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Hyundai Elantra GT engine failure problems

29 of the 120 owner complaints about the Hyundai Elantra GT describe engine failure, most of them for the 2018 model year.

owner complaints
29
worst model year
2018
typical mileage
98,111
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

Often reported together

Knocking 12Stalling 8Check engine light 8Oil consumption 6Loss of power 4

Trouble codes mentioned

P0366 1P0341 1P0017 1

What owners say

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Engine · CA

My 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT (2.0L Nu GDI engine) has completely shut off while driving on three separate occasions: approximately June 2, 2026 (first occurrence), June 23, 2026, and September 14, 2026. The stalls happened on the highway at highway speed, while pulling into a parking spot, and on a public road at a stoplight. Immediately before each stall, all dashboard warning lights illuminated, then the engine died without further warning, causing sudden loss of power steering and power brake assist and making the vehicle extremely difficult to steer and stop. The vehicle also consumes engine oil at an extreme rate: after a full oil fill, the dipstick showed no oil within about two weeks (documented on video, September 30, 2026). An independent repair shop serviced the vehicle four times in 2026 for the same unresolved problem ($1,322.48 total), documenting diagnostic codes P0017, P0341, and P0366 and noting no oil leaks; the June 23 and September 14 shop visits correspond to two of the stall dates. This engine family is covered under Hyundai's Engine II class action settlement (2014-2020 Elantra GT, Nu 2.0L GDI) for connecting rod bearing failures that cause stalling and engine seizure. The Hyundai dealer proposed a 1,000-mile oil consumption test requiring continued driving of the vehicle, which I declined as unsafe given the repeated sudden stalls with loss of steering and braking.

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · Engine · MA

I am seeking legal assistance regarding an engine failure in my Hyundai and Hyundai’s refusal to cover the replacement. I purchased the vehicle from a used-car dealership in Walpole, Massachusetts, on April 22, 2024. At the time of purchase, I was not informed that the vehicle had a known engine issue that had been the subject of prior recalls, notices, claims, and a class-action lawsuit. When I contacted Hyundai, I was told that the notices regarding the issue had stopped being sent months before I purchased the vehicle. Therefore, I had no reasonable way of knowing about the problem. The engine has now failed, and Hyundai is refusing to provide a replacement under the applicable recall/engine program and settlement. They claim I should have had the issue addressed before the failure. However, there were no warning codes, symptoms, or other indications that the engine was experiencing a problem before it failed. I would appreciate your help determining whether Hyundai’s denial is legally justified and whether I may have a claim against Hyundai and/or the dealership.

Filed Aug 8, 2026 · Engine · KY

The Engine stalled completely at highway speeds. It was then towed to the dealership and was diagnosed with engine rod bearing failure. Hyundai is denying the warranty extension for this engine failure based on an incomplete 'Service Campaign 966' that does not appear on the federal safety agency public recall database, leaving consumers unnotified of safety-critical software updates."

Filed Jun 4, 2026 · Engine · CA

The vehicle is experiencing excessive engine oil consumption. The engine burns approximately one quart of oil per week during normal driving conditions. There are no visible oil leaks, and no warning lights, check engine light, or other dashboard messages have appeared. The oil level drops rapidly between oil changes and requires frequent topping off to prevent the engine from running low on oil. This condition creates a safety risk because the engine could suffer sudden damage, loss of power, or engine failure while driving if the oil level becomes too low. The problem has been ongoing and is reproducible. The oil consumption appears similar to issues reported in recalls and investigations involving Hyundai engines; however, when the VIN was checked, it was reported as not included in any recall. No external oil leaks have been identified. The component available for inspection is the engine and related lubrication system. Prior to discovering the excessive oil consumption, there were no warning lamps, messages, unusual noises, or other symptoms. The issue was first noticed when the oil level was found to be significantly low despite regular maintenance and no evidence of leaks. The cause is believed to be internal engine oil consumption. UNKNOWN whether the manufacturer has inspected the vehicle. Additional inspection and investigation are requested due to the similarity of this condition to known Hyundai engine oil consumption complaints.

