2018 Hyundai Elantra · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 53owner reports
- 110,000median miles
- $600median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
144 of the 282 complaints on this car are about the engine. 53 of those describe engine failure. Only stalling is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 53 reports
Engine failure on other Elantra years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2021, 2022.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (51 reports) and the timing chain (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2018 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Elantra
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
What owners paid
10 of the 53 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $213 to $2,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 74,000 and 137,000 miles, from the 24 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Check engine light came on , car was sluggish and stalled on highway , was able to glide over to the side . Would not start . This is the 4th time this happened to this vehicle , in the past I was able to put in neutral and restart . They fixed it 3 times but they are now Hyundai is now saying it needs a new engine.”
Filed Jun 1, 2025
“Check engine light came on, took to mechanic. Diagnostics showed pistons performing at half of the required psi. Engine replacement required at a cost of nearly $9,000. The vehicle only has 74k miles.”
Filed Apr 18, 2025 · 74,000 miles
“Engine seized up at 142K miles. Had regular oil changes and maintenance. Connecting rod crank shaft end / bearing blew apart and seized engine.”
Filed Nov 11, 2024 · 142,000 miles
“Engine is knocking cannot find a solution for this problem car stalls wen coming to a stop the car completely powers off , noticing a weird smell now ,”
Filed Oct 28, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 53 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 78 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 43 reports