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2018 Hyundai Elantra Gt
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
49 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 19, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Engine problems dominate (57% of complaints, typically reported near 60k miles).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Complaints are overwhelmingly minor: almost none involve crashes, fires, or injuries.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#20 of 422Among the 2018 models with a matured record, the 2018 Hyundai Elantra Gt ranks #20, scoring higher than 94% of them. See the 2018 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
4/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2018 Hyundai Elantra Gt 5 HB FWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 11%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2018 Hyundai Elantra Gt, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Transmission & drivetrain (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
57%28 complaints · typically near 60k mi · 9 in the last 2 years
“Engine consumes large amount of oil requiring oil refill every week, without turning on check engine and/or engine oil light. Raising the chances to cause accidents du…”
Transmission & drivetrain
10%5 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“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 s…”
Brakes
8%4 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“when moving during heavy traffic the car, when braking, will suddenly stop or stop heavily at slow speeds. this causes passengers to be jolted as well as following car…”
Driver assistance
8%4 complaints · 3 in the last 2 years
“when moving during heavy traffic the car, when braking, will suddenly stop or stop heavily at slow speeds. this causes passengers to be jolted as well as following car…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
We can place 1 of this model's commonly reported problem areas against a mileage. Nothing is stored.
Read all 49 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 1 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Electrical System · 18V891000
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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Hyundai before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra Gt. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else (owners tend to report it near 60k miles). Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2018 Hyundai ELANTRA GT beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2018? See how every Elantra Gt model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2018 Hyundai Elantra Gt against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.