …
On Thursday evening, 4/28/22, I noticed engine knocking, and engine died while driving. Checked oil, and there was no oil in the car. Added oil, drove car to work the following day. Still engine noise, and dying on freeway. I never had any "check engine" or "low oil" warning lights come on to aleart me of any issue. The car only has 57K miles on it. Took the car straight to the dealership, and they are saying I need a new engine since they found metalic pieces in the oil. I know therer are other Hyundai recalls and lawsuits for engine problems, but not for this year/model. Service center said they are filing the warranty paperwork with the AutoNation Gold Extended Warranty, and I should expect a call today 5/5/22 to find out the status. Not sure why they are not using the Hyundai Powertrain warranty. (2nd owner, should be 60K milkes)
We were driving the car and all of a sudden it would only go 30 mph and starting making a noise, pulled over and car would not go anymore. I took to a shop authorized from my carmax care program and it was diagnosed as rod bearings broken in the engine. This is a know issue with this model and Hyundia extended the warranty due to know issue. We were then advised to take to a dealer since a warranty issue, when it got there and they looked at it and the repair shop called them to tell them they broke it down to failure the dealer is now trying to charge me 8 hrs labor to look at. This is not a my issue , its a manufacture issue so I should not have to pay all this money to have same diagnostic I reported to Hyuandi headquarters and also reported the shop. Someone needs to fix this issue my case # with Hyundai is 20400619
While driving on the expressway, my vehicle suddenly stalled out. I was able to restart in but the car would not go over 25mph. I was able to pull off the next exit and call for a tow truck. My vehicle was brought to a local shop and they pulled the engine and find that it was shot. Due to Hyundai, they requested to do their own diagnostic and found the same issue. The vehicle ad less than 80,000 miles on it. I received an invoice for repairs required which was over $16,000 in repairs including replacing the engine. I pleaded that they cover the engine and this seems to be a recurring issue with this model. They refused. I am stuck with a vehicle I cannot a drive and is now sitting in my driveway with no option but to wait for a open recall.
Transmission complaints in other Elantra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2018 Hyundai Elantra?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2018 Hyundai Elantra, 9% of the model year's 335 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Hyundai Elantra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Hyundai Elantra transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.