Skip to content
Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
10%of 51 total for the year
Median mileage
19,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT, 10% of the 51 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“In mid-2024, the vehicle experienced a flashing check engine light. I brought it to Murfreesboro Hyundai (TN), where they confirmed the oil was low and started an oil consumption test. A bearing clearance test (BCT) was also performed and passed. After back-and-forth over several weeks, I was told the oil consumption was within spec, but the dealership stated Hyundai would cover all necessary repairs, including a combustion chamber cleaning, under warranty. I was told this work was completed and the vehicle was returned to me. In July 2025, the exact same flashing CEL returned. …”

NHTSA complaint #11677085, filed 2025-07

“On Thursday evening, 4/28/22, I noticed engine knocking, and engine died while driving. Checked oil, and there was no oil in the car. Added oil, drove car to work the following day. Still engine noise, and dying on freeway. I never had any check engine or low oil warning lights come on to aleart me of any issue. The car only has 57K miles on it. Took the car straight to the dealership, and they are saying I need a new engine since they found metalic pieces in the oil. I know therer are other Hyundai recalls and lawsuits for engine problems, but not for this year/model. …”

NHTSA complaint #11463445, filed 2022-05

“We were driving the car and all of a sudden it would only go 30 mph and starting making a noise, pulled over and car would not go anymore. I took to a shop authorized from my carmax care program and it was diagnosed as rod bearings broken in the engine. This is a know issue with this model and Hyundia extended the warranty due to know issue. We were then advised to take to a dealer since a warranty issue, when it got there and they looked at it and the repair shop called them to tell them they broke it down to failure the dealer is now trying to charge me 8 hrs labor to look at. …”

NHTSA complaint #11487951, filed 2022-10

“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 stalled. The vehicle was able to restart. Additionally, the contact stated that while powered off, and being towed in Neutral (N) by a motor home, a passing driver notified him of a fire in the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the road where fire was observed emanating from the engine compartment. The flames spread to the rear of the motor home and the contact attempted to disengage the hitch. …”

NHTSA complaint #11565057, filed 2024-01, 19,000 miles

“Engine, power train, malfunction changing my speed control. No warning lights, first ticking noise from engine then knocking loud noise from engine. Noticed ticking about 4 days ago at first, today on freeway going 60-70 mph just changed to loud knocking, immediately engine warning starts to flash on dash board then speed just drops from 60-70 mph to 35 mph almost got hit by trucker and another car . Under 90 day warranty still from dealership (27 days since purchased) no license plate yet but insured and registered. …”

NHTSA complaint #11556898, filed 2023-11

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2020113%
201917%
2018510%
2017519%

Other parts of the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT

Engine
30 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
4 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Lane departure
2 complaints
Tires
2 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology