2018 Hyundai Elantra Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 6%of 284 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 886miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2018 Hyundai Elantra, 6% of the 284 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 886 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On 10/13/2018 I turned ignition on car to start and the car began rumbling and bumping and the shut down and the check engine light came on. I was stationary in my parking space at home when this happen...it also began bumping and dragging if to shut down again on 10/20/2018. Each time car was taken to dealership..next, the instrument panel when blank while driving on 10/20/2018. Now this time it was driven to dealer, they could not duplicate the mal function. This was on 10/23/2018 and 10/29/2018 at lynnes Hyundai..on 10/16/2018 vechicle was towed to hudson Hyundai for the same bumping. …”
NHTSA complaint #11144561, filed 2018-10, 1,672 miles“The headlights beams hardly reach across an intersection.. They do not illuminate road signs like speed limit, and street name signs.. Its impossible to drive on rural roads that have dips in them unless your slow down to 15mph (not good when the speed limit is 45 on these roads.... The headlights disappear on suburban streets as well... The first image there are two stop signs .. ..you can see the post they are on but can you see the signs ? The second image shows the beams of the car on a fence .. The car is parked 26' away from a 74 high fence im scared to drive this vehicle at night.... …”
NHTSA complaint #11060983, filed 2018-01, 100 miles“My car will shut off as I’m driving it. I was going thru a busy intersection and my car turned off, I was in my car with my 3 babies traffic backed up and almost got slammed into. I had to get out and push my car to the side of the road. The check engine light started flashing then the whole dashboard started flicking”
NHTSA complaint #11484395, filed 2022-09“On the freeway going about 45 MPH tried to speed up and switch lanes as I pressed the gas you can hear the acceration but the car didnt increase in speed the whole dashboard went blank (black). Car was unresponsive. Its very dangerous that the car falfuctions in critical conditions like being on the freeway. Yes I have tooken it to Hyundai and they never find anything wrong. Also at times the car wont even turn on. No type of waring lights on dashboard.”
NHTSA complaint #11580771, filed 2024-04“Financed last year (2021) at 38,000 miles, financing a vehicle i wish I knew to do research before hestitly excepting my first offer, first waring was on the test drive. The car had to be towed back to dealership because the battery was dead. In the sub-zero cold, the battery with read low and this causes electrical issues, from remote start not working to unable to open the doors. The more common and reaccuring issue that is getting worst is the lack of excellaration when taking off. …”
NHTSA complaint #11488890, filed 2022-10Related service bulletins
- 11025476Nov 6, 2025This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to the accumulated moisture in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp…
- 10178175Jul 14, 2020This bulletin provides information regarding condensation related to moisture accumulation in the headlamp, rear combination lamp, daytime running lamp (DRL), or fog lamp. The…
- 10174793Apr 7, 2020Certain 2019-2020MY Santa Fe and 2018-2020MY Elantra equipped with front camera/multi-function camera may exhibit a series of Lane Keep Assist System (LKAS), Front Collision…
- 10129908Feb 7, 2018This TSB provides information on the headlight pattern changes on certain 2018 MY Sonata (LFa), Elantra (ADa)(AD), Elantra GT (PD), Santa Fe Sport (AN), and Santa Fe (NC).
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 5 | 4% |
| 2020 | 28 | 11% |
| 2019 | 65 | 26% |
| 2018 | 16 | 6% |
| 2017 | 23 | 3% |
| 2016 | 9 | 3% |
| 2015 | 5 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 3% |
| 2013 | 72 | 5% |
| 2012 | 17 | 3% |
| 2011 | 10 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 3 | 1% |
| 2008 | 24 | 8% |
| 2007 | 23 | 9% |
| 2006 | 38 | 25% |
| 2005 | 6 | 4% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 13 | 6% |
| 2002 | 18 | 5% |
| 2001 | 11 | 3% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 3 | 3% |
| 1996 | 2 | 2% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 3 | 4% |
| 1993 | 1 | 4% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2018 Hyundai Elantra
142 complaintsOther or unknown
54 complaintsElectrical system
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsWheels
10 complaintsSuspension
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Hyundai Elantra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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