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2018 Hyundai Elantra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

91 reports with mileage · 190 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 140 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports7 fire reports6 injury reports

Structure complaints

15 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2026
Structure

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. As this is progressing, structural pieces may begin to rust, but this also presents a critical visibility issue. During one drive on 6/8/2026, the hood paint began …

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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. As this is progressing, structural pieces may begin to rust, but this also presents a critical visibility issue. During one drive on 6/8/2026, the hood paint began flaking away significantly at highway speeds, which could have jeopardized my or following drivers visibility in conditions that were already rainy. Yes the paint has been inspected by Hyundai and a private body shop. We first noticed some delamination on the hood about 6 months ago, but prior to that there were no warning signs of this progressively worsening paint failure.

NHTSA ODI #11752047

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2026
StructureUnknown Or Other

The paint is chipping and cracking and just falling off. It started on the hood now it’s going to around the windows seals and part of the roof.

NHTSA ODI #11725671

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2025
Structure

This isn’t a safety concern but it is a concern per the vehicle. My hood on my Hyundai Elantra (silver) has bad paint and is starting to chip. My car isn’t the only one I see Hyundais with paint chipping everywhere on them.

NHTSA ODI #11660150

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2024
Structure

The white paint on the vehicle is peeling and bubbling in various areas of the vehicle around the hood, fender and roof

NHTSA ODI #11586953

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2024
Structure

Paint fell off from the vehicle's body, specifically from the front of hood cover and the roof in large patches for no reason. After doing some research, I found I am not thr only one experiecing this problem, this actually has been a wide spread know issue among the 2017 - 2018 Hyundai Elantra models. Although it does not pose …

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Paint fell off from the vehicle's body, specifically from the front of hood cover and the roof in large patches for no reason. After doing some research, I found I am not thr only one experiecing this problem, this actually has been a wide spread know issue among the 2017 - 2018 Hyundai Elantra models. Although it does not pose any immediate risk, the potential safety threat is obvious due to the rusting bodies caused by the paint patches fallen off. The manufacturer only provided an extended body warranty from 3 years to 5 years, though, without notifying the imapcted customers. Quite a lot of customers like myself were not aware of such as warranty extention until now and could not get the issue fixed within the warranty period. The issue is so wide spread and the quality of the painting is so poor, the manufacturer should not get away just providing such a program quietly. A recall to address this issue for all the impacted vehicles is a must.

NHTSA ODI #11578555

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2024
Structure

The Hyundai Electra 2018 interior door handle is peeling.I have experienced peeling paint issues, also has many legal problems in other countries.

NHTSA ODI #11573021

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2023
Electrical SystemEngineStructure

First, the plastic around wheel wells began to come out, then other parts of underneath near the skid area at the front of car begin to drag. Eventually a lot of the plastic pulled away underneath the car taking some of the front bumper. Then the car ran hot and had zero fluid in the radiator even though I regularly have oil cha…

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First, the plastic around wheel wells began to come out, then other parts of underneath near the skid area at the front of car begin to drag. Eventually a lot of the plastic pulled away underneath the car taking some of the front bumper. Then the car ran hot and had zero fluid in the radiator even though I regularly have oil changed and fluids topped off. Now the air conditioner throws out hot air when it on. I’ve regularly had oil changed. After only 3500 miles of having oil changed my oil light would come and car stalls when I’m turning. This could get me hit and killed. I bought car from car max and took it back as I have Extended Warranty that I’m paying for. They told me I had to have an appointment nearly a month out. I told them car needed to be seen now, that engine is probably going to go. CarMax refused to see my car and I now have an appointment at the Huyandi dealership . CarMax stated that Hyundai would replace my engine for free. I would like to state that I used car fax and found out car was a rental car and driven in three states. Also according to the vin number the oil in my Hyundai was changed for the first time At 18,000 miles. I still owe three years and I’m not going to have a car because it may blow the engine before I can get it into dealership. I NEVER would have bought the car had I known it was a rental, but CarMax kept telling me it was a one car owner. The car had 36,000 miles on it and I should have known. Yes, it was a one car owner by the Car rental agency and driven by hundreds of people, who didn’t care because it was a rental. Also, the check engine light is on and I can’t get car inspected or renew my tag. I had to replace calipers on both sides of car and I’ve had to have it aligned three times. It also makes a thumping sound on right front tire while I’m driving it. Feels very unsafe. Replaced brakes tires and it still makes noise. There needs to be a way to protect the consumer!!!!

NHTSA ODI #11527520

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2023
Structure

Paint is peeling off the hood in 2 very large, growing spots. Nothing has struck the hood, the paint is lifting and flaking off all on its own. The color is Pearl White.

NHTSA ODI #11502534

Mileage unknown · Jul 31, 2022
Structure

Car paint delamination (roof), Pearl White color. Car is 4 years old, 51,000 miles, garage kept. Paint peeling off of roof down to car metal. This delamination should not be occuring at all with a 4 year old car. Have contacted Hyundai Corporate with pictures. Claim number issued. Contacted local dealership where I purchas…

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Car paint delamination (roof), Pearl White color. Car is 4 years old, 51,000 miles, garage kept. Paint peeling off of roof down to car metal. This delamination should not be occuring at all with a 4 year old car. Have contacted Hyundai Corporate with pictures. Claim number issued. Contacted local dealership where I purchased car new in April 2018. They have taken pictures, sent information , pictures to Hyundai Corporation. Waiting to hear what action Hyundai Corporation will take to correct issue

NHTSA ODI #11476792

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2022
StructureUnknown Or Other

Paint is peeling from hood and top of car and continues to spread. This has been happening for the past 2 years

NHTSA ODI #11472266

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Hyundai Elantra problems