Is the 2018 Hyundai ELANTRA GT reliable?

The 2018 Hyundai ELANTRA GT has 73 complaints filed with NHTSA (7.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Hyundai ELANTRA GT?

Top problems: ENGINE (28 complaints, avg repair $500); DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (8 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (7 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Hyundai ELANTRA GT?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Contact any Hyundai dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Hyundai ELANTRA GT?

The 2018 Hyundai ELANTRA GT gets 27 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1778. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Hyundai ELANTRA GT?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Hyundai ELANTRA GT is approximately $1,575/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Hyundai ELANTRA GT

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2018 Hyundai ELANTRA GT has 73 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 7.3x the segment average of 10. The most common issue is engine problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: car shut off while on the highway randomly started shaking. all lights turned on check engine,motor oil light battery light. car shut off to the point where i couldn't accelerate. so imagine being on the highway and your car shuts off randomly while your in motion and cant accelerate to merge to the. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

7.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

28 complaints

38%

• CAR SHUT OFF WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY RANDOMLY STARTED SHAKING. ALL LIGHTS TURNED ON CHECK ENGINE,MOTOR OIL LIGHT BATTERY LIGHT. CAR SHUT OFF TO THE POINT WHERE I COULDN'T ACCELERATE. SO IMAGINE BEING ON THE HIGHWAY AND YOUR CAR SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY WHILE YOUR IN MOTION AND CANT ACCELERATE TO MERGE TO THE
• I BOUGHT A 2018 HYUNDAI GT SPORT 3 MONTHS AGO. SINCE DAY ONE CAR HAS BEEN STALLING AND HAVING A HARD TIME STARTING. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 75MPH AND THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF NO WARNING. I CALLED THE DEALER IN MY AREA LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THE STARTING ISSUES AND THE STALLING ISSUES WITH THE CAR I
• I WAS DRIVING ON A THE INTERSTATE GOING 75 MPH WHEN I HEARD A LOUD THUMPING NOISE FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE, I LOST POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES AND THE CAR SHUT OFF. I HAD TO STRUGGLE TO MANEUVER AND STOP THE CAR TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. IT WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER THAT DISCOVERED THE TIMING CHAI

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“CAR SHUT OFF WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY RANDOMLY STARTED SHAKING. ALL LIGHTS TURNED ON CHECK ENGINE,MOTOR OIL LIGHT BATTERY LIGHT. CAR SHUT OFF TO THE POINT WHERE I COULDN'T ACCELERATE. SO IMAGINE BEING ON THE HIGHWAY AND YOUR CAR SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY WHILE YOUR IN MOTION AND CANT ACCELERATE TO MERGE TO THE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Hyundai ELANTRA GT

Based on 20 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 800 miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 32K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14/12/2018

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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Hyundai ELANTRA GT

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,778

Per month

$148

Per mile

14.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,500/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Hyundai ELANTRA GT

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,575

Full coverage / month

$131

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

-6%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1575

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Hyundai ELANTRA GT Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (1.6T, 2.0T) need premium fuel and more frequent oil (some owners service at 5,000 miles).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Hyundai New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / unlimited mi

10 years/100K powertrain warranty is transferable only to first purchaser after initial owner

These are the terms for a new Hyundai. If you're buying a used 2018 ELANTRA GT, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Hyundai dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 73 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: CAR SHUT OFF WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY RANDOMLY STARTED SHAKING. ALL LIGHTS TURNED ON CHECK ENGINE,MOTOR OIL LIGHT BATTERY LIGHT. CAR SHUT OFF TO THE POINT WHERE I COULDN'T ACCELERATE. SO IMAGINE BEING ON THE HIGHWAY AND YOUR CAR SHUTS OFF RANDOMLY WHILE YOUR IN MOTION AND CANT ACCELERATE TO MERGE TO THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: Oil drips on driveway. Warning sensors for blind spots disfunctional.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: GAS TANK INDICATOR ARROW ON DASH POINTS TO WRONG SIDE OF CAR. POINTS TO PASSENGER SIDE, SHOULD POINT TO DRIVER SIDE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: 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 al
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Hyundai dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)