Filed May 14, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

I am writing to formally log a critical safety and product reliability complaint regarding my Hyundai Elantra GT. The vehicle has suffered catastrophic engine failure characterized by severe rod knock. This failure occurred without any prior warning from the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic systems, exposing an engineering and sensor flaw that creates an immediate safety hazard.The vehicle was operating normally when it suddenly developed a distinct, heavy metallic knocking sound from the engine block, indicative of failed connecting rod bearings. Upon immediate inspection, the issue was linked to critical oil starvation or pressure drops.Crucially, the vehicle’s warning systems failed entirely to alert me to an issue:No Low Oil Pressure Warning: The dashboard oil pressure light never illuminated to warn of low pressure or critical oil level depletion.No Check Engine Light (CEL): The engine sensors failed to detect underlying mechanical distress, oil degradation, or early-stage misfires before the catastrophic failure occurred.Complete System Silence: The vehicle gave absolutely no visual or audible alerts on the instrument cluster, depriving me of the chance to pull over safely and shut off the engine to prevent total destruction.This sensor failure is an unacceptable safety risk. Total engine seizure at highway speeds can cause a sudden loss of motive power, power steering, and braking assist, endangering my life and the lives of others on the road. The failure of Hyundai’s diagnostic sensors to communicate active oil or mechanical breakdown directly directly caused this total engine loss.I request that Hyundai review this case immediately, investigate the failure of the warning systems, and provide financial remediation for the required engine replacement.I look forward to your prompt response regarding the next steps for a corporate review.

Filed Apr 13, 2026 · Engine · NV

The vehicle is experiencing engine-related excessive oil consumption, which has led to failure of the catalytic converter and emissions system. The root issue appears to be an internal engine defect causing oil to burn during operation. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request, including the engine and catalytic converter components. The excessive oil consumption creates a risk of engine damage or sudden engine failure while driving, which could lead to loss of power in traffic. Additionally, a failing catalytic converter can cause reduced engine performance, stalling, or overheating, increasing the risk of unsafe driving conditions, especially on highways or in heavy traffic. Yes, the issue was previously reported to a dealership, including concerns about excessive oil consumption. The problem has continued and worsened over time, now resulting in a check engine light and catalytic converter-related fault codes, confirming the ongoing condition. The vehicle has been inspected by a dealership service department in the past regarding oil consumption concerns. At this time, it has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. Further inspection by the manufacturer or authorized dealership can be conducted upon request. Yes, symptoms began with excessive oil loss requiring frequent top-offs, followed by the appearance of a check engine light. The issue was first reported approximately one year ago and has progressively worsened, ultimately resulting in catalytic converter-related fault codes and continued oil consumption.

Filed Apr 3, 2026 · Engine · CA

After a Hyundai dealership installed the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) update to prevent engine bearing failure and potential fires in certain Theta II, Nu, and Gamma engines, my Elantra GT is stuck in limp mode and will no longer accelerate. Since it takes my car a very long time to reach safe driving speeds, I took the car back to the dealership and they conveniently blamed the catalytic converter. I went for a ride with a California BAR associate, and he agreed that the update was causing my engine to go into limp mode, and it wasn't a symptom of a plugged CAT, but he was unable or unwilling to help me. Hyundai acknowledged that the engine does qualify for the Theta II extended warranty but will not explore that possibility until I have them replace the cat for $3,300, which we both know isn't going to solve anything. I have contacted Hyundai Corporate Customer Relations, and even the BBB, who refuses to qualify my car for their Engine Replacement class action lawsuit because the engine hasn't seized up yet, which will never happen since the update is preventing it. Even lemon law lawyers refuse to assist me because the car is too old. Since this is the only car I have, I am a nervous reck whenever I have to use it. If I press the accelerator pedal just a bit too much, the engine cuts out.

Filed Jan 16, 2026 · Engine · PR

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 due to engine failure while driving, and requiring mechanical intervention to rebuild the engine or a total engine swap. There are over 40 other complaints about this same issue, and it needs to be addressed.

Filed Oct 30, 2025 · Engine · VT

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 once they were available and they found a bad cylinder head and leaking cylinder. Assumption is the amount of oil it was using ended up backing up carbon buildup. Car has less than 100,000 miles on it and even with maintenance it needs a new engine.

Filed Dec 31, 2024 · Engine · 138,500 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The RPM decreased significantly, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: 22-01-023H-2; however, the repair was not covered under the program. The failure mileage was 138,500.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Hyundai Elantra GT engine failure

Which Hyundai Elantra GT years have engine failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2018 (13 complaints), 2017 (7 complaints) and 2014 (4 complaints).

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