Some vehicles may exhibit difficulty starting in cold weather. This bulletin provides the procedure to perform an inspection on the starter magnetic switch for potential freezing and, if necessary, replace the starter magnetic switch (solenoid) assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Hyundai Elantra GT engine problems
moderate 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 19 engine complaints filed for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Hyundai Elantra GT we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 19.
Engine accounts for 39% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 4 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest version.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This TSB references the Op codes to use for claim submission and the Parts required based on the vehicle’s inspection results from TSB 22-01-023H-2 (DTC P1326 – Engine Bearing Inspection/Engine Replacement) or the latest version.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Hyundai is conducting a campaign to enhance the knock sensor software to detect abnormal engine bearing noise before potentially severe engine damage occurs. If abnormal engine bearing noise is detected, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will blink continuously, and the vehicle will be placed in Engine Protection Mode allowing the customer to drive to the nearest Hyundai dealer for diagnosis and repair. In addition, DTC P132600 will be recorded in the ECM. The vehicle can continue to be operated for a limited time in Engine Protection Mode, but it will accelerate slower and have a reduced maximum speed. Engine RPMs will be limited to approximately 1800-2000 RPM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides important checkpoint guidelines when performing engine oil and filter change services.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2018 Hyundai Elantra GTs describe a pattern of engine failure between 32,000 and 115,000 miles. The most severe incidents involve sudden timing chain failure—loud thumping, banging, or high-pitched noises followed by complete engine seizure while driving at highway speeds, often with no prior warning. One owner lost power steering and brakes after timing chain failure at 32k miles; another was stranded on a busy highway at 77k miles after an 11.5-hour road trip.
Excessive oil consumption is widespread. Owners report needing oil refills every 600–800 miles or weekly, with no visible leaks and no warning light until oil runs dry. This starvation can trigger cylinder misfires and catalyst faults before catastrophic failure. One owner's dealership let him drive off after an oil change with zero oil in the engine; another has shop records documenting persistent consumption over four years.
Internal bearing and cylinder head failures appear in owner descriptions—bad connecting rod bearings and leaking cylinders discovered during diagnosis. Owners cite a recall for knock sensor monitoring (P0966) and piston rod seals, but the recall does not cover all affected model year combinations, and second owners are often denied coverage despite settlement language promising lifetime warranty for all subsequent owners. Dealership repair backlogs stretch to six weeks or longer.
Same Hyundai Elantra GT engine reports on nearby years: 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Timing chain failure / complete engine seizure
Timing chain fails suddenly under driving conditions, causing loss of power, engine shutdown, and secondary internal damage including metal shards and fluid leakage. Multiple owners report sudden loud thumping, banging, or high-pitched sounds followed by immediate engine failure.
When: 32k–115k miles; can occur with no prior warning or after light ticking sounds
Symptoms owners cite: loud thumping noise from engine; high-pitched sound followed by banging; engine seizes and shuts off without restart; loss of power steering and brakes; engine will not restart for hours; light ticking prior to failure
Codes mentioned: P0300 (cylinder misfire), P0420 (catalyst system below threshold)
Repairs/costs cited: Full engine replacement required; owner reports $8,578 repair cost; dealership labor delays (2–6 weeks); recall involved cable replacement that did not resolve the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign/recall for knock sensor and engine monitoring (P0966); engine swaps performed under recall at 115k+ miles; second owners denied warranty coverage citing mileage and ownership status, despite settlement terms stating lifetime warranty coverage for all subsequent owners
Excessive oil consumption / burning
Engine consumes or burns oil at abnormally high rates with no visible external leaks. Owners must refill oil frequently (every 600–800 miles or weekly) to prevent engine starvation. Check engine light often does not illuminate until oil is critically low or absent, delaying owner awareness and risking catastrophic failure.
When: 55k–77k miles; can develop within 4 years of ownership; manifests after recall repairs
Symptoms owners cite: oil level drops rapidly without visible leak; check engine light does not illuminate despite low/no oil; heavy shaking and engine stall; engine failure after oil starvation; carbon buildup in cylinder head
Codes mentioned: P0300 (cylinder 3 misfire), P0420 (catalyst below threshold)
Repairs/costs cited: $942 diagnostic cleaning recommended by dealership; full engine rebuild or replacement needed if cleaning fails; oil change records document ongoing consumption; owners report being told engine is not under warranty due to second-owner status
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaigns for piston rod seals mentioned but not applied to all affected model years; warranty denied to second owners; dealership offered loaner vehicles unavailable due to engine issues affecting fleet
Rod bearing and cylinder head failure
Internal engine bearing and cylinder components fail prematurely, causing catastrophic internal damage. Owners report bad connecting rod bearings in cylinders and leaking/damaged cylinder heads requiring block replacement.
When: 56k–72k miles on vehicles with regular maintenance
Symptoms owners cite: loud ticking from engine compartment; vehicle will not accelerate properly; engine damage discovered during inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Engine block replacement required; not inspected by Hyundai dealership due to months-long scheduling delays; local mechanic diagnosis only
Oil leak from pan/gasket
Oil drips from engine onto driveway, indicating a leaking gasket or pan.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: oil drips on driveway
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
On December2, 2021 I was driving on the freeway when my engine made a high pitched sound followed by a banging sound inside the engine. There were no warning messages or symptoms prior to the incident. I immediately pulled off the freeway as much as I could. Then the engine just quit running. It was terrifying as I was in morning rush hour traffic and couldn't pull all the way off the road. I…
The engine burns oil quickly which could lead to the engine blowing. I have to get more oil changes than average to the engine burning oil.
The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving approximately at 40 mph a loud ticking noise was suddenly present coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet…
Car was being driven home when car started shaking heavily and check engine light started flashing. Car had been needing 1qt of oil every 600-800 miles, depending on drive (highway would go longer). Pulled off to the side and plugged in code reader - found that cylinder 3 misfired and catalyst system below threshold. Was able to get the car home. Towed it to Hyundai dealership the following week…
Engine is burning excessive amounts of oil regularly.
Had engine trouble with your 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 19 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 19 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 64,704 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Hyundai/Elantra GT.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.