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2018 Hyundai Elantra: fire, smoke or burning smell

7 of the 284 complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Elantra describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints
7
of this car's complaints
2%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 41 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 23, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · OH

We were heading back to Ohio at Mile marker 8 75N Kentucky when we heard a boom. Then we saw smoke as my husband was pulling over. We jump out to get our child out of the car seat and at the same time a pickup truck pulls up with two guys. They yell that our cars on fire and began putting the fire out with a fire extinguisher. We had an oil change before we left Ohio by Valvoline. This area of the hwy isn't really patrolled and only has a volunteer fire department. A constable just happened to pass by US on the way to Indiana.

Filed Apr 12, 2024 · Engine · 224,809 miles · NC · fire

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormally loud popping sound. Two other drivers alerted the contact that flames were coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact checked the rearview mirror and noticed smoke coming from the vehicle's rear end. The steering wheel then seized, and the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was received. The flames extinguished themselves. There were no police or fire department reports filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a seized crankshaft and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 224,809.

Filed Mar 17, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TN

The BSD system keeps malfunctioning Hyundai to me that I should report it to yall because it should be recalled if just stops and also the brakes keep having a burning smell to them and the steering wheel when you turn left and right keep making loud popping noises those things should be recalled

Filed Sep 28, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · TX · fire

While driving, heard a loud pop then smoke came from the engine. The electrical system flashed then went out. A passer by coming from the opposite direction stopped and told me that my car was on fire. I got out and there was a small fire on the groung underneith my car. Then opened the hood where there was a small fire behind the engine. Another truck passing by had a fire estinguisher and put the fire out. There was oil all over the road. Called a wrecker service to come and pick it up. Upon delivery of my vehicle, there was oil all over the wrecker. I'm very lucky to have had someone come by to put the fire out. I could of been in the car and been burned. The insurance company has been out and done a full report on it. There were no warning light that came on detecting any issues.

Filed Sep 30, 2022 · Engine · 70,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud sound coming from underneath the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, there was smoke coming from the front end of the vehicle. Another driver alerted her son that there was a flash of flame coming from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed her that the vehicle was out of warranty and offered to cover 60% of the repair cost. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Oct 13, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · TX · fire

About month ago Sept the car would shut off when driving or stopping and find out it oil I had changed at the tire shop it was changed 2 n half months before that once oil changed running good low tire light ,oil light flash off and on at time well as of 10/12/2021 started do it my again so I check oil there no oil werid where oil go no leak on ground when I leave wherever I parked well went to Walmart get oil put oil in it and started driving not even more 35 miles bout sudden smoke coming from under engine then smell fire I pull over in parking lot at restaurant ran put fire out and it got worse trying grab my stuff and bf with me fire went inside car and under the car hear siren firemen coming if they hadn't gotten there when they did it almost went to the gas tank could of exploded firemen said look like electrical cause fire . Engine light ,oil and tire light were on now undrivable .

Filed Dec 24, 2018 · Transmission · 2,800 miles · MD

I bought the car about a month ago. And today I experienced the car while driving at 55mph when I went to accelerate to go the speed limit of 65 on the major highway going into salisbury, md that the car wouldnt speed up. And about 30 seconds later the transmission seemed to have down shifted a couple gears due to the rpms going from 4600ish RPM down to 2000 rpms and than the car went back to normal. When I had gotten into salisbury and had to stop it braked just fine but when I started to drive again it start to feel like it was stalling and it's been doing it now for the whole day. As well as a burning smell which I'm 99% certain is the clutch. I have worked the automotive field for about 7 years. I have a dct transmissions 2018 hyundai elantra sport tech package. I went in the forum on facebook and some else has posted the same issues. And many other comments. I will be taking mine to the dealership after christmas is over. But I'll list screenshots below

Questions about the 2018 Hyundai Elantra fire or smoke

Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 2018 Hyundai Elantra?

7 of 284 owner complaints about the 2018 Hyundai Elantra (2%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 2013.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 Hyundai Elantra?

There are 0 recalls and 41 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2018 Hyundai Elantra

Check engine light 48Stalling 47Engine failure 39Knocking 26Oil consumption 16Misfire 15Loss of power 14Headlights 11Hesitation 6Overheating 6Warning lights 6Airbag light 5Won't start 5

All model years of the Hyundai Elantra

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