NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
24 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Dec 16, 2025
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The car began stalling and started to become unresponsive while I was driving to work. While I was not 100% sure of what component was malfunctioning at the time, I suspected that it might be a timing chain problem because I had th…
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What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The car began stalling and started to become unresponsive while I was driving to work. While I was not 100% sure of what component was malfunctioning at the time, I suspected that it might be a timing chain problem because I had this same exact issue happen to to this car back in January 2025. I did not expect this issue to occur again because at the time of the previous problem, the dealership confirmed that issue was the timing chain and the VVT system, and replaced those components with new parts. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The car started stalling and sputtering, then became unresponsive while I was driving. If I were in a high-traffic area, I'm not confident that I would have been able to accelerate, stop, or safely pull over to the side of the road without putting myself and/or someone else in harms way. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the car is currently at the dealership and they confirmed that the issue is the timing chain and the VVT system. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, the car is currently at the dealership and they confirmed that the issue is the timing chain and the VVT system. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, there were absolutely no warning lights, messages, or symptoms prior to the failure.
NHTSA ODI #11705305
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
In early May 2023 I was driving my 2018 Elantra vehicle on the expressway. I had hot an area where there was traffic and had to slow down and move along with the speeds everyone else was going. When I slowed down my engine quit. Everything turned off and the car was stalled. I was able to turn the car back on and start the engin…
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In early May 2023 I was driving my 2018 Elantra vehicle on the expressway. I had hot an area where there was traffic and had to slow down and move along with the speeds everyone else was going. When I slowed down my engine quit. Everything turned off and the car was stalled. I was able to turn the car back on and start the engine but there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine and when applying my foot on the gas it wasn't going anywhere. It stalled in traffic again. I put it in park, and restarted it and got enough gas for it to move and get off the main road. I called a tow company and had a certified mechanic take apart the engine $600 and Inform me the engine was shot. The car had maybe 80,000 miles on it. I had no idea what to do. The car sat at the repair shop for several weeks while I figured out what to do. I had it towed to a Hyundai dealership and had them look at it. They told me that there was no recall and that since I wasn't the original owner their powertrain warrenty was not valid. They did their diagnosis, another $300 just for them to tell me the same thing the other mechanics told me, the engine was shot and needed to be replaced. They put together a list of items that needed to be replaced and repaired and it came out to over $17,000 and Hyundai would do nothing for me. A vehicle with less than 80,000 that's engine fails is a recall in my book. It's now been over 2 years and I continue to pay for a car I cannot drive, and Hyundai still doesn't accept responsibility. This is a faulty car and would never recommend to anyone. Look at all the complaints regarding the engine and powertrain, obviously this is an issue. Hyundai needs to acknowledge this and replace these failing engines. Maybe by the time I'm done paying this car off they will take responsibility and the NHTSA will fully support the individuals that are owed a vehicle or engine replacement.
NHTSA ODI #11696959
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2025
Power Train
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 wa…
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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. Every time I have taken this car to Hyundai complaining about issues with the transmission they say it's perfectly fine. Since their certified technicians say it's perfectly fine, then I am only left to assume that there is an inherent flaw in the transmission that is allowing events like this to occur and based on my experience have the potential to result in a crash.
NHTSA ODI #11686721
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2025
EnginePower Train
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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11665672
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2025
EnginePower Train
While diving the vehicle started to sputter and the ignition turned off. I was able to start it but the vehicle was making loud clunking sounds and max speed of 10mph. I pulled off on the side of the road and called for a tow to a reputable repair clinic. I told them what happened and they stayed they would be required to remove…
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While diving the vehicle started to sputter and the ignition turned off. I was able to start it but the vehicle was making loud clunking sounds and max speed of 10mph. I pulled off on the side of the road and called for a tow to a reputable repair clinic. I told them what happened and they stayed they would be required to remove the engine to determine the issue. $$$ I paid the funds and they informed me the engine was shot. The vehicle has just over 80,000 miles. I contacted Hyundai directly and was told the manufacturer 100,000 mile powertrain warranty was invalid due to me not being the I original owner. I convinced them to take a look and make their determination. After paying out of pocket again for towing and the $175 I initial service fee Hyundai again told me the engine was shot and their was other issues alongside the engine that would need to be fixed. They gave me a quote of over $16,000+ on a vehicle that was less than 6 years old and under 85000 miles. NONE of which they stated was covered under their powertrain warranty. The vehicle is blue booked at about $5,000 and I spent less the what would be required to repair the vehicle. Hyundai has been zero help, they have not supported their product even after I was told by a reputable resalesman that there is a silent recall on this engine for this issue. Im left without a car, still being required to pay the car payment to the loan company and keep full coverage on a car that hasn't driven since early May 2024 and the insurance company isn't helping because the vehicle wasn't in a accident and is an electrical/manufacturing issue, regardless that I have loan lease payoff. I honestly need some advice. Not to mention I am a disabled veteran, Hyundai will not pull any strings. It's sad because I know this is no fault of my own and had taken care of all the vehicles needs when required (oil, tires, spark plugs, alignments ect.. what should I do??
NHTSA ODI #11646133
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
Had to do 3 oil changes in a month had to change ignition coil that had been changed a month ago spark plugs were completely covered in oil was driving and it literally just stopped every time the oil would be checked it wouldn't be any on the dipstick.
NHTSA ODI #11644028
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2025
EnginePower Train
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…
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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. Now in January I had died at the four way & almost coasted into the parking lot nearest to me. Mid me picking my daughter up from school. Due to the leak.
NHTSA ODI #11643865
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2024
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
Engine is knocking cannot find a solution for this problem car stalls wen coming to a stop the car completely powers off , noticing a weird smell now ,
NHTSA ODI #11622343
38,000 miles · Apr 10, 2024
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
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 c…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11582082
Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2023
Power Train
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 t…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11551099