Model year 2018 · Midsize Cars, Large Cars

2018 Hyundai Elantra: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2018 Hyundai Elantra at 25–35 mpg combined across 10 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 335 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

1

EPA combined mpg

25–35

NHTSA overall rating

4/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

NHTSA lists this vehicle as ELANTRA GT.

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Hyundai dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2018 Hyundai Elantra recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra, newest first.

Visibility: Sun/moon roof assembly and 1 more component

NHTSA 18V891000 Reported Dec 14, 2018
Filed by
Hyundai Motor America (manufacturer recall no. 179)
Components
Visibility: Sun/moon roof assembly; Electrical system
Units affected
86 (estimate)
Problem
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2018 Hyundai Elantra fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2018 Hyundai Elantra EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
Elantra1.4L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 7-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular32/40/35 mpg$1,900256
Elantra1.6L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 7-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular26/33/29 mpg$2,300305
Elantra1.6L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel DriveRegular22/30/25 mpg$2,700356
Elantra2.0L 4-cylAutomatic 6-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular28/37/32 mpg$2,100281
Elantra2.0L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel DriveRegular26/36/29 mpg$2,300301
Elantra GT1.6L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 7-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular26/32/28 mpg$2,400317
Elantra GT1.6L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel DriveRegular22/29/25 mpg$2,700363
Elantra GT2.0L 4-cylAutomatic 6-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular24/32/27 mpg$2,500327
Elantra GT2.0L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel DriveRegular23/31/26 mpg$2,600338
Elantra SE2.0L 4-cylAutomatic 6-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular29/38/33 mpg$2,050272

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2018 Hyundai Elantra crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2018 Hyundai Elantra NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2018 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD4 stars4 stars4 stars4 stars10.7%Optional
2018 Hyundai Elantra Gt 5 HB FWD4 stars4 stars4 stars4 stars10.7%Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2018 Hyundai Elantra owner complaints

Owners have filed 335 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Hyundai Elantra, most recently on Oct 16, 2026. 12 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 7 injured people and 1 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2018 Hyundai Elantra complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Engine172
Unknown or other61
Electrical system45
Power train28
Fuel/propulsion system23
Service brakes19
Exterior lighting18
Steering17
Structure: Body15
Vehicle speed control14

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Hyundai Elantra model years

Hyundai Elantra by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2026 Elantra23–54 mpg445/5
2025 Elantra23–54 mpg2345/5
2024 Elantra23–54 mpg2635/5
2023 Elantra23–54 mpg41705/5
2022 Elantra23–54 mpg81595/5
2021 Elantra28–54 mpg71625/5
2020 Elantra26–36 mpg32624/5
2019 Elantra25–35 mpg12664/5
2017 Elantra25–35 mpg47965/5
2016 Elantra27–31 mpg23005/5
2015 Elantra27–31 mpg32615/5

All Hyundai Elantra years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2018 Hyundai models

2018 Hyundai Accent2018 Hyundai Ioniq2018 Hyundai Kona2018 Hyundai Santa Fe2018 Hyundai Sonata2018 Hyundai Tucson

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Hyundai